Robert Parry: The Intel-Journo Alliance

[laststeamtrain]

The Intel-Journo Alliance

By Robert Parry
June 2, 2009

Amid all the recent negatives in the worlds of intelligence and journalism, one encouraging development has been the recognition of common ground between two beleaguered groups, honest U.S. intelligence analysts and honest American journalists, two groups that previously had been on opposite sides of the secrecy divide.

<snip>

The neocons understood that intimidating CIA analysts and Washington journalists would clear the way for the key neocon goals: a more aggressive foreign policy and more spending on military budgets, some of which would get recycled into neocon think tanks and media outlets.

So, through the 1980s, the neocons spearheaded an assault on the CIA’s analytical division by pushing a politicization of intelligence that reversed the tradition of giving policymakers the best possible information. Instead, careerists got rewarded for tailoring intelligence to fit the neocon agenda -- and those who wouldn't go along were pushed aside or out the door.

Simultaneously, within the Washington news media, the neocons and allied right-wing attack groups took aim at journalists who dug up unwanted information. Instead of rewards for such work, there were punishments. Many truth-telling reporters were "controversialized" while journalists who played ball moved to the center of the profession.

<snip>

So, threats to the American people were wildly exaggerated; dissent from the Left was deemed almost treasonous; trillions of U.S. tax dollars were diverted to military budgets; aggressive war became an easy option for American political leaders.

<snip>

Indeed, it is impossible to understand how someone as unfit as George W. Bush could become President for eight years and lead the nation into so many catastrophes without factoring in the neocons’ success in manipulating information – and the failures of other key Washington institutions to resist.

<more>

http://consortiumnews.com/2009/060209.html

[leveymg]

1. Most corporate journalists are like corporate lawyers:

They don't care about the truth, and they don't care who they hurt. They're mercenaries, and just in it for the money.

If by any chance someone with any principles is found in their midst, the pack promptly turns on that individual, the person is fired with maximum dispatch, then blacklisted, never to work again for another large organization.

It happened to Bob Parry, and it happened to me. In fact, if someone hasn't been thrown out of the Club, I strongly suspect that person lies for a living.

[laststeamtrain]

3. I always get a good 'take away' from your posts. I learn.

I enjoy reading some of the frmr intel guys. Even the crustier ones. Unfortunately some of their stuff appears in 'forbidden' places. Giraldi, Scheur, etc.

Gold is where you find it.

Thanks for your work.

[DemReadingDU]

2. Thank god for the Internets!

It is the only way to research for the facts instead of relying on drivel being handed out on TV and other mainstream newspapers.