They say if you can control the media you can control the country. Well, we are now learning that is exactly what the previous administration was doing.
      A report by Raw Story has shown conclusively through government records that there was a propaganda effort underway by the Pentagon to not only plant "friendly generals" on networks to glorify the war efforts and push the ideology of the administration but also to target Americans residing here - a forbidden act and highly illegal.
      In essence, the Pentagon and the Department of Defense paid former generals to speak highly of the war on the networks. But they went beyond that to systematically sway the American people through deception.
      Government documents obtained by the website show the planning of the operation and "that Navy Captain Roxie Merritt recommended that both the press and community relations offices develop a 'hot list' of analysts" who could dependably "carry our water" and provide them with ultra-exclusive access that would compel the networks to "weed out the less reliably friendly analysts" on their own."
      Clearly, when something is right, one needs not lie to justify it.
      "It's hard to think of a more blatant example of propaganda than this program," said Diane Farsetta, a senior researcher at the Center for Media and Democracy.
      Sadly, many of those involved in this program are still employed by the Federal government and, perhaps, even involved in recent war propaganda, including much of what has been written or said about Iran and its nuclear capabilities.
      Our Government works for us and should never lie to us to justify its actions.