The recent passage of a $642 billion defense bill by the U.S. House of Representatives, even under the threat of a White House veto, carries weighty provisions such as a ban of same-sex marriage on military bases and continued allowance of indefinite detention of terrorist suspects. But a little reported-on amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act is beginning to get more attention. It is a measure that some are calling “creeping fascism” and others “a bit unsettling.”
The amendment has bipartisan sponsorship by Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) and Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash) and would essentially legalize propaganda by the government within the United States. Buzzfeed reports it is an amendment that would “strike the current ban on domestic dissemination,” meaning both the the Smith-Mundt Act of 1948 and Foreign Relations Authorization Act in 1987 would be overturned.
A Tuesday press release announced the “The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012“ explaining that it would ”[modify] a Cold War-era law that hampers diplomatic, defense, and other agencies’ ability to communicate in the 21st century.”
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2 comments:
Thought the private sector was already doing this as Fox News.
The "private sector" is ruled by supply and demand. Its a totally different animal when you start seeing TV ads and billboards extolling the virtues of our perfect governent and their dedication to "protecting" us. You already see such things in airports. Propaganda in a official manner. The PEOPLE decide if the government is doing what they are supposed to be doing. They (the government) DON'T need an official propaganda department. Think of all the posters, billboards, and radio ads of each and every totalitarian regime, telling the citizens what a great country they live in, thanks to the vigilance and superhuman efforts and sacrifices of the people in power. Enemies everywhere!! Think North Korea. China. 1941 Germany. 1960 East Germany. Apparently, next in line, USA.
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