Looks like nobody's got 'em. From the WaPo today:
...the Lincoln Group does not do propaganda. Sure, the firm's been tarred by some in Congress, the media and the defense establishment for paying Iraqi newspapers to publish hundreds of "news" stories secretly written by U.S. troops.Ah yes, the ability to twist every word to mean something convenient. For example, I used to think the word America meant "Land of the Free and Home of the Brave" but now it apparently means Imperialist Nation Suppressing Its Citizens.But Paige Craig, the West Point dropout and former Marine intelligence specialist who is the Lincoln Group's president, says the practice is not propaganda. The word carries such baggage, such suggestions of mind control. So in an industry in which euphemism thrives, a more elegant word is deployed.
"We call it 'influence,' " says Craig, whose business has 12 U.S. government contracts totaling more than $130 million.
(I know, too far, cut me some slack...I'm totally hungover.)
"But Paige Craig, the West Point dropout and former Marine intelligence specialist ..."
That word "dropout" carries such baggage.
If the militray wants to fund a secret operation to print positive news in the Iraqi media about the US then great. Call me imperialist scum, but I what really worries me are fake news stories in this country. I don't care what we tell Iraqis if it keeps our troops alive.
For more on US propoganda efforts, there is an NPR, Morning Edition series on the Office of Public Diplomacy, which is of course led by that paragon of ethics Karen Hughes.
Not far enough, bro -