Iraq, the Model

The only way for the War Party to keep a lid on rising antiwar sentiment is to "spin" the poll numbers the "right" way: to manage the news, Soviet-style. We must be bathed in a continuous stream of propaganda masquerading as "news" - so that even accounts of our own dissatisfaction are "spun" to make it seem like we're really not all that opposed to the dangerous and pernicious foreign policy of this war-maddened administration. The pro-war media, including the aggressive and well-connected neocon wing of the blogosphere, has been touting the brothers Fadhil, who set up a "blog" with a moniker that manages to express the essence of the neocon program for the Middle East - Iraq the Model. At the climax of their triumphant American tour, sponsored by a "charitable" organization known as the "Spirit of America," two of the brothers were received at the White House by none other than the president. But there's a fly in this ointment, and that is the testimony of the third Fadhil brother, Ali. While his brothers were meeting with the commander-in-chief of the army that occupies their country, Ali was saying farewell to his readers:

"This is the last time I write in this blog and I just want to say, goodbye. It's not an easy thing to do for me, but I know I should do it. I haven't told my brothers with my decision, as they are not here yet, but it won't change anything and I just can't keep doing this anymore.

"My stand regarding America has never changed. I still love America and feel grateful to all those who helped us get our freedom and are still helping us establishing democracy in our country. But it's the act of some Americans that made me feel I'm on the wrong side here. I will expose these people in public very soon and I won't lack the mean to do this, but I won't do it here as this is not my blog.

"At any rate, it's been a great experience and a pleasure to know all the regular readers of this blog, as I do feel I know you, and I owe you a lot.

"Best wishes to all of you, those who supported us and those who criticized us as well."

The Middle East scholar and war critic Juan Cole has been pilloried by the pro-war bloggers because he dared question the bona fides of the two democratic dentists who are supposed to represent the wave of the Iraqi future - and now it seems Cole's suspicion that all was not as it appeared to be on the surface has been confirmed. Elsewhere on the "Iraq the Model" blog, Ali denounces certain "extreme conservatives" who are trying to use him and his brothers as a "propaganda tool." Imagine that!

You can't make this stuff up.

Read the rest at Justin Raimondo's site. Scroll down to Notes in the Margin. Reference links are embedded.