The Enemy is Us.. (Vietnam era propaganda)

I found this article while surfing the web and figured it was something that the ATS crowd would like to dissect.. So, here it goes.. long read, but well worth it...

The enemy is us..

In war, you deny information, spread lies and use psychological warfare. An expert on military information operations explains how Bush has mastered this technique -- and used it against the American people.

You have to watch a brief ad to view the whole story..

By Sam Gardiner

Sept. 22, 2004 | On Thursday, Iraq's interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi, will speak before a joint meeting of Congress, and from what he said in London on his way to the United States, it looks like Americans are going to be getting more of the strategic information operations that have been crucial to Bush's policy on Iraq from the beginning.

On Monday, Allawi said at a press conference: "Terrorists are coming and pouring into Iraq to try to undermine the situation in Iraq ... And God forbid, if Iraq is broken or the will of Iraq is broken, then London will be a target, Washington will be a target." In those sentences, Allawi employed the basic doctrine of strategic information operations: Influence emotions, motive and objective reasoning. Use repetition to create a collective memory in the target audience. And the recurrent message of both Allawi and the Bush administration is: Iraq = terrorists = 9/11.

The Army Field Manual describes information operations as the use of strategies such as information denial, deception and psychological warfare to influence decision making. The notion is as old as war itself. With information operations, one seeks to gain and maintain information superiority -- control information and you control the battlefield. And in the information age, it has become even more imperative to influence adversaries.

www.salon.com...

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About the writer:
Sam Gardiner is a retired Air Force colonel who has taught strategy and military operations at the National War College, Air War College and Naval War College.

www.salon.com...

[edit on 26-9-2004 by UM_Gazz]

[edit on 9/26/2004 by QuietSoul]

[edit on 9/26/2004 by QuietSoul]

WHat is that a graph of?

And is it news that the US uses propoganda to get suport for wars?

Originally posted by Quest
WHat is that a graph of?

And is it news that the US uses propoganda to get suport for wars?

Read the article The graph shows how the amount of Iraq related stories have dramatically decreased and the story talks about 'Why'

During the early part of the war, there was more deception than truth in the comments and press briefings of the secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Among the fabricated stories was the early surrender of the commander and the entire 51st Iraqi mechanized division. We were told of an uprising in Basra -- it did not happen. We were told Iraqis had stolen U.S. uniforms to commit atrocities -- this was not true. We were told on White House and State Department Web sites that the Iraqi military had formed units of children to attack the coalition -- untrue. We were told of a whole range of agreements between the French and Iraq before the war over weapons -- false. We were told Saddam had marked a red line around Baghdad and that when we crossed it Iraq would use chemical weapons -- completely fabricated.

We were told of an elaborate scheme by Saddam's forces to ambush U.S. Marines on March 23 as they fought toward Baghdad. The president mentioned this incident many times. It turns out what really happened that day is that the Marines were repeatedly attacked by a U.S. Air Force A-10. It was a friendly-fire incident, not an Iraqi ruse. But building on the theme of Iraqi evil was more important than the truth.

And lots lots more..

Any military officer would say that you have to take the fight to the enemy. So what can we conclude about this decision? There is only one conceivable answer -- the White House is delaying military operations until after the Nov. 2 election for political reasons. In the meantime, information-denial operations must be ratcheted up to control the story. But that is becoming more difficult.

[edit on 9/26/2004 by QuietSoul]

This very same tactic was used by the left during the Vietnam War. It is itself the propaganda of the enemy and intended to weaken US morale and support for the war. Bush is the criminal, not those who attacked America. Bush attacked America, not Islamic extremists. Whatever lie can be disseminated and polished up with graphs, charts, and doctored or misinterpreted data, photos and the like.

This kind of tripe will be eaten up here and very soon the "usual suspects" will show up to exercise their First Amendment rights by bad mouthing everything American--the one-note Johnnys who never contribute anything but hate for Bush and America and call it patriotism. Funny how they sound just like our enemies, while insisting that they are "real Americans."

[edit on 04/9/26 by GradyPhilpott]

In war, you deny information, spread lies and use psychological warfare. An expert on military information operations explains how Bush has mastered this technique -- and used it against the American people.



Every politician lies at times whether it be Rupublican, Democrat, Libertarian, Socialist or Communist. To think we are the enemy is completly unsubstancial and unintelligent. To think Bush uses pshchological warfare against us is crazy. If you want to talk about psychological warfare I suggest you take a look at CNN, the New York Times, the Washington Post, MSNBC, Michael Moore, Dan Rather, and liberal hollywood. The news media is suppose to cover both sides equally but they dont. In the history of presidents they have never supported a Republican president and that IS psychological warfare. The media only shows you the bad things going on because that is all people want to see. I have seen the term DENY IGNORANCE and I suggest you follow it. Try to look at the big picture. Did you ever think Iraq was just a strategic location so we could efficiantly strike Iran without having to get permission for airspace. There is a reason for everything. Sometimes politicians can not let their intentions be known to the public because it would adversly affect the mission. This war is going to lead to WWIII! We did not start it. Just as the Japaneese bombed Pearl Harbor, the terrorists attacked the World Trade Center. We were pulled into this war and we must end it. If we pull out now it will make us look weak and open us up for more attacks. Have you ever heard the term F... me once, F... you. F... me twice, F... me! We must make sure this does not happen again!

[edit on 26-9-2004 by SSgt43]

I have seen the term DENY IGNORANCE and I suggest you follow it. Try to look at the big picture. Did you ever think Iraq was just a strategic location so we could efficiantly strike Iran without having to get permission for airspace. There is a reason for everything. Sometimes politicians can not let their intentions be known to the public because it would adversly affect the mission. This war is going to lead to WWIII!

I suggest you look at who wrote the article, and tell him that. I'm merely presenting an article I knew ATS would love to tear apart.

Originally posted by GradyPhilpott
This very same tactic was used by the left during the Vietnam War. It is itself the propaganda of the enemy and intended to weaken US morale and support for the war. Bush is the criminal, not those who attacked America. Bush attacked America, not Islamic extremists. Whatever lie can be disseminated and polished up with graphs, charts, and doctored or misinterpreted data, photos and the like.

This kind of tripe will be eaten up here and very soon the "usual suspects" will show up to exercise their First Amendment rights by bad mouthing everything American--the one-note Johnnys who never contribute anything but hate for Bush and America and call it patriotism. Funny how they sound just like our enemies, while insisting that they are "real Americans."

[edit on 04/9/26 by GradyPhilpott]

Exactly what I thought when I read the article. Everyone has been saying this is Vietnam all over again for a while, but since the death count doesnt add up to be similiar, alot of people shrug off that notion.

But regardless if 1000 soldiers die, or 20,000 soldiers, the left is starting their Vietnam era bullsh!it again.

Funny Philpott, you could just list,

Traitor
Treasonous
Enemy
Unpatriotic
Turncoat

for all your posts from now on and save us the trouble of reading through your facist diatribes. You are as guilty as the 'usual suspects'.

Fact is, you can't call me any of those. Damn I love being a foreign ally!

The media only shows you the bad things going on because that is all people want to see.

i dont think so, i would love to see some good news coming from where ever. the news out of iraq is the truth. that is really whats going on there so that is what they report. when they can get around reporting the acutal facts of the world, they do. honestly who in there right mind would tune in to hurricane coverage for 500 hourse striaght? thats basically what they are doing. getting around the sad facts that everything our government attemps to do is a complete failure. they have to cover for their mistake with these suposed Psy-op. IMO

Originally posted by GradyPhilpott
This very same tactic was used by the left during the Vietnam War. It is itself the propaganda of the enemy and intended to weaken US morale and support for the war. Bush is the criminal, not those who attacked America. Bush attacked America, not Islamic extremists. Whatever lie can be disseminated and polished up with graphs, charts, and doctored or misinterpreted data, photos and the like.

This kind of tripe will be eaten up here and very soon the "usual suspects" will show up to exercise their First Amendment rights by bad mouthing everything American--the one-note Johnnys who never contribute anything but hate for Bush and America and call it patriotism. Funny how they sound just like our enemies, while insisting that they are "real Americans."

[edit on 04/9/26 by GradyPhilpott]

And of course the American government never ever makes mistakes in foreign policy.

Funny how Bush Sr. predicted going into Iraq and deposing Saddam would lead to the exact situation this country is now facing. Bush Jr. and his team screwed up, big time.

There are ways to rectify the mistake, but time is a factor and smiling and nodding like the Iraqi Information Officer in total defiance of reality is not the first step to recovering what is rapidly turning into an unwinnable situation.

i dont think so, i would love to see some good news coming from where ever. the news out of iraq is the truth. that is really whats going on there so that is what they report.

Let me ask you this, have you ever been to Iraq? I have, I just got done with a year tour there and yes, the media only shows the bad stuff going on. They dont show all of the women and children who line up at our main gates to our installations just to get a glimpse of us and give us a thumbs up. The Iraqi Civil Defense Force saying thank you to soldiers whenever we have contact with them. So before you become a expert on foreign war why dont you open your mind a little. The media is controlled by the liberal party, so of course they are only going to show you the bad things. After all their poster boy, Johnny "Jihad" Kerry is the liberal opposition to President Bush. Now why dont you go to starbuck, get a latte or whatever yuppi style drink you get, and get back to me when you get a brain.

Originally posted by SSgt43
i dont think so, i would love to see some good news coming from where ever. the news out of iraq is the truth. that is really whats going on there so that is what they report.

Let me ask you this, have you ever been to Iraq? I have, I just got done with a year tour there and yes, the media only shows the bad stuff going on. They dont show all of the women and children who line up at our main gates to our installations just to get a glimpse of us and give us a thumbs up. The Iraqi Civil Defense Force saying thank you to soldiers whenever we have contact with them. So before you become a expert on foreign war why dont you open your mind a little. The media is controlled by the liberal party, so of course they are only going to show you the bad things. After all their poster boy, Johnny "Jihad" Kerry is the liberal opposition to President Bush. Now why dont you go to starbuck, get a latte or whatever yuppi style drink you get, and get back to me when you get a brain.

I know the feeling man, I was in Iraq briefly for about 2 months then was deported for another mission elsewhere.

Iraq isn't half as bad as it's made out to be. The news projects this image that all of the Iraqi's are running around with RPG's and AK's.. kinda sick when you think about the media even able to get this close to the people that are killing THEIR soldiers just for a story of misinformation.

Originally posted by SSgt43
We were pulled into this war and we must end it.

Guys, didn't you know we were pulled into this war? We didn't ask for it. They just attacked us because they like our Playstations and sleak cars, and are pissed they don't have them too. THEY ARE JEALOUS!

This is old bud and while laughable, you are still wrong.

If we pull out now it will make us look weak and open us up for more attacks.

This might be true, but I'm sure they would love us more. Like when we pulled out of the first Gulf War leaving 30,000 to get murdered without the support we promised.

Oops, our bad.

Yeah, we've done right by them so far.

[edit on 26-9-2004 by KrazyJethro]

I was going to make my usual post expressing my ill feelings and contempt for the current administration, my distrust of George Dubya and possibly take a couple jabs at the rapidly shrinking I.Q. of the average American over the past 30 years, but it's a waste of time. So, I'll spare you. At least somewhat ...

It seems we're on one side or the other, with little in between to bridge the gap. We are increasingly becoming a divided nation, and an isolated one, as well. George Dubya has achieved nothing during his term, and has served only to widen the divide and make us look foolish and arrogant to the rest of the world. He's the most negative, uninspiring purveyor of gloom and doom we've ever had for a so-called leader. The man has no vision, offers nothing to aspire to and achieves his goals through fear tactics and cowboy rhetoric. He's shown us no mountain worth climbing, but instead has given us much to fear. He obviously has delusions of grandeur. Iraq has nothing to do with the so-called war on terror, and anyone who buys into that doctrine is, putting it nicely, kiddinig themselves. It's a dismal day for Democracy.

Sorry, I started to get carried away after promising to spare you.

At any rate, to put a little perspective on who is the terrorist and who isn't, I'd suggest you read the posts made by Voive_Of Doom in the thread

www.abovetopsecret.com...

You see, who the good guys are and who the bad guys are is quite subjective. And when you've taken a stand, and refuse to understand that others may view things differently, all logic and reason is tossed out the window. The most intelligent individuals (and that's rather subjective, as well) are capable of rationalizing most anything, no matter how outlandish it may be.

Personally, I don't identify with the "left" or the "right". Those are just labels that tend to divide us and fit us with blinders. It doesn't matter from which direction the garbage is coming, it's still garbage. From the scholarly libraries of the late, great Cheech & Chong, "Looks like dog chit. Tastes like dog chit. Must be dog chit.". Those words of wisdom should apply no matter what label you choose to sport.

I realize I've added nothing to this thread, but I hope Voice_Of Doom's post did at least provide some food for thought. But then, my pessimistic leanings tell me that it will make no difference. In the words of another great scholar, "You're either with us on this, or you're intelligent". Oops, sorry, I mean "against us" ...

Oh yeah, just one more thing. To get the record straight, just because I think it was a stupid thing on George Dubya's part to invade Iraq, that doesn't mean I don't support the soldiers who are fighting and dying over their every day. I take my hat off to each and every one of them who are doing their patriotic duty and putting their lives on the line in the name of freedom. I just think their courage and dedication would be better utilized in fighting the one's responsible for 9/11. Remember 9/11? it's what ignited all this, and the thing Georgie Boy got distracted from when he decided to go into Iraq to finish Daddy's job ...

Originally posted by netbound
Oh yeah, just one more thing. To get the record straight, just because I think it was a stupid thing on George Dubya's part to invade Iraq, that doesn't mean I don't support the soldiers who are fighting and dying over their every day. I take my hat off to each and every one of them who are doing their patriotic duty and putting their lives on the line in the name of freedom.

Netbound,
I know we dont agree on the war in Iraq but I just personally wanted to thank you for stating you last message. I may disagree with you on the war but united we stand in support of our troops. Once again thank you!
SSgt43

Is very funny how opinions around change, we have two soldiers in this thread talking about how their experiences in Iraq was not as bad as the media makes Iraq to be.

And I have not reason to deny that they as soldiers that had served in Iraq are talking the truth, and I will never challenge their personal experienced I know also that soldiers in Iraq are doing their best to help the civilians to get with their lives.

I am glad that you had made it all right.

Now, I live in a city with a Marine base, and I visit often because my husband works in the base, I had met marines that had come back from Iraq, and the first thing they said when you ask how are things in Iraq are,
"You don't want to known the mess that country is, and how much is being kept away from the media."

My husband also has closed friends back from Iraq, and they tell only of the horrors that the civilian population has to endure during the attacks and fights between American soldiers and Insurgent in populate areas, also they talk about how can soldiers easily can end up losing their minds having to recover the bodies of the casualties of this everyday attacks on civilians.

No, the soldiers I am talking about are not traitors of this country but just honestly talking about the truth, �this is in case somebody in here wants to use the traitor bashing again.�

Now when I ask my husband about this he replays that it has to do with the type of job they have in Iraq or the place were troops are assign.

Because of these I believe that you can actually have two different views of life in Iraq now a days.

Yes is propaganda but not only for one side but from both side as to fix their political agendas

Originally posted by marg6043
Is very funny how opinions around change,thread talking about how their I had met marines that had come back from Iraq, and the first thing they said when you ask how are things in Iraq are, "You don't want to known the mess that country is, and how much is being kept away from the media."

My husband also has closed friends back from Iraq, and they tell only of the horrors that the civilian population has to endure during the attacks and fights between American soldiers and Insurgent in populate areas, also they talk about how can soldiers easily can end up losing their minds having to recover the bodies of the casualties of this everyday attacks on civilians.

No, the soldiers I am talking about are not traitors of this country but just honestly talking about the truth, �this is in case somebody in here wants to use the traitor bashing again.�

War is hell, marg. No one is a traitor for telling the truth about a situation. Iraq is at war with insugents who want to fill the power void. They don't want Iraq to be a domocracy. They want to impose their own brand of theocracy on the whole of the country.

With the help of God and a few Marines, the mission will be accomplished in due time, regardless of what the pessimists, naysayers, propagandists and traitors might say.

Originally posted by marg6043
,
"You don't want to known the mess that country is, and how much is being kept away from the media."

Dont get me wrong, Iraq is not the land of peaches and berries that a vast majority of people one this website think it is. There are problems over there, my point was, the media portrays EVERYTHING going on over there horriffic. Also there has to be things kept from the media to keep stategic assets and information secret. This has to happen. My point was, there are also good things going on over there. Do me a favor, ask one of those marines if they were doing the right thing. I guarantee they will say yes.

Grady and SSGT43 you most be a Marine I guess by your rank in your avatar.

I agree with both of you and yes is also sad that the media will show what sells the most and is usually the worst. Sometimes I get so tired of the bad news I don't even want to see them.