The Pentagon planting stories in Iraqi news reminds me of this DHS scheme

[bigtree]

. . . to solicit and hire writers who could write fake stories for them:

Wanted: Journalists Who Can Keep Quiet

Posted on Wednesday, February 23
http://hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/022305/homeland.html

The Bush administration is hiring more reporters. Only this time, it wants them to keep quiet.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last week placed a help-wanted listing on journalismjobs.com, an employment website. The department sought reporters to participate in TOPOFF 3, a biennial exercise directed by Congress that simulates a terrorist attack on the United States.

The posting, which has since been taken off the site, sought applicants who can write copy for an online news service “reporting events within the exercise for an audience of exercise participants.”

>>>>Instead of acting as advocates, the reporters would be prohibited from relaying the results of the exercise outside of the “virtual news network” that is part of the training exercise.

“You must NOT be currently employed by a real news organization and will be required to sign a nondisclosure agreement barring you from writing about this in the future,” the job posting stated.

[bloom]

1. This is also a related must-read

if you haven't read it yet:


The Man Who Sold the War

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/_/id/8798997?rnd=1133487486764&has-player=unknown

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. Reminds me of the photo-ops where you hand out ice to people

whose homes have just been obliterated, their lives uprooted, cars, pets, and all manner of posessions erased from their worlds. Ice should cover it, we'll send you a bill for the aid, and make sure you double your homeowners insurance check IF you can find any. Why does the weather hate America??

[bonito]

3. Kick n/t.