Pentagon hires firms to polish U.S. image abroad

[struggle4progress]

Defense officials want the 3 companies to help 'psyops' personnel boost foreign public opinion.


The Washington Post


WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon awarded three contracts last week, potentially worth up to $300 million over five years, to companies it hopes will inject more creativity into its psychological-operations efforts to improve foreign public opinion about the United States, particularly the military.

"We would like to be able to use cutting-edge types of media," said Col. James Treadwell, director of the Joint Psychological Operations Support Element, a part of Tampa, Fla.-based U.S. Special Operations Command. "If you want to influence someone, you have to touch their emotions."

He said SYColeman, Arlington, Va.; Lincoln Group, Washington, D.C.; and Science Applications International Corp. will help develop ideas and prototypes for radio and television spots, documentaries, text messages, pop-up ads on the Internet, podcasting, billboards or novelty items.

Treadwell's group, established last year, includes a graphic artist and videographer, he said. It assists "psyops" personnel stationed at military headquarters overseas. <snip>

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050612/NEWS06/506120491/1012/NEWS06

[Spinzonner]

1. Here's some FREE advice ...

No more Collateral Casualties

[struggle4progress]

3. Let's see. Stop maiming and killing innocent bystanders -- or

.. try to sell them the idea that we're great folks once you get to know us, and that their lives have really improved in the last few years, using the time-honored "you gotta eat a pretzel right now" techniques familiar to everybody who watches too much TV.

Which method will The Ownership Society always choose?

As I try to puzzle this out, I recall: The Ownership Society doesn't really care about ordinary people being sick or being poor or bleeding; The Ownership Society thinks its technocrats should be in charge, because they come from wealthy and privileged backgrounds; The Ownership Society society thinks everybody else is a dimwitted baboon ...

[Demeter]

7. Neither Bush Nor the Pentagon Employs Anyone As Sophisticated As A Technoc

You have to have an education of sorts to be a technocrat. They only employ True Believers--who are forbidden by their Controllers from having any education OR independent thought.

[chknltl]

2. Save your $300, million

For an immediate image upgrade: Impeach bushco. That will be $0.05 please, I take checks, cash or money orders. thank you
:patriot:

[Spinzonner]

5. If Shultz was still alive

Lucy would have a Politcal Consulting stand and be asking for $1 million a shot

[MrModerate]

4. And SAIC is the firm that blew over $300 million NOT . . .

building a state-of-the-art case management system for the FBI that was obsolete before they even started. I'm now overwhelmed with confidence that 'murrica's image overseas is definitely headed upwards.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Madison Avenue couldn't sell dog food with a budget of $300 million within

five years.

Besides unless the U.S. corporate media also owns a majority of foreign press, this endeavor is useless.

[ElectroPrincess]

8. Good Luck Pentagon :P

I just don't think you can stack shit that high and deep. And even if you did. Methinks none of you have the wings to rise above it. Again, it's the Administration's greed and arrogance that will permeate out to force it's downfall.

They're so arrogant that they haven't a clue: Even the FOREIGN little people are not stupid. Plus they have a leg-up on the American Sheeple by not having to endure being poisoned by "side show" stories. They receive actual news, not the USA Corporate Media's pablum and spin.

[Oversea Visitor]

15. How very true

:hi:

[unhappycamper]

9. I'm doing my patriotic duty & will use the $300,000,000 for schools.

I will accept the contract for the makeover image contract. I'll be transparent, and even more importantly, effective.

BRING THEM HOME! NOW!!!

Please send my check to the National Teacher's Association.

Thank you.

[KoKo]

10. Kick

[Boo Boo]

11. Pentagon hires firm to polish turd. /nt

[cap]

12. you cant polish a turd

eom.

[rodeodance]

13. guess Karen Huges has some help now.

[Oversea Visitor]

14. Good Luck

Think they need to spend trillion to acheive this hahaha.