10
Oct
More On PBS Vs Counting On Democracy Counting
RUSH TO WAR
READERS WRITE ON PBS SQUELCHING FLORIDA DOC
BELAFONTE BLASTS COLIN POWELL
And so the Congress falls in line as the Bush Push escalates to win what will amount to a blank check to go to war. John Kerry, former President of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War and now a Senator, had been raising questions but now seems to be falling into line. The Iraqi’s are pathetic in their response, making blustering sounds and telling Dubya to “jump in the lake.” I am not sure who is more juvenile here. Meanwhile, a new fault line is being detected in of all places, the “intelligence” (sic) community. The New York Times front pages this development even as its op ed page elads with a go call on Congress not to rush to war. Reports the newspaper of record: “A letter by the director of the C.I.A. reveals divisionswithin the Bush administration over what intelligence showsabout Iraq’s willingness to arm Al Qaeda.”
INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES SPLIT
Progressive Undernews passes along a fuller report by “WARREN P. STROBEL and JONATHAN S. LANDAY of Knight-Ridder: “While PresidentBush marshals congressional and international support for invading Iraq, agrowing number of military officers, intelligence professionals anddiplomats in his own government privately have deep misgivings about theadministration’s double-time march toward war. These officials charge thatadministration hawks have exaggerated evidence of the threat that Iraqileader Saddam Hussein poses — including distorting his links to theal-Qaida terrorist network — have overstated the amount of internationalsupport for attacking Iraq and have downplayed the potential repercussionsof a new war in the Middle East.
“They charge that the administration squelches dissenting views and thatintelligence analysts are under intense pressure to produce reportssupporting the White House’s argument that Saddam poses such an immediatethreat to the United States that pre-emptive military action is necessary.
“Analysts at the working level in the intelligence community are feelingvery strong pressure from the Pentagon to cook the intelligence books,” saidone official, speaking on condition of anonymity. A dozen other officialsechoed his views in interviews. No one who was interviewed disagreed.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.hts/nation/1607676
OY VEY: PSY-OPS AT WORK
Ok, it looks like we are all being targeted by psycological operations or psy-ops, one aspect of a propaganda war. In the US, it is being fought with slogans, rehetorc and political posturing via media. On other fronts, it is more direct. Ian Urbina of the Ian Urbina the Middle East Research and Information Project in D.C writes in a piece distributed by Globalvision News Network (gvnews.net) that Army PSY OPS specialists are being prepared for service in Iraq. Get this: “”Time is spent driving around the desert in humvees mounted with nine speakers, each blasting a thousand watts of noise. Tank treads, helicopter propellers, huge guns ówe broadcast anything that’ll scare the shit out of ‘em.” When music is chosen, the playlist tends to be short: Beach Boys, AC/DC, and Jimi Hendrix’s shrill “Star-Spangled Banner,” repeated ad nauseam until the enemy submits out of sheer annoyance. Other psy-opers parachute in and then remain stationary, setting up the army’s equivalent of a battlefield Kinko’s to churn out agitprop handbills in the millions. Some operatives are airborne aboard Commando Solo, an air force cargo plane converted into a $70 million flying radio and TV station, beaming news, tunes, and an occasional bit of disinformation to the enemy.
“We just deliver the goods,” quipped the major who played host to me. “The guys down South drawing the cartoons are the ones paid six figures to know that because bananas are a delicacy in Iraq, they should get drawn into the picture with an enticing feast scene.”
D NOTICE: CENSORSHIP. BRITISH STYLE
Speaking of propaganda, a website called propapaganda Matrix is reporting from Britain: “British Press Gagged on Reporting MI6’s £100,000 bin Laden Payoff By PaulJoseph Watson “Tony Blair has tonight ordered a D-Notice on British media reportinggovernment officials signing court gag orders. This regards the case offormer MI5 officer David Shayler, who has evidence to prove MI6 gave £100,000to bin Laden and Al-Qaeda, arms to Iraq and had prior knowledge of severalterrorist attacks on London in the 1990’s. The original articles stated thattop Labour MP’s had signed gag orders, whereby upon mention of this evidencein court, media have to immediately leave the trial. Newspapers all over thecountry, including the Guardian, the London Evening Standard and the Scotsmanhave either completely removed or amended their articles. This evidence isdamning. The British government is trying to bury the story before it buriesthem. I first noticed that the Guardian article I had earlier posted on mywebsite had disappeared. Already aware that Blair may well have ordered aD-Notice to eliminate these reports, I immediately started searching onGoogle for some more. In Britain, a D-Notice is where the government order agag on a particular breaking story. I came across a very similar LondonEvening Standard report and immediately put it on my web site. Low andbehold, five minutes later the link was dead! Amazingly, I still had thearticle up on my screen on a different browser window. I tried to archive thepage to my desktop but to no avail. I did manage to print out a copy …”
READERS REPSOND TO YESTERDAY”S WEBLOG AND FLORIDA FIASCO
And back to the media wars in the US, I have been getting lots of response to the piece I posted yesterday on PBS’s unwillingness to distribute our film “COUNTING ON DEMOCRACY” investigating the fiasco in the Florida election. Please scroll down and read it if you haven’t yet.
I appreciated Al Giordano of the Narco News Network’s decision to post the column on his web site with the following intro: ” Many sincere people who seek alternate sources of news and information have given their good money to “alternative” media outlets like the Public Broadcasting Corporation, its affiliates, and through “premier” membership subscriptions to Salon.com
“Those good people, who wanted more authentic news, have been cheated and defrauded by those two news organizations.
“At Narco News, in part because we don’t charge our readers a cent or a peso for any of the news we report, we are not in any financial competition with those two organizations. So we’re in a clean position to say, after reading authentic journalist Danny Schechter’s weblog report today, that two “alternative” media organizations are behaving abhorrently regarding one of the most important ongoing stories in the United States: The Stealing of the Presidency in Florida, 2000.
“Read Danny Schechter’s story regarding the media and the U.S. Presidential Elections that Salon and PBS don’t want you to see:
http://www.narconews.com/
There is a stark contrast between the news about authentic democracy and elections this past week in Brazil - where 115 million voters went to the polls on Sunday - and elections in the United States. Although Brazil’s population is smaller than that of the United States, the Brazilian election system fosters more participation than that of the so-called “democracy” to the North. In 2000, only 105 million U.S. citizens voted in the presidential elections. In Brazil last Sunday, 115 million.”
VOTER MARCH MARCHING WITH US
My thanks to Lou Posner of VoterMarch.org, a national organization for ciculating the article as well. Lou, an outspoken attorney and organizer offers his own take today in a piece titled: “PBS Caves Into Right Wing Propaganda Machine in Airing Film on Florida Election Fiasco”"A new PBS (Public Broadcasting System) special is airing next week, October 17 around the country called “Who Counts? Election Reform in America.” The show combines humor (Darrell Hammond from Saturday Night Live) along with serious journalistic elements. The program is airing on Thursday, October 10 at 9 PM on Wisconsin Public Television and on October 17 in the rest of the nation (8 PM on WNET in NYC, 10 PM ET in most of the other markets). The program is the only show on the topic that is being broadcast nationwide. For more information, you can go to
” Look at how “Who Counts” characterizes the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Bush v. Gore: “On December 12th, the United States Supreme Court issued a momentous ruling, holding that Florida’s citizens would be denied equal protection if the recounts proceeded, because ballots conceivably could be interpreted differently in different parts of the state.” The Supreme Court decision was anything but “momentous.” According to legendary LA prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi, author of
“To add insult to injury, “Who Counts” uses “Comedian and ‘Saturday Night Live’ cast member Darrell Hammond” to use “original comedy” to portray the Florida election fiasco. Comedy certainly has its place in society, but not in a film on the theft of Democracy.”
” The reality is that “Who Counts” represents PBS caving into the right wing propaganda machine. This is simply PBS’s excuse to not air the excellent documentary films that tell the true story of the Florida Presidential election fiasco. It is no coincidence that PBS is not viewing “
“GET OVER IT, MY ASS”
Char Evens who saw the piece on Voter March wrote: “Thank you,Danny Schechtor, for all your hard work on “Counting on Democracy” and the article I read on “VoterMarch.org” that I got off of buzzflash.com. I’m writing from New York to let you know that I’m one of them that says “get over it, my ass!” I had never paid attention to politics in my life before the 2000 election( I know…shame on me). But all of a sudden I woke up and was concerned about Social Security. Well, what a time to get into politics..just when democracy gets screwed. Although you say it isn’t about bush or Gore..the reality is if everyone had done everything by the book, it would be President Gore today and we wouldn’t be in this spirialing into the abyss with our Country. My belief is that we’re up against an almost insurmountable wall of obstruction of justice with Lies and deceit that will never go away. But the good news is the pendulum will swing and the truth will seep out: thanks to the internet and People like you. By the way “Frontline” had a surprisingly excellent piece on John O’Neil. It sounds like “Counting on Democracy” would be a good video for them…No? I hope I get to see it one day. We need our own TV station,think of the juicy stories that routinely get squelched! Also david horowitz is really horrible! Respectfully,Char Evans”
ADVANCING THE STORY
Bev Harris writes: “I have a story that handles the objection “get over it”Your film is incredibly important. NO ONE should “get over it.” Butsince I work with the media on a daily basis (I own a high volumepublicity company, Talion.com) I know that attempts to bring up the 2000election keep hitting the same objection: “Get over it.”
Go to the page of information I discovered on who owns the company thatmakes most of the voting machines in the USA, including those in Florida(both 2000 and the new ones):
http://www.talion.com/election-machines.html
“This story is beginning to pick up speed now, and even mainstreampress like New York Times, Gannett News Service, CBS and MSNBC arenibbling at it The point is this: Republican operatives and a few right wingers havenow been identified as owners in the secretive “Election Systems andSoftware” which manufactures the vote-counting machines (including thoseused in Florida). IF the questioning of the integrity of voting machinesdue to ownership gets legs as a story (as opposed to questioning theirsecurity or how well they work, which has already been reported — butTHIS story gets at conflict of interest) — well, then it reopens everysingle thing that happened in Florida. And if the story starts to sellpapers or TV news time, all the little reporters will have a vestedinterest in “uncovering” new nuggets, which will lead them right back toFlorida — and elsewhere. This is happening all over the country.”
CALL TO ACTION
Reader Joseph Holder of Modesto CA calls for a call to actiuon: “Dear Danny: Read your piece on the frustrations of getting “Counting onDemocracy” aired. America has perfected the art of giving lip service tofreedoms but using multiple tactics to then prevent the actual exercisethereof. Your (our) case is a classic example.
“I am on several email lists and email alert lists. If you could puttogether a short call to action, summarizing the problem with PBS, anddetailing how people can contact their local PBS station and ask for itsairing, I can do what I can accomplish in getting it out to as manypeople as possible. When Greg Palast was trying to get on interviewsmany of us wrote letters urging that.
“Unfortunately most people will never read an email as long as whatyou wrote. I want the whole story but most people just do not have thetime. We are being inundated with attacks on multiple levels and peopleare feeling overwhelmed, a process that I think is intentional. With theelection in less than a month it is critical to get the word out”
ITS NORMAL
John K Wilson writes from a place called Normal: “We’re going to do some follow-up on the 2000 election for the Indy(indy.pabn.org) here in Normal, IL. Can we use some of your blog/articleabout the documentary in the issue?
“I’ve emailed WTVP in Peoria and WILL in Urbana to ask them about runningthe documentary; I’ll let you know if I get a response. If they don’t,we could try to do a screening here in Normal. And if you’re going to beanywhere near central Illinois sometime soon, let me know and we can dosome kind of appearance.
ITVS WEBSITE ON FIRE
“The ITVS (Independent Television Service) website ITVS.org has more information on the film they are supporting. TV viewers have been posting comments there: “It is disheartening to see the lengths people will go to win. This last election proves that the “win at any cost” state of mind prevails over justice and the will of the people. Is there anybody left in politics who possess true honor and integrity? Certainly not our current commander and thief. If the Bush administration truly won the election, then why did they try so hard to fight the recount process?”
That’s one. Here’s another: “I don’t think every single documentary has to be “balanced” 50/50 to be considered legitimate, because that is false manufacturing of the outcome of an investigation, as much as it is to manufacture a one-sided story. A forced 50/50 balance does not reflect the reality of life (in which Republican officials refuse to be interviewed, for example). PBS is supposed to serve the public, and provide a “balance” in TV programming. Their job is to balance the public interest up against the weight of all commercial media which serves the interests of the wealthy and powerful. It seems like it would take some provocative journalism and occassional “left-leaning” to accomplish that task. PBS should not reject programming just because it does not “fairly” represent the views and interests of the “winners”. PBS is supposed to be THE forum in which the disenfranchised can participate in public debate. Thank you ITVS.” Amen, Thank you ITVS.
I MAY HAVE FALLEN IN THE SWAMP
Several readers wrote about one story that I passed along in my piece and said should be investigated. I am not a conspiracy theorist on Florida and know that many rumors and allegations were not susbtantiated as may be the case in the item I included which served more as a metaphor for unasked questions. I got it from A list serv but lost the url and as you will read in the note that follows this, I may have been as all wet as the the ballots in the item were alleged to be. Pleased rest assured that my own reporting is verified. Lee Humphies and other readers please me by reading all the way to the end of my piece.”In your weblog for 10/9/02, you included a piece near the end about a car, dredged up in Miami Dade county, with a locked box of uncounted ballots in it. You’re usually really good about providing a link to whatever web-site that you quote from, and I have been unable to find where this story was posted. Could you help me out with that?Thank you so much, and keep up the INCREDIBLE work,.”
It may be that this item is INCREDIBLE as in not credible at all and I am the first one to admit that I didn’t check it but hoped others would. Joel Swadesh wrote: “Icontacted a friend at the Miami Herald regarding the statement in the Schechter story.
“A car was being dredged up after sinking in a canal in Miami Dade County on August 9th, 2002. Divers who found the car also found a locked metal box that when opened contained uncounted ballots from the November 2000 election. The large majority of the presidential votes in the lost container were for Al Gore. Of the approximate 2500 soaked ballots over 1600 were for Al Gore. The election of 2000 just won‚Äôt go away‚Ķ. Local police spokesperson Jeanne Pierre Dorvil stated that the matter would be investigated.”
The friend passed it by the editor, who pointed out the following: Jeanne is a female name, while Pierre is a male name. (COULD THIS HAVE BEEN MISSPELLED: JEAN IS A MAN’S NAME..DS) There is no “police spokesperson” by anything resembling this name. Even though a precise ballot count is given, the story provides no identifying details, such as a precinct number. The Herald has heard nothing of this. I will provide Mr. Schechter with confirmatory details if desired.
Another friend from Miami has heard nothing of this story. “In addition, the person who seems to be the ultimate source for this story is a pretty odd duck.
So, I wouldn’t pass it on as a credible report. Unless there is confirmation, it should be plainly labeled as a rumor. Failure to do so simply detracts from the credibility of the rest of the announcement.
ORERING THE FILM: CALL 800-343-5540.
We are getting lots of interest from people who want to show the film and talk about it. You can order it. See www.globalvision.org (Scroll down) “Greetings from Iowa!I am an American National Government teacher, inter alia, for a fairlysizeable Community College in Northwest Iowa. What is the chance of mybeing able to screen “Counting on Democracy” for my students? I am justgoing to ask the question and see what criteria you might require.Thanks and I wish you success in getting this film out to Americans,Robert C. CreaseyWestern Iowa Tech Community College”
“”Not all journalists are able to look pick up the story. I heard from Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post: “Unfortunately, I’m buried with other stuff and won’t be able to get to it.But I’ll check out mediachannel. Meria Heller who does an internet based talk show was more encouraging: “Read about your movie and PBS and Salon going DEAD on you.If you’d like to come on the show and rant about it, I’d be happy to have you.I’ve checked and it’s not playing in Arizona on PBS. I felt PBS sold out a while ago, and I felt the same about Salon.com.Don’t discount all the alternative media, I’m still here, and going on my 3rd year.”
DAY-O
The Drudge Reports “Singer Harry Belafonte took to the AM radio waves morning toslam Secretary of State Colin Powell as a sellout to the black race.Belafonte, appearing on San Diego’s 760 KFMB, told host Ted Leitner thatPowell was like a plantation slave who moves into the slave owner’s houseand only says what his master wants him to say. “There’s an old saying,”Belafonte began. “In the days of slavery, there were those slaves who livedon the plantation and were those slaves that lived in the house. You got theprivilege of living in the house if you served the master. . . exactly theway the master intended to have you serve him. Colin Powell’s committed tocome into the house of the master. When Colin Powell dares to suggestsomething other than what the master wants to hear, he will be turned backout to pasture.” Of Interest: Both Belafonte and Powell as Jamaican Americans.
Finally: Yesterday marked the 35th anniversary of the death of one of the most influential figures in the 20th century — Latin American revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara. Here’s a Che-ism that lives on: “Let me say, with the risk of appearing ridiculous, that the true revolutionary is guided by strong feelings of love. It is impossible to think of an authentic revolutionary without this quality.”
Adelante. Love you all. Until manana, this is your news dissector Danny Schechter signing off. You can write me at Dissector@medichannel.org
