Or at least they would be aghast if they knew about it.
Hopefully many many people have already heard this story, but I just finally saw the ad in question, and it truly sickened me. If we can impeach a president for lying about a blow job, doesn't it stand to reason that something should be done when a president and his cohorts lie, cynically using the media's laziness to spread propoganda about a sweeping Medicare law?
The videos are intended for use in local television news programs.
Two videos end with the voice of a woman who says, "In Washington, I'm Karen Ryan reporting."
Another video, intended for Hispanic audiences, shows a Bush administration official being interviewed in Spanish by a man who identifies himself as a reporter named Alberto Garcia.
Another segment shows a pharmacist talking to an elderly customer. The pharmacist says the new law "helps you better afford your medications," and the customer says, "It sounds like a good idea." Indeed, the pharmacist says, "A very good idea."
The government also prepared scripts that can be used by news anchors introducing what the administration describes as a made-for-television "story package."
In one script, the administration suggests that anchors use this language: "In December, President Bush signed into law the first-ever prescription drug benefit for people with Medicare. Since then, there have been a lot of questions about how the law will help older Americans and people with disabilities. Reporter Karen Ryan helps sort through the details."
The "reporter" then explains the benefits of the new law.
When John Stewart, after showing a clip of the video, revealed that it had been produced by the White House, the audience yelled in horror. Of course his audience is of a very particular type, but it's the first time I've ever heard an audience sound so audibly disgusted and outraged. As well they should be. As well we all should be.
The GAO is investigating, but thus far has said it doesn't appear that the videos are strictly illegal, though they do have "notable omissions and other weaknesses."
This is just too much. How on earth are these people getting away with this shit? How on earth is it that a significant number of Americans still think this administration is not pure evil?
This should be banner headlines, huge scandal, disgrace, ignominy, public flogging. It's in the papers, sure, but it's just not a big enough story. We should be shouting this from the rooftops.
BTW - I'm looking for a clip or copy of the video somewhere online. If anyone knows of one, let me know.
UPDATE: Here's the Daily Show clip. It starts out with some stuff about the made up costs of the bill, and then gets to the fake news video. The whole thing is schocking (and hilarious).
