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Scott McClellan, Minister of Misinformation

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Posted on May 31, 2008
McClellan
linktv.org/mosaic/mir

This week’s Mosaic Intelligence Report finds some startling parallels between former White House spokesman Scott McClellan’s statements about the Bush administration’s machinations during the early days of the Iraq war and those of Saddam Hussein’s erstwhile minister of information, Mohammad Saeed al-Sahhaf.

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By Outraged, June 2, 2008 at 10:25 pm #

Great comments. A couple of things which struck me.

Quote: “I remember quite clearly when the worm turned—when suddenly all the news anchors flopped into critics of the war, the day Chris Matthews suddenly began to eat his own children!  It was like GE had suddenly switched on a light that sent everyone stampeding in a different direction.

The propaganda charge, of which McClellan was a part, extends to both government and CORPORATE media, two entities that have become quite cozy with each other.”

>Very true.  Just ONE fish in a v-e-r-y diverse ocean.  Good Point.

Quote: “Scotty wrote this Book (and sent an advanced Copy to the WH for approval in April) as another attempt at Propaganda- To Save their ASSES from Charges of High Crimes. their Actions have been Pre mediated and riddled with malice.Treason ,War Crimes and Crimes Against Humantiy, Nothing Less!”

> I agree.  This is the same mantra Tenet used. This garbage of “but really I was a good guy in the whole affair,” BS.  He’s not exposing ANYTHING, your right.  Only after the writing was on the wall does McClellan come out “trotting his wares” like some back alley hooker.

Quote: “That whole administration is shady from the janitors to the top.”

> Great analogy.  I like that janitor inclusion. LOL.  They say if you want to get rid of the weeds you can’t just cut them down.  You have to get rid of the root.  Otherwise, they’ll just grow back.  Ain’t it the truth though….

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By mitochondria, June 1, 2008 at 12:38 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Scott becomes a multimillionaire as fools rush to buy a book full of things we knew anyway . That whole administration is shady from the janitors to the top .

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By mackTN, June 1, 2008 at 11:36 am #

Yes, and he’s not just dodging bullets from the right but from top—media that caved and pumped out rah-rah Iraq stories for years. 

I remember Michael Moore on an interview with the Today Show blasting a highly insulted Katie Couric et al for not asking the tough questions about Iraq.

MSNBC was too preoccupied with scrapbooking its “wall of heroes” to ask any questions at all. 

Paula Zahn was ridiculous holding a special “cheerleading” event as news!!! 

I remember quite clearly when the worm turned—when suddenly all the news anchors flopped into critics of the war, the day Chris Matthews suddenly began to eat his own children!  It was like GE had suddenly switched on a light that sent everone stampeding in a different direction.

The propaganda charge, of which McClellan was a part, extends to both government and CORPORATE media, two entities that have become quite cozy with each other. 

This partnership needs exposing—but notice how CORPORATE media has turned out highly critical pieces on McClellan, blaming him for not exposing the truth earlier, when it’s more media’s duty than that of a Bush employee!!!

WHERE WAS THE MEDIA???

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By MarthaA, June 1, 2008 at 10:37 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Scott McClellan is telling facts he saw or was a party to in the Bush administration, which is so far from being a minister of misinformation that it is like night and day.  Bagdad Bob was protecting the RIGHT WING administration of Saddam Hussein, which is NOT what McClellan is doing.  McClellan is trying to set the record straight, and I am glad he finally braved up enough to do it.

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By Purple Girl, June 1, 2008 at 4:09 am #

Almost got me excited about these ‘revelations’ except they fall short.
So Scotty is claiming W. was Ignorant and Arrognat.But fails to take it too its ral logical conclusion. Oh W & Cheney just wanted to force Democracy. No they Did NOT they wanted to Seize Oil rich nations for the Corps and Their Foreign Sponsors.
His book is an attempt to deflect ,once again from the REAL REASONS-GREED & POWER.He wnat to lighten their charges by flowering up their actions with ‘good intentions’ - BS this is done with Intent and Malice. he also fails to mention anything about their efforts to undermine our consittutional rights, to knee cap our Economy , our National Defense and Our international support (Reputation).
Scotty wrote this Book (and sent an advanced Copy to the WH for approval in April) as another attempt at Propaganda- To Save their ASSES from Charges of High Crimes. their Actions have been Pre mediated and riddled with malice.Treason ,War Crimes and Crimes Against Humantiy, Nothing Less!

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By cyrena, June 1, 2008 at 1:18 am #

Watch your back Scottie - I am not kidding! I have been there. Done that. But escaped!

Me too, and I escaped. Scott will need to be careful, and that’s no joke.

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By Don Stivers, May 31, 2008 at 5:23 pm #

So?  Where is Pelosi?  Where is H.R. Clinton?  Are they outraged now?  ANY members of the House or Senate?

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By MackTN, May 31, 2008 at 5:08 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

We should be encouraging more people like Scott McClellan to come forward and speak the truth, whether it be sooner, later, whatever. 

We complain about the course of events, we engage in gross speculation about the motives of elected officials, but when someone breaks free and offers information that validates….

I don’t get this post about McClellan.  what’s the point of it?

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By Glo, May 31, 2008 at 9:57 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Let me admonish you for your harsh critique of everybodys’ good friend, Bagdhad Bob, the Iraqi Information Minister, the fellow seen on US television declaring that Iraq was driving the Americans into the sea, complete with US M1A tanks on the tarmac at Bagdhad airport. He just was not credible. Neither was McClellan at a similar place and time.

He did his job as best he knew how. Given the circumstances, Bagdhad Bob had more to fear from his own countrymen than he did from the Americans. So, cut him some slack.

McClellan? Pin a medal on him for standing up and speaking the truth, even if long overdue. He had to make a living and being the administration spokesman was what he could do best. That he had some conscience, better late than never, is to his credit.

Now, I would ask: When George Bush and members of his administration are hanged for treason and crimes against humanity, will McClellan be among them? Frankly, I’m not sure. Bagdhad Bob, I’m told, got a pass. Maybe McClellan should too. But then, Joseph Goebbels, the German minister of proboganda during WWII, chose to take his own life, denying the Allies vengance. Maybe ... nahhhhh ... nevermind. It’s probably unlawful, thanks to the Patriot Act and the Military Commissions Act to even think it. So, I won’t.

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By randyha, May 31, 2008 at 6:52 am #

This video is hillarious and accurate but sadly Bush’s rehabilitated-liar was able to fool the American public long enough to cause the death of hundreds of thousands of people. Not to mention a trillion dollars wasted. Since he confessed of lying for his boss is anyone going to be indicted? Who’s going to pay for the lies besides the Iraqi people and those who had lost their lives on behalf of Bush and his cabal?

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By pacrat, May 31, 2008 at 5:19 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Okay, it’s late. But better late than never!

So many people ask, “Why didn’t you question things earlier, when you were still the press secretary?” The answer is simple: because I would have been destroyed! Just like the generals who came out against the invasion of Iraq, I had to get out from under before I could report the misdeeds of this president and adminstration.

No one is really surprised since this is old news. But the fact that the Presiden’ts profession liar just admitted that he lied is news!

The usual response to any expose is to attack the exposer - and this is happening as we write. Discredit him! Attack him! Literally if necessary!

Watch your back Scottie - I am not kidding! I have been there. Done that. But escaped!

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