Some Links, Dec 13
U.S. diplomacy and the attack on Kuwait: Blinkered View of Iraq - Diplomats Were Misled by Saddam's 'Cordial' Manner - Der Spiegel
The "misled" attribut is somewhat dubious.
The El-Masri Cable - Harpers
Though this cable is framed in typically diplomatic politesse, the underlying message seems clear: it was a demand that Chancellor Merkel’s government intervene to block the criminal investigation, coupled with a threat of negative consequences if it failed to do so.
The puppet that doesn't dance as the empire think it is supposed to do - As U.S. assesses Afghan war, Karzai a question mark Key sentence:
Skeptics of the strategy contend his actions, particularly in the six months since the Obama administration started to embrace him as a partner, demonstrate that he cannot be rehabilitated.
So in the eyes of the empire Karzai is criminal, addicted or ill and therefore in need of "rehabilitation"?
Billmon and I have written quite a bit about the Lincoln Group. A shop the U.S. military paid to produce hidden propaganda in Iraq and elsewhere. Walter Pincus points out that the Lincoln Group is still in that business: Pentagon forced to extend Iraq contracts that are under appeal
Central Command announced last week it had to extend the Fulcra contract for six months because to "award to any other source would result in unacceptable delays and negatively impact the ability" of U.S. forces in Iraq to carry on "all aspects of media communications activities," according to the paper justifying the decision.Under the contract, which it has had for more than three years, Fulcra not only works directly with the Iraq government spokesman and ministers at the Defense and Interior ministries, but also carries out monitoring of media in Iraq, plans strategic messaging, and manages web materials for English and Arabic sites supporting the Iraq command. Fulcra is the new name for the Lincoln Group, which as a Pentagon contractor in 2005 was found to have paid Iraqi newspapers to print stories written by American soldiers or its employees.
The Lincoln Group propaganda shop changed its name to Iraqex, then to Fulkra and, something Pincus missed, is now running as Strategic Social. Years ago Billmon wrote about black funding for the GOP through DOD contracts with the Lincoln Group.
The Fed and the role of TARP - The Invisible Bailout - A Tiny Revolution
Posted by b on December 13, 2010 at 10:51 UTC | Permalink
How did you make the leap from point Fulcra to point Strategic Social?
See for example here: Sr. Capture Manager - Fulcra Worldwide - Posted on: 12/6/10
Fulcra Worldwide/Strategic Social is looking for a Senior Capture Manager to lead and oversee all phases of capture and proposal management...
Are these guys looking for socially adept number theorists?
• Exception customer facing skills
•
•
• Strong relationships with large primes, small businesses and strategic partners
•
I assume that "customer facing skills" are better than "customer defacing skills", and also suspect that
my notion of "strong relationships with large primes" is worlds away from the required profile.
Posted by: Hannah K. O'Luthon | Dec 13 2010 15:55 utc | 4
Random link: Leaked EPA docs show the agency allowed a Bayer pesticide into public use despite knowing it killed bees.
Posted by: Jeremiah | Dec 14 2010 4:05 utc | 5
And yes,b, very good catch with the Lincoln story. ::raises glass::
Posted by: Jeremiah | Dec 14 2010 4:06 utc | 6
about: Diplomats Were Misled by Saddam's 'Cordial' Manner. (see top post)
Yeah well one always wondered about the April Glaspie’s statement, saying, basically, as interpreted, we don’t interfere in your local quarrels. (Go ahead and attack Kuwait, implied.) Btw, Joe Wilson of Val Plame Fame was the attaché in Iraq at the time.
The US loved Saddam and supported him to the hilt, Glaspie was just doing her job. As she saw it. Or as it appeared at the time. Or whatever.
Saddam was cordial and charming because he counted on that support.
And then, the US changed its mind and Iraq became enemy no. 1.
Posted by: Noirette | Dec 14 2010 16:37 utc | 7
The comments to this entry are closed.
How did you make the leap from point Fulcra to point Strategic Social? Are you sure it's the same Lincoln entity and not simply a side project for Matt Bigge, et al?
I did think it a bit telling how one sees nothing but brown faces on all but the "About us" page, though. Nice touch.
Posted by: Monolycus | Dec 13 2010 11:33 utc | 1