Sure, no Very Serious Beltway reporter would think to get Arab reaction to a story about public communications aimed at the Arab world. After all, it’s such a chore to chat up the nearest felafel vendor. But would it be too much to ask that ABC not give the right-wing media machine a stovepipe for its smoke?
Answer: of course it’s too much to ask. Here’s how Jake Tapper reported (“EXCLUSIVE!”) last Thursday on Obama’s rebranding of the Iraq war as “Operation New Dawn:”
The move has met with some criticism. In a statement, Brian Wise, executive director of Military Families United said, “You cannot end a war simply by changing its name. Despite the Administration’s efforts to spin realities on the ground, their efforts do not change the situation at hand in Iraq. Operational military decisions should not be made for purposes of public relations, as the Secretary of Defense cites, but should be made in the best interests of our nation, the troops on the ground and their families back home.”
Wise should know something about rebranding. “Military Families United” is an astroturf organization related to his better-known project, the “Foundation for the Defense of Democracies,” where he is the Director of Media Relations. FDD is one of those CPAC-welfare agencies supporting otherwise-unemployable neocon mouthpieces like Clifford May. Ironically, FDD used to be Emet, a hardline Israel lobby described thusly at The American Conservative:
In early 2001, a tightly knit group of billionaire philanthropists conceived of a plan to win American sympathy for Israel‘s response to the Palestinian intifada. They believed that the Palestinian cause was finding too much support within crucial segments of the American public, particularly within the media and on college campuses, so they set up an organization, Emet: An Educational Initiative, Inc., to offer Israel the kind of PR that the Israeli government seemed unable to provide itself.
At first, Emet floundered, without an executive director or a well-defined mission. But that changed after Sept. 11, and Emet changed too, into what is now the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. The name is different, but the goal of influencing America’s opinion-forming classes remains.
What makes all of this possible is the support the foundation receives from its billionaire backers. Its nearly $3 million annual budget comes from 27 major donors, most of whom are members of “the Study Group”–also sometimes called the “Mega Group” because of their sizable contributions–a semi-formal organization of major Jewish philanthropists who meet twice a year to discuss joint projects.
Wise owns the domain for “Military Families United,” where he irregularly criticizes the administration along Cheneyan lines. Other than a connection to Toys For Tots, the website seems to do little else than provide a portal for the usual propaganda:
With the disclosure that two former Yemeni Guantanamo Bay detainees worked with accused terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmatallab in an attempt to blow up an American airline, we have the clearest indication yet that the President’s continual release of Guantanamo Bay detainees presents an unacceptable risk to American lives. As a nation, we cannot rely on so-called “reform camps” in places like Saudi Arabia to prevent terrorists from striking again. (Emphasis mine)
Never mind that the releases in question took place under the Bush administration; inconvenient facts are set aside for a good rant. FDD and MFU exist to manufacture nontroversy; and while the Beltway ought to know this (it’s not hard to figure out from a simple Google search) I get the impression folks like Tapper just don’t care.
At some point, the mavens of journalism decided there can be no story without two sides — never mind if one side has nothing to offer but stupid lies and fear. The rules just require a contradictory quote, is all. Because why report straight news without controversy?
And now you see why manufactured outrage — nontroversy — constantly penetrates the media. Tapper’s not alone; CNN uses Wise, too. AC360 actually reported sympathetically on Wise’s unsuccessful attempt to get White House access and repeated his hilarious claim that his organization represents 60,000 families*.
As for rebranding the occupation: as troops draw down and lower their visibility, marking a new phase with a name change is an important part of building a better relationship with Iraqis. The goal is less friction and fewer dead Americans. Al-Fejr al-Jedeed will have far better cultural translation than “Enduring Freedom.” Wise doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about and doesn’t give a rat’s ass about soldiers; he’s a paid hack for an agenda.
Folks, this is Teh Librul Media™ at work. If you can call it “work.”
*For some reason, every conservative front group claims 60,000 as its membership. It’s a leading indicator that you’re looking at fraud.
ADDING: That’s not a picture of Tapper, but of Wise. I’m starting a “ten most wanted astroturfers” list. #1 is Amy Sollenberger; Wise Guy there is number two.
