"This scandal should sound the wake-up call for newsrooms and newsreaders. At times of war, the American public needs more critical journalism and diversity of opinion, not less. The media needs to ask tough questions of government, and not simply amplify its propaganda. The failures of consolidated, corporate media are clearly at crisis proportions.

"If ever there was a time for our elected officials to draw a line in the sand, this is it. We need to shut down any government program whose sole purpose is to mislead the public into supporting disastrous wars, policies and politicians.

"We urge the Senate to pass the propaganda ban and send a strong message to the Pentagon and other government agencies that Congress wil

A strong message to the Pentagon? How about a sizable budget cut?

Who gets to decide what propaganda is?

Congress, that is why the make the law.

Usually lies about war are considered propaganda, friend Sam. And usually almost everything the Gov't tells you about the war are lies.

We can only hope that Obama has the balls to take on the defense industry and the Pentagon and cut their obscene budget and maybe even get us on a "peace economy". But then I don't think he will from the comments he's made about the military needing to remain Large. Urrrggh. Business as usual probably.

Why don't you support Ron Paul, papananook?

Surely you jest, Willie. I like some of his ideas...but for him to get elected, he would have to hypnotize half the country, which is what I think Karl Rove did somehow. It beats me how a supposedly "best nation inna da world" could elect a buffoon like Bush--twice. Never underestimate the ignorance of the 'Murrikan sheeple, who mostly just want comfort.

And I know I use a broad brush but surely things CAN change...but only if the people wake up from their long, dark addictive slumber.

I'm guessing pappananook would join me in supporting Mike Gravel. Sadly, he never really had a chance. The only things he had going for him were experience, insight, wisdom, a track record of standing up for what's right, a real sense of what America is supposed to be, a lot of strong stances based on belief in the people and the public good which were about betterment as opposed to the corporate rape of the public, and a whole lot more. In his substance, he was the only real hope I saw for getting America back on track.

but only if the people wake up from their long, dark addictive slumber.

When did the "sheeple" begin their slumber?

Yes! I did LOVE Mike Gravel as a candidate and it was shameful the way the Dem leaders treated him and how he was portrayed by the media.
As for the Sheeple--you tell me. Considering the REAL history of the USA, they've ALWAYS been asleep, goin' along with racism, slavery, genocide of natives, capitalist exploitation, warring against people of color everywhere etc. The great 'Murrikan experiment in "freedom and liberty" has apparently failed--big time in the last 8 years.

I'll bet most people here didn't know that Mike Gravel was the one who finally got the Vietnam war de-funded when he was in Congress. Guy had more balls than all the Dems put together nowadays.

papnanook, why don't you be the Che you wish to see in the world?

Mike Gravel. We ran him out of Alaska ages ago. lol I like this idea of a "peace economy" we can all get paid for going around giving out flowers. Then the world will love us and we won't need armies anymore. Trouble is Iran, Syria, North Korea etc. are just waiting for the day that someone is elected in America who will fulfill your wishes for a more peaceful view of the world. I suspect they will all have a good laugh at our expense and then promptly go about disassembling every democracy that the US has helped to build in the past 200 years.

As for Congress deciding what propaganda is...careful what you wish for. Your comments might just be treated as propaganda by an unfriendly legislature and then you will find yourself wondering what ever happened to free speech.

Oh, Silly--you have no vision for the future except continuous war? Friggin' sad, dude. You'd make a real Good German, 1936