Ruling Says White House's Medicare Videos Were Illegal

[swag]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/20/politics/20medicare.html?hp

By ROBERT PEAR

Published: May 20, 2004


WASHINGTON, May 19 - The General Accounting Office, an investigative arm of Congress, said on Wednesday that the Bush administration had violated federal law by producing and disseminating television news segments that portray the new Medicare law as a boon to the elderly.

The agency said the videos were a form of "covert propaganda" because the government was not identified as the source of the materials, broadcast by at least 40 television stations in 33 markets. The agency also expressed some concern about the content of the videos, but based its ruling on the lack of disclosure.

. . .

The decision fuels a raging political debate over the new Medicare law. President Bush and many Republicans in Congress say the law will provide immense assistance to millions of elderly and disabled people. But Democrats say the law will do little for the elderly and is so seriously flawed that the government had to resort to an illegal public relations campaign to sell it to voters.

The General Accounting Office said that a specific part of the videos, a made-for-television "story package," violated the prohibition on using taxpayer money for propaganda.

. . .

[Rex]

1. As Mike Malloy was fond of saying

Is THIS an impeachable offense?

[RoyGBiv]

2. Good question...

So, it's been deemed illegal. What will be the punishment? Or are is Shrub going to be open about his hypocrisy on this one and claim immunity?

[NuttyFluffers]

3. i've seen the commercial...

can i sue for emotional damages? :evilgrin:

[Disturbed]

4. A reprimand

Please don't break the law again, k? Thanks.

[icymist]

5. These days I believe that everything coming from the ...

Government is propaganda, especially 'the news'. Do you think I'm being too cynical?

[supernova]

6. Well woopdeedoo!

So it WAS propaganda! What's the point in declaring it that after the fact? The bill was passed; the damage is done.

[FlashHarry]

7. Funny... the other "liberal" networks aren't picking this up.

I loved their excuse: "The TV stations knew it was from us. They could have told viewers if they wanted." That's up there with the "we didn't hang the 'Mission Accomplished' sign; we only made it and asked for it to be displayed."

[dusty64]

8. OK its been proven that

our regime has violated the law AGAIN. I guess my only question is, is ANYTHING EVER going to be done about it?

[Moderator]

9. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=566927&mesg_id=566927