So much for "Freedom of the Press"

[troubleinwinter]

Pentagon wants 'uplifting accounts' about Iraq

Administration wants upbeat reports, will 'curtail' bad news about Iraq

by Tom Regan | csmonitor.com


Thursday morning in Baghdad multiple car bombs and rocket attacks killed at least 40 people, including many children and several US soldiers. The Bush administration, The Washington Post reports Thursday, worried that negative stories like these are dominating the news headlines during an election period, has decided to send out Iraq Americans to bring what the Defense Department calls "the good news" about the situation in Iraq to US military bases.

The Post also reports that the administration is moving to "curtail distribution" of reports that show the situation in Iraq growing worse. In particular, the US Agency of International Development said this week that it will "restrict distribution" of a report by its contractor, Kroll Security International, that showed the number of attacks by insurgents had been increasingly dramatically over the past few months. Attacks have risen to 70 a day, up from 40-50, since Iraqi Prime Minister Alawi took office in June.

In one sign that the administration and the military are working harder to keep a lid on negative stories, Salon reports that an Army Reserve staff sargent from Texas, with 20 years experience who is now serving in Iraq, may face up to 20 years in prison for "disloyalty and insubordination."The reason? He wrote an article criticizing the occupation of Iraq on an anti-war website, LewRockwell.com. The article contained no classified information. In his commentary, Sgt. Al Lorentz offered a "bleak assessment" of the situation.


The Christian Science Monitor http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0930/dailyUpdate.html?s=ent

[NJCher]

1. they know it's killing them in the campaign

Surest sign ever that they are desperate.


Cher

[bif]

2. '"Freedom of the Press"? That is sooo 1999.

[Kid_A]

3. Today in Iraq, millions of cars didn't explode! Film at eleven!

In other news, President Bush today rescued a litter of kittens from a burning warehouse. "What can I say. I love all of God's creatures." said the bravely singed Commander-in-Chief.

Meanwhile, across town, Democratic party nominee and Communist sympathizer John Kerry raped a nun. "I hate those fucking nuns." said the remorseless nun-raper.

[knowbody0]

4. wouldn't it be kool

if we could elect the press?

[mark11727]

11. We do... it's called "buying the damn paper."

[proud patriot]

5. FREEDOM the Orwellian brand

:mad:

[kayell]

6. Can't report any actual news now, it might influence the elections.

Open wide everyone, it's time for your blue pill.

[ComerPerro]

7. Well, it makes sense. If people knew what a fuckup Bush was

they wouldn't vote for him.

And we can't have that.


I mean, what's next for the news:

"Tonight at ten: If you are watching this now, it means that once again, you didn't die in a terror attack. You should thank God that Bush is keeping you safe."

[LisaLynne]

8. This has already gone too far!

Who cares if it's an election time??? If that's what's going on out there, then that's what should be reported. Arrrgggh!! It's so frustrating!!

Of course, the Repugs in power have to make sure the truth doesn't get out there because they've brainwashed their constituents to believe anything they see on TV and when the truth seeps on to the screen, they have to believe that, just like the lies. As long as it doesn't involve any thinking!

[Tafiti]

9. Is this to pacify swing voters? Interestingly enough, ...

...on CBS Evening News last night, they were doing a story on monitoring brain activity to solicit a "brain response" to different objects and pictures, etc. (Anybody see this?) Then, they stuck in a little segment where they monitored brain activity responses of Democrats' and Republicans' to violent images and pictures. Turns out, Republicans are much more likely to be "less disturbed" by violence than are Democrats. Hmmm. Now we have scientific data to back up the fact that Republicans are callous assholes. Ha!

So, they're not trying to cover up the increasing violence to Repugs, 'cause it's just not that disturbing to them. They want to shield the swing voters who could be turned off by the escalating violence.

[newyawker99]

12. Hi transistor97!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Snotcicles]

10. Is she the one

that said when she got out of college she wanted to teach in Harlem?
Whats stopping her?
Maybe her dad told her to join the guard because you can screwoff and still look like you did something for your country.