Perino Defends Pentagon’s Propaganda Campaign: ‘It’s Absolutely Appropriate To Provide Information’
Perino Defends Pentagon’s Propaganda Campaign: ‘It’s Absolutely Appropriate To Provide Information’
On April 20, The New York Times published an expose revealing the Pentagon’s secret program using retired military analysts to “generate favorable news coverage of the administration’s wartime performance.” Since that time, the media have been disappointingly silent on the story and their roles in the Pentagon’s program.
Today, a reporter finally asked White House spokeswoman Dana Perino about the Pentagon’s propaganda. In response, Perino attempted to defend the program:
But I would say that one of the things that we try to do in the administration is get information out to a variety of people so that everybody else can call them and ask their opinion about something. And I don’t think that that should be against the law. And I think that it’s absolutely appropriate to provide information to people who are seeking it and are going to be providing their opinions on it.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that all of those military analysts ever agreed with the administration. I think you can go back and look and think that a lot of their analysis was pretty tough on the administration. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t talk to people.
Watch it:
The Bush administration, however, wasn’t a passive provider simply giving information to analysts who were “seeking it.” As the NYT reported, the Pentagon proactively pulled these retired military officers — many of whom had business with the government — into private briefings, provided with them classified information, and pushed administration talking points.
Even though a reporter finally forced Perino to address this issue today, a questioner in a Washington Post chat today pointed out that the regular White House press corps may still be sleeping on the job:
It also is worth noting that this was asked by someone who appeared not to be a regular in the room (perhaps a blogger) and only got to ask his question because Lester Kinsolving asked Dana why she wouldn’t call on the guy.
Transcript:
QUESTION: The New York Times has reported that over the last —
(CROSSTALK)
QUESTION: — over the last six years the Pentagon conducted a secret operation designed to sell the war in Iraq and the war on terror to the American people. It recruited more than 75 ex-military officers, many with financial ties to the defense industry, provided them with talking points and an extraordinary degree of access not available to ordinary members of the press, including meetings with the secretary of defense, and it got them hired as supposedly independent military analysts by every U.S. television network.
One of its participants described the –
PERINO: Do you have a question?
QUESTION: One of its participants described the program as psyops on steroids and others said that –
PERINO: This your opinion?
QUESTION: — if they — I’m describing the program.
PERINO: What’s your question?
QUESTION: Others said that if they departed from the Pentagon’s talking points their access was cut off.
And my question is, did the White House know about and approve of this operation?
PERINO: Look, I didn’t know — look, I think that you guys should take a step back and look at this — look, DOD’s made a decision: They’ve decided to stop this program.
But I would say that one of the things that we try to do in the administration is get information out to a variety of people so that everybody else can call them and ask their opinion about something. And I don’t think that that should be against the law. And I think that it’s absolutely appropriate to provide information to people who are seeking it and are going to be providing their opinions on it.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that all of those military analysts ever agreed with the administration. I think you can go back and look and think that a lot of their analysis was pretty tough on the administration. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t talk to people.
QUESTION: Thank you.
QUESTION: Did the White House know about the operation?
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A shill for evil.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:17 pmSecret propaganda programs is “absolutely appropriate” in fascist states
April 30th, 2008 at 5:19 pmoh, man, the bullshit coming out of the White House piles up so fast, you need wings to stay above it.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:20 pmThe Bush Whitehouse “It is Appropriate to Lie”
April 30th, 2008 at 5:22 pmToo many lies in too short a time causes colon cancer.
Just thought I’d warn ya, Dana.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:25 pmWH 101.
Appropriate really means inappropriate (sometimes criminal).
April 30th, 2008 at 5:25 pmIsn’t “information” somewhat associated with “truthfulness”?
April 30th, 2008 at 5:25 pmIt used to be.
proactively recruited…retired military….strong financial ties to defense industry…..
In short, Smith and Wesson is a perfectly non-biased source of info on gun control and I look to Phillip Morris for info on smoking.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:26 pm“I think that it’s absolutely appropriate to provide information to people who are seeking it and are going to be providing their opinions on it.”
Okay then Dana, I guess we need to be more specific - is it appropriate to provide MISinformation to people? As in information intended to deceive in some way? I heard something about Bush admitting that they played loose with the truth but that it was for the morale of the troops, so, was this misinformation campaign to raise the morale of the citizens? Or just to keep dissent down?
April 30th, 2008 at 5:27 pmSmith-Mundt Act
We now know that everything they told us was a lie in the buildup to the war. And they still lie. And put in this context it is impossible to view their actions as anything but clear violations of the Smith-Mundt Act. So this act is either worthless since it is not applied to how the government propagandizes to us, or it needs to be revised and updated.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:28 pmDarling Dana used the “look” word a couple of times according to the transcript. What she was really saying was “Look, shithead, this is the story we’re putting out today. If you don’t like it, go find another job.”
April 30th, 2008 at 5:31 pmI think there’s a difference between providing information and being a cog in a propaganda machine
April 30th, 2008 at 5:31 pmDid she follow up with why they cancelled the program?
April 30th, 2008 at 5:36 pmThis was asked by the reporter for The Raw Story. If you do not regularly read The Raw Story, I highly recommend it. Think Progress and The Raw Story are my favorite sites.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:36 pmdammit!
April 30th, 2008 at 5:41 pmwill somebody please grab her by the ears and give her head a good shake?
I just watched the clip. I think Dana is afraid of this reporter.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:41 pmRaw Story:
http://rawstory.com/ news/ 2008/ White_House_Blacklist_Breakthrough_Online_media_0430.html
Good job. Clear preface and simple question and Perino was being argumentative.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:43 pmFunny, Miss Dana, that’s what Gobbells said back in the days of Adolph Hitler and Nazi Germany… “we’re jest providin’ information to the peepul… you don’t mind, do yah?”
April 30th, 2008 at 5:43 pmbtw, i noticed she’s not wearing her favorite pop-top necklace. what’s up with that?
April 30th, 2008 at 5:44 pm“I don’t think that should be against the law”
What a classic. At least she knows they have broken the law. The question now is, what and who is going to do something about it?????
April 30th, 2008 at 5:46 pmFrom Guido at #17’s link to Raw Story:
‘Les Kinsolving: How about this gentleman’s question? He’s had his hand his hand up all this time.
Ms. Perino: Yes. I’m well aware. I’m sure it will be a great question. Go ahead.
Me: The NY Times has reported that over the last…
Ms. Perino: It’s definitely going to be a good question.’
Was she (Perino) trying to be funny? Because it sure sounds like she was trying to belittle the questioner. Oh, she’s part of the Bush administration. They don’t get in unless they’re arrogant liars!
April 30th, 2008 at 5:50 pmLie, lie, lie. Lie lie lie lie, lie lie lie!
April 30th, 2008 at 5:54 pmSince Dana doesn’t think it should be against the law, that should be enough for the rest of us. After all, whatever someone in this administration thinks is lawful is therefore lawful.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:00 pmDana’s had a big and busy day.
First, she is rewriting history with the “Mission Accomplished” fiasco on the USS Lincoln. Now she is defending the use of propaganda in, and by, a democracy - which is no small task.
What will it be tomorrow? (Sadly, there are so many different possibilities for her to change/rewrite/makeup/explain away/clarify/outright lie about, etc.)
April 30th, 2008 at 6:05 pmKibbles and Bits, Chow Chow Chow, Bacon!!
April 30th, 2008 at 6:06 pmI’m sooo gonna’ redden her little lying bottom.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:10 pmThe way she stammers at the beginning is a clear ‘Tell.’ She catches herself about to answer (I didn’t know…) but then stops. And then she doesn’t answer at all… Clearly she knows about the program, knows that it is illegal, knows the WH approved the program, and knows someone should be charged.
Of course the WH is soft on crime, their own crimes.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:12 pmPerino, and the whole corrupt clan are now going on the assumption that they will be vindicated by history, and the messy stuff will be revisioned out, later. That’s why they can blithely assert proveable lies with a straight face. It’s the ultimate in patriotic hubris: future Americans will hold them in high esteem - so it doesn’t matter what the present-day rabble have to say about anything.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:18 pmInformation IS important.
Propaganda? Not so much.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:31 pmCraig Ferguson was asked if he thought she was hot because he appeared to be flirting with her at the dinner Saturday night. He said she’s “short”. “She’s the kind of woman you date when you have a studio apartment.” I’m thinking she’d fit in a motor home too.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:32 pmDoes Perino Bimbo thinks before she speaks????! Using infiltrated military ‘propaganda’ own its own people is OK??????!!!!!!!! She should be hadcuffed just by saying that in as a public office official! Propaganda is not information! It is just that, propaganda! Does she call herself American? The other day she denied that the USA does torture, even when the news (not propaganda) about secret meeting in the WH discussing torture methods used by US interrogators came out!!! She denied it to Hellen Thomas!!!! How embarrassing is that? To have an administration who lost respect, confidance and trust from everyone around the globe? If it was Mugabe, OK, but we are talking about the USA!!!!! For goodness sake! No one listen to Bush or Chenney anymore… worse still, everytime they say something everybody knows they are not telling the Truth! The have no one respecting them. No one! we are not talking about Korea, Uganda or Pakistan under Musharaff… We are talking about the USA!!!!! Time to Impeach this bastards is overdue! What do they want, REVOLUTION French style???? Somebody must tell this imbecil bimbo that people do not appreciate being lied to!
April 30th, 2008 at 6:36 pm“I think that it’s absolutely appropriate to provide information to people who are seeking it and are going to be providing their opinions on it.”
April 30th, 2008 at 6:42 pmOk Perino… shall we start? We are seeking information! First let us know what an E-4B plane was doing flying over Washington on 9/11 prior to the missil attack on the Pentagon. Than, you can start providing information of WHO in this administration outed Valerie Plame, Than, you can provide us with a footage of a 757 plane hitting the Pentagon. Explain again to us, who understand a bit of physycs, how did the Three WTC towers came donwn in less than 10 secs and had a total collapse. And there is plenty more questions, but for the moment, i would be satisfied if you provide us with more INFORMATION!
…And where is the WAR CRIMINAL Rice? She still have to unswer to the American people and to the rest of the world questions regarding those TORTURE meeting she had with the WAR CRIMINAL Chenney and all those top SOB, in the White House. Where is Rice????? She should resign! She lied to Congress and to the American people!
April 30th, 2008 at 6:46 pmCome on Perino Bimbo. we are seeking Information!!!!
April 30th, 2008 at 6:47 pmWhat ever happened to transparency. It is not the fact these people are saying the things that they are saying. It is the fact that they are not disclosing that they are guest speakers for the Department of Defense.
Obviously dishonesty doesn’t faze Ms. Perino in the least.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:00 pmThey aren’t asleep on the job. They know that if they ask those kind of questions it will be the last time they ever get called on. The media is all about access and politicians can control that access and shape the information that the media puts out. THAT is what’s happening to American journalism today. Asking tough questions could mean a loss in ratings..can’t have that can we??!
April 30th, 2008 at 7:01 pmIllustrative of a fond arguing point of mine, that there is in fact no practical difference betweeen advertizing and propaganda.
Because the “We’re just providing necessary information” excuse is exactly the one used by the drug-addiction industry to rationalize their wares. Restless Leg Syndrome and War In The Middle East (where many a restless leg has been forcefully separated from its root) are of exactly the same symbolic (really, semiotic) construction in this presentation. It is just as rational for Barry McCaffery to rationalize, glorify and aggrandize the military machine as it is for some personality/shill to plump for a new medical syndrome.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:05 pmBut I would say that one of the things that we try to do in the administration is get information out to a variety of people so that everybody else can call them and ask their opinion about something. And I don’t think that that should be against the law. And I think that it’s absolutely appropriate to provide information to people who are seeking it and are going to be providing their opinions on it.
What you forget, Ms. Perino, is that you and the rest of the Bush Administration are public servants, and it is your obligation to provide truthful information, not just “information”. The “information” provided by these generals to the public was, at times, false. That’s not “providing information”, that is “lying”.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:33 pmThe bloggers need to take over the MSM. Kuddos to Raw Story
April 30th, 2008 at 7:35 pmI think that it’s absolutely appropriate to provide information to people who are seeking it
That is true, Ms Perino. It’s absolutely appropriate to provide information -the very same thing the Bush administration fights so hard to keep from the public.
What you seem to ignore is that it is misinformation that is being pushed here. That is not appropriate.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:40 pmThere is a pattern in this administration: The more they want something to be in the public realm, the more likely it is false, misleading, or a fabrication.
The more they try to hide something, the more likely that it is valuable, a fact, and a reality.
The Bush administration willingly providing information? I’ll take it with a grain of salt or two, thank you.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:44 pmShe’s a mouthpiece for criminals. No better than that goofball “spokeman” for Hussein. We’re living in the strangest of times.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:45 pmIs she having difficulty keeping up those girlish looks?
April 30th, 2008 at 9:09 pmRhymes with “hunt”.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:13 pm“IALib Says:
This was asked by the reporter for The Raw Story. If you do not regularly read The Raw Story, I highly recommend it. Think Progress and The Raw Story are my favorite sites.”
And he is Eric Brewer, who has been at the press briefings for some time, with his hand in the air, trying to ask questions, but being systematically ignored. Think Progress should be familiar with this story. It’s no different from Helen Thomas, the dean of white house correspondents, being ignored daily. We either get a responsible press corps, more interested in asking the tough questions to bring us the truth, or we give into the fascist powers lining up to bring us Bush III (otherwise known as McSame). Demand the truth. Boycott the networks, and tell them you will not buy the products advertised on their networks until they do their jobs. If you can even contact them anymore. The government and the war machine are afraid of the truth.
April 30th, 2008 at 10:44 pmToo many people here and elsewhere are looking at the watch and not the hypnotist. The powers that be (an order of magnitude higher than the pres, the Queen, etc.) are systematically enacting their plan while we grill the watch for answers we already know.
Once you realize Reuters owns the Associated Press, and the Rothschild family owns both of them, you’ll quickly understand the degree to which we’re totally insignificant chattel to them. The reporter would be significantly more effective if he spent his time exposing the power structure superior to every world government; a power structure we all know deep inside to be in control of the war corporations, the energy supplies, the media and the politicians. Is it so hard to put the pieces together?
We can scurry around like tiny ants annoyed by the Bush-stick destroying our nest, but until we realize the truly elite families like the Rothschilds are holding the stick and toying with us at will, we’ll never be able to wrest power away from them.
Lastly, if you don’t know who the Rothschilds are, you’re failing the vigilance test.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:04 pmDana is a whore
April 30th, 2008 at 11:10 pmHey Dana,
You forgot to answer Eric Brewer’s simple question:
“Did the White House know about the operation?”
That would be a simple “yes” or “no,” Miss Dana.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:15 pm.
I’m a Barbie girl in the Bushie world,
Charge on plastic, debts fantastic.
You can question me, I’ll just drink my tea.
Imagination, lies are my creation…
I’m a blond bimbo girl in this fantasy world
Question me, don’t take time, I’ll give folly.
.
May 1st, 2008 at 3:49 amThe vast majority of White House correspondents from the traditional media are useless, cringing parasites who are happy to serve as Bush’s royal stenographers. If it were 1776, they would all be faithfully scribing King George III’s words.
May 1st, 2008 at 4:53 amHa!! I love it. Eric Brewer finally got to ask his question and he pissed her off!!!! Go Eric.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:08 amIs Impeachment the only way to GUARANTEE a Democratic Victory?
Information from:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/32647
** Greg Palast informs us that at least 4 million Democrats will be “caged” from their votes. The Voter ID law upheld by the Supreme Court this week may lock out another one or two million. Don’t forget the voting machines and exit polls that are entirely “faith based”. Finally, the corporate media will be aiming to destroy the Democratic nominee. Add all these together and even a terrible candidate like John McCain can win. Believe it. Impeachment hearings may be the only way to guarantee victory.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:21 amFrom Dem candidate in N.C.:
“It being May Day, Mission Accomplished Day, I think it is important to recall the words our president spoke on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.
Curious, no mention of the Lincoln’s mission.
In this battle, we have fought for the cause of liberty, and for the peace of the world. Our nation and our coalition are proud of this accomplishment — yet it is you, the members of the United States military, who achieved it. Your courage — your willingness to face danger for your country and for each other — made this day possible. Because of you, our nation is more secure. Because of you, the tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free.
Still no mention of the Lincoln’s mission.
Operation Iraqi Freedom was carried out with a combination of precision, and speed, and boldness the enemy did not expect, and the world had not seen before. From distant bases or ships at sea, we sent planes and missiles that could destroy an enemy division, or strike a single bunker. Marines and soldiers charged to Baghdad across 350 miles of hostile ground, in one of the swiftest advances of heavy arms in history. You have shown the world the skill and the might of the American Armed Forces.
Still no mention of the Lincoln’s mission.
This nation thanks all of the members of our coalition who joined in a noble cause. We thank the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland, who shared in the hardships of war. We thank all of the citizens of Iraq who welcomed our troops and joined in the liberation of their own country. And tonight, I have a special word for Secretary (Donald) Rumsfeld, for General (Tommy) Franks, and for all the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States: America is grateful for a job well done.
Bravo Zulu to everyone, not just the Lincoln.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:56 amSnow (D-SC) “
Frankly, I don’t give a damn what Ms. Perino thinks should or should not be illegal. It’s not relevant and she knew it. What is relevant is the story (truth?) behind this program.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:34 pmKudos to Mr. Brewer for sticking in there with his question, Mr Kinsolving for forcing the opportunity to ask it and Ms. Thomas for the pep-talk after. Keep up the excellent work, the few who dare. You are all we have left.
No, numb-nuts, it was Raw Story’s Whitehouse correspondent who asked the question:
http://rawstory.com/ news/ 2008/ White_House_Blacklist_Breakthrough_Online_media_0430.html
He’s been having an ongoing battle with Dana to ask questions over the past several weeks. If you aren’t aware of Raw Story yet and the REAL reporting they’ve been doing for a few years now then you’ve been living in a cave or in the White House.
As an aside, no doubt Dana is hot looking. However, all that hotness is wasted on such a vapid gasbag. I hope someone takes that beauty away by slicing up her face with a razor blade.
May 1st, 2008 at 3:06 pmit may just be the fact that I can’t get broadband in my area (I feel like I’m living in the 14th century!), but why is the video of the White House press conference (with Eric Brewer confronting ‘the Bimbo’) not loading completely? It’s stopping in the middle of his question to the B****. I’m starting to sense another case of media tapering! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:41 amWhere are the resistance?
May 5th, 2008 at 12:48 amIs there any doubt were rapidly moving to fascist states The administration has been caught directly violating the Smith-Mundt Act that makes it illegal for government to propagandize the American people. Can anyone deny that this post 911 program did just that. Secret government, propaganda, torture, invasion of other nations when I was growing up it was left in no doubt these were the actions of a Nazi government.
Straussian excuses just don’t wash because its hardly in the average persons interest. Where are the resistance?
END OF THE VIDEO:
QUESTION: Did the White House know about the operation?
PERINO: I just said, NO.
A straight-out lie.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:11 pm