Losing the PR War

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld gives the U.S. low marks in communication:

Rumsfeld: U.S. Losing War Of Ideas

Rumsfeld made the remark in response to a question from a member of his audience at the Army War College, where he delivered a speech on the challenges facing the country in fighting a global war on terrorism.

"If I were grading I would say we probably deserve a 'D' or a 'D-plus' as a country as to how well we're doing in the battle of ideas that's taking place in the world today," he told his questioner. "I'm not going to suggest that it's easy, but we have not found the formula as a country" for countering the extremists' message.

I can understand Rumsfeld's frustration. No matter what we say, the world just doesn't seem to understand that when we invade sovereign countries and kill their inhabitants it's for their own good.

Jim Robinson Was Right

Jim Robinson is the founder of the conservative Republican forum FreeRepublic.com. He started the website during the days of the Clinton administration in an effort "to roll back decades of governmental largesse, to root out political fraud and corruption, and to champion causes which further conservatism in America."

This devotion to conservative principles meant that Democrats weren't the only objects of ridicule; liberal and moderate Republicans were fair game as well. In fact, in the months leading up to the 2000 presidential campaign season, Robinson was rather vocal about his disapproval of George W. Bush. On October 23, 1999, he posted the following:

Bush loves China and he's very forgiving of Clinton. He desperately wants the press to lay off GW, so he's promoting for a kinder, more compassionate campaign and a less critical press. If anyone thinks that Father (and powerful supporters) won't have an influence on Son, you're crazy. Don't you ever wonder how and why the politically inexperienced, bad boy, G W Bush, got himself born again, rehabilitated and groomed to become governor of Texas? Not to mention front-runner in the Presidential race? What experience did/does he have for either position? A Bush presidency will be very dangerous for America.

In a follow-up post, he said, "Bush II is simply another term for Bush I. No thanks. Been there, done that."

Yes, for a time, Jim Robinson seemed devoted to his site's mission statement. He wasn't afraid to take shots at anyone—be they Democrat or Republican—who threatened the integrity of our constitutional republic.

Like most "conservatives," however, Robinson eventually resigned himself to the fact that he would have to support the lesser of two evils in order to spare the country another Democratic presidency. He soon became a fierce supporter of George W. Bush, and forum members who didn't follow suit were criticized severely.

Then came 9/11 and the ensuing war with Iraq.

Free Republic's mission changed from championing the Constitution to furthering the Bush Doctrine:

Free Republic has been rallying in support of our President and the war effort since shortly after the terrorist attack on America on September 11, 2001. Later, as the inevitable war against Iraq drew closer, more and more of the "useful idiots" of the left began crawling out of the woodwork organizing so-called "anti-war" protests. FReepers are working to ensure that these communist organized (See: INTERNATIONAL A.N.S.W.E.R.) demonstrations do not go unanswered. Patriotic Americans are countering these misguided terrorist supporting leftist groups wherever and whenever they show up. Join or form a Free Republic Chapter, grab your signs, unfurl the flag, and prepare to support your country!

The one-time "Premier Conservative News Forum" became a vehemently pro-Bush, pro-war, pro-government mouthpiece for the GOP, and many forum members who refused to toe the party line were banned from participating. Such was the state of not-so-Free Republic for the last few years.

But even for the most delusional, reality has a way of setting in.

Washington spent more and more of our tax dollars. The size and scope of government continued to grow. The lies that got us into war began to be exposed. And the future of Free Republic seemed in doubt.

It now appears Robinson's main concern is that the McCain-Feingold Act (a.k.a., Campaign Finance Reform) may have an adverse effect on his precious website. In a March 23 post, Robinson issued this emergency drill:

Now hear this:

Thanks to John McCain, Free Republic will shut down tomorrow at high noon for 30 days. No non government approved electioneering messages may be transmitted over the internet for the 30 days immediately preceding a primary election.

That is all.

The "shock factor" of that post is obviously designed to drive home the point that websites engaging in political speech may become (if they haven't already) targets of a government crack-down under McCain-Feingold. Naturally, his frustration is directed at Senator John McCain, the liberal tantrum-thrower vying for the GOP's nomination in the 2008 presidential race.

It's too bad Robinson is so blinded by party loyalty that he can't bring himself to criticize the man who actually signed Campaign Finance Reform into law. I guess doing so would be a violation of Free Republic's new mission statement.

Huge spending increases, bigger and more intrusive government, perpetual war, an end to free speech... Jim Robinson may not realize it, but he was right all along. A Bush presidency has proven to be very dangerous for America.

Freedom of Religion in Afghanistan

Just when you think all that American blood was not spilled in vain:

Apostasy Case Raises Questions About Islamic Constitutions

(CNSNews.com) - The plight of an Afghan Christian facing death for converting from Islam is refocusing attention on the new, post-transition constitutions of Afghanistan and Iraq, both of which give primacy to Islamic law but also include apparent contradictions.

Abdul Rahman, 41, was arrested last month after his family alerted authorities that he was a Christian. He converted about 16 years ago, but the allegations were raised now because of a custody dispute, according to reports.

The judge hearing his case was quoted as saying Rahman could face the death penalty if he refused to return to Islam.

The U.S. government, which led the campaign to oust the fundamentalist Taliban militia and oversee a democratic transition in Afghanistan, said Monday it was watching the case closely. ...

Thanks goodness we liberated these people from the tyranny and oppression of the Taliban. I shudder to think what life in Afghanistan must have been like without freedom of religion.

What Civil War?

In 1861, Abraham Lincoln launched an unconstitutional war against the Southern states. During that four-year conflict, the people of the South were forced to defend their homes and families—not to mention their newly formed nation—against an invading army. They were in no way trying to overthrow the U.S. government. But regardless of the facts, that period of American history is still known as the "Civil War."

Fast forward 140 years or so. We are constantly being reminded by "conservative," "non-mainstream" media sources that the struggle between different groups of Iraqis for control of Iraq is not a civil war. Now, I'm no expert, but isn't that exactly the definition of civil war?

CIA Cinema

Every so often, federal agencies turn over declassified films and documents to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The Central Intelligence Agency is no exception, and MemoryHole.org has obtained a list of some of the movies found in the CIA's library.

Among the more interesting titles:

• How Free Should the Press Be?
• Spying for Uncle Sam, Part I
• Spy Next Door
• Psychological Operations in Support of Unconventional Warfare
• Psychology of Imprisonment
• Presto Photography
• Investigation of U.S. Bacteriological Warfare
• U.S. Germ Warfare in Korea
• Chemical and Bacteriological Weapons are Illegal
• Bombed Qitaf Villages Poison, Gas Use
• Foot Patrol, Police Methods
• Shooting Decisions
• See It Now—Clinton and the Law
• Vietnam, The Hawks and the Doves
• CBS Reports: UFO: Friend, Foe or Fancy?
• Israel Captured Equipment
• Jews in Iraq
• Animal Farm
• Cuba, The Battle of America
• Truth Shall Set Men Free—Anti-Communist Struggle
• What Communism Means to You
• Brainwashing
• Soldier and Laws of War
• Undeclared War
• How to Fight A Guerrilla War—20th Century
• Hallucination Training Film—Counterguerrilla Training
• Children of Hiroshima
• Aftermath of American bombing Raid on School
• Dagmar Wilson/Anti-U.S. Vietnam Policy
• U.S. War Crimes in Vietnam/Propaganda
• Marijuana
  
  (Full list here)

To my knowledge, none of these films were ever nominated for an Oscar.