Thu Jan 12, 2012, 02:46 PM
garybeck (9,583 posts)
NPR just flat out LIED.
I was in the car, tuned in to NPR, just because there's nothing else to listen to. The top of the hour news came on and there was a 30 second news story about Iran. The main point of the story (about Israel killing their nuke scientists in a car bomb) is unrelated to this post, but at the end it said (quoting from memory, but it's still pretty fresh in my mind):
"Iran says it's developing nuclear technology for energy purposes, but the US and its allies believe it is developing a nuclear weapons program."
Now the TRUTH is that Leon Panetta, our Defense Secretary, said as little as a week ago on CBS Face the Nation: "Are they trying to develop a nuclear weapon? No."
and... Panetta admitted that despite all the rhetoric, Iran is not pursuing the ability to split atoms with weapons, saying it is instead pursuing “a nuclear capability.” That “capability” falls in line with what Iran has said for years: that it is developing nuclear energy facilities, not nuclear weapons. Now we can argue about whether or not Iran is trying to develop this or that. But when the Secretary of Defense says that he does not believe they are developing a weapon, it is a flat out LIE to report in the news that the US believes they are. Shame on NPR. Just taking the same old bullshit propaganda news feed all the other MSM is being fed and regurgitating it to us blind sheep.
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48 replies, 14086 views
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Author | Time | Post |
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garybeck | Jan 2012 | OP |
Demonaut | Jan 2012 | #1 | |
Tesha | Jan 2012 | #2 | |
tularetom | Jan 2012 | #4 | |
MedicalAdmin | Jan 2012 | #14 | |
hootinholler | Jan 2012 | #22 | |
Saving Hawaii | Jan 2012 | #34 | |
Fire Walk With Me | Jan 2012 | #3 | |
leveymg | Jan 2012 | #5 | |
arcane1 | Jan 2012 | #6 | |
garybeck | Jan 2012 | #11 | |
RiffRandell | Jan 2012 | #7 | |
CoffeeCat | Jan 2012 | #8 | |
dixiegrrrrl | Jan 2012 | #38 | |
marasinghe | Jan 2012 | #47 | |
abelenkpe | Jan 2012 | #9 | |
rurallib | Jan 2012 | #10 | |
abelenkpe | Jan 2012 | #45 | |
garybeck | Jan 2012 | #13 | |
just1voice | Jan 2012 | #16 | |
WingDinger | Jan 2012 | #12 | |
garybeck | Jan 2012 | #18 | |
redqueen | Jan 2012 | #15 | |
garybeck | Jan 2012 | #19 | |
corkhead | Jan 2012 | #31 | |
SammyWinstonJack | Jan 2012 | #42 | |
Warpy | Jan 2012 | #17 | |
Stuart G | Jan 2012 | #20 | |
greiner3 | Jan 2012 | #21 | |
garybeck | Jan 2012 | #25 | |
marasinghe | Jan 2012 | #48 | |
The Genealogist | Jan 2012 | #23 | |
zipplewrath | Jan 2012 | #24 | |
garybeck | Jan 2012 | #26 | |
zipplewrath | Jan 2012 | #28 | |
hunter | Jan 2012 | #27 | |
joshcryer | Jan 2012 | #37 | |
Festivito | Jan 2012 | #29 | |
Odin2005 | Jan 2012 | #30 | |
oberliner | Jan 2012 | #32 | |
AtheistCrusader | Jan 2012 | #35 | |
TheKentuckian | Jan 2012 | #33 | |
chervilant | Jan 2012 | #36 | |
sendero | Jan 2012 | #39 | |
garybeck | Jan 2012 | #40 | |
sendero | Jan 2012 | #46 | |
liam_laddie | Jan 2012 | #41 | |
McCamy Taylor | Jan 2012 | #43 | |
Mosby | Jan 2012 | #44 |
Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 02:48 PM
Demonaut (7,671 posts)
1. give Panetta some time
I'm sure the Israeli's think they are
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Response to garybeck (Original post)
Tesha This message was self-deleted by its author.
Response to Tesha (Reply #2)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 02:56 PM
tularetom (23,664 posts)
4. Do you mean the republicans that threatened to de-fund NPR if they didn't get their ass in line?
What a disappointment NPR turned out to be.
At this point I really don't care if they go down the tubes, they went to the dark side a long time ago. |
Response to tularetom (Reply #4)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 03:26 PM
MedicalAdmin (4,143 posts)
14. I agree.
Sad but true. Worse yet is that the CBC in Canada seems to have been muzzled too.
I fear that armed conflict is inevitable. I won't live to see it but maybe the next generation will have to go to town on TPTB. http://www.google.com/imgres?q=demotivational+posters+rebellion&hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&sa=X&rls=en&biw=1037&bih=888&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=FYdwuA3lbw4G1M:&imgrefurl=http://www.motifake.com/132508&docid=PN_89Ec3VtLQzM&imgurl= ![]() |
Response to Tesha (Reply #2)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 04:29 PM
hootinholler (26,449 posts)
22. Oh come on NPR talks to two parties on every issue
Republicans and Libertarians. Get it right.
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Response to Tesha (Reply #2)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 11:59 PM
Saving Hawaii (441 posts)
34. Democrats are Yurupeans and they sure aren't our allies. /nt
Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 02:55 PM
Fire Walk With Me (38,893 posts)
3. Which DUer first coined "Now Primarily Republican"?
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Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 02:59 PM
leveymg (36,418 posts)
5. It's called splitting hairs finer than atoms. The npr story says "program", Panetta says "weapons"
A major difference, but so fine a distinction most listeners don't notice. It's called propaganda.
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Response to leveymg (Reply #5)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 03:06 PM
arcane1 (38,613 posts)
6. Reminds me of "weapons of mass destruction-related program activities" n/t
Response to leveymg (Reply #5)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 03:23 PM
garybeck (9,583 posts)
11. I don't really agree with that
if you have a weapons program, you are developing weapons.
if you're not developing weapons, you don't have a weapons program. it's pretty simple. what they said is a complete contradiction to what our Defense Secretary said. |
Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 03:09 PM
RiffRandell (5,909 posts)
7. Completely agree. n/t
Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 03:09 PM
CoffeeCat (24,411 posts)
8. Iran is essential to the PNAC/neocon plan...
All you have to to is read the PNAC plan, which the neocons so graciously put on the Web for all of
us to see. http://www.newamericancentury.org/index.html They list the countries that they desire--for their resources and/or geopolitical advantages. So, they will have them. PERIOD. Iraq was first on their wish list. In fact, when Clinton was President, the neocons demanded that he invade and take out Saddam Hussein. These reptiles have been wanting this real estate for a long, long time. Here's the 1998 letter from the neocons, urging President Clinton to go to war with Saddam. http://www.newamericancentury.org/iraqclintonletter.htm The neocons also list Syria, Libya and Iran as targets. Iran will be a tougher "get" but they'll get it. We human beings seem to lap up the manufactured crises, lies and reality twisting--in order to help the neocons justify actions that they take in these countries. They've been iteratively conditioning us to soften up on the idea of plundering Iran. That will be the toughest battle, because unlike Afghanistan, Syria or Iraq--the population is very well educated and more modern. The must justify the horrible consequences of taking Iran--with equally horrifying stories about what will happen if we don't obliterate that country. If you ever wonder what is driving our foreign policy--or what will happen next--just refer back to the PNAC plan. It's all there. We're not doing a damn thing about it--and no President since George W Bush has wavered from their plan. All of their dreams are coming true--with each and every country that they wish to dominate and plunder. No doubt, the "Iran is going to blow up Israel and also Wisconsin" malarkey will continue and exacerbate--just as the "Saddam has WMD" and "Saddam is part of Al Queda" lies were slowly ramped up before we invaded Iraq. |
Response to CoffeeCat (Reply #8)
Fri Jan 13, 2012, 05:53 AM
dixiegrrrrl (59,457 posts)
38. Hat tip for that reminder.
I am amazed that people seem to have forgotten the PNAC plan so quickly.
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Response to CoffeeCat (Reply #8)
Sat Jan 14, 2012, 06:41 AM
marasinghe (1,253 posts)
47. you are right, of course. the PNAC types are vampires to the core of their being.
they never die off. just lie low in mausoleums; slinking out into the open, to suck the World's blood - whenever they feel conditions are in their favor. helped no end, of course, by their soul-selling familiars - our political & military leaders, and our mass media.
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Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 03:10 PM
abelenkpe (9,933 posts)
9. Why does anyone still give NPR any credibility?
They weren't exactly the voice of reason during the run up to the Iraq war and have been trending to the right for years.
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Response to abelenkpe (Reply #9)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 03:16 PM
rurallib (55,960 posts)
10. as bad as they are, there is little else Over the air
to listen to. One must listen with a keen ear though.
Me? I often find myself listening to religious crap and mocking it while I drive. They cover about half the stations any more. |
Response to rurallib (Reply #10)
Fri Jan 13, 2012, 04:31 PM
abelenkpe (9,933 posts)
45. That actually sounds quite entertaining! :) nt
Response to abelenkpe (Reply #9)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 03:24 PM
garybeck (9,583 posts)
13. they still are seen by many as liberal/objective. not that I agree. n/t
Response to abelenkpe (Reply #9)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 03:30 PM
just1voice (1,362 posts)
16. Good point, why does anybody give any MSM any credibility?
The entire republican primary fraud/show is evidence enough that the MSM is a worthless mouthpiece of propagandists. The much deeper problem is why Americans believe so much obvious propaganda and the answer lies in what a corrupt country the U.S. has become.
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Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 03:24 PM
WingDinger (3,690 posts)
12. JUST LIKE THE SADDAM dodge. He was dev. a weapons PROGRAM. NOT WEAPONS.
Same bullshit slight of hand again. They can believe, with no proof, whatsoever, that anyone has a program on anything. But it sounded just like they said He was developing a weapon.
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Response to WingDinger (Reply #12)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 03:34 PM
garybeck (9,583 posts)
18. You're either on the bus or off the bus.
I can't say my quote shows the exact words they used, and to me it doesn't matter
if they're not developing a weapon, they can't have a program to do so. Panetta said they're not pursuing a weapon. That's pretty clear. Any "news" story saying the US believes Iran is developing a weapon (or a weapons program) is a lie. You can't be on the bus and off the bus at the same time. or better stated, if you're off the bus, the news can't say you're on it. If they do, they're lying. |
Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 03:26 PM
redqueen (112,607 posts)
15. They've been doing this for years.
Before the most recent invasion of Iraq they were busily spinning the anti-war demonstrators as just a few misguided hippies who were out of touch with real Americans.
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Response to redqueen (Reply #15)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 03:36 PM
garybeck (9,583 posts)
19. the scary thing about NPR is
they still portray themselves as liberal/objective, so the liberals flock to it and eat up whatever they say and they think they're getting "their side" of the stories when in fact they're getting the same bs that's on FOX.
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Response to garybeck (Reply #19)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 10:29 PM
corkhead (6,119 posts)
31. +1000 dead on.
Response to garybeck (Reply #19)
Fri Jan 13, 2012, 09:41 AM
SammyWinstonJack (43,809 posts)
42. So liberals can't distinguish between what they know is bs on FOX and NPR's rw propaganda?
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Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 03:31 PM
Warpy (99,228 posts)
17. NPR took a hard turn to the right during Stupid's administration
when he stacked their board with a bunch of right wing, bible beating, corporate drones.
They've been largely useless for years. If I need to wake up to clock radio, it's now tuned to the local classical station. If there's a commercial, it's a mellow one for a stupid luxury car or brokerage. |
Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 04:14 PM
Stuart G (29,375 posts)
20. NPR..lies too..sad..but true..nt K and R
Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 04:26 PM
greiner3 (5,214 posts)
21. I don't agree with al these attacks on NPR.
For every story the DU attackers come up with there are hours of GOOD programming to listen to. If every point on NPR agreed with every listener then why not call it Fox News junior?
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Response to greiner3 (Reply #21)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 05:04 PM
garybeck (9,583 posts)
25. Uh, I'm not attacking NPR altogether. And are you saying that if they lie
and mislead the public and give false pretenses for sending our kids to die for our country that we should just keep our mouths shut because it's sacred NPR?
GMAFB. |
Response to greiner3 (Reply #21)
Sat Jan 14, 2012, 07:01 AM
marasinghe (1,253 posts)
48. sorry; running decent arts programs on NPR & PBS, doesn't make 'em into objective news sources.
wouldn't be a surprise if the PTB & their minions figure that - providing intellectually stimulating entertainment, is a way of suckering the thinking segment of the public into buying their propaganda on the side. kind of a "get their defences down - then inject them with toxin" ploy.
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Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 04:53 PM
The Genealogist (4,723 posts)
23. I gave up on them in 2004
I felt they were cheerleading for the Iraq invasion, to begin with, and I got tired of yelling at my radio during the 2004 election season, when they crapped all over Kerry and were way kinder with Shrub and his record than he deserved. My guess is that they got enough RWers on their board to slant their news rightward, or else they got the old "shill for us or NPR is history" memo.
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Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 04:59 PM
zipplewrath (15,705 posts)
24. Technically, Panetta doesn't speak for all the "allies"
Penetta is making a distinction between working on the weapon, and working on the nuclear material for a warhead. They are working on the material, whether they actually produce a weapon will be determined in the future. There are real reasons to presume that they will not. Not everyone agrees
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Response to zipplewrath (Reply #24)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 05:08 PM
garybeck (9,583 posts)
26. he speaks for the department of defense.
so to say that the US thinks' they're developing a weapon would contradict what he said.
I think people should stop splitting hairs about this "weapon" vs "program" vs "material for a warhead" crap. this is what Panetta said. it's pretty clear. It's in the OP but I'll post it again because some people aren't getting it: "Are they trying to develop a nuclear weapon? No." Now if they're not trying to develop a nuclear weapon, that means they are not developing a "program" to do so. It means they're not trying to develop nuclear material for a warhead. Could it be more clear? I don't think so. |
Response to garybeck (Reply #26)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 07:55 PM
zipplewrath (15,705 posts)
28. And I don't think so
Panetta doesn't think they are trying to develop a warhead. However, he may be one of the few in the US and the only one of our "allies", which is who the attribution in the original article was. Furthermore, just because they aren't trying NOW, doesn't really mean much. Once they can produce the nuclear material, the rest of it is fairly well known. Developing the fuel is the whole game basically. So your concern is basically a distinction looking for a difference. Which is why Panetta's answer on CBS was relatively noncontroversial.
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Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 05:24 PM
hunter (32,330 posts)
27. Iran wants nuclear power...
... so they can export their natural gas to anti-nuclear Europeans.
It's a pretty reasonable business plan. We just want to own their natural gas. |
Response to hunter (Reply #27)
Fri Jan 13, 2012, 04:48 AM
joshcryer (61,591 posts)
37. Iran has very little uranium, though. North Korea at least has millions of tonnes of reserves.
Iran has a few thousand if that.
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Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 08:46 PM
Festivito (13,452 posts)
29. NPR gets about 2% funding from US, and that's about how much of them you can believe.
It's sad. At least 2% is better than none.
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Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 09:01 PM
Odin2005 (53,521 posts)
30. National Propaganda Radio.
Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 10:53 PM
oberliner (58,724 posts)
32. Panetta: Iran is seeking capability to build nuclear weapon
Response to oberliner (Reply #32)
Fri Jan 13, 2012, 02:55 AM
AtheistCrusader (33,982 posts)
35. Washington Post just lied.
He didn't say 'capability to build a nuclear weapon'.
He said 'nuclear capability'. PANETTA: I think the pressure of the sanctions, the diplomatic pressures from everywhere, Europe, the United States, elsewhere, it’s working to put pressure on them. To make them understand that they cannot continue to do what they’re doing. Are they trying to develop a nuclear weapon? No. But we know that they’re trying to develop a nuclear capability. And that’s what concerns us. And our red line to Iran is, do not develop a nuclear weapon. That’s a red line for us. [...] SCHEIFFER: Could we take out their nuclear capability? DEMPSEY: Well I certainly want them to believe that that’s the case? [...] PANETTA: They need to know that if they take that step, that they’re going to get stopped. … Our preference is that the international community, including Israel, ought to work together on this issue. … If the Israelis made that decision we would have to be prepared to protect our forces in that situation that’s what we’d be concerned about. "Nuclear capability" is a 'dual use' phrase. It can also represent purely civilian atomic power programs, and isotope production for medical uses. Yes, it can represent a nuclear weapons capability, but this is not the only common use for the term. I would call that a pants-on-fire lie by the post. |
Response to garybeck (Original post)
Thu Jan 12, 2012, 11:57 PM
TheKentuckian (23,947 posts)
33. NPR has been a part of the propaganda network for the better part of a decade
Why do you think things like ideals, principles, and policy aims are so strongly discouraged, minimized, and even mocked?
You are quickly herded when trusting information based on "brand" and neither compass nor destination beyond the next cycle. Are there worse sources of information? Sure, that does not negate that they are part of the narrative machine that sets the boundaries of mass opinion and weavers the bullshit stories that allow the crap they can't smuggle into unrelated legislation and extra-legal shenanigans they need the majority to be sorta behind or run afoul of having to muck around with controlling without broad tolerance. |
Response to garybeck (Original post)
Fri Jan 13, 2012, 04:16 AM
chervilant (8,267 posts)
36. Deja Vu, Anyone?
Are we about to witness another Confederacy of Dunces, vomiting their fear-mongering lies in every venue:
"Iran has weapons of mass destruction!" "Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons!" "Look at all those aluminum tubes!" "We don't want the 'smoking gun' to become a mushroom cloud!!!" When Joe Wilson threw his Monkey Wrench of Truth into the corporatists' war machine, they outed his wife. Wonder what they'll cook up for Panetta... |
Response to garybeck (Original post)
Fri Jan 13, 2012, 06:38 AM
sendero (28,552 posts)
39. While I'm no fan of NPR..
.... it's Panetta that is lying.
Iran is pursuing a weapon and our leaders know it. You act as though you don't think our leaders will lie when they think it is in their interest to do so. |
Response to sendero (Reply #39)
Fri Jan 13, 2012, 07:42 AM
garybeck (9,583 posts)
40. why would Panetta lie about this? do you know more than he does?
what evidence do you have?
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Response to garybeck (Reply #40)
Sat Jan 14, 2012, 06:14 AM
sendero (28,552 posts)
46. His own words.
.... do a google.
To be technical, it is not so much a lie as it is a form of diplomacy. Honestly, do you think Iran is playing around with this stuff for their stated purpose of power generation? The question of whether or not Iran has the right to possess a nuke is a legitimate one. The question of whether or not that is their aim is settled. |
Response to garybeck (Original post)
Fri Jan 13, 2012, 09:26 AM
liam_laddie (1,321 posts)
41. K&R!
NPR has been an effing bullpucky operation for the last decade or more. Independent my ass! Public for sure, but the management has been bending over for the DC establishment for way too long.
For example, Diane Rehm yesterday had that damnable Hans Spakovsky as a guest panelist discussing voter fraud and voter suppression. Talk about fox in the hen house! Disgusting... I'm hoping Bill Moyers' new show "Moyers and Company" will tilt the playing field more to the left, or should I say, to fact-based news and programming. Check your local listings for his premiere show tonight on American Public Television (not PBS.) In the EST zone it's 9-10PM, repeats on other days and times on many stations depending on local programming decisions. Some local PBS stations will carry it, many will not. Welcome back, Mr. Moyers! |
Response to garybeck (Original post)
Fri Jan 13, 2012, 11:06 AM
McCamy Taylor (19,224 posts)
43. And the sky is blue. NPR has been National Propaganda Radio for years.
Response to garybeck (Original post)
Mosby This message was self-deleted by its author.