alternative hippopotamus

progressive cyberdadaism from our nation’s capital

August 28, 2007

Dear Brad

by AltHippo @ 2:27 pm. Filed under propaganda

Freedom’s Watch, a group championing “a powerful fight against terror, especially in Iraq,” has created a series of ads supporting US continued presence in Iraq. Powerline, Time magazine’s 2004 blog of the year, describes the ads as: “well done, and convey the simple message that the Iraq war is important and winnable, and that we should allow our troops to see the mission through.”

Certainly, if the mission is to confuse 9.11 and Iraq, then these ads are well done, and they may help to win the mission. Propaganda, like that catapulted by the MSM and Time’s 2004 blog of the year, is one of the most effective agents for change. Or, in the case of the occupation of Iraq, agents for not-change. Agents for staying the course. Agent’s for manipulating people to support things they ordinarily wouldn’t support if the issues of 9.11 and Iraq hadn’t been confounded.

Example from the ads: “In another one of the spots, a mother of a soldier killed in the war says, ‘We’ve already had one 9-11, we don’t need another.’”

Fortunately, the media corporations that make up our radio and television landscape are reluctant to air pro-administration propaganda. Just kidding. They roll over quicker than a stone without any gathered moss. (Sorry, I’m fresh out of similes today. Maybe if I made it Sharon Stone and Kate Moss…. No, it just doesn’t work.)

That’s why it surprised me that MSNBC and CNBC are refusing to air the ads. Brad Blakeman of Freedom’s Watch writes:

John Kelly Senior Vice-President of NBC News Network Sales 30 Rockefeller Plaza 12th Floor New York, NY 10112

Dear Mr. Kelly,

We understand that MSNBC and CNBC (the “Networks”) are refusing to sell advertising time to Freedom’s Watch (“FW”) to air a series of educational advertisements. It is our understanding that the purported basis for the denial is a Network policy denying access to groups that wish to sponsor advertising on controversial issues of public importance.

Given your recent history of airing such ads (see below), we must wonder if your denial to FW is a subjective decision because the network officials disagree with the FW ads’ message? If you continue to refuse to air FW’s advertisement we request an explanation of your basis in writing or station policy within two (2) days from the date above as time is of the essence.

FW has requested time on your networks to air advertisements discussing the War Against Terrorism. Your reporters and commentators discuss this issue on your programs at every hour of the day so you clearly agree this is an issue of great public importance. FW’s advertisements, to be sure, present a view of this debate that rounds out your coverage. These ads feature Iraq War Veterans and their families discussing their sacrifices in personal terms and their belief that we must allow the military time to complete its mission in Iraq and seek victory. This is a side of this issue that should not be silenced by national cable networks. We believe that rather than censor these American heroes, you should let the American public hear their story.

It’s always exciting for me to hear Republican groups discover the value of hearing different views. I would have preferred they would have made the discovery when Bush was having dissenters chucked out of all his public appearances, but at least they’ve finally showed up at the party. And since, Mr. Blakeman took the time to write, it would be discourteous not to write back.

Dear Brad,

I understand you are upset about MSNBC and CNBC not airing your horseshit. In all honesty, we’ll probably cave in the end. Meanwhile, I’d like you to consider making a new ad that just says why you want to stay in Iraq. Now, here’s the catch. You can’t add stuff in, like how we’re fighting them there so we don’t have to fight them here, or how phased re-deployment is “cutting and running,” or pretty much anything connecting the tragic debacle that is Operation Enduring Bunnypants, or whatever it’s called, with the Saudi Arabian hijackers that struck NYC and DC a month after Condi Rice got a memo warning of it.

Blah, blah, blah,
AltHippo

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3 Responses to “Dear Brad”

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    August 29th, 2007 at 11:51 am

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  2. Ulysses Says:
    August 29th, 2007 at 10:33 pm

    Not airing these ads right away actually does these wingnuts a favor. The “controversy” generated before the networks’ eventual cave-in gives the ads undeserved legitimacy as somehow representing the views of real people out in the country. In fact all of these ads should come with a huge disclaimer: Warning! Cheney/Bush Propaganda to follow!

  3. AltHippo Says:
    August 29th, 2007 at 11:24 pm

    Ulysses, I’m in complete agreement. If anything, I was waiting for the controversy that would pump this story up. I did notice that the NYT carried it today, citing the powerline post. Truth be told, I do love to scoop the NYT on these things.

    But, I’m not getting the impression that this is causing a stir. Time may prove otherwise, though.

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