War Made Easy How Presidents Pundits Keep Spinning Us To Death

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00:00:04 Let us pray that peace
00:00:07 be now restored to the world
00:00:12 and that God will preserve it always.
00:00:18 These proceedings are closed.
00:00:40 The final United Nations
00:00:44 The war is over. Peace is here.
00:00:50 The crowd of two million
00:00:53 parade of victorious
00:00:57 This is the news that
00:01:00 Unconditional surrender
00:01:07 Today the guns are silent.
00:01:10 The skies no longer rain death.
00:01:14 The entire world lies
00:01:45 On the way American
00:01:48 hit the road toward Korea's
00:01:55 US Marines were ordered into
00:02:00 The US Marines have also taken
00:02:03 This is what the war in
00:02:05 The first wave of marines
00:02:07 Twelve hundred US Marines would
00:02:12 Most of the Libyans were terrified
00:02:14 President Bush's
00:02:17 Panama's General Manuel Noriega.
00:02:19 Saddam Hussein's reign
00:02:21 The war in Iraq.
00:02:23 Narrator: Since World War II, we
00:02:27 in the United States' military
00:02:30 Ranging from missile strikes
00:02:33 to all out wars and occupations.
00:02:37 The reasons for these military
00:02:41 each involving complex
00:02:44 different parts of the world at
00:02:50 But the public face of these wars
00:02:56 Over the past five decades
00:02:58 the liberation and debate
00:03:01 have largely been left
00:03:04 of elite Washington policy makers,
00:03:06 politicians and bureaucrats
00:03:09 for war have come into public view
00:03:11 only with the release of leaked
00:03:15 often years after the
00:03:17 dropped and the troops
00:03:24 In real time, officials
00:03:26 and justified these
00:03:29 to the American people by
00:03:32 about the actual reasons and
00:03:37 Again and again choosing to present
00:03:41 A steady and remarkably consistent
00:03:45 but to generate and maintain
00:03:53 Nationally syndicated
00:03:55 author Norman Solomon
00:03:57 basic contours of this official
00:04:02 Norman Solomon: As
00:04:04 about the war in
00:04:07 I saw the footage on television.
00:04:10 In combat there are no niceties.
00:04:12 A dead enemy soldier is simply an
00:04:17 and then removed as quickly as
00:04:20 Solomon: People that I knew
00:04:24 in uniform of the US military and
00:04:30 particularly as I became draft age,
00:04:32 about the truthfulness of
00:04:37 the White House and top
00:04:41 We fight for the principal
00:04:45 that the people of
00:04:47 be able to choose their own course.
00:04:49 Choose it in free
00:04:53 bias, without terror
00:04:58 Solomon: And through that
00:05:04 about whether we were
00:05:09 Narrator: In the years since,
00:05:12 a set of striking
00:05:14 selling of the Vietnam
00:05:16 Presidents have rallied
00:05:18 for subsequent military actions.
00:05:22 Solomon: Looking back on the
00:05:26 I had a very eerie feeling that while
00:05:33 and of course each
00:05:35 there were some parallels that
00:05:42 Rarely if ever does a war just
00:05:46 The foundation needs
00:05:51 case is built - often with deception.
00:06:01 In the background was
00:06:03 between two great powers to
00:06:06 Already an iron curtain
00:06:10 Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria.
00:06:14 It can't happen here? This is
00:06:24 Chief of Police is
00:06:27 Public utilities are seized
00:06:29 Editor who operates under a free
00:06:33 This will account for
00:06:36 but some will get
00:06:44 Narrator: The use of
00:06:46 public support for war is not new.
00:06:51 Leaders throughout
00:06:53 to propaganda to
00:06:55 understandably weary
00:06:58 war into war's most
00:07:00 Invoking images of nationalism
00:07:04 towards perceived
00:07:07 And in the United States
00:07:10 government attempts to win public
00:07:13 have followed a similar pattern.
00:07:16 We are living in an era marked
00:07:19 Its basic Godless philosophy.
00:07:21 Lying. Dirty.
00:07:23 Its goal of world conquest.
00:07:26 Shrewd. Godless.
00:07:28 Its insidious tactics.
00:07:30 Murderous. Determined.
00:07:33 And its cunning strategy.
00:07:35 It's an international
00:07:39 Solomon: It's the same sort of
00:07:44 and often identical techniques.
00:07:46 States like these and their terrorist
00:07:52 arming to threaten the
00:07:58 These are barbaric people.
00:08:00 Servants of evil. The cult of evil.
00:08:02 A monumental struggle
00:08:08 But good will prevail.
00:08:10 Solomon: Whether it's the
00:08:12 it provides a way to
00:08:18 You have the comparisons between
00:08:24 President Bush calls Saddam Hussein
00:08:27 We are dealing with Hitler revisited.
00:08:29 Bin Laden and his terrorist
00:08:33 as clear as Lenin and
00:08:36 Solomon: We don't get
00:08:38 would help us put the
00:08:40 This mad dog of the Middle East.
00:08:43 I find that he's not only a
00:08:47 The drug indicted, drug-related
00:08:52 And to support their claim that
00:08:56 ghoulish evidence of Satanic
00:08:59 that one official called kinky.
00:09:01 Saddam Hussein is a
00:09:05 who is addicted to weapons
00:09:08 Solomon: And as Aldous
00:09:11 it's more powerful often to leave
00:09:16 For instance, quite
00:09:19 directly helped the dictators
00:09:23 must be overthrown and it's
00:09:27 that's a very effective
00:09:31 Narrator: This selective
00:09:33 buttressed by these
00:09:35 represents a larger pre-war pattern.
00:09:38 The repeated claim that the
00:09:42 only with great reluctance.
00:09:45 We still seek no wider war.
00:09:47 The United States does
00:09:50 America does not seek conflict.
00:09:52 I don't like to use military force.
00:09:55 Our nation enters this
00:09:58 Narrator: And only for the
00:10:01 first and foremost to spread
00:10:04 We want nothing for ourselves,
00:10:07 only that the people of South Vietnam
00:10:10 be allowed to guide their
00:10:15 Solomon: The rhetoric
00:10:17 part of the process
00:10:20 that even though unpleasant things
00:10:25 like bombing other countries,
00:10:30 The United States has been engaged
00:10:33 of Communism in Central America
00:10:38 By supporting democracy.
00:10:40 Solomon: And it's
00:10:42 repeating it enough
00:10:44 Our cause of liberty,
00:10:48 our cause of compassion
00:10:52 People want democracy,
00:10:53 peace and the chance for a better
00:10:58 We want to lift lives around
00:11:02 Solomon: These are forms of
00:11:05 they tug at our heart strings.
00:11:07 We must get the Kosovar
00:11:10 Mine fields will have to be cleared.
00:11:12 Homes destroyed by Serb forces
00:11:15 Homeless people in need
00:11:17 Solomon: Of course we want
00:11:20 These are propaganda
00:11:22 don't just think of yourself,
00:11:26 It makes bombing other
00:11:29 an act of kindness, of altruism.
00:11:35 Today our armed forces joined
00:11:38 against Serbian forces responsible
00:11:43 We are upholding our values,
00:11:46 protecting our interests and
00:11:52 But even as planes from the multi
00:11:57 I prefer to think of peace. Not war.
00:12:02 Solomon: If my motives are pure then
00:12:06 the fact that I'm killing people
00:12:09 It may indicate that I'm killing
00:12:13 America will stand
00:12:16 freedom to support
00:12:18 in the Middle East and beyond,
00:12:19 with the ultimate goal of
00:12:24 Solomon: So you have kind of
00:12:27 with the lofty motives
00:12:30 or told that peace is being sought.
00:12:32 Alternatives to war
00:12:35 and that's kind of
00:12:38 I am continuing and I
00:12:43 search for every
00:12:48 Solomon: Whether we are talking about
00:12:51 Johnson, Nixon or
00:12:54 you have one chief executive
00:12:58 saying how much they
00:13:00 We maintain our strength in order to
00:13:04 to preserve freedom and peace.
00:13:07 No one, friend or foe, should
00:13:11 The United States wants peace.
00:13:13 We seek peace. We strive for peace.
00:13:18 Solomon: Every President of the last
00:13:23 to say that he wanted peace
00:13:26 I pledged in my campaign for
00:13:30 in a way that we could win the peace.
00:13:34 Solomon: Even while
00:14:06 Solomon: So you have
00:14:08 way of the president
00:14:11 massive military violence and
00:14:17 turning around and saying I want to
00:14:22 Nixon: I respect your idealism.
00:14:27 I want peace as much as you do.
00:14:31 Solomon: Actually war
00:14:34 when it's used as a
00:14:42 George W. Bush: We cannot
00:14:45 the smoking gun that could come
00:14:55 Solomon: As Americans we
00:14:59 subjected to propaganda
00:15:02 Certainly that we are not
00:15:05 that is trying to drag
00:15:07 as in the case for setting the
00:15:10 Saddam Hussein recently
00:15:13 quantities of uranium from Africa.
00:15:15 There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein
00:15:21 Weapons of mass destruction.
00:15:22 Botulin, VX, sarin, nerve agent.
00:15:25 Iraq and Al Qaeda.
00:15:27 Al Qaeda.
00:15:28 Iraq and Al Qaeda.
00:15:28 Terrorism.
00:15:29 Cyber attacks.
00:15:30 Nuclear program.
00:15:31 Biological weapons.
00:15:32 Cruise missiles, ballistic missiles.
00:15:33 Chemical and biological weapons.
00:15:35 Iraq has weapons of mass destruction.
00:15:36 President Bush has said Iraq
00:15:40 Tony Blair has said Iraq has
00:15:43 Donald Rumsfeld has said Iraq
00:15:46 Richard Butler has said they do.
00:15:47 The United Nations has said they do.
00:15:49 The experts have said they do.
00:15:50 Iraq says they don't. You can
00:15:53 Solomon: The war propaganda function
00:15:57 It's sophisticated and most of all
00:16:03 The White House says it can
00:16:06 has weapons of mass destruction,
00:16:10 The White House insisted again
00:16:14 that Saddam Hussein is hiding an
00:16:19 Solomon: It's necessary to provide
00:16:23 They might fight dirty,
00:16:25 using weapons of mass destruction,
00:16:30 There are ties between
00:16:32 Anthrax, small pox.
00:16:34 Dirty bomb.
00:16:34 Dirty bomb.
00:16:35 Iraq-Al Qaeda connections.
00:16:37 Saddam Hussein and Al
00:16:39 Both of them want to
00:16:43 Solomon: And I was very
00:16:47 the tone of most of the media
00:16:52 as the invasion of Iraq
00:16:56 possible to probable
00:16:59 President essentially giving
00:17:02 War now seems all but inevitable.
00:17:04 Short of a bullet to
00:17:07 or he leaves the country,
00:17:09 I think that's exactly
00:17:12 inevitable and it is
00:17:15 Is war with Iraq
00:17:18 I think it is 95% inevitable.
00:17:20 You at this point right now tonight,
00:17:25 Do you?
00:17:26 I'm asking you ambassador.
00:17:28 I agree. I don't think
00:17:30 option for the administration
00:17:32 We're way too far
00:17:34 Send us over there guys. Let's get
00:17:38 Showdown Iraq. If America goes to
00:17:43 Solomon: And in many ways, the US
00:17:47 the officials in
00:17:50 Hill in setting the agenda for war.
00:17:53 We'll take you there, MSNBC.
00:17:55 Solomon: And although it's
00:17:57 one has a great deal of
00:18:01 of major media outlets
00:18:05 challenging the way in
00:18:07 setting for war is well under way,
00:18:09 and when that reporting is so much
00:18:14 that's when you have a problem.
00:18:16 US officials tell CNN
00:18:17 Bush official says that
00:18:18 Analysts say
00:18:19 Pentagon officials tell us
00:18:20 According to US intelligence
00:18:22 Solomon: Often we're
00:18:24 officials are the ones who make news.
00:18:27 US officials say
00:18:27 US officials say that
00:18:28 US officials here say
00:18:29 The US officials here at
00:18:31 Solomon: They're the
00:18:32 consulted to understand
00:18:34 I just pulled these two things out.
00:18:36 I've laundered them so you can't
00:18:39 because I don't want the Iraqis
00:18:42 But trust me, trust me.
00:18:45 Solomon: If history is any
00:18:48 The officials blow smoke and
00:18:53 We will in fact be
00:18:55 The notion that it will take
00:18:58 to provide stability in post-Saddam
00:19:04 So the money's gonna come from Iraqi
00:19:08 They think it's going to be something
00:19:11 They think it might be
00:19:16 A country that can
00:19:18 own reconstruction
00:19:20 National security advisors
00:19:23 early advocates of the war, said
00:19:27 Solomon: The sources
00:19:29 us so constantly don't
00:19:32 and to the extent that
00:19:35 we set ourselves up to be
00:19:39 There are reports that there is
00:19:43 between Baghdad and some of
00:19:46 There are known knowns.
00:19:48 There are things we know we know.
00:19:50 We also know there
00:19:53 That is to say that we know there
00:19:56 But there are also unknown unknowns.
00:19:59 The ones we don't know we don't know.
00:20:01 Excuse me, but is this
00:20:05 There are several
00:20:07 to know if this was
00:20:09 I'm not going to say which it is.
00:20:11 Mr. Secretary?
00:20:12 I'm right here, I'm right here.
00:20:14 Narrator: In the run
00:20:16 the failure of mainstream news...
00:20:18 organizations to raise
00:20:20 about the government's
00:20:22 compounded by the
00:20:24 decision to stress
00:20:27 before any fighting had even begun.
00:20:29 We've got generals and if you
00:20:32 for war with Iraq they
00:20:35 Narrator: CNN's use of
00:20:38 as supposedly independent experts
00:20:40 reinforced the decidedly military
00:20:45 remained about the wisdom and
00:20:49 Solomon: Often journalists
00:20:53 the failure of the journalists...
00:20:55 themselves to do
00:20:58 But nobody forced the major networks
00:21:04 from retired generals and
00:21:08 You had a top CNN
00:21:11 Jordan going on the
00:21:14 and boasting that he had
00:21:19 of possible military commentators
00:21:24 at the Defense Department
00:21:26 was a good list of people to hire.
00:21:28 I think it's important to
00:21:32 and to describe the military
00:21:36 talk about the strategy
00:21:38 I went to the Pentagon myself
00:21:41 and met with important people
00:21:44 here are the generals we're
00:21:48 on the air and off about the war and
00:21:51 and that was important.
00:21:53 Solomon: It wasn't even
00:21:56 It was something to say to the
00:22:00 see, we're team players.
00:22:02 We may be the news media
00:22:04 same side and the same
00:22:06 And that really runs directly counter
00:22:12 And that suggests that we have some
00:22:18 when the US is involved
00:22:25 Narrator: In 1964, President Lyndon
00:22:28 Johnson falsely
00:22:30 on US gunships by North Vietnamese
00:22:34 gave him no choice but to
00:22:38 That renewed hostile actions against
00:22:43 in the Gulf of Tonkin have
00:22:50 military forces of the United
00:22:55 Solomon: Routinely the official
00:23:00 or a partial bit of information
00:23:08 In international waters
00:23:10 destroyers of the United
00:23:13 assigned routine patrols
00:23:15 Sunday, August 2, 1964, the destroyer
00:23:21 Shortly after noon
00:23:24 is broken as general quarters sound.
00:23:33 In a deliberate and unprovoked action
00:23:36 three North Vietnam PT boats unleash
00:23:40 Solomon: The official story about
00:23:45 The destroyer was carrying out a
00:23:48 in international waters
00:23:51 Solomon: But it quickly became
00:23:55 by the news media
00:23:59 press' refusal to
00:24:03 it was much easier for
00:24:05 pass the Gulf of Ton kin resolution,
00:24:07 which was pivotal because it opened
00:24:23 I think it's a very
00:24:26 of the unity of the country,
00:24:28 behind the policies that are being...
00:24:30 followed by the President
00:24:33 and more specifically of
00:24:36 in response to the attack
00:24:39 Solomon: At that point
00:24:43 In the case of the
00:24:46 I asked, more than three decades
00:24:50 a Post retraction of its reporting
00:24:56 And I called the newspaper and...
00:24:57 eventually reached
00:24:59 the Chief Diplomatic correspondent at
00:25:03 Mr. Marder, has there ever been a
00:25:07 of its fallacious reporting
00:25:10 And he said, I can
00:25:12 happened. There was
00:25:14 And I asked why.
00:25:15 And he said, if the news
00:25:18 to retract its
00:25:20 Tonkin it would have to
00:25:23 on virtually the entire Vietnam War.
00:25:25 Fast forward a few decades, you
00:25:29 saying that to an
00:25:31 there were weapons
00:25:33 in Iraq and that intelligence
00:25:37 that clearly which was
00:25:39 Secretary of State Powell will
00:25:44 about Iraq's illegal
00:25:48 its attempts to hide those
00:25:51 and its links to terrorist groups.
00:25:57 Narrator: The failure
00:25:59 media to check government distortion
00:26:01 reached new heights on when the
00:26:04 Secretary of State Colin Powell
00:26:08 to make the case that there were
00:26:13 Saddam Hussein's intentions
00:26:16 He is not developing the
00:26:18 These are missiles that Iraq wants in
00:26:24 and to deliver chemical, biological,
00:26:30 Today Secretary of
00:26:32 the United Nations Security Council
00:26:33 the administration's
00:26:36 Solomon: After Colin Powell's
00:26:39 the US press applauded
00:26:43 Did Colin Powell close the
00:26:48 for anyone who has yet
00:26:53 I think for anybody who analyzes the
00:27:01 This irrefutable, undeniable,
00:27:05 Colin Powell brilliantly
00:27:09 Colin Powell was outstanding
00:27:13 It was so compelling.
00:27:15 I don't see how anybody at this
00:27:18 He made a wonderful presentation.
00:27:19 I thought he made a great case
00:27:23 It was devastating I
00:27:25 Overwhelming abundance
00:27:28 Point after point after point. He
00:27:33 It's the end of the argument
00:27:37 The Powell speech has moved the ball.
00:27:40 I think case is closed.
00:27:42 Solomon: But at the time
00:27:45 to analyze and debunk
00:27:49 Narrator: Whereas the British press
00:27:53 immediately raised
00:27:56 about the accuracy of
00:27:58 the major US news
00:28:01 silent about the factual basis
00:28:03 of his claims and near
00:28:07 Solomon: Even the
00:28:09 New York Times
00:28:12 that Colin Powell had made a
00:28:16 One of the great myths then part
00:28:22 is way after the fact
00:28:24 couldn't have been known at the time
00:28:27 that US officials were lying us
00:28:31 it was known at the time
00:28:34 who were not allowed on
00:28:37 Narrator: One such critical voice
00:28:42 one of the few mainstream media...
00:28:44 commentators who
00:28:46 the official storyline
00:28:48 You know we're all now everybody's...
00:28:50 righteous. What a
00:28:53 We were mute when he was
00:28:56 And now we're sending our sons and
00:29:01 It doesn't seem fair to me.
00:29:03 Narrator: Despite being the
00:29:06 Donahue's show was abruptly
00:29:10 just three weeks before
00:29:12 Solomon: Phil Donahue was
00:29:15 on MSNBC, one of the
00:29:18 And a memo that was
00:29:21 show was cancelled is very explicit.
00:29:24 It said, we don't want
00:29:27 of NBC as the United
00:29:31 This guy puts anti-war
00:29:34 The American people need to know
00:29:38 But there's no evidence
00:29:41 a weapon that exists
00:29:43 Journalists, too many of them
00:29:47 have said that they see their
00:29:53 and if you define your mission that
00:29:56 that might be important,
00:29:58 maybe isn't helpful
00:30:00 Solomon: We don't want to have
00:30:03 when then we'd be vulnerable to
00:30:07 It'll make it more
00:30:09 the flag-wavers at Fox
00:30:13 And more broadly news media are very
00:30:17 but advertiser pressure, criticism
00:30:22 Our soldiers are in the field.
00:30:25 Don't raise these tough questions.
00:30:27 It seems to me that the right
00:30:30 when American lives are at
00:30:34 is to unite behind the
00:30:38 Now on this show, Buchanan and
00:30:41 months on this conflict
00:30:42 but now it seems when the
00:30:46 I think unity, Bill, is
00:30:49 time or at least when
00:30:52 Solomon: It's a very effective
00:30:55 to a large extent to say "look
00:30:58 You're killing the troops.
00:31:00 Solomon: And that's an effort to
00:31:04 with supporting the
00:31:06 Once the war against Saddam begins
00:31:10 support our military and if
00:31:13 Narrator: In addition
00:31:15 many other journalists
00:31:17 for crossing the mythical
00:31:20 Today, NBC News fired journalist
00:31:23 for participating in an interview on
00:31:26 Arnett criticized American
00:31:29 said his reports about
00:31:32 and the Iraqi resistance
00:31:34 to anti-war protesters in America.
00:31:36 Solomon: If you're
00:31:39 but if you're anti-war you're biased.
00:31:41 And often a news
00:31:44 flak at all for making
00:31:47 are supportive of a war
00:31:49 of making a statement
00:31:52 I was trying to think of something
00:31:57 on an occasion like
00:31:59 the case the best
00:32:01 is something that Shakespeare
00:32:04 "wreak havoc and unleash
00:32:06 Solomon: And that is a tip off to
00:32:12 We should keep in mind
00:32:15 many believe to be a liberal network,
00:32:17 had a memo from their
00:32:20 Walter Isaacson, in the fall of 2001,
00:32:23 as the missiles were
00:32:26 telling the anchors and the reporters
00:32:29 you need to remind people anytime
00:32:33 the people who are
00:32:36 you've got to remind
00:32:38 that it's in the context
00:32:41 As though people could forget 9/11.
00:32:43 We talked to several people who told
00:32:47 had died in the bombing there
00:32:50 Nic Robertson, CNN,
00:32:53 And we would just remind
00:32:56 do now with these
00:32:58 Taliban-controlled
00:33:00 you're seeing only
00:33:02 that these US military
00:33:05 Robertson was talking
00:33:08 to a terrorist attack
00:33:12 more innocent people
00:33:16 And we juxtapose what we're
00:33:18 with a live picture of the cleanup
00:33:22 Ground Zero, again
00:33:26 5,000 killed that day back
00:33:30 their biggest crime as civilians?
00:33:34 Solomon: And yet we
00:33:36 the best estimates tell us
00:33:38 that more civilians were killed
00:33:43 than those who died in the
00:33:47 And the moral objections that could
00:33:52 in the name of
00:33:58 those objections were muted by the
00:34:02 in which it was used
00:34:04 and in Congress and
00:34:08 Narrator: Free flows of information
00:34:11 a more general atmosphere of
00:34:15 Among them are a
00:34:17 which is headed by Medea Benjamin
00:34:20 dictator worshipping propagandist.
00:34:23 The far left element
00:34:26 destructive force that
00:34:29 Some Americans, sadly,
00:34:32 and yet they want us to believe
00:34:35 Well, it's not.
00:34:36 To call the President stupid,
00:34:38 he doesn't know much about
00:34:40 Go with Danny Glover and Susan
00:34:43 To in any way be defending a
00:34:48 he used chemical weapons
00:34:50 is pretty remarkable
00:34:52 long tradition in
00:34:54 Pay no heed to the peaceniks
00:34:58 They've had their 15 minutes of fame.
00:35:00 These people are essentially useless.
00:35:02 They are reflexively opposed to war.
00:35:04 It's a principled position,
00:35:06 And you can't take them
00:35:08 Millions and millions of
00:35:10 Solomon: If you want
00:35:12 you've got to have the free flow
00:35:13 of information through
00:35:16 You can't have these blockages.
00:35:19 Narrator: While
00:35:20 have rarely called
00:35:22 to the failure of news
00:35:24 necessary information
00:35:27 they have repeatedly
00:35:29 failures well after wars
00:35:32 During the course of
00:35:33 was a lot of snap-to
00:35:35 We're at war. The world's
00:35:37 to root for the
00:35:38 Something missing from
00:35:40 critical analysis of
00:35:42 Those of us in journalism never even
00:35:46 Because it just didn't occur to
00:35:49 You'd had to have gone
00:35:51 You'd also come off as
00:35:53 trying to figure out
00:35:55 Exactly. Negative, negativism.
00:35:58 Solomon: News media
00:36:00 point out that there will lies about
00:36:02 the Gulf of Tonkin or about weapons
00:36:06 I'm sorry to say that
00:36:08 and perhaps to an extent my station,
00:36:10 was intimidated by the administration
00:36:15 We should've been more skeptical.
00:36:19 Solomon: But that doesn't bring
00:36:22 who were killed in their
00:36:27 the President of the United
00:36:30 After the fact, it's
00:36:33 say the system worked
00:36:35 But when it comes to life and
00:36:40 My fellow citizens,
00:36:42 at this hour American
00:36:45 are in the early stages
00:36:48 to disarm Iraq, to
00:36:51 to defend the world
00:36:54 The idea, to blitz the
00:36:58 There is, quote, complete confusion.
00:37:02 This will be a campaign
00:37:04 The senior Iraqi military leadership.
00:37:06 Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.
00:37:09 Narrator: Once public support is in
00:37:14 the news media necessarily turn from
00:37:18 to covering war itself.
00:37:21 Solomon: When the President decides
00:37:25 then the war becomes the product.
00:37:36 Particularly in the early stages,
00:37:38 news coverage of war is much
00:37:50 Narrator: Influencing
00:37:52 war coverage has been
00:37:54 administration after
00:37:57 when conventional wisdom held that
00:38:00 that turned the American
00:38:02 the war and forced US withdrawal.
00:38:05 Since that time, and beginning with
00:38:10 the Pentagon has worked with
00:38:14 media coverage of war.
00:38:15 As then Defense Secretary
00:38:18 about the importance of public...
00:38:20 perceptions during
00:38:34 Solomon: So for the
00:38:37 and invasion of Panama
00:38:39 then the Gulf War in early 1991,
00:38:42 it was like a produced TV show and...
00:38:44 the ma in producers
00:38:46 They decided, in the
00:38:49 exactly what footage would be made
00:38:53 They did non-stop
00:38:55 increasing importance
00:38:58 They named it Operation Desert Storm.
00:39:01 Breaking news of what's
00:39:03 called Operation Desert Storm.
00:39:05 Good evening, Operation
00:39:09 Solomon: All that sort of
00:39:11 so you could look at that as an
00:39:15 from the standpoint
00:39:19 Then you had a different era. You
00:39:24 Scores of American reporters have now
00:39:27 as part of the Pentagon's effort
00:39:31 what the Pentagon calls a
00:39:34 Another part of that
00:39:37 at the US Military
00:39:40 A Hollywood set designer was brought
00:39:47 for official war briefings.
00:39:49 Solomon: And tied in with that is
00:39:54 I've fallen almost in
00:39:57 Hornet because it is
00:39:59 I got to tell you my
00:40:02 the A-10 warthog. I
00:40:04 This morning around 4 am local
00:40:07 and when you're 300 feet away
00:40:11 you hear it in your shoes
00:40:14 Narrator: The Pentagon's influence on
00:40:18 in the news media's tendency to
00:40:21 of the latest weaponry.
00:40:23 Should they have used more?
00:40:27 The Mother Of All Bombs?
00:40:29 A few daisycutters and let's not just
00:40:34 Newest, biggest, baddest US bomb.
00:40:37 We'll pound them with 2,000
00:40:40 2,000 pound bombs in urban areas?
00:40:41 Oh, sure.
00:40:42 The plane I'm holding in my hand
00:40:46 was used in these attacks.
00:40:48 How do you steer this thing? I mean
00:40:51 Sure, both of us have a matching
00:40:57 Solomon: Every war we have US news
00:41:02 state of the art killing
00:41:04 the present moment to
00:41:07 B - 57's, the British
00:41:10 We're using them very effectively
00:41:14 to dive bomb the VietCong in
00:41:18 Colonel, what's our mission
00:41:21 Well our mission today sir is to
00:41:24 70 miles south of here and
00:41:30 The colonel has just
00:41:32 is the target area right over there.
00:41:34 1- 2-3-4 we've dropped
00:41:37 tremendous g-load as we
00:41:41 I know something of what those
00:41:47 Well, Colonel, that's a
00:41:51 Solomon: And there's a
00:41:53 Some might see it as the
00:41:56 That's it.
00:41:57 It's a 2,000 pound bomb
00:42:02 and that is the thing that
00:42:06 and will allow us in this next
00:42:09 terribly precise and
00:42:11 Narrator: In fact,
00:42:13 technology has become
00:42:16 with the development of
00:42:19 and other forms of
00:42:21 civilian casualties now greatly
00:42:25 A grim toll that has steadily
00:43:02 This is the beginning
00:43:04 Awe campaign, according
00:43:07 This is going to be
00:43:10 It was a breathtaking
00:43:13 Solomon: There's kind of an
00:43:17 towards what happens at the
00:43:22 Behind the flight deck the weapons...
00:43:24 officer who goes by
00:43:26 will never see the ground or
00:43:30 The airfield is simply a
00:43:33 Solomon: And this is another very
00:43:38 There's a bias involved where because
00:43:43 high tech military weaponry
00:43:46 slaughter people from
00:43:49 or a thousand feet in the air from
00:43:54 whereas strapping on a
00:43:57 people up is seen as
00:44:00 The targeting capabilities and
00:44:04 to see that the precise
00:44:09 and that other targets are not struck
00:44:12 is as impressive as
00:44:18 The care that goes into it,
00:44:22 To see that military targets
00:44:27 but that it's done in a
00:44:32 and in a direction and with a weapon
00:44:35 that is appropriate to that
00:44:39 The weapons that are
00:44:43 degree of precision that
00:44:47 Narrator: Within this
00:44:50 the Defense Department
00:44:52 successful in shaping
00:44:55 Its influence reached
00:44:57 embedding of journalists
00:44:59 The Pentagon tightly
00:45:02 media during the 1991
00:45:04 limiting where reporters could
00:45:08 to small groups of pool reporters.
00:45:11 This time the Pentagon
00:45:14 after running more than 230
00:45:18 the Pentagon is inviting more
00:45:22 to accompany US combat units to war.
00:45:25 Narrator: Despite being
00:45:27 a new form of realism
00:45:30 the strategy of embedding
00:45:32 raised new questions
00:45:34 war reporters to convey balanced
00:45:39 Solomon: Rather than being kept
00:45:43 and smothered and participated in
00:45:47 They were brought a long,
00:45:50 with the Marines, with
00:45:53 They became, in a sense, part
00:45:57 You didn't have embedded reporters
00:46:02 You only had embedded
00:46:04 Last night a tremendous light show
00:46:08 Solomon: And it was
00:46:11 invaders that so much of
00:46:13 It was a gradual process of getting
00:46:17 and for them trusting me was knowing
00:46:21 and get us all shelled
00:46:23 Solomon: People who were
00:46:26 the major US TV networks
00:46:29 uncertain terms that they had been...
00:46:32 bonding very closely
00:46:34 We have a number of correspondents...
00:46:36 embed with our troops
00:46:38 Very deeply embedded in
00:46:40 the marines that he
00:46:43 Solomon: And you had correspondents
00:46:47 I would do virtually anything for
00:46:50 There's all this camaraderie.
00:46:51 We had guys around us with guns
00:46:53 and they were intent on keeping
00:46:55 you guys are making us stars back
00:46:59 Solomon: That's very
00:47:01 nothing to do with
00:47:03 which we never need more
00:47:06 It was a very shrewd effort
00:47:10 you want access, here's
00:47:13 I doubt that in a conflict of
00:47:17 the degree of free press coverage as
00:47:24 Solomon: And the embedding
00:47:27 in an old game which was
00:47:33 Narrator: Praise for
00:47:35 as a step forward in
00:47:37 has often invoked comparisons to
00:47:42 Solomon: A myth has kind of
00:47:47 that their reporting was very tough,
00:47:50 that Americans saw on
00:47:54 the brutality of the
00:47:58 And people often hark back
00:48:01 that should now be
00:48:05 This is what the war in
00:48:10 Solomon: Yes, there was exceptional
00:48:14 And so you had the
00:48:17 used by the GI's
00:48:21 of a village that Morley
00:48:24 Well people mentioned that
00:48:28 And in point of fact
00:48:32 the tremendous violence in that war
00:48:35 was conveyed through
00:48:37 especially when the US government is
00:48:42 That is in a way the most
00:48:46 in graphic human detail what's
00:48:51 mortars paid for by US taxpayers
00:48:54 do what their designed to do
00:49:07 I know that this is
00:49:09 think it's part of
00:49:11 The Vietnam Syndrome that
00:49:13 was a reference to America's attempt
00:49:18 This will not be another Vietnam.
00:49:21 Our troops will have the best
00:49:25 and they will not be asked to fight
00:49:32 Narrator: Like President
00:49:35 him, President George H.W. Bush
00:49:37 explicitly set out
00:49:38 during the first Gulf War
00:49:41 of the so-called Vietnam Syndrome,
00:49:43 the common belief after the bloody
00:49:48 that the American public
00:49:49 no longer had the
00:49:52 guaranteed swift, easy
00:49:56 Precision weapons and the
00:50:00 helped make the Gulf War an enormous
00:50:04 helping it move past
00:50:09 It's a proud day for
00:50:12 kicked Vietnam Syndrome
00:50:15 Thank you very, very much.
00:50:17 Solomon: The idea is that supposedly
00:50:22 strong military action
00:50:25 become too skittish
00:50:28 In fact if you look at the
00:50:33 there's been a real
00:50:35 wars without exception
00:50:38 Public support for the
00:50:40 fell below 77% according
00:50:43 But during the Vietnam War,
00:50:47 and with in a couple of years
00:50:51 public support was down to almost
00:50:55 So what's the difference?
00:50:56 In one case, WWII, the US
00:51:00 the war was fundamentally
00:51:03 But if it emerges that the
00:51:07 and that the war was
00:51:10 then people have turned
00:51:13 So first the public has to be
00:51:17 Then, after the war is underway,
00:51:20 withdrawal needs to be put
00:51:24 Withdrawal of all American forces
00:51:28 Let no one think for a
00:51:31 from Vietnam would bring
00:51:34 We're not leaving so long
00:51:36 That would be a huge mistake.
00:51:37 Our allies would lose
00:51:41 To yield to force in Vietnam
00:51:44 Any sign that says we're going
00:51:47 simply emboldens terrorists.
00:51:50 A retreat of the United States from
00:51:55 a victory of massive proportions
00:51:58 If this little nation
00:52:01 and can't maintain their independence
00:52:03 ask yourself what's going to happen
00:52:06 It would not bring peace.
00:52:11 Solomon: And many propaganda lines
00:52:15 who started the war
00:52:16 The party of FDR and the
00:52:21 has become the party of cut and run.
00:52:24 The American people will
00:52:26 Cowards cut and run.
00:52:28 They're advocating a
00:52:30 That party's old pattern
00:52:33 If we high-tailed it and cut and run.
00:52:35 We won't cut and run.
00:52:37 Cut and run.
00:52:37 Cut and run.
00:52:38 We will not cut and run.
00:52:39 Cut and run.
00:52:39 Cut and run, cut and
00:52:42 We will stay the course.
00:52:43 We must stay the course.
00:52:44 We stay the course.
00:52:45 We will stay the course.
00:52:46 And we're not going to cut and run
00:52:49 if I'm in the oval office.
00:52:50 Solomon: All a president
00:52:52 start a war and these
00:52:54 You can't stop them so it's
00:52:59 to deceive, to manipulate
00:53:01 sufficiently to get the war started
00:53:04 and then they've got a long
00:53:07 substantive challenge that says
00:53:15 Then appealing for public
00:53:18 Mr. Nixon said the
00:53:21 or humiliate the United States.
00:53:23 Only Americans, he said, can do that.
00:53:29 The peacemakers are
00:53:33 The soldier and the statesman
00:53:38 and the responsible assistance
00:53:44 But they need reason much
00:53:48 They must have a practical solution
00:53:51 and not a concoction of wishful
00:53:56 however well-intentioned and
00:54:00 It must be a solution
00:54:05 surrender or for
00:54:09 Those fantasies hold
00:54:14 War llI and a much
00:54:18 Solomon: During the
00:54:20 opinion polls were
00:54:22 into the early 1970's that a majority
00:54:28 even immoral and yet
00:54:30 because the momentum was there.
00:54:32 Vice President Agnew's
00:54:35 he put it, was the
00:54:38 Most of those, the Vice
00:54:40 at a rally for
00:54:42 are Democrats, and it was
00:54:46 Republican crowds have been
00:54:49 In the United States today
00:54:51 we have more than our share of the
00:55:01 Solomon: The same has been the case
00:55:04 The President and I
00:55:07 politicians from losing their memory
00:55:09 or their backbone but
00:55:11 to sit by and let
00:55:13 Solomon: And that's
00:55:16 because often those who oppose
00:55:21 Congressman John Murtha, the first
00:55:25 a man awarded a bronze star
00:55:29 choking back tears as he talked
00:55:33 It's time to bring them home.
00:55:34 They've done everything they can do.
00:55:36 The military has done
00:55:38 This war has been so
00:55:41 Not only was the intelligence bad,
00:55:45 there's all kinds of
00:55:47 They don't' deserve to
00:55:50 They're the targets.
00:55:52 Solomon: As an original supporter of
00:55:56 pro-military inside the Congress,
00:55:59 John Murtha, despite his credentials,
00:56:04 This guy has long passed
00:56:07 had anything but the
00:56:09 of what the heck is
00:56:13 and that sound byte is
00:56:16 And the man is an absolute
00:56:19 Solomon: His recommendations to pull
00:56:24 Pennsylvania Congressman
00:56:26 once again sounding
00:56:28 when it comes to the war on terror.
00:56:29 Murtha's running a
00:56:32 own people and against
00:56:36 As a veteran, I consider it my duty
00:56:42 against repeated
00:56:44 politician who cares
00:56:47 political and personal gain
00:56:50 fellow Americans on the battlefield.
00:56:53 Solomon: And yet you looked at the...
00:56:55 polls and you found
00:56:56 of Americans totally were
00:56:59 I go by Arlington cemetery everyday
00:57:04 and the Vice President, he criticizes
00:57:08 Those gravestones don't say Democrat
00:57:14 Solomon: And almost any analysis of
00:57:19 with what news media are or are not
00:57:23 will show that the
00:57:26 is way behind the grassroots.
00:57:28 In February of 1968, the
00:57:32 survey of 39 different
00:57:36 The Globe could not find a single
00:57:41 for withdrawal of US
00:57:56 Narrator: And even when
00:57:58 have eventually become
00:58:00 officials have strategies
00:58:03 that have the effect
00:58:06 In some cases, as with the Nixon...
00:58:08 administration's strategy
00:58:11 actually escalating war
00:58:15 In the previous administration, we
00:58:21 In this administration we are
00:58:27 Solomon: It's the idea that
00:58:28 the war has become
00:58:31 States so let's pull
00:58:33 and have the military burden fall
00:58:37 White House officials say it is
00:58:40 are going to have to
00:58:42 Solomon: The model is to use air
00:58:46 and training Vietnamese to
00:58:50 And several decades later,
00:58:53 of George W. Bush's administration.
00:58:56 Our strategy can be
00:58:58 As the Iraqi's stand
00:59:03 Solomon: The rhetoric about shifting
00:59:06 onto the shoulders of Iraqi people
00:59:10 for a president because
00:59:12 saying to people in
00:59:14 hey, we're going to be out of
00:59:17 There isn't a person at this
00:59:21 that we're in a quagmire and
00:59:26 Solomon: The media and political
00:59:28 is a good example of how an issue
00:59:32 The criticism would be that
00:59:35 there's no good way to
00:59:38 Then the word clearly
00:59:42 Solomon: Talking about
00:59:44 to be a positive way
00:59:47 because then we can
00:59:48 the war is actually working out well.
00:59:50 We are now in a seemingly
00:59:54 That terrible word quagmire.
00:59:57 This could be or seems to
01:00:00 Solomon: Quagmire is
01:00:03 of a critique because
01:00:06 problem here is what
01:00:09 the United States.
01:00:11 Are we winning in Iraq?
01:00:13 Do you want the United
01:00:15 I can't tell who's
01:00:17 Do you believe that we are
01:00:19 We are not winning
01:00:21 We are losing.
01:00:23 We're winning it.
01:00:24 You're winning this war?
01:00:26 I couldn't tell you.
01:00:28 Solomon: And a big problem with the
01:00:31 through the eyes of the Americans,
01:00:35 rather than those who are bearing
01:00:40 We have been too often
01:00:42 the optimism of the American leaders
01:00:44 both in Vietnam and Washington
01:00:46 to have faith any
01:00:48 linings they find in
01:00:51 Solomon: In early 1968,
01:00:54 CBS viewers that the
01:00:57 It seems now more certain than ever
01:00:59 that the bloody experience of
01:01:04 Solomon: And that was instantly,
01:01:09 heralded as "the tide has turned,"
01:01:12 as Lyndon Johnson is
01:01:15 when he saw Cronkite
01:01:17 "I've lost middle America,"
01:01:19 and it was presented as not only
01:01:23 but also as sort of a moral statement
01:01:28 Well I would say yes and no.
01:01:30 It was an acknowledgement
01:01:32 contrary to official
01:01:34 was not winning the war in
01:01:38 But it was not a statement
01:01:42 A problem there is that if the
01:01:46 because it's not winnable
01:01:49 oh yeah, we'll show you it can be...
01:01:51 winnable, or the next
01:01:53 So that critique doesn't
01:01:57 military expansion or aggression,
01:02:02 And a deeper critique says, whether
01:02:07 empire enforced at the point not of
01:02:14 that's not acceptable.
01:02:24 Narrator: Over the last
01:02:27 witnessed a wave of US
01:02:30 a series of bombings, invasions,
01:02:35 Undertaken we have been told, with
01:02:42 And paid for with the
01:02:46 and countless others
01:02:50 Solomon: What has occurred with one
01:02:55 These dynamics are in play in
01:02:59 looking at other
01:03:01 and the future will be
01:03:05 we fail to understand what has been
01:03:09 The news media have generally
01:03:15 that it's up to the President to
01:03:18 This smart guy in the oval office
01:03:21 he knows more than we do,
01:03:24 and the American people
01:03:27 play and nor should
01:03:29 they don't have the
01:03:32 to be responsive to
01:03:35 That was certainly true
01:03:37 War as it was to be
01:03:40 There were people in Congress
01:03:43 simply were marginalized by the news
01:03:47 maybe especially
01:03:49 they had it right and
01:03:52 wisdom and the President were wrong.
01:03:54 However difficult this
01:03:58 of us must urge the use of restraint.
01:04:14 Our country is in a state of
01:04:18 let's step back for a moment,
01:04:28 And think through the
01:04:32 so that this does not
01:04:42 As we act let us not become
01:04:50 Thank you and I yield
01:04:52 The gentlewoman's time has expired.
01:04:54 Solomon: And this is
01:04:56 of history in the
01:04:58 where people who at the time were
01:05:03 as outside of the mainstream
01:05:08 out to understand the
01:05:11 We've gotta back our President,
01:05:13 since when do we have
01:05:16 or should we when the President is
01:05:31 Solomon: The best
01:05:33 the senior senator from Oregon who,
01:05:35 beginning in 1964, was a voice
01:05:41 Senator Morse was unusual in that
01:05:46 of the US government to go
01:05:49 He said it's up to the American
01:05:54 Senator, the Constitution gives to
01:05:58 the sole responsibility for
01:06:01 Couldn't be more wrong.
01:06:02 You couldn't make a
01:06:04 statement than the one
01:06:07 This is the promulgation
01:06:11 that foreign policy belongs to the
01:06:15 Then whom does it
01:06:16 It belongs to the
01:06:18 Constitutional fathers
01:06:20 Where does the President fit into
01:06:24 What I'm saying is under our
01:06:27 is the administrator of the
01:06:30 Those are his prerogatives
01:06:33 the American people be given
01:06:36 You know Senator that
01:06:38 cannot formulate and
01:06:40 Why you're a man of
01:06:42 democracy if you make
01:06:44 I have complete faith in the
01:06:47 to follow the facts if you
01:06:50 against my government is we're not
01:06:53 Solomon: And that's the kind of faith
01:06:57 among the Washington
01:06:59 the power elite in
01:07:02 but it's a good reading
01:07:04 and it's a good
01:07:06 The independent journalist
01:07:09 all governments lie and nothing
01:07:13 Now Stone wasn't conflating
01:07:15 and he wasn't saying that governments
01:07:17 lie all the time, but
01:07:20 we should never trust
01:07:22 by a government is automatically true
01:07:26 especially our own
01:07:28 because we have a
01:07:31 the surface because
01:07:33 the consequences of
01:07:36 what Dr. King called "the
01:07:39 they can't stand the light of
01:07:42 the deceptions that lead
01:07:45 and the human consequences
01:07:47 If we get that into clear focus
01:07:50 we can change the course
01:07:53 But it's not going to
01:07:55 require dedication to
01:08:02 Dr. Martin Luther King: A time
01:08:08 and that time has come for us.
01:08:13 Even when pressed by the
01:08:18 men do not easily assume the task of
01:08:24 especially in time of war.
01:08:28 And I knew that I could
01:08:32 against the violence of the
01:08:35 without having first spoken clearly
01:08:41 in the world today,
01:08:42 my own government.
01:08:51 What do they think as we test
01:08:56 Just as the Germans tested out
01:09:00 in the concentration camps of Europe.
01:09:03 Now there is little left to
01:09:08 We are met by deep but
01:09:12 To speak for them is to explain this
01:09:18 and especially their mistrust
01:09:24 The world now demands a maturity of
01:09:28 America that we may
01:09:32 This way of settling
01:09:38 A nation that continues
01:09:41 to spend more money
01:09:45 than on programs of social uplift
01:09:51 Somehow this madness must cease.
01:09:54 We must stop now.
01:09:57 I speak as one who loves America
01:10:00 to the leaders of our own nation.
01:10:04 The great initiative
01:10:07 The initiative to