Pentagon examining if psyops were utilized on Congressmen

The Pentagon is investigating the alleged use of "psyops," or psychological operations, on United States Congressmen while they were visiting Afghanistan. Psychological procedures are techniques of psychological and emotional manipulation used by the U.S. army. They contain disinformation and propaganda. These techniques were allegedly used to persuade members of Congress in order to get more military funding.

Army ordered it, says Rolling Stone

MSNBC reports that a Rolling Stone article explained that a "psyops" or psychological operation was ordered by members of the army to get Congress members visiting Afghanistan to give more financing and personnel to the military. In 2009, Lieutenant General William Caldwell supposedly had a psyops team study Congressmen visiting in order to find out how more financing and troops for military operations there could possibly be received somehow. The head of the psyops unit, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Holmes, refused the order and was reprimanded for it.

Leading study is Petraeus

General David Petraeus, commander of Afghan procedures, has launched an investigation to the allegations. Lt. Gen. Caldwell “categorically denies” the accusations, according to the Washington Post. 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 integrated Representative Steve Israel and Admiral Mike Mullen.

General McChrystal article written by press reporter

Michael Hastings wrote the Rolling Stone article. He said 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 people in the Information Procedures field know from day one that propaganda and psychological manipulation are to be used only on the enemy. Hastings also wrote the article on General Stanley McChrystal that led to McChrystal resigning from the Military last year.

Articles cited

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