Pentagon examining whether psyops were utilized on Congressmen

The Pentagon is examining whether members of Congress were victims of improper use of “psyops,” or psychological procedures by army personnel. Psychological procedures are methods of psychological manipulation, usually used against enemies, including propaganda and misinformation. These techniques were allegedly used to persuade members of Congress to be able to get more army funding.

Army requested it, says Rolling Stone

A scathing article in a recent issue of Rolling Stone says members of the army were requested to use “psyops,” or psychological procedures, techniques to persuade members of Congress visiting army outposts in Afghanistan to give the army more financing and additional personnel, in accordance with MSNBC. You will find accusations that Lieutenant General William Caldwell requested a study of Congressmen visiting in 2009 by a psyops team. This was done so as to discover a way to get more army troops and funding there based on how best to convince them. The head of the psyops unit, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Holmes, refused the order and was reprimanded for it.

Investigation commenced by Petraeus

Afghan operations commander General David Petraeus commenced a study. In accordance with Lt. Gen. Caldwell, it did not take place. He "categorically denies" it, the Washington Post states. The use of “psyops” or propaganda of any sort on United States citizens is illegal, and Intelligence Procedures personnel are well aware of that. There were specific Congressmen targeted for this. It included Senators Al Franken, Carl Levin, Joe Lieberman, Jack Reed and John McCain. There were more targets too. These incorporated Representative Steve Israel and Admiral Mike Mullen.

Exact same media reporter profiled General McChrystal

Michael Hastings wrote the Rolling Stone article. He said that the job was to “get the enemy to behave the way we want,” and Holmes said “when you ask me to use these skills on senators and congressmen you are crossing a line," for Lt. Col. Holmes. He added that individuals in the Information Operations field know from day one that propaganda and psychological manipulation are to be used only on the enemy. McChrystal left the Army past year because of another article written on General Stanley McChrystal by Hastings.

Information from

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/41753749/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia

Washington Post

voices.washingtonpost.com/blog-post/2011/02/psychological_operations_manip.html

Rolling Stone

rollingstone.com/politics/news/another-runaway-general-army-deploys-psy-ops-on-u-s-senators-20110223?page=1