Just like that, the US Ministry of Truth is officially born: Americans have forgotten what the truth is. They have been raised in ignorance, and fed on lies and gross distortions.
This article was written by Tyler Durden and originally published at Zero Hedge.
Editor’s Comment: The federal government has long been at odds with truth. It thrives in a cesspool of spin, lies and misdirection focused constantly around fixing the facts. Why anyone gives any credence to anything said through official Washington channels is only explained by an honest assessment of the helpless and indifferent captive audience that makes up the body politic.
This government has weaponized its lies. Though it is weak and full of holes upon close inspection, a constant dribble of propaganda has coursed venom through the veins of the American people, and of targeted populations overseas, through a deliberate and thorough campaign to manipulate reality and control the narrative. That poison, acclimating itself as the new standard, causes ordinary people to believe and buy into silly Santa Claus stories about why our foreign policy lands so many destructive and inept blows. Psychopaths offer cold-faced lies as the daily desert to gullible people – who happily lap it up, intent on cheering on their own enslavement.
Now, President Obama, and the overwhelming majority of Congress, have championed more and more lies, doubling-down on their failures, and brazenly spitting back at all attempts to call out their lies and hypocrisy with a heavy backhand of repression, censorship and the chilling of free speech against all who dared to dissent, or even look up and wonder about them how things became so distorted and ugly.
In the name of fighting Russian ‘fake news’ propaganda, American rights trampled once again. Is this the start of a dark era of high-tech Cold War paranoia to control the message? Is that why the alternative media and voices across the Internet must be shut down?
Obama Quietly Signs The “Countering Disinformation And Propaganda Act” Into Law
by Tyler Durden
Late on Friday, with the US population embracing the upcoming holidays and oblivious of most news emerging from the administration, Obama quietly signed into law the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which authorizes $611 billion for the military in 2017.
In a statement, Obama said that:
Today, I have signed into law S. 2943, the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017.” This Act authorizes fiscal year 2017 appropriations principally for the Department of Defense and for Department of Energy national security programs, provides vital benefits for military personnel and their families, and includes authorities to facilitate ongoing operations around the globe. It continues many critical authorizations necessary to ensure that we are able to sustain our momentum in countering the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and to reassure our European allies, as well as many new authorizations that, among other things, provide the Departments of Defense and Energy more flexibility in countering cyber-attacks and our adversaries’ use of unmanned aerial vehicles.”
Much of the balance of Obama’s statement blamed the GOP for Guantanamo’s continued operation and warned that “unless the Congress changes course, it will be judged harshly by history,” Obama said. Obama also said Congress failed to use the bill to reduce wasteful overhead (like perhaps massive F-35 cost overruns?) or modernize military health care, which he said would exacerbate budget pressures facing the military in the years ahead.
But while the passage of the NDAA – and the funding of the US military – was hardly a surprise, the biggest news is what was buried deep inside the provisions of the Defense Authorization Act.
Recall that as we reported in early June, “a bill to implement the U.S.’ very own de facto Ministry of Truth had been quietly introduced in Congress. As with any legislation attempting to dodge the public spotlight the Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act of 2016 marks a further curtailment of press freedom and another avenue to stultify avenues of accurate information. Introduced by Congressmen Adam Kinzinger and Ted Lieu, H.R. 5181 seeks a “whole-government approach without the bureaucratic restrictions” to counter “foreign disinformation and manipulation,” which they believe threaten the world’s “security and stability.”
Also called the Countering Information Warfare Act of 2016 (S. 2692), when introduced in March by Sen. Rob Portman, the legislation represents a dramatic return to Cold War-era government propaganda battles. “These countries spend vast sums of money on advanced broadcast and digital media capabilities, targeted campaigns, funding of foreign political movements, and other efforts to influence key audiences and populations,” Portman explained, adding that while the U.S. spends a relatively small amount on its Voice of America, the Kremlin provides enormous funding for its news organization, RT.
“Surprisingly,” Portman continued, “there is currently no single U.S. governmental agency or department charged with the national level development, integration and synchronization of whole-of-government strategies to counter foreign propaganda and disinformation.”
Long before the “fake news” meme became a daily topic of extensive conversation on such discredited mainstream portals as CNN and WaPo, H.R. 5181 would task the Secretary of State with coordinating the Secretary of Defense, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Broadcasting Board of Governors to “establish a Center for Information Analysis and Response,” which will pinpoint sources of disinformation, analyze data, and — in true dystopic manner — ‘develop and disseminate’ “fact-based narratives” to counter effrontery propaganda.
In short, long before “fake news” became a major media topic, the US government was already planning its legally-backed crackdown on anything it would eventually label “fake news.”
* * *
Fast forward to December 8, when the “Countering Disinformation and Propaganda Act” passed in the Senate, quietly inserted inside the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report.
And now, following Friday’s Obama signing of the NDAA on Friday evening, the Countering Disinformation and Propaganda Act is now law.
* * *
Here is the full statement issued by the generously funded Senator Rob Portman (R- Ohio) on the singing into law of a bill that further chips away at press liberties in the US, and which sets the stage for future which hunts and website shutdowns, purely as a result of an accusation that any one media outlet or site is considered as a source of “disinformation and propaganda” and is shut down by the government.
President Signs Portman-Murphy Counter-Propaganda Bill into Law
Portman-Murphy Bill Promotes Coordinated Strategy to Defend America, Allies Against Propaganda and Disinformation from Russia, China & Others
U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) today announced that their Countering Disinformation and Propaganda Act – legislation designed to help American allies counter foreign government propaganda from Russia, China, and other nations – has been signed into law as part of the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report. The bipartisan bill, which was introduced by Senators Portman and Murphy in March, will improve the ability of the United States to counter foreign propaganda and disinformation from our enemies by establishing an interagency center housed at the State Department to coordinate and synchronize counter-propaganda efforts throughout the U.S. government. To support these efforts, the bill also creates a grant program for NGOs, think tanks, civil society and other experts outside government who are engaged in counter-propaganda related work. This will better leverage existing expertise and empower our allies overseas to defend themselves from foreign manipulation. It will also help foster a free and vibrant press and civil society overseas, which is critical to ensuring our allies have access to truthful information and inoculating people against foreign propaganda campaigns.
“Our enemies are using foreign propaganda and disinformation against us and our allies, and so far the U.S. government has been asleep at the wheel,” Portman said. “But today, the United States has taken a critical step towards confronting the extensive, and destabilizing, foreign propaganda and disinformation operations being waged against us by our enemies overseas. With this bill now law, we are finally signaling that enough is enough; the United States will no longer sit on the sidelines. We are going to confront this threat head-on. I am confident that, with the help of this bipartisan bill, the disinformation and propaganda used against us, our allies, and our interests will fail.”
“The use of propaganda to undermine democracy has hit a new low. But now we are finally in a position to confront this threat head on and get out the truth. By building up independent, objective journalism in places like eastern Europe, we can start to fight back by exposing these fake narratives and empowering local communities to protect themselves,” said Murphy. “I’m proud that our bill was signed into law, and I look forward to working with Senator Portman to make sure these tools and new resources are effectively used to get out the truth.”
NOTE: The bipartisan Countering Disinformation and Propaganda Act is organized around two main priorities to help achieve the goal of combatting the constantly evolving threat of foreign disinformation from our enemies:
- The first priority is developing a whole-of-government strategy for countering THE foreign propaganda and disinformation being wages against us and our allies by our enemies. The bill would increase the authority, resources, and mandate of the Global Engagement Center to include state actors like Russia and China as well as non-state actors. The Center will be led by the State Department, but with the active senior level participation of the Department of Defense, USAID, the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the Intelligence Community, and other relevant agencies. The Center will develop, integrate, and synchronize whole-of-government initiatives to expose and counter foreign disinformation operations by our enemies and proactively advance fact-based narratives that support U.S. allies and interests.
- Second, the legislation seeks to leverage expertise from outside government to create more adaptive and responsive U.S. strategy options. The legislation establishes a fund to help train local journalists and provide grants and contracts to NGOs, civil society organizations, think tanks, private sector companies, media organizations, and other experts outside the U.S. government with experience in identifying and analyzing the latest trends in foreign government disinformation techniques. This fund will complement and support the Center’s role by integrating capabilities and expertise available outside the U.S. government into the strategy-making process. It will also empower a decentralized network of private sector experts and integrate their expertise into the strategy-making process.
* * *
And so, with the likes of WaPo having already primed the general public to equate “Russian Propaganda” with “fake news” (despite admitting after the fact their own report was essentially “fake“), while the US media has indoctrinated the public to assume that any information which is not in compliance with the official government narrative, or dares to criticize the establishment, is also “fake news” and thus falls under the “Russian propaganda” umbrella, the scene is now set for the US government to legally crack down on every media outlet that the government deems to be “foreign propaganda.”
Just like that, the US Ministry of Truth is officially born.
This article was written by Tyler Durden and originally published at Zero Hedge.
I’ve changed out my knee boots for hip waders as the shit has deepened. Pretty soon I’ll have to go to chest waders and after that snorkel, mask and fins.
Diving bell
The biggest fake news lie every was put out on the eve Dec.24th of this year and as many years previous back to the founding of NORAD.
This lie is put out there by every single nation on top side of planet earth.
Yes, it is the Santa lie. NORAD’s biggest fake news story of every year.
No doubt, Mr. Obama will let that one continue to run as well as any incoming President from now until the Second Coming Of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Secure all hatches – prepare to dive!!
Anon, you can always choose to just stay out of the shit.
Stay quiet Be smart
And this is why there should be a law stating that each proposed law has to be its own separate bill, with no attachments/amendments. Included in this law will be a provision that anyone proposing to change this law shall be guilty of treason, and hanged.
I once read or saw on what was probably a fake new site, that John John, as the media liked to call him, John Kennedy Jr., President Kennedy’s son: was killed because he was preparing to release an article, revealing the true and accurate details regarding his father’s death.
On another fake news site, I heard and/or read that the Clintons were behind the assignation, or more accurately, the people promoting the Clintons were behind killing Jr., his wife and her sister.
I also read or heard on a fake news site that the reasons for President Kennedy being murdered were multiple. He was going to end Vietnam. No money for the industrial war complex or the bankers. Kennedy printed money that left out the Rothschild bankers. Kennedy refused to allow Isreal nuclear.
It is amazing all the disinformation one receives from these fake news sites. It is no wonder Obama and his handlers want them closed down. You GO Obama. Way to GO Obama. GO-GO Obama – as soon as possible (ASAP).
__
B from Ca, John John was going to run for the US Senate seat that was becoming vacant in New York. Hillary wanted it, and got it, after he was removed from consideration the old fashioned Clinton way.
B from CA, at the time of JFK Jr.’s death, there was some speculation about Ted Kennnedy, his uncle, being responsible for those deaths. Whatever Uncle Teddy knew about it he took to his grave with him. JFK Jr. was the only Kennedy I had any respect for. Ted got what he deserves; burning in hell with Castro, Chavez, Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, and the rest of the commies.
JFK Jr couldn’t have a political magazine GEORGE and indefinitely avoid his fathers assassination. I have zero doubt that the magazine was started for that very reason. He was waiting until his mothers passing to open up that can of worms.
We live in an illusion from a bygone day of representative government, a free press; the illusion is being unmasked, the curtain must be maintained or the masses will be collectively awakened.
Well,till they bring down the net,just won’t work.I will then take all the crayons/paper from college safe spaces and put out me own news letter!Seriously,when this happens bring down all local papers/tv stations/radio that still operate for just govt. propaganda.help the tech savvy hackers with food/protection while they do thier thing,time for 4th gen at that point,and a big part of that is winning the minds and hearts of the people.
And not a peep about this from any of the treasonous main stream media outlets. So now SHTFs days are numbered, as well as all the other “fake news” media sites that give us the real news. Goodbye America.!!!
THIS country is ALMOST unrecognizable from the one I once knew as a kid; almost 45 Years Ago. I’AM GLAD I will NOT be around 40 Years Down the road; to bear witness to the coming Nightmare In Hell; that used to be called the United States of America. Not Kidding.
I was born in 64 and am glad I won’t be around too much longer. Things always get incrementally worse, so I expect that trend to continue especially since the tech and knowledge to control us just keeps getting better and better.
The future will be very bleak and the move to eradicate us will increase dramatically once tptb have AI and robotics mastered.
I literally get tears in my eyes when I see kids and envision their hopeless futures
drifter
You have two maybe three and if very lucky (or unlucky) four decades remaining.
The answer to this is… HAVE MORE KIDS!
Sounds like we’re heading for the 4th Reich. time to reign this crap in!
I don’t care what MSM claims to be truth. I’ll stick with alternative media. No one else tells me what to believe or even think. It doesn’t matter what EOs the ape-in-chief signs or what Congress passes. I don’t follow any of that shit anyway.
Mac, why am I being moderated so much? My name and email address are correct.
You’ve become way to violent Cuz!
its likely a blessing that the media gave Trump bad press. It gives him a incentice to dislike the mainstream news. Very likely the Donald will gut these bad laws.
Step out of line, they come take you away. Dealing with an especially dumbed down citizenry. No official announcement that the american dream is dead before you were born.
speaking of fake news or whatever, I have a question… whats up with all the paid advertising masquerading as legit articles here, as well as the new “lockerdome” advertising pretending to be legit info??
I mean we already have 36 advertisements down the right side of the page, 19 down the left, plus click-through money being made if we use any of the 100+ “web destinations” making Mac money and keeping the servers running, not to mention Amazon clicks on links to products in nearly every article.
I get it, this is a money making website, fine. Can we at least try not to insult our intelligence with the “news” advertising..?
Why are we not calling this what it is: Government censorship. Who gets to pick the censors???Probably holdovers from the Obama regime….
This is Obama:
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)
Obama thinks to establish lies as truth in America. That SOB is out of his mind.
Fuck you FBI, CIA, NSA, and every other intelligence and law enforcement agency that allowed the illegal alien usurper to become president of the United States. You also will pay severely for your treason.
PayBack, that’s a damn good description of Obama or any other ape for that matter.
Mao Tse Tung would be proud of Obama! What a good commie he is! (as well as being the world’s biggest hypocrite).
He had the choice of whether or not to sign the freaking bill.
Obama will need a job soon, it is my understanding that North Korea has a good job opening for him!
The half white fggt commie Kenyan and his husband Michael aren’t planning on leaving. Their plans are to continue to run the shadow gvmnt from their mansion in DC. The battle for America isn’t over – we have our work cut out for us.
The $5 Million D.C. Mansion Where The Obamas Will Live After Leaving The White House
The $5 Million D.C. Mansion Where The Obamas Will Live After Leaving The White House
http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/05/25/5-million-d-c-mansion-obamas-will-live-leaving-white-house/
I’ll change back to my old moniker for now and see if the moderation continues.
Cuz we love you no matter what moniker you go by.
Freedom fighters in the USSR turned to something called “samizdat.” You can look it up.
If Russia isn’t communist, who cares? What bone do we have to pick with them? Are they going to drop paratroops on Peoria? Well did Pres. Eisenhower warn about the military industrial complex. I am all for stopping the bad guys, Islamofascists, narcoterrorists, etc. – but not at the cost of our freedoms. What ever happened to “they hate us for our freedoms?” By that measure, they shouldn’t hate us at all now!
They love us for our slavery and ignorance and stupidity and tolerance and immorality and apathy and now we are friends… everyone sing kum buy aaahhh!
“The Truth Is What We Say It Is”: Obama Signs Orwellian Law Setting Up Fake News Gestapo
Fuck this/thes assholes! … if such laws are implemented … and the other government agencies concur with such actions … then … fuck AmeriKa … if the people don’t resist … but … I don’t see it happening ’cause AmericKa is chuck full of pansies and nancy boys!
“An unjust law is no law at all.” ..St. Augustine.
People are going to get hurt…
I am not planning to be one of them..
Having said that, Be it known,
I have no intention of obeying unjust laws.
These aforementioned unjust laws are written by the same people that claim civil rights as their flagship cause. To those people I say to read the words of your (and mine) civil rights hero, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
https://home.isi.org/unjust-law-no-law-all-excerpts-letter-birmingham-jail
Think of the millions for the Southern Poverty Law Center. Billion6s for every liberal con man who can create a thin6k tank of pot smoking dopers ready to tout the party line. Limitless money and power Could never corrupt anyone. Red silk scarves for men will be popular in congress The nightly news will head out with the days executions live from the Lincoln Memorial tonight they are executing 500 dissidents in 5 minutes in a holiday spectacular
Actually, Obama’s disinformation and propaganda act is irrelevant. For the most part, people are wilfully ignorant. They are only going to believe those things that don’t interfere with their comfort. The average person, when confronted with facts that challenge what they choose to believe, will do one of two things. They will either use insults to shout down the speaker or, close their eyes, put their fingers in their ears and recite the lalalala mantra.
With the unprecedented amount of information available online now, people are more ignorant and uneducated than at almost any other time in history. When current university graduates are unable to get a passing grade on a 100 year old, grade six exam, it says little for todays intellectual abilities.
It has become a world where reality is only for those who can’t handle the latest video game. A world where being aware of reality is uncomfortable and not to be tolerated. A world where people would rather kneel and kiss their chains than stand up and question the narrative.
Obama just can’t quietly go; he has to do everything he can to keep pushing the Globalist agenda. Just because the government propaganda comes out doesn’t mean people will believe it. Anyone with a brain can decipher the truth. As the old saying goes “actions speak louder than words”. That’s how I came to my conclusion about Obama and how he’s out to destroy these United States of America. And I kept asking myself, doesn’t he realize what he’s doing; then it became evident that he knew very well what he was doing. He wasn’t being a dumb n—-r, he was purposefully doing it. I suspect that Obama is not done, even though he’s leaving office……… or is he? Now “they” will have to work on their mind control agenda in order to control the people who can still reason and think for themselves.
“By building up independent, objective journalism in places like eastern Europe, we can start to fight back by exposing these fake narratives and empowering local communities to protect themselves,” said Murphy.”
There is little scarier than the US federal government telling people in foreign lands that the US federal government knows what is best for them.
Hmmm
What the American people should be focusing on with the 2017 Defense budge isn’t what we are hearing about things like this clearly unconstitutional, and unamerican trampling of our Constitutional and god given rights.
WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD BE TERRIFIED ABOUT IS WHAT IS NOT BEING TALKED ABOUT BY THE “MEDIA”, MAIN STREAM OR OTHERWISE! This latest defense budget is about a thousand pages long. What needs to be done, but cannot because there is page after page of “classified” information, is to find out what else is in that budget……..In fact, all the American people get to read in reality are short redacted summaries and then we are expected to shut up, obey and pay.
“…Purely as a result of an accusation that any one media outlet or site [or individual!] is considered as a source of ‘disinformation and propaganda’ and is shut down by the government.”