Trying To Figure Out What The Truth Is

UPDATE: The progaganda campaign continues today in the NY Post (natch).

Lots of buzz and speculation on the debunked story about Iran forcing Jews and Christians to wear badges. It seems to me a clearcut example of pre-war disinformation, all too similar to the lies about Iraq that many still believe today (did you hear Saddam helped Al Qaeda plan 9/11??!!!!). The source for the original piece defends his writing, while Matthew Yglesias at Talking Points Memo finds a connection between him and a well-connected thinktank filled with notable neoconservatives. Chalabi redux?

Atrios summarizes why the seemingly false story is still noteworthy-

One demonstrably false scary Iran story gets shot down rather quickly, though it of course will remain in circulation in wingnuttia and elsewhere forever. More stories will come which won't be as easy to shoot down. And the problem is, of course, that Iran doesn't have an especially pleasant government so people like me find ourselves in the unfortunate position of appearing to defend people who aren't necessarily great examples of humanity when all we're doing is trying to figure out what the truth is.

And around we go.

He's right; Iran is a despicable regime. But that doesn't make any better those in our government and elsewhere who would (again) lie and confuse the American public in an attempt to drum up the appropriate emotions to take a country into another unneccessary military adventure. Too many people were afraid to speak up against the insanity that dominated the national political dialogue in 2002 and 2003. Given their numerous failures, if our government is intent on forcing a confrontation with Iran, such cowardice to speak up this time around would is inexcusable. Keep an eye out; this story is just one part of a larger campaign.

[Related links:
-THE ENABLERS OF THE BOGUS IRAN DRESS CODES STORY HANG TOUGH
-Who Started the Iranian Badge Story? — updated]