Insider experts tell of manipulation

To the editor:

Those of us monitoring the world media before the Iraq invasion knew the Bush administration's arguments were very shaky and, in some cases, outright lies. The U.S. media were complicit in the administration's war agenda, and in this they failed miserably in their responsibilities to our democracy. Now, of course, everyone knows that something was wrong with the claims about WMDs and links to al-Qaida. Serious investigation into White House culpability, however, is currently being manipulated to avoid election-year problems for President Bush.

As an antidote to this, a serious critique of the administration's motives and prewar claims has emerged from an unlikely quarter. A group of 20-plus high-ranking officials from the CIA and State and Defense departments have spoken out on film. Many of these analysts are longtime veterans of the CIA, including one former director. Some were present in official capacities where they saw the manipulation of intelligence firsthand. Several resigned in protest as the administration pursued its war agenda.

These eminent and unquestionably patriotic experts give a detailed analysis of the administration's arguments, including the State of the Union address and Colin Powell's presentation to the United Nations. They fully undo every allegation of weapons of mass destruction and the supposed links to al-Qaida. They also leave little doubt that the war is creating more terrorism.

Every American should see "Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War." There will be free public showings in Cape Girardeau in March.

ROBERT POLACK JR.

Cape Girardeau