Some time back I pointed out that the problem with the secret Pentagon program to plant positive stories in the Iraqi press via money laundered through the Lincoln Group wasn’t just arguably-legal but totally counterproductive. Once Iraqis know that America paid for a decent fraction of happy stories printed in their papers how can they take any happy story seriously? Everybody writing an America-friendly story carries an automatic cloud of suspicion.
That’s why the recent Pentagon survey clearing the program of legal malfeasance largely misses the point. Whether or not the program breaks the law it definitely contravenes America’s interests. Credit goes to JCOS chairman Peter Pace, who has shown signs of independent thought in the past, for recognizing the real problem with the Lincoln Group program:
ANKARA, Turkey — The top U.S. military commander called Thursday for a formal Pentagon review of the policies that led to defense officials paying the Iraqi media to place favorable stories in their newspapers.
Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called for more transparency in the system and said people need to know whether they are reading an article by an independent reporter or one written by someone who was paid by the government.
“They need to know that, so they can make their own judgment about what they believe and don’t believe in the article,” said Pace in an interview on board a military aircraft heading for Turkey. “The worst thing you can have is people feeling like somehow they’ve been snookered.”
It is sad to observe that my expectations have dropped so far that I sing hosannas when a government official recognizes the obvious. Chalk up at least one guy in DC who seems willing and able to do his job.
Jim Allen
The most amazing part is that he still has a job in DC.
The Other Steve
I suspect the JCOS will be shown the door to early retirement… you know, to spend more time with his family.
ZZ
Sadly, I have to agreee that General Pace’s career is soon to be over. His voice has been a breath of fresh air amidst the smog of war…..
Eural
Wasn’t this the same General Pace who spent last Sunday declaring how swell things were going in Iraq?
Chefrad
Hey, Jeff Gannon/Guckert needs work.
Joey Giraud
For all their other problems, the Iraqis are *much* more sophisticated deception detectors then we are.
In the Middle East, there’s only a sucker born about every two and a half minutes, less then half our rate.
Justin Faulkner
actually it’s at least two people willing and able to do their …this one and Russ Feingold