Wow! What a story! Why can't the mainstream media, AND the US government just be honest about this? I mean, are we so superficially egotistical that we have to stage a capture ala Jessica Lynch every single time? Ahhhh, but I hear a little knock at the door of US Policy whispering "gotta keep up the pretenses of world domination."

The story is pretty damning. I also posted this piece over at Correspondences.org and it must be getting a lot of hits. When I search google news for "Kurds Hussein" the link comes up at the top of the list. I am updating the piece as new sources come up. It will be interesting to see how widespread the report will have to get before it is picked up by the US corporate press.

Well, judging from the evident oblivion of 9/10ths of the public regarding the true story of Private Lynch, I've got to wonder if it will ever be conveyed accurately, and if it is, will the nipping of the sheep dogs continue to keep the flock from selecting their own way?

Red Flags go up as to what kind of "deal" the government may have negotiated with the Kurds, and all I keep feeling on a visceral level is a suspicion that the misdirection of resources in terms of the entire Iraqi escapade will be sanctified due to the capture of Hussein.

Insurgent attacks have barely faltered for a moment since his capture, and of course everyone here knew anyway that he isn't nearly our largest terrorist threat! But as long as shaggy images of this drugged-out former dictator get flashed across the media enough, everyone can get cozy in their safety just in time for Christmas, right?

My cynisism can barely be contained. Thank you so much, Rowan, for keeping the truth out there, and in one cohesive place, so we can remain informed!

Over at Correspondences someone commented "we got him so what difference does it make?" I think that may be a common feeling. They totally overlook the implications of creating a story and the inbed press going along, or the fact that some dela was struck and right now we don't know what it was.

Also lost in the whole mess is the effects of these kinds of lies. This story is spreading rapidly across Asia and the Middle East. It is in the Islamic, Kurdish, and Arabic press. It is out there for much of the rest of the world, but not the US. By shaping the US worldview through phony info, it leads those in the US to support policies that get us deeper and deeper into hot water.

Would people have been any less relieved if the Kurds got the credit for capture? No, and it would have gone a long way towards showing that Iraqi's can function without the US in the middle of everythin. Heck, it might have even built some good will toward the US. But, that wouldn't have "justified" US presence and Bush policy. It wouldn't have given Bush his poll "bump."

One of the problems with lying is that you have to lie to cover the lie until you have a house of lies that will fall down and bury you. However, if the Corporate press is willing to play the lie then most folks will never know they've been lied to. Unfortunately, ignorance is no excuse and the people of the US will be held responsible in global opinion for the actions of those who purportedly represent us.

Neither the capture of Hussein, nor the capture fabribrication makes us safer. While we may have Saddam Hussein, it is clear that al-Qaeda is not impressed. That is reflected by Ridge raising the threat level today.

My brother and I just discussed the "story" behind Hussein's capture resonating exactly what you've explained above, particularly noting that the capture of Hussein needed to be told as it happened, simple as that. The lies are cumulative. The lies are reflections of how important it is to our current government to be "on top." The lies indicate that America can't be trusted to report events accurately, and that we don't really care about world opinion, but do care about image on the home front.

What a myopic viewpoint! "We got him so what does it matter how?" Well, to me it's more than just a little bit important that the information released by my government isn't a bald-faced lie. If I'm being lied to about something that, as you stated, wouldn't have changed perspectives of the U.S. one iota, than what about issues that reflect poorly on us? Do we think we'll get the truth then?!?

And the world sentiment that you mentioned is something all Americans need to stand up and take note of, because as much as most U.S. citizens like to think we exist in a protective bubble, we don't. Freedom fries and American toast don't deny the existence of France.

It may seem miniscule to some (although I can't understand that way of thinking), but I think it's HUGE. I don't want to live in a Quiz Show world. Don't decide for me what reality is--present me with the facts and let me use my own brain matter to draw conclusions. I guess the current administration doesn't feel we have the right to this ... and worse yet, a good portion of society doesn't seem to want that option.

The more this stuff happens, the more I feel compelled to tell the truth in places and situations that may have seemed intimidating to me a few years ago. Thanks again, Rowan for the discourse!