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It is times like these when I am glad my father has a lifetime subscription to Rolling Stone magazine.
In addition to providing me with a chuckle when they call to make sure my dad is still “eligible” for his lifetime subscription, Rolling Stone also serves as a very unique source of information. So unique, in fact, that I find myself browsing its website now and then in the downtime between the monthly issues.
Just a few days ago, the website had an article that caught my eye. Then, before reading it, I noticed who the author was — Michael Hastings. He is the same author who, in June 2010, published an article that exposed U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s harsh remarks against White House staff that ultimately led to President Barack Obama removing him from command. I knew this was going to be good.
The hot topic is known as psychological operations, or the more foreboding shorthand “psy-ops.” According to the Department of Defense, psy-ops are psychological tactics used to influence emotions and behaviors. There exists a team of soldiers trained in this field, with the task of manipulating people, or, as Lt. Col. Michael Holmes says, “to get the enemy to behave the way we want them to behave.” This seems like a good thing to have — we want to try and get the upper hand on our “enemy” anyway we can. However, what if these skills were not used on enemies? What if they were used on American citizens in positions of power?
Apparently, the U.S. Army, specifically Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, ordered a team of soldiers specializing in the aforementioned field to use their skills on American congressmen visiting the front lines, with the goal of getting more troops and funding for the war. Targeted faces include senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman. If you are screaming out, “Wait! That’s illegal!” right now, you are correct.
Many federal laws forbid the military from doing anything like this to the American people. Unfortunately, those who protested performing psy-ops on American citizens got seriously reprimanded instead of praised for their recognition of this fact. In fact, one person in cahoots with Caldwell, when brought face-to-face with the illegality of the situation, screamed out, “It’s not illegal if I say it isn’t!” Ah. The military at its finest.
A version of this article appeared in the Mar 2 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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LTC Holmes has not been the beacon of justice and honesty he claims to be. http://hotair.com/archives/2011/02/28/rolling-stones-shot-at-general-caldwell-misfires/
If the story is true, LTC Holmes certainly botched his chances. He was turned down by several other papers over the months (because they checked the facts) and was only able to get the RS to buy off on his story (because they didn't check the facts).
http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=22416
When you have the WSJ, NYT, Washington Post, Washington Times, and most of the prominent news agencies turn against you, there may be something to it.
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Yes, you live in Plato's cave. I'm glad I escaped. Watch these two videos.
Obama Deception:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw
Fall of the Republic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VebOTc-7shU
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re: "When you have the WSJ, NYT, Washington Post, Washington Times, and most of the prominent news agencies turn against you, there may be something to it."
Yea verily: the Mocking-Bird press, the Mighty Wurlitzer...
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1) Military PsyOps includes marketing-type projects for the military (recruiting videos, projects to improve perception of the U.S. military abroad, etc.).
2) Large businesses regularly hire psychologists and marketers to help them convince potential customers and the government that they deserve more money. It's sound business practice to make sure that the people you send into meetings know how to ask for things in a way that will help them get what they want.
3) I've never heard of any laws prohibiting the use of psychology when talking to Congressmen. If you know of any it would be helpful if you could post them with this article . . .
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