Pentagon document dump: E-mailer suggested ’softball’ interview with top general.
Pentagon document dump: E-mailer suggested ’softball’ interview with top general.
Last month, the Pentagon released an extensive document dump with details on its military analyst propaganda program. TPM Muckraker notes that in a 2006 e-mail, someone (with a redacted name) e-mailed Pentagon officials stating that Jed Babbin, a participant in the analyst program, would be guest hosting for right-wing radio talker Michael Medved. Babbin requested an interview with Gen. George Casey, then top commander in Iraq. Pitching the request to interview Casey to the Pentagon officials, the e-mailer said: “this would be a softball interview and the show is 8th or 9th in the nation.” Allison Barber, a Public Affairs official at the Pentagon, responded:
Thanks for sending this.
Just fyi, probably wouldn’t put “softball” interview in writing. If that got out it would compromise jed and general casey.
The e-mailer wrote back: “check, check.”
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“Try using the term “doughball” instead…”
May 12th, 2008 at 7:34 pmIn and of itself such a statement would not mean much. However, it must be judged in the context of the entire DoD propaganda operation. Everyone wants to make their department look good. I have seen many e-mails and memo’s that I would cringe at and recognize that it should not have been put that way. This is just not such a case. This is in the context of an actual planned operation to limit access to a select handful of military commentators with strong ties to the defense industry and with those who failed to toe the line excluded. It will take a full investigation resulting in real consequences to put an end to this kind of illegal domestic propaganda operation.
May 12th, 2008 at 7:36 pmJust fyi, probably wouldn’t put “softball” interview in writing. If that got out it would compromise jed and general casey.
Yeah, good idea. We’ll just put it in an email.
Gee, I wonder millions of administration emails “disappeared”?
May 12th, 2008 at 7:40 pmOh, Oh.
May 12th, 2008 at 7:43 pm“It” got out.
What we do now, boss?
Why would putting “softball interview” compromise either Jed Babbin or General Casey?
Anyone paying attention already knew that Pentagon spokesgenerals were full of sh!t when they led cheers on wingnut yakfests, and the wingnuts who paid attention to the yakfests would refuse to believe that their authoritarian heroes would tell them anything but the God’s-honest truth.
May 12th, 2008 at 7:44 pmThis would be hilarious… if it wasn’t true.
Uh oh, did I just put that in writing?
PEACE
May 12th, 2008 at 7:45 pmFlounder: “You guys playin’ cards?”
May 12th, 2008 at 7:49 pmAs was just pointed out over at TPM, Allison Barber was the Public Affairs Official who put together the highly scripted “spontaneous” Q & A between Bush and the troops back in Oct 2005.
The deceptions that have led to so many death, permanent injuries and trillions of dollars are finally coming to light, but will anyone be held accoutable? I’m not holding my breath…
PEACE
May 12th, 2008 at 7:49 pmIf Americans even THINK of voting Republican . . . they are traitors.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:16 pmTry the word “scumbag” on for a label for these perverters of our Democratic Republic.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:17 pmThe emailer was probably just reminding them to SEND HIM THE DAMN CHECK!
May 12th, 2008 at 8:19 pmAll their interviews are softball, so I don’t see why labeling that would make much difference then or today.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:33 pmHere’s my softball question: Just how stupid do you think we are?
May 12th, 2008 at 9:45 pmGee the idea that knuckle draggers at a rightwing radio station would do a puff piece interview with a general. The mind boggles.
May 13th, 2008 at 12:31 amSince when does the right do anything resembling journalism? They are in the propaganda biz folks.
If a general can’t face a tough interview how can he face Al Qaeda.
The GOP is treating the military like children and softies.
Why are they hurting America by treating the military like weak minded saps who can’t be challenged by tough questions?
-GSD
May 13th, 2008 at 1:00 amIt certainly couldn’t have been with George Will.
He doesn’t know how to throw a softball…the little effette girly man.
May 13th, 2008 at 6:17 amWhy are they hurting America by treating the military like weak minded saps who can’t be challenged by tough questions?
Because they are “weak minded saps” who follow orders and not conscience!!! Stupid from the TOP DOWN!!!!
May 13th, 2008 at 7:27 pmArguing with them is the same as arguing with your cat. They will scratch, they will hiss, and even on their best days they still, for reasonssohbet unbeknown to the rest of us, pee on your carpet. Hoekstra et al are racist thugs. They will not understand a document as important at the one reported Bedava mp3 indirby the A.P. What this document has said is that for years, words like Jihadists, Islamic Terrorism, Islamic Extremism etccet have done nothing but castigate Muslim men and women.
April 13th, 2009 at 1:05 am