Did Anyone Else Think Last Night's PBS "American Empire" Program was Pure Propaganda?

[The Cleaner]

At the very end of the program the guy poses the question of what is the better option? He fully promoted American Imperialism as a means of keeping us safe, keeping freedom and democracy going, etc. There was no real argument against it, just pro pro pro.

Now, one more thought. Last week Katy Couric skips off to Iraq to report back to us what is "really" going on. Whatdya know, guess who shows up in Iraq yesterday and guess who gets to interview him? Katy Couric. And guess what she has to say about Iraq? Mostly rosy. And of course, they edit in one Iraqi who says America needs to stay the course.

Does anyone think we've been bombarded with propaganda the last few days? Like things are so bad in Iraq and so they have to make Americans feel better about our role in the world even though we are hated universally? Any thoughts on that?
:shrug:

[TwilightGardener]

1. When I heard the term "Power projection" (which one of the interviewees used), the

purpose of the program became suspect to me--that is a term straight out of PNAC documents. I only saw a part of it, and that was enough--I agree with you, pure neocon propaganda. And I'm VERY pro-military, being married to it and all!

[Burma Jones]

2. I caught the last 20 minutes

The shots in the Military Cemetery, the flag waving in the breeze, the comparisons of Colombia to the American Old West, the Viet Nam era shots of the helicopter flying over the countryside, the commentator's daring the audience to disagree with him.....definitely propaganda.

I suppose the folks at PBS think this sort of show is a balance to Bill Moyers.......

[Loge23]

3. The "re-education" program is in full swing

It's back to school for many Americans and the administration is not missing out on the coincidence.
Not only are we being inundated with the great lie in Iraq, but the idiot-'n-thief has been all over the "news" lately. It would appear that the pigman left a full plate of pig slop for the media.
Did you see that jerk that wrote a book after gaining "extraordinary access" to the idiot-president?
He's on AM TV trying to tell everyone that bush is actually very intelligent!!
Then, there's the "leader-guy" in Iraq, playing the big hero by telling us that there's some chance of reducing troops. This, of course, after lying to us for the last eight years and essentially signing the death certificates for hundreds of thousands of human beings.
So he's really a very sympathetic, intelligent, thoughtful guy according to the official state-run media.
...and we're "winning" in Iraq.
God help us.

[The Cleaner]

5. Yes, the guy that wrote the book, not sure his name,

they said he is from Texas also and according to his own words he "didn't have an ax to grind" and seemed generally sympathetic towards Bush and so Bush was happy to sit down with him. Yes, he did make Bush out to be intelligent and even said he's reading a lot of history books. Bull crap!

Bush is now working on his legacy and trying to rewrite history. Possibly making himself look sympathetic and humble becuase his admin and possibly even him is in BIG TROUBLE.

[peacetalksforall]

8. Bush reading history means he's searching for new ways to

torment the world. We can guess who is people of interest are - for him. So he can be an 'Idea President' in addition to a 'Peace President' in addition to a 'Decider President'.

[The Stranger]

4. Yes, it was Neocon Propaganda -- even on PBS.

[Marr]

6. It's interesting that imperial might is assumed to be a good thing.

The average British citizen seems to be doing alot better now that the empire is vanished. Empires are very good for a select few, and very hard on everyone else.

[ROakes1019]

7. yes

For a while, as I was watching it, I was irritated at the proAmerican slant but then I decided to continue watching to see just how warped it could be. It was definitely a pitch for benigh imperialism. Lately, I've been forcing myself to catch some of these hard-right shows, to see how insane they can be so we'll know what we're up against. I'd say we're up against malevolence versus benevolence and you can guess which side is for which. It's amazing how cruel these righties can be.