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Fact Checking the Media
"Are they trying to develop a nuclear weapon? No."
-Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta on Iran
January 8, 2012, CBS’ Face the Nation
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 3, 2012) -- Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today sent the following message to his colleagues in Congress.
See video here.
Dear Colleague:
During an interview last month on CBS’ Face the Nation, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta set the record straight on Iran: “Are they trying to develop a nuclear weapon? No.” But if you read recent news reports lately, you’d think otherwise.
The media coverage on Iran is mirroring the coverage in the lead-up to the Iraq war: grand claims about a smoking gun that doesn’t exist. For example, The New York Times incorrectly reported last month that the latest International Atomic Emergency Agency (IAEA) report on Iran concluded that their nuclear program had a military objective. The paper’s public editor, Arthur Brisbane, was forced to acknowledge their mistake and wrote: “Some readers, mindful of the faulty intelligence and reporting about Saddam Hussein’s weapons program, are watching the Iran nuclear coverage very closely.” Other media outlets such as National Public Radio, PBS and The Washington Post have been challenged on their coverage too.
A recent publication from the Center for Strategic and International Studies titled “The IAEA’s Iran Report and Misplaced Paranoia,” noted that “With few exceptions, these revelations are not exactly new. More importantly, neither is the thrust of the report: that Iran is developing some capabilities that can only be understood as preliminaries to the development of nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, early coverage of the report’s release gives the opposite impression.”
Many have recognized that the media failed to do its job in the lead-up to the Iraq war. The potential consequences of treading on that same path with Iran are grave. The U.S. has thus far spent over $1.2 trillion of borrowed money on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Military action against Iran would be disastrous for the region and for U.S. moral standing. A serious diplomatic track based on mutual trust and respect is the only way to achieve increased transparency.
Sincerely,
/s/
Dennis J. Kucinich
Member of Congress
ran seems to many observers to be next in line for the Iraqi freedom treatment, the latest in a long line of “enemy” nations menaced by overt and covert military threats by the United States and its allies.
As the psyops operations and media propaganda intensifies, you might think war is imminent and that Iran is doing what countries under threat do in these circumstances, such as mobilizing their people and preparing for a bombing onslaught.
Alarmist reporting on 'terrorist' threat -- From FAIR
The January 31 ABC World News broadcast featured a blatantly propagandistic report on the supposed threat from Iran.
The newscast focused on that day's Senate testimony by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who told lawmakers that the U.S. intelligence community believes that Iran may be "now more willing to conduct an attack in the United States in response to real or perceived U.S. actions that threaten the regime."
"America's top spy warns that Iran is willing to launch a terrorist strike inside the U.S.," announced anchor Diane Sawyer at the top of the program. "We'll tell you his evidence." The ABC report was actually very light on evidence. It did, however, pass along numerous incendiary allegations from government officials--without the skeptical scrutiny that is real journalism's primary function.
Echoing the government, Sawyer set up the report with an assertion that Iran is "more determined than ever to launch an attack on U.S. soil." Correspondent Martha Raddatz, claiming that the "the saber-rattling coming from Iran has been constant," told viewers that Clapper delivered "a new bracing warning.... Iran may be more ready than ever to launch terror attacks inside the United States."
In its effort to substantiate Clapper's strong claim, ABC could only provide the most dubious evidence. As Raddatz announced:
I know I am not the only one to experience déjà vu over the Obama administration's assessment of threats by Iran to the US. James Clapper, Obama's top intelligence officer stated as fact yesterday, according to the New York Times, that:
“some Iranian officials — probably including supreme leader Ali Khamenei — have changed their calculus and are now more willing to conduct an attack in the United States in response to real or perceived U.S. actions that threaten the regime.”
Former US Policymakers Promote War on Iran
by Stephen Lendman
In 2007, former Senators Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole, and George Mitchell established their Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) imperial project front group.
Among other issues addressed, warmaking's prioritized. Its board of directors include:
STOP THE WAR COALITION
Newsletter No.1233
01 February 2012
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stopthewarcoalition
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) CLEARING THE GROUND FOR WAR AGAINST IRAN
2) STOP THE WAR IS MOVING OFFICE
3) STOP THE WAR ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE
4) STOP THE WAR 2012 NO MORE WAR APPEAL: MANY THANKS
5) ROOTS & RISE OF ISLAMOPHOBIA IN EUROPE
6) THE GIRL KILLED BY BARACK OBAMA - SHE NEVER SAW IT COMING
************************************
In response to passage of this resolution opposing a war on Iran and excessive military spending passed in Charlottesville, Va., Cambridge, Mass., City Council will vote next Monday on the following similar resolution. If you are in or near Cambridge, please be at the meeting:
WHEREAS: The severity of the ongoing economic crisis has created budget shortfalls at all levels of government and requires us to re-examine our national spending priorities; and
WHEREAS: Every dollar spent on the military produces fewer jobs than spending the same dollar on education, healthcare, clean energy, or even tax cuts for household consumption; and
WHEREAS: U.S. military spending has approximately doubled in the past decade, in real dollars and as a percentage of federal discretionary spending, and well over half of federal discretionary spending is now spent on the military, and we are spending more money on the military now than during the Cold War, the Vietnam War, or the Korean War; and
WHEREAS: The U.S. military budget could be cut by 80% and remain the largest in the world; and
WHEREAS: The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform proposed major reductions in military spending in both its Co-Chairs' proposal in November 2010 and its final report in December 2010; and
WHEREAS: The U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resolution in June 2011 calling on Congress to redirect spending to domestic priorities; and
WHEREAS: The people of the United States, in numerous opinion polls, favor redirecting spending to domestic priorities and withdrawing the U.S. military from Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS: The United States has armed forces stationed at approximately 1,000 foreign bases in approximately 150 foreign countries; and
WHEREAS: The United States is the wealthiest nation on earth but trails many other nations in life expectancy, infant mortality, education level, housing, and environmental sustainability, as well as non-military aid to foreign nations; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That Cambridge City Council go on record as calling on the U.S. Congress and. President Barack Obama to end foreign ground and drone wars, refrain from entering new military ventures in Iran, and reduce base military spending in order to meet vital human needs, promote job creation, re-train and re-employ those losing jobs in the process of conversion to non-military industries, rebuild our infrastructure, aid municipal and state governments, and develop a new economy based upon renewable, sustainable energy; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to President Barack Obama and the Massachusetts Congressional delegation on behalf of the entire City Council.
By Dave Lindorff
Let’s see now. James Clapper, the director of national intelligence who oversees both the FBI and the CIA, is warning that Iran’s leaders have “changed their calculus” and, as the Wall Street Journal puts it, “now appear willing to conduct an attack within the US.”
Speaking at a Join Intelligence Committee hearing in Congress, the aptly-named Clapper said that Iranian leaders, “probably including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei” are “now more willing to conduct an attack in the United States as a response to real or perceived actions that threaten the regime.”
Well gee, that sure should come as a shocker.
On the same day that US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper announced that 'Iranian officials... are now more willing to conduct an attack in the United States.." and a day after Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned "time was running out" for an attack on Iran, some observers -- some referencing the reporting failures that helped facilitate public support for the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 -- are sounding warnings that a 'coordinated media campaign' is being pressed on a still too pliable US news media.
Many hundreds of you took the Quiz: Iran, Who is the Real Threat? The percentage of people who got all 7 correct answers from last week's results is 26%, which is much better than the general public. If you regular readers gave us your mailing address, expect a prize in the mail soon.
Calling artists and designers. We would like you to design a great leaflet for our Iran quiz. Please send us your layout at info@worldcantwait.org . Thanks!
Political debate in the United States over recent weeks has increasingly focused on when, not if, sanctions and military action will be launched against Iran. How informed are you about the situation?
Please answer all questions.
From Stop the War
Videos HERE.
On 28 January 2012 at the United States Embassy in London, Stop the War held a rally to launch the Don't Attack Iran campaign. Among the speakers (videos below) were Tony Benn, Kate Hudson, John Rees, Roger Lloyd Pack, Andrew Murray, John McDonnell MP, Sarah Colborne, Kevin Ovenden.
Europe's Losing Game - by Stephen Lendman
Partnering with America has consequences. Europe's paying by shooting itself in the foot.
On January 23, EU representative for foreign and security affairs, Catherine Ashton, broke the news. She announced an "unprecedented" anti-Iranian oil embargo, effective July 1 and immediately from new contracts.
From Hannah's Blog
Remember the beast slouching towards Bethlehem? Yeats wrote a poem with that image in it. When it comes to nuclear weapons being reined in by a regional compact in the Middle East, slouching is a good term. Certainly, nobody’s rushing.
By John Grant
The State Department has threatened to withdraw the $1.3 billion it sends every year to Egypt because the Egyptians are holding US citizens connected with pro-democracy groups the Egyptians claim have instigated the Tahrir Square movement.
Specifically, the Egyptian military government prevented a half dozen Americans -- including Sam LaHood, director of the US International Republican Institute in Cairo -- from leaving the country. LaHood is the son of US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. The State Department’s goal in supporting groups like Mr LaHood’s is to encourage democracy friendly to the US.
Targeting Iranian Nationals - by Stephen Lendman
Washington's first regime change priority is Syria. At issue is isolating Iran. Then devoting full attention to replacing its current government with a pro-Western one.
· Paul R. Pillar, Georgetown University, Professor and Former National Intelligence Officer
· Geneive Abdo, The Century Foundation, Director of the insideIRAN project
· Jamal Abdi, National Iranian American Council, Director of Policy
· Heather Hurlburt, National Security Network, Executive Director
· Alejandro J. Beutel (Moderator), Muslim Public Affairs Council, Government & Policy Analyst
Monday, January 30, 2012
12:30–2:00 PM
121 Cannon HOB
- Lunch will be served -
Dear Colleague:
Rising tension with Iran has led some in Washington to wonder if the United States is inevitably sliding toward war. Iranian officials recently threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil, and an Iranian nuclear scientist was mysteriously assassinated in the fourth such attack in two years.
Sometimes lacking from these discussions is serious consideration of the potential consequences of a preemptive military strike against Iran. Many believe that such an attack could quickly escalate into a regional war.
In order to discuss the potential consequences of a military strike against Iran, the Muslim Public Affairs Council is hosting a briefing with some of the nation’s top Iran and U.S. national security experts.
Would a military strike eliminate Iranian ability to develop a nuclear weapon? How would an attack affect regional and U.S. security? What would be the effect on oil prices and the global economy? How would an attack affect the Iranian regime and pro-democracy activists?
Sincerely,
Keith Ellison Barbara Lee
Member of Congress Member of Congress
In 2007, when the Bush regime was threatening to attack Iran, with substantially the same justification that the U.S. is now using to impose sanctions, carry out secret operations, and prepare the population for more war, World Can't Wait made a quiz. We administered it on dozens of college campuses, and on street corners.
By Nathaniel Batchelder, Director, Peace House Oklahoma City
Pray cooler heads will guide America in the dialogue and
decision-making over Iran’s position in the world. Iran does not have
nuclear weapons, and there is no certain evidence that such a program
is under way. Certainly Iran has the right to the peaceful use of
nuclear energy, and the interests of world peace demand that these
issues be resolved without military action that could launch a
catastrophic war.
Another war would destroy America’s painful recovery from the
indebtedness of two wars and the 2008 economic crash. Gasoline prices
would probably go up another dollar per gallon. The Iraq and
Afghanistan war’s final costs will exceed $2 trillion. Some estimates
say $4 trillion, or even $6 trillion, including lifelong care for
veterans physically or emotionally disabled.
|
This week, more than a dozen anti-war organizations responded to a call by World Can't Wait to plan for a day of Mass Action against war or on sanctions on Iran. We united on a day, Saturday February 4, for the first action, and a simple set of demands: |
By Peter Hart, FAIR
Evaluating reporting and commentary about Iran could be reduced to one simple rule: There is no evidence that Iran is working on a nuclear weapon. Statements that suggest otherwise are misleading. Reports that fail to point this out are doing readers/viewers/listeners a disservice.
That sounds simple enough. But don't tell that to the outlets that are being criticized over their Iran reporting.
Take NPR and PBS, both of which were singled out by the group Just Foreign Policy.
Be glad Rose is not our ambassador. Then wish we had one.
Military leaders, intelligence officers, and other U.S. and Israeli security officials from across the political spectrum have warned that an attack on Iran would likely provoke a full-scale regional war with catastrophic consequences for global security. Below is a sampling of quotes from select U.S. and Israeli security officials cautioning against an attack on Iran, and find out more about what you can do to prevent war with Iran on FCNL's Iran webpage.
From ElectricPolitics
As is typical of situations involving post-WWII imperial over-reach, U.S. distress with Iran is largely our own fault. If the CIA had not overthrown Mohammad Mosaddegh in 1953 — Operation Ajax — and if afterward the U.S. had not incessantly sought to get the Iranians to do what we wanted with their oil, relations today might even have been normal, but certainly would be far less fraught than they have become. Unless we sit down to talk through our differences this Cold War will go on and on, or maybe turn hot. Unsure of each other, both sides are capable of making extremely grave mistakes. It's all quite senseless. To get a helpful perspective from a former top State Department expert on Iran I turned to Ambassador John W. Limbert, who shares many of my concerns. Total runtime fifty minutes. Vāde mēcum.
When Iranian director Asghar Farhadi received the Golden Globe award for Best Foreign Film Sunday night, he said:
When I was coming up on the stage, I was thinking what should I say here. Should I say something about my mother, father, my kind wife, my daughters, my dear friends, my great and lovely crew. But now I just prefer to say something about my people. I think they are a truly peace-loving people. Thank you very much.
Stay warm this winter in a black hooded sweatshirt. Order one. Order them by the dozen and donate them to occupations!
