White House wants answers on planted Iraq stories

Hey, it's just like here---over there!

Who would have imagined! Perish the thought.

Here we see a couple guys getting the news from Armstrong Williams and Heil Hannity, I'm sure..

Parts of the story:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House and a senior Republican lawmaker expressed concern on Thursday about secret military payments to get Iraqi newspapers to print pro-American articles, but the military said it was important to spread the truth while insurgents were "lying to the Iraqi people."

I can't imagine what would make them think the US would ever lie to anyone.
BTW, they are no longer to be called "insurgents". The Prez said the other night they are:
"a combination of rejectionists, Saddamists and terrorists."
I missed the speech. How I would have loved to hear him try and pronounce the first two. Particularly the second one. We already know he can't even get terriers right..

Virginia Republican Sen. John Warner, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, asked Pentagon officials to brief the panel on the matter on Friday. Warner said he did not know whether the practice was taking place, but said, "I am concerned about any actions that may undermine the credibility of the United States as we help the Iraqi people stand up a democracy." "Further, a free and independent press is critical to the functioning of a democracy, and I am concerned about any actions which may erode the independence of the Iraqi media," Warner added in a statement.

Hey, can he help us get one here?
You know, where the White House isn't paying people to shill for them?

Wow, in fact, the wire story even states:

The Bush administration also has tried to influence domestic media, including having federal agencies distribute video packages to U.S. TV stations that could be broadcast as news stories and paying commentator Armstrong Williams to tout Bush education policies in TV appearances and in his column.

Don't forget the talking point: The liberals hate Williams because he's BLACK! They know who the real racists are!