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Verdict First, Evidence Later The Case for Bobby Garwood Monika Jensen-Stevenson. The “Fourth Estate” a phrase coined by Thomas Jefferson in reference to the free press. Free Press as the Harbinger of Truth. President Eisenhower “Beware the Military-Industrial Complex”
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Verdict First, Evidence LaterThe Case for Bobby GarwoodMonika Jensen-Stevenson The “Fourth Estate” a phrase coined by Thomas Jefferson in reference to the free press.
Free Press as the Harbinger of Truth • President Eisenhower • “Beware the Military-Industrial Complex” • The author intimates that the press had climbed into bed with the military-industrial complex as early as the McCarthy witch hunts of the 50’s. • The press “meekly mouth the Warren Commission • The Washington Post’s attack on Oliver Stone’s JFK in the late 80’s
Private Robert R. Garwood • POW – Court Marshaled for Treason • Direct testimony of veterans of all ranks belittled and ignored, if it was not of the government’s position. • The Best and the Brightest – Top News Reporters of the VN war. • “Not the best and the brightest” – a quote from Donna Shalala (Clinton cabinet member) • Slander – easy to believe – see Gen. Tighe accused by one of the “top” journalists of suffering from Alzheimer's.
POWS Alive in Viet Nam • Media believes government line that all are dead. • Threats from the top (NSC and DIA) when reporters were known to be working on POW stories. • 1985 “Dead or Alive” airs. • Tighe Commission formed • Garwood’s story would undermine the governments efforts to keep the truth about American POWs from the public. • The media consistently did not report testimony given on behalf of Garwood. • Witnesses pressured by the government to lie. • Can we expect the modern day press to protect the truth?
Mainstream MediaThe Drug War’s ShillsMichael Levine • How big is this story? • $20 Billion a year in Federal funds alone. • 1971 – present an increase in 1000% of heroine addiction alone. • The war that was never intended to be won. • Why? • Turn $2,000 into $1,120,000 with a kilo of pure heroine. • Agencies fight for money! • U.S. Customs vs The Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs • CIA protecting major drug dealers. • Shipping drugs (Air America) • Laundering money • Profits from the illegal operations funded the CIA without congressional oversight being necessary. • The media is silent!! • It’s all about the money – job security.
The Mightly Wurlitzer Plays OnGary Webb • The story that shook an investigative reporter’s blissful trust in the free press and how it made life better for Americans and punished the evil doers. • The Contras, a CIA paramilitary group • Crack Cocaine dealing to support the war • Creating the drug markets in inner city LA, and spreading it across the nation. • Once discredited – Dark Alliance became viewed as an Internet conspiracy theory.