The US government may soon be allowed to legally twist the truth told to American citizens, who would also foot the bill for this domestic propaganda.
An amendment to repeal a ban (Smith Mundt) since the1940s, was slipped into the latest military bill that just passed in the House, says Roots Action.
According to USA Today, spending on foreign Information Operations, one specialist called “almost gimmicky,” rose from $9 million in 2005 to $580 million in 2009. Even so, says the report, no amount could counter backlash like that following U.S. forces burning the Quran.
Wouldn’t the millions used to “win hearts and minds” anywhere be better spent improving quality of life everywhere - and on better selection, support and training of US Forces?
When Smith Mundt was introduced, says BuzzFeed, there was vigorous debate, but this amendment is so “under the radar,” it's "troubling," says one Pentagon official.
Tell the Senate, Don‘t Legalize Domestic Propaganda.
We, the undersigned, do not want domestic propaganda legalized.
Of particular concern is the way in which the 60-year ban is being challenged - described as an amendment "slipped into the military authoriaztion bill" by Roots Action and as "under the radar," by another.
At the very least, a repeal of such an important ban should be subject to vigorous debate, the kind that reportedly approved the ban in the first place.
Without such openness we can only assume that something not above the board may be involved in this effort.
Therefore we request that the Senate reject this amendment, at least until there is further open discussion about its necessity or lack thereof.
Thank you for your attention to this concern.
