My Errant Mind

Today, 60 insurgents near Baquba decided to give up their arms, stating they were tired of fighting.

“I want to watch MTV,” said one in broken English—who would only agree to be identified as Hassan. “I like see Punk’d reruns. Is very funny show,” this Sunni fighter added, grinning. He once had dreams of being an actor himself he declares, “But for years now, only fighting. Is hard to sleep, but praise be to Allah, now I will rest and start business.”

He thinks these days he might like to try his hand at running a restaurant. He nods his head towards a bombed-out building across the street and suggests that with a bit of work, it could become a nice place to eat.

This is the typical scene as insurgents begin to demobilize. The Coalition surge has been working so well that many are giving up out of frustration and an inability to operate clandestinely due to the buildup. One small group reportedly plans to sue their financial backers from Iran in court for back pay owed.

“Our attorney’s tell us that we have good chance,” their leader declared.

More Disinformation, Common In Iraq

The above is, of course, fictional. It is ridiculous and is meant to be so. Why? I want to point out in my second post on the topic of disinformation just how common it is and how unscrupulous those are who spread it by directing your attention upon Reuters and its practices.

In Iraq, the media have been using unsubstantiated reports by insurgents posing as Iraqi police and representing it as fact. Many in the media have their own agenda with regards to the war in Iraq (we’ve known that all along), but there is a difference between selective reporting that still is the truth and that which is outright fabrication.

Journalistic Ethics?

We can sort of accept and disregard with mild disdain those who tell the truth, but not the whole truth. People of weak character are common, and so are those who simply don’t like a particular thing and wish to see it ended or destroyed. Not everyone has character enough to be impartial or to tell the whole truth.

On the other hand, those who lie outright to suit their agenda—especially at the expense of our soldiers—are the lowest, most unworthy pieces of dung on this planet. It isn’t just reporters, mind you: politicians, attorneys, judges, and law enforcement agencies do it all the time.

Reporting the massacre of 60 people by insurgents when it never took place is not merely irresponsible and pathetic, it borders on malicious and many vulgar things I don’t care to write. However, that is just what Reuters reporters are doing.

To Fight Disinformation, You Must Seek Out Information

Some truths, you just have to seek out for yourself.

Since I left the Army, I’ve been fortunate to have a good source of information flow from friends still serving—many in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places in Asia and the Middle East. I’ve also managed to find a few good blogs to read now and then which helps me keep a broad perspective of the conflict. It amazes me still, the changes that have taken place in the way soldiers are allowed and able to communicate with the outside world while at war. I’m glad there is a way for soldiers to have their voices heard now, in a more public manner.

Disinformation is a part of modern life and not likely to change. The problem it creates for the average person is that it sways opinion easily—because, unless one has the time and is inquisitive in the extreme, they are unlikely to discover on their own such lies. Everyone pointing out instances of disinformation and lies is doing a good thing. Those soldiers and other bloggers who do so often feel as if it will do no good, but dutifully keep doing it. I occasionally feel like it is pointless at times myself.

Yet, it does make a difference. Even though it is sometimes hard to remember the reason and importance behind being true and in fighting on for a good cause, it does make a difference. You only need to impact one life to make a difference in the world.

I have seen it happen. We probably all have. There are those, however, who don’t want there to be any differences made in the world. Why?

Part of the problem disinformation creates for the average person is that it keeps them an average person.

One of the teeming masses. Unquestioning. Passive. Manipulatable and unlikely to dissent. Consequently, this means one is more likely to support the agenda of those spreading disinformation.

Labels create artificial barriers of perception between people, and we have enough of those in the world. We don’t need more lies told to help create even more sources of discord, but some people seem to think we do. Shine the light of discovery on them where you find them.

Roaches hate the light.