Hawkeye's new role in M.A.S.H.--spin doctor.

I realize soldiers are trained to not think independently. They are expected to be empty vessels by which the government exerts its will (by force) over other people. But there's still something disturbing about demanding soldiers to be the gov't's public relations persons as well.

A new part of soldiers' training is how to handle the media. They are routinely given note cards with "talking points" on them, with phrases such as "we are committed" and "moving forward" (the empty B.S. political-speak meaning, not the literal meaning of physically moving to a position in front of you). Here's my favorite: "we are not an occupying force." This from an army that is, how shall I say, OCCUPYING another country.

Read the whole Editor & Publisher exclusive article for the nonsensical gov't argument that these talking points are not instructions for soldiers to lie. Putting a "positive spin" on a military situation isn't exactly being honest. It's marketing.