During World War II, the last "politically incorrect" war,
propaganda was employed with considerable success - its purpose
being to deny the enemy privileged information that would provide
encouragement to the enemy, while necessarily denying discouraging
information to the U.S. citizenry.
In these times of political correctness, media embeds, strong
liberal factions and election posturing, U.S. efforts in containing
enemy psychological operations have been not only ineffective but
are - and have been - disastrous for our military and our country.
Obviously, the administration knows well that a portion of its
reports are propaganda. It has no choice. The alternative would be
to project a "losing" posture.
The administration also realizes, without shouting it to the
world, that we've become temporarily "bogged down," as happens in
all wars. But this is a much different kind of battle.
Our terrorist enemies, thanks to lessons learned from observing
the Vietnam War, have become experts in the use of psychological
operations, terrorizing the minds of U.S. citizens through
repetitive terror attacks on U.S. troops and facilities. They are
confident that the tragedy-laced photos and hand-wringing reports
will be delivered post haste to loved ones back home by our obliging
national media.
As in Vietnam, this is why we are losing this Iraqi terrorism
battle.
How do we win this war that's "bogged" down? As Secretary of
Defense Rumsfeld says, it's going to be a "slog." We will have to
infiltrate the enemy organizations, and it will take time.
