roflmfaoapimp. In a scarey kinda way. Thank Allah for indepent media...

Declan McCullagh wrote:
>             New White House Office Coordinates Global Communications
> 
> Why?

I think we know why. If the messenger brig s amessage people don't like and then 
they shoot the messenger and eat the message laughing, then why not create a 
messenger that can't be eaten? (Some kind of Robotic Monkey maybe.)

> The President understands the importance of conveying America's message to the
> world.

And yet, so lacking in vice versas.

> convey the truth about America and the goals we share with people everywhere. 

Yes, everywhere. *fetches map*

[...]
> with greater clarity
[...]
> disseminate truthful, accurate, and effective messages about the 
> American people and their government.
[...]
> convey a
> few simple but powerful messages.

Shouldn't Saatchi && Saatchi be doing this kind of thing? Maybe, as part of our 
"shared global vision" duty, we should be thinking up ways to get the message 
across - viral marketing, anyone? There's an entire infrastructure based on this 
kind of thing, why not tap into that?

> These will be aimed to prevent
> misunderstanding and conflict, build support for and among United States
> coalition partners, and better inform international audiences.
[...]
> America's Message to the World
[...]
> The President understands that reaching global audiences - especially 
> people who are open to the truth but unsure or critical of some aspects of America 
> - will take many years, but we must begin to make a difference now.

Last time I heard someone say that, they were stood on my doorstep with a Bible 
in their hand.

[...]
>      (c)  The Office shall work with appropriate agencies to coordinate the
> creation of temporary teams of communicators [within foreign countries in the paper]
[...]
 > In performing its functions, each information team shall work to disseminate
 > accurate and timely information about topics of interest to the on-site
 > news media, and assist media personnel in obtaining access to information,
 > individuals, and events that reinforce the strategic communications
 > objectives of the United States and its allies.

Mmmmm, unbiased reporting? One does not bend the truth. In reality, there is no 
truth. There is only America. Believe in America, and the truth shall flow. Ahhh.

>      (d)  The Office shall encourage the use of state-of-the-art media and
> technology and shall advise the United States Government of events,
> technologies, and other communications tools that may be available for 
> use in conveying information.

As long as that state-of-the-art[tm] media conforms to a format that allows 
control over its criticsm, distribution, etc...


So, surprise surprise, we can expect yet further blanketing of not only Homeland 
News Sources, but of those abroad also. One wonders how far this control extends 
- is the Office granted powers to censor or control "rumours" that may be 
detrimental to the shared vision of the States? Will sites such as indymedia 
suddenly start "disappearing" in the interests of security?

Now is the time of innovation through necessity. We don't need anonymity to 
download the latest Britney song, or to post the latest server exploit. We need 
systems that not only provide people with the security of knowing that they 
won't get picked up by the nearest black helicopter, but also that encourage the 
original Tao of connected technology - that anyone can publish what they want, 
where they want. We need more alternative news sources, rumor mills, skeptical 
grindstones. Reputations and webs of trust aren't just for dealer integrity or 
reviewer consistency, they can easily be tuned to reliability of factual 
information as well.

He who controls the media, controls society. Looks like the precogs of 
information wars might finally get their day.

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