Completing the Morning Roundup

Okay - this is the last news story I'm going to comment on....for now.

Apparently the U.S. has been paying Iraqi newspapers to run favorable stories about U.S. efforts - ummm, this strikes me as a little bit 'messed up' - I'm not an expert on fighting quagmires, but it seems to me that 'hearts and minds' won't be won when you're passing off fictional advertising as real news.

Come on people, the administration loves to talk about spreading democracy to the middle east - and we love those photos and video clips featuring Iraqis who have recently voted. A free press in inherently necessary for any form of democratic government - the whole idea is premised upon access to information - so that one can make an informed decision.....not to mention the fact that any government that controls/coerces the media will lose legitimacy amongst the people. (Save France, Mitterand & Paris Match....but that's for another day)

Why is it so difficult for this government to be honest, up-front and clean - if you're ideas are as good as you say they are - people will see that, and agree with you. But the bottom line is that the administration doesn't have good ideas, they have ideology, mixed with greed, and they need to coerce & lie to make themselves more palatable.

Freedom of....what?