This is insane. Whenever you confront authoritarian, conservative hacks—they always lash out because they can’t stand anyone questioning their “authority!” The military and the Bush administration have been using the right wing blogs and their radio/TV pundits to funnel their propaganda for a long time now and the TNR saga is just another example of it. Check out this exchange between Public Affairs Officer Col. Boylan and Glenn Greenwald.
The subject line of the email — which I am publishing in full, unedited form here — is “The growing link between the U.S. military and right-wing media and blogs,” which is the title of the post I wrote earlier this week regarding the politicization of the Army in Iraq, as evidenced by its constant coordination with, and leaking to, the likes of Matt Drudge, The Weekly Standard, and the most extremist right-wing blogs — in the TNR/Beauchamp case and also more generally….read on
The military leadership in this instance is acting very—biased—as Cole points out.
Compare the almost matter-of-fact responses that right-wing PR bots like the Confederate Yankee get, and the taunting and juvenile tone Boylan uses when addressing Greenwald…
I’ve been writing a lot about the propaganda the military has been using to try unsuccessfully to promote the Iraq war to the American people. We need to thank Dan Froomkin bunches for his fine work also…And then there’s the fine documentary called: “War Made Easy,” that spells it out for us too….
Filed Under: Glenn Greenwald, Hackery, Iraq, Media Bias, Military, Right Wing Pundits
Tags: Glenn Greenwald, Petraeus
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Fristofascism
When you get rid of the efficient all you left is the fning.
This is the latest and most outrageous example of how the WH has tried to politicize EVERY element of executive power, from the Justice Department to the FDA and on and on. They want the entire apparatus of professionals in government to answer to the political purposes of the administration and the Republican Party.
It just seems to be an easier fit for the military, for whatever reason. They do make love to this employment, as I think Hamlet said.
We’re fighting for your freedom of speech, so shut up!
I think for this sort of thing you should use the word athoritaa instead of authority. It allows one to envisage the “cartman” attitude these pleebs use.
The right side does not like facts. It is as simple as that. Greenwald is a true patriot who deserves our full attention. As is stands, Boylan never has indicated if he, in fact, wrote the emails. And as Greenwald says, if Boylan had his email account hacked, Boylan doesn’t seem to be bothered by it at all. Understand: If your email was hacked and someone was using it to spread lies and propoganda, would you care? Of course you would. How about if an Army Colonel had his hacked. As an American, wouldn’t you want the Colonel to care a little bit about the breach of security? of course you would…
I enjoy the “Colonel Boylan never sent that and anyway he was right!” line of schizophrenic reasoning employed by the knuckle-draggers. Oh how long will it be until they start breaking the shop windows…
Gen. Betraus’ Propaganda Minister sounds like a pissy 15-year-old. I guess they really have lowered the standards for entrance into the military.
Rather than attack Greenwald, the Colonel should ensure Greenwald is invited to the currently-only-GOP-supporter-blogger conferences.
Granted an interview with Alan Colmes. That fair? Alan must have asked some real hard questions and really got to the meat of things and all the true facts. Just like Hannity.
Fuck Petraeus. That toadying sycophant has no credibiity. He’s flushed his honor down the toilet in the manner of a true Quisling.
Notice how the colonel invites anyone who disagrees to “come to Iraq” and see how they create their nifty charts and stats. That allows him to 1) intimidate any reporter who would fall for that trick; 2) imply you’re a coward if you don’t go; and 3) pretend only he can explain his methods and only then in Iraq.
That makes him a piss poor communicator if I do say so myself.
Well of course the Colonel wants him to visit Iraq, so he cant detain him indefinitely , like Bilail Hussein mentioned in the Greenwald article.
Excellent reference to Norman Solomon”s “War Made Easy” which shows film clips going back to LBJ to the present day, pointing out how presidents will use the same lies and reasons in order to persuade Congress and the people why this country, as in the novel 1984, should be in a perpetual state of war with nary a protest from the mainstream media concerning the actions of the executive branch.
More recent Boylan:
Albatross @ 7:
I love the term you use for Petraeus’ tax funded goons….”knucle draggers”.
lol.
Seems like the impotent, bedwetting Neocons are so desperately worried about their unwinnable, civil war that they are screaming to anyone, blind and ignorant enough who will listen to their lies.
Glenn really gets into the IP address field……..
I heard someone say something today which I think is a clear expression of the major political problem we have today, I plan to use it in the future:
THE REPUBLICANS OWN THE MEDIA
This is a simple way to explain the constant propaganda we experience on the radio, TV and newspapers.
Glenn Greenwald has nothing to worry about, Gen. Betrayus hasn’t managed to hit Osama Ben Laden yet.
And dead-eye dick would probably “accidentally” hit Betrayus.
Um, at this point, what difference does the war of words make? It’s not like this war can get any LESS popular.
Support for the war is at about 30%. 30% of Americans believe in alien abduction and Christ’s imminent return. 30% of this country probably believes that relativity is “just a theory.”
So, let ‘em squawk. Let ‘em complain and bitch and whine and moan and threaten and cajole all they want about how we exercise our rights. We’ll just keep exercising them and saying, “hey, this is what you’re fighting in Iraq to preserve: my right to call you a lying, warmongering, propaganda spewing, green-soaked, catepillar-torturing bastard if I want to. Oh, and fuck you. If you don’t like it…stop DYING for it.”
What’s at play here is that politicians are still falling for this crap.
We can no longer delude ourselves that anyone is acting here on any kind of principle except the exercise of power for the sake of the exercise of power. The only leverage we have is that that exercise is still technically tied to our votes, thanks to our a quaint tradition of holding elections.
So, withhold. Withhold withhold withhold support from ANY candidate who doesn’t give you what you want, even if her opponent will take more from you,
This far, no farther, and to hell with the cluck cluck clucking of the bobblehead chorus.
Enough.
Time to go back to the sixties mantra - Question Authority”
Limp-Dick Blimpaugh @ 17:
And they’ve learned that escalation is the only route to (their version of) success. So “Iran” is referenced in at least every other sentence.
Did anyone consider the reason that Bushco. wants all the military out of the country, fighting wars, is soo that they can declare martial law and use Blackwater as their own private enforcers? I’d like to think that there is a large percentage of the military that would rise up against this Goverment if they pushed into an outright Dictatorship but they won’t do much good oversea’s.
Giuliani/Petraeus ticket- Tough and Tougher.
Reading the exchange between the general and Greenwald made me realize just how important the internet and political blogs have become. It’s exciting to see people take on power in a way that the mainstream media won’t.
Every day I become more convinced that we are ruled by the genuinely insane and/or evil. I had a conversation with a woman in her 80’s and she said for the last 2 or 3 years, it reminds her of when she lived in Germany in the 1930’s. Albatross is right, public harassment of undesirables is next.
Glenn does a great job of gathering up rope and handing it to Boylan. It would make for great comedy if the core subject wasn’t so horrifying.
dennis @ 24:
More lie Dumb and Dumber.
That s/b like, but lie works too.
donna @ 21:
And playing protest songs on the radio, and printing pictures of returning coffins in the newspapers and magazines, and scrolling the names of the dead on TV, and having live coverage of GI’s in action, and having massive demonstrations in public places….
I’m starting to wonder if that really happened…
did it?
ysbaddaden @ 28:
Or Lose and Loser.
That was one piss poor attempt at propaganda there.
These guys aren’t too on it, but having served myself I can say with knowledge none of those career guys ever was too on top of it to start with.
US Commander’s In Iraq Possible Target Of Courts Martial, Criminal Inquiry [59 M.J. 718]
The Colonel’s letter has several phrases which do not appear diplomatic. The language appears what might be included in an Article 15 punishment letter, or an administrative letter of admonishment, hardly something worthy of a potential General. Let’s review the language, and consider whether the tone and tenor do or do not detract or add to the Colonel’s public standing. In so many words, we’re asking whether the letter does or does not reflect credit upon the United States, the Army, or the Colonel. This standard is important when reviewing officer promotion potential, possibility for awards, suitability for command assignments, and whether they are or are not eligible for decorations.
We begin the analysis with a simple review of the Colonel’s standard of conduct, which is in the UCMJ, Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 133, conduct nbecoming an officer. As we conduct the review, note closely that Colonel Boylan represents himself as the “Commander’s spokesman” and he is the official voice for a Lt. General, a four-star General, a Senate-confirmed position. This is a high profiled position, something Boylan knew or should know would demand scrutiny. Curiously “Boylan was treated for a stab wound and bruises at the 121 General Hospital on Yongsan” raising the question whetyher Boylan is suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Let’s review select clauses.
A. Note this phrase which is vague, and implies that a “lawyer’s duty” is higher than OSD. This is incorrect. “The issues of accuracy, context, and proper characterization is something that perhaps you could do a little research and would assume you are aware of as a trained lawyer. Colonel Boylan does not appear to have legal training; and does not appear qualified to make this statement; nor is he in a position of in writing libeling another attorney. The letter from Boylan tends to diminish public confidence that Greenwald is capable as an attorney; but the letter provides not specifics. This is not a compelling argument.
B. “reading your diatribes” — This implies legal counsel is making public, written statements without coherence expected of an attorney. The Boylan letter provides not support for this assertion.
C. “as they provide comic relief here in Iraq.” Contrary to the Commander in Chief’s assertions to the contrary, we’re asked to believe that people in Iraq are very serious. Boyland’s remarks undermine this contention.
D. This statement does not provide any examples: The amount of pure fiction is incredible. Lack of evidence, combined with this level of accusations materially undermines public confidence in the judgment of the Commander and his aide; and materially undermines public support of the judgment of commanders in conducting their affairs.
E. This sentence suggests wordiness, which is not at the standard expected of an officer in the US Army: “Since a great deal of this post is just opinion and everyone is entitled to their opinions, I will not address those even though they are shall we say — based on few if any facts.
F. This is an inappropriate comment by a military officer to a civilian and does not advance prestige in the US Army, nor does it support the Army’s public relations campaign as “Army Strong,” but does the opposite: Implies the Army commanders are weak, insecure, and easily ruffled. “That does surprise me with your training as a lawyer, but we will leave those jokes to another day. . . .
G. This statement is an either-or-logical flaw, suggesting the Colonel has a very narrow view of what is acceptable: You are either too lazy to do the research on the topics to gain the facts, or you are providing purposeful misinformation — much like a propagandist. . . . based on this statement alone it is appropriate for the Army CID to review reports of abuse against Boylan; and determine whether unfavorable battle-field conditions are suppressed with outbursts.
G. A simple correction — this long into the letter — would have been helpful. The Colonel failed to do that: “Sorry to burst your bubble, but a little actual research on your part would have shown that [Cheney P.R. aide Steve Schmidt] is actually not here, but that would contradict your conspiracy theory. . . . . A more appropriate, professional response would have succinctly made this correction and invited Greenwald to get first hand information and offer accurate information. The Colonel did not offer this option, tending to diminish confidence the Colonel can diplomatically handle sensitive public relations issues. We judge this downgrades his promotion potential as a Flag Officer.
H. The following comment does not appear credible, in that the letter is abusive, and not interested in dialog. Again, disingenuous statements by the Commander’s public affairs officer tends to put the US mission in an unfavorable light,and raises reasonable questions about the competence and professionalism of the Senior Officer Corps in the United States Army: “I am curious as to when you think the media relations or operations changed here in Iraq.
I. The following comment appears to have not been well though or crafted, suggesting the Colonel is responding to other command/OSD pressure: “I in fact do know exactly the day and time that it changed and want to see if you are even in the same ballpark as reality. . . . The use of elipses suggests the Colonel has limited communication skills. recommend CID review whether written orders are not consistent with adjudicated punishments; or whether post-action reports are not reconciled with original success criteria.
J. This statement is one for the Courts Martial to review: “For the third matter concerning the Beauchamp investigation and the documents that were leaked — it is very unfortunate that they were — but the documents are not secret or classified. So, there is your third major error in fact. Good thing you are not a journalist. . . . “ Why did the Colonel confirm the existnece of a report which CID has not been apparently given full access; and there remain uncorroborated problems raised during the courts martial investigation?
K. Again, the public record does not report this denial, raising questions of impeachment for the General’s aide: “As for working in secret with only certain media is laughable.”
L. We judge the following, if admitted, would impeach the colonel: “The wide swatch of media engagements is by far the most diverse it could be.” The record does not support this conclusion.
M. The following is a personal attack, and does not reflect well on the US mission in Iraq; nor does it reflect great credit upon the United States Army: “But you might not think it that way since we chose not to do an interview with you.
N. Curiously, while the Commander’s aide accuses a civilian of “not complying” with “standards”, the Colonel appears to have ignored Article 133: “You are not a journalist nor do you have any journalistic ethical standards as we found out from the last time I engaged with you. At no time did the Colonel ever cite any supporting material to justify his assertion; nor has he pointed to any language or credentials which the object of his attack should or should not meet. These amount to unsubstantiated assertions. Conversely, Article 133 requirements are clear, to which the Colonel appears to have ignored.
N. This comment appears to be similar to things Boylan might say during an admonishment of one of his subordinates, yet we find no record that Boylan was ever assigned to the JAG officer; nor that Boylan was assigned as a legal monitor: “As we quickly found out, you published our email conversation without asking, without permission — just another case in point to illustrate your lack of standards and ethics. Rather, the written comment tends to leave a reasonable reader with the unfair impression that th elegal community is not fairly overseeing lawyers. We do not dispute this, as evidenced by the JAG’s inability to enter the GTMO facility to ensure detainees were properly treated.
O. This phrase, you will note, follows a long list of personal attacks, which does nothing to resolve the issue. Again, this clause tends to raise reasonable questions in the mind of a passive observer whether there is a larger command and control and scheduling problem within the US Command office in Iraq: “You may recall that a 30-minute interview was conducted with the program that you claim to be a contributor. So instead of doing the interview with you, we went with the real talent, Alan Colmes. . . . “ We have no record that the US Commanders in Iraq provided any reasonable accommodation.
P. The following does not appear credible, and does little to address the Article 133 issues which Boylan raised: “I invite you to come see for yourself and go anywhere in Iraq you want, go see what our forces are doing, go see what the other coalition forces are doing, go hang out with the reporters outside the International Zone since that is where they live and work and see for yourself what ground truth is so that you can be better informed.
But that would take something you probably don’t have.
Steve
Steven A. Boylan
Colonel, US Army
Public Affairs Officer
- - - - - - - END OF LETTER - - - - - -
Observations
We enter into evidence the above note for purposes of adjudicating Article 133 charges against Colonel Boylan. You’ll note the letter was signed, and issued from an official army e-mail address, connected to an IP, and now publicly available.
Conclusion: The letter appears to be an inappropriate use of government resources to issue an inappropriate admonishment to a civilian. The Colonel appears to have crossed the line. It is appropriate for the military command to open an Article 133 investigation into the Colonel for purposes of reviewing his suitability in his assignment, determine whether he should or should not be court martialed, and whether he should or should not be retained by the service.
It is hoped this review might occur within the week. Please forward any adverse information to the House and Senate Armed Services Committee; and if criminal information is gleaned, please forward to the Joint Staff, CID, and appropriate law enforcement officials in Iraq.
Disclaimer: The above is not an official position of the US Army or Department of Defense; nor does it accuse the Commanders in Iraq of committing any crime. Rather, we leave it to the Senate and House Committees to review the information for purposes of recommending Article 15 proceedings; and where appropriate administrative separation for Colonel Boylan.
Judge Advocate General Inquiry
The following are merely a few case citations JAG officers assigned to the Joint Staff may wish to review in re Boyland’s alleged violations of the UCMJ in re Article 133.
1. See: [ 36 M.J. 645 ] Has Boylan disobeyed a General Order prohibiting Article 133 misconduct; or documenting anything which would bring discredit upon the United States or the United States Army?
2. Also, see [ 2 C.M.R. 96 ]: Based on the above general comments, is the US Command in Iraq making sweeping statements about issues, but not relying on facts, fact finding, or appropriate discovery? Boyland comments do not suggest that fact finding and discipline are high under the US Command in Iraq.
3. Finally, see [ 59 M.J. 584 ] for issues of Boyland’s intent in writing this letter: Was it his intent to solve a problem; maintain command control; or was his objective to dissuade public commentary on military standards of conduct?
An Average Joe @ 30:
Those who can remember the 60’s weren’t really there.
It used to be illegal to use war propaganda within the US … was it not?
How times have changed…
we went with the real talent, Alan Colmes. . . .
Do we need more proof that FOX is State Sponored TV, and that hacks like Colmes and Juan Williams are the tools of the Government to present fabricated debate?
Umm . . . I think the Col. got drunk, sent a pissy e-mail to Greenwald, and now he’s denying it.
He’s hoping it’ll blow over. And he’s probably right.
If after more than 4 years in the same shithole you need a “surge” to keep sectarian violence under the illusion of being somewhat under control , what kind of a cogent argument could possibly be made to make it seem like the continued loss of life is worthwhile or even acceptable ?
None …………Which is why professional bullshitters are always called upon by the useless GOP.
They can’t seem to grasp the concept that not everyone is as foolish and gullible as their 24% mouth-breathing , knuckle-dragging constituency sheep are……
This is amazing. The fact that this type of email exchange occurs after the “Betray Us” uproar is very enlightening. Once again, the we see that the conservative chest-pounding about ideals and patriotism is just that and the facts show that hackery is their true skill.
Speaking of assumed identities: It would be HI-larious if Jeff Gannon actually posted this comment on my blog: http://someofnothing.blogspot......fema.html. You’d think he’d go back to Guckert now. Newly blogging so I’m curious…do people often go around pretending to be infamous people in their comments?
Coach K @ 37:
Conduct unbecoming an officer: Why are “drunk” officers accessing electronic communication equipment; and how many officers are, while druink, sending official messages?
dennis @ 24:
Douche and douchebag
BTW
Are they your parents ?
Col. Boylan has been drinking to much gr