Do you agree with the GOP that it is OK for the Pentagon to lie to the American people?

Question

Or do you agree with Democrats that the Pentagon's lying to the American people and to our soldiers is wrong?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061207/ap_on_re_us/us_iraq_violence_figures_2


Panel: U.S. underreported Iraq violence By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer
Wed Dec 6, 8:31 PM ET


WASHINGTON - U.S. military and intelligence officials have systematically underreported the violence in Iraq in order to suit the Bush administration's policy goals, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group said.

In its report on ways to improve the U.S. approach to stabilizing Iraq, the group recommended Wednesday that the director of national intelligence and the secretary of defense make changes in the collection of data about violence to provide a more accurate picture.

The panel pointed to one day last July when U.S. officials reported 93 attacks or significant acts of violence. "Yet a careful review of the reports for that single day brought to light 1,100 acts of violence," it said.

The panel pointed to one day last July when U.S. officials reported 93 attacks or significant acts of violence. "Yet a careful review of the reports for that single day brought to light 1,100 acts of violence," it said.
"The standard for recording attacks acts as a filter to keep events out of reports and databases." It said, for example, that a murder of an Iraqi is not necessarily counted as an attack, and a roadside bomb or a rocket or mortar attack that doesn't hurt U.S. personnel doesn't count, either. Also, if the source of a sectarian attack is not determined, that assault is not added to the database of violence incidents.

"Good policy is difficult to make when information is systematically collected in a way that minimizes its discrepancy with policy goals," the report said.

A request for Pentagon comment on the report's assertions was not immediately answered.

Some U.S. analysts have complained for months that the Pentagon's reports to Congress on conditions in Iraq have undercounted the violent episodes. Anthony Cordesman, an Iraq watcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said in a November report that the Pentagon omits many low-level incidents and types of civil violence.

Answer 1

war is their business their only business so what did anyone expect?
"It is part of the general pattern of misguided
policy that our country is now geared to an arms
economy which was bred in an artificually induced
psychosis of war hysteria and nurtured upon an
incessant propaganda of fear." : General Douglas
MacArthur, Speech, May 15, 1951

Answer 2

I think that some things that should not be disclosed. I don't know about the number of deaths. But you sited one time where they only were off by 900 as opposed to 1,100. I do think every soldiers death should be honored and considered a great sacrifice. However, I think there is a lot more deception going on in the news. The media will report the deaths everyday. They have not done this in any other war and there were many more deaths in most of our past wars. Many in the media and the democratic party want the soldiers deaths reported not because they want the truth out there. They are doing it for propaganda reasons to smear Bush.

Answer 3

The Pentagon had no choice.

The Great Deceiver stipulated what he wanted them to say, and being the top of the brown-nose chain, they did. Just like the "information" about Iran now. Even quoting the same people that they say lied last time.

The problem is not just at the Pentagon.

Answer 4

That is like saying every lie you tell I will be responsible for. Now the American people have a new group on their hate list. I really do not think hating or bashing solves the problems. When you have a good idea call your congressperson and let them know. They may be open for suggestions.

Answer 5

No, it is not okay to lie to the people.
Yes it is wrong.
I guess if the democrats say its wrong, I am in agreement of that statement. That does not make me a democrat, just agreeing with that statement.

Answer 6

They'll never tell the truth anyway so why does it matter anymore. Washington is so far past corrupt it would take ten billion light years to get back on track.

Answer 7

No I do not agree that it is ok.....it is not ok for anyone to lie, especially those in the Pentagon and in government, how can we teach our children to be honest if we allow "acceptable" lies.

Answer 8

Well it is wrong, but ultimately many people can't handle the truth.
Truth is relative to what is being discussed. All people are not equally intelligent and equally capable of processing certain information.

Answer 9

No, its not ok, and its grounds for impeachment. I wonder if the democrats have the sack to do what's right.

Answer 10

In cases of National Security I bvelieve it is just find to withhold inormation or mislead in specific cases where it will protect our citizens, soldiers and National Interests.

What proof of lying do you offer up?