by EDWARD S. HERMAN
We are more or less leaving Iraq because our “mission” there has been more or less “accomplished.” Given the realities of the genuine invasion-occupation, and the more or less exit, it has been a challenge to the mainstream media (MSM) to put this in a neutral or positive light. But they have done so. I believe the U.S. mainstream media can put in a good light and normalize anything their state does (at the worst we may have made “tragic errors,” but are never guilty of vicious, insane, criminal, grossly illegal or intentionally malicious actions).
The MSM may even want more of a test of their patriotic ardor and gullibility. Nineteenth century lecturer Robert Green Ingersoll used to chide his religious audiences with a story of a man seeking entry into heaven. Tested for credibility and faith by the recording secretary with the question of whether or not he believed the story of God’s use of Adam’s rib to create Eve, the seeker of entry replied that he was “sorry there weren’t harder stories in the Bible so that I could show what my faith could do.” The angel said “Give him a harp.”
The so-called Free Press shows what it can do to prove its faith on a daily basis and should have a full house of harp equivalents. They couldn’t wait for their apologies for gullibility on Iraq’s WMD to fade before jumping on the Iran nuclear weapons effort bandwagon.
In fact, we can construct an updated Ingersoll story in which David Sanger and William Broad of the New York Times must pass muster before an internal NYT award committee, whose recording angel (RA) asks them: “Did you take it as self-evident that Iran sought nuclear weapons?” S&B: “Absolutely.” RA: “Did you avoid any mention of Israel’s nuclear weapons and threats?” S&B: “Carefully.” RA: “Did you steer clear of analogies with Iraq?” S&B: “Yes, indeed.” RA: “Did you avoid mention of the Wikileaks documents that showed IAEA head Yukiya Amano expressing eagerness at cooperating with the U.S. plans for Iran?” S&B: “Yes, we carefully walked past that one, which was typical anti-U.S. and pro-Iran propaganda.” RA: “Give these men copies of the Judy Miller Brass Check, signed by both Judy and Bill Keller.”
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