CNN is on a shameless, endless Pro-GOP full-court press

[Atman]

They are now on at least their FOURTH "story" about our wonderful adventure to bring democracy to the good people of Iraq, and how well it is going. We've seen the interviews with excited, happy grunts, we've seen a story about the how well people are doing, and now a General is on doing segment called "Reconstruction Review," complete with stunning video of vibrant, bustling city streets and markets filled with happy people.

How much are we paying them for these BushCo campaign infomercials?

:puke:

.

[Stephanie]

1. Did you see a brief item yesterday about the Pentagon & media

That the Pentagon is going to be infiltrating "new media" and the internet to get out the "good news" about Iraq, etc?

[Atman]

3. Boy, they act fast, huh?

This is bad, even for CNN. So obvious it would be laughable if the ramifications weren't so scary.

.

[Stephanie]

11. Here - >

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061030/pl_afp/usiraqpolitics_061030202833

Pentagon mounts public affairs ops to counter bad news, exploit "new media"

by Jim Mannion
Mon Oct 30, 3:28 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Pentagon is expanding its public affairs operations to counter "inaccurate" news stories and editorials and exploit "new media" to get its message out, its chief spokesman said, denying the effort was linked to the US elections.

The initiative comes amid plummeting domestic support for the war in Iraq and just before crucial mid-term congressional elections in which opposition Democrats are contesting Republican control of the Congress.

Eric Ruff, the Pentagon press secretary, insisted that the new public affairs program was not prompted by either the elections or polls showing that only about 37 percent believe the war is going well.

"What were looking at doing is, 'How can we get better, how can we get faster, how can we transform public affairs?'," he told reporters.

"And we're looking at being quicker to respond to breaking news. Being quicker to respond, frankly, to inaccurate statements," he said.

"And we're looking at this whole issue of new media -- podcasting, and IM-ing and all those kinds of things, where people are basically running circles inside us," he said.

Ruff disclosed the expanded operations after questions were raised about a wall being built in the Pentagon press operations center that will separate the new unit from Pentagon public affairs officials who deal with the media.

He denied that the intent of the new operation was to go around the mainstream news media.

***

"Information operations" is a military term used to describe propaganda aimed at influencing foreign publics. Traditional Pentagon public affairs, on the other hand, is bound by laws that prohibit propagandizing of Americans.

Asked whether the new Pentagon operations fell under the category of "information operations," Ruff said, "I've not looked at it that way at all."

"I've looked at it as getting better at what we do, from the standpoint of taking advantage of technology, of setting the record straight from a public affairs position," he said.

[Norquist Nemesis]

It's nothing less than a campaign donation. n/t

[NewJeffCT]

2. I guess they got the message from Lynne Cheney

Suck up to us, or else.

[Norquist Nemesis]

4. You're either with us or with the terrorists. n/t

[Supersedeas]

5. the Corp Media constituents are just getting out the Pre-Election message

[oasis]

6. Duncan Hunter and Lynne Cheney's comments about the sniper video has

put CNN on the defensive.

[kentuck]

7. Oh, they're just trying to be fair and balanced..

There's been too much Democratic "bias" in the last week or so...

[Armstead]

8. They're trying to attone to the GOP for going off script

CNN did have a gutsy report on the Iraq snipers, showing an actual view of the reality of the war.

They got roundly criticized for it. So, I suspect, they are now trying to prove that they are "fair and balanced" by going to the other extreme.

Pussies.

[Neecy]

9. You know what's next, don't you?

We'll probably see Crowley 24/7 over the next week, mocking Democrats as only she can.

[QuestionAll...]

13. yes, she's baaaaack...

her program Two Left Feet... oiy!
thick running theme throughout is the democrats are weak, dems don't stand for anything, bla bla bla.

so bloody transparent it's sickening!

[madokie]

10. beings as they are complicit in the Iraqi war lie it is in their better interest

if the bush* cartel remains in the majority, after all there might be some Dems who wants to start asking questions about their complicity

[MsKandice01]

12. It gets worse!!!

I kept hearing a tease about "Who really owns our voting machines?" and I was pissed that they were JUST now reporting about the people who own Diebold, ES&S, Hart Intercivic, etc. but I was looking forward to seeing what they had to say...just in CASE they might have something informative to offer. Well, the story finally aired and it's about fucking HUGO CHAVEZ.

I'm turning off the TV.