Controlling the news I: Swiftboating instead of news

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There’s an overpowering and rather disgusting smell of swiftboating being generated by conservative pundits, politicians, and online trolls coming out of the woodwork to attack President Obama for successfully bringing POW Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl home from Afghanistan. –Ian Lind
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by Larry Geller

The breaking news was positive: Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, an American soldier held captive for years by the Taliban, was to be exchanged for five Gitmo prisoners. Two positives: a soldier coming home, and at least a few who have suffered torture and illegal detention by the US will finally get out of their prison hell.

But Fox “News”, its Republican cohort, and much of the echo-chamber media discovered they had been handed yet a new way to bash President Obama. I needn’t go over the details—Jon Stewart did a great job with it.

The echo-chamber makes an overwhelmingly loud noise. In particular, the five “detainees” were branded as “terrorists” who would immediately attack the USA. Nevermind that they remain innocent, uncharged with terrorism or anything else.

The story is still ongoing, Bergdahl has just returned to the US mainland. Fox can continue to pounce on him.

But Ian Lind did some research which he shared in his June 7 article, Bowe’ld over by hypocrisy. Although it was written almost a week ago and the news has moved on, his citations present a much better picture than anything I’ve seen in print or on TV.

Check it out.

Thanks, Ian.

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