Do you know what's happening in Iraq right now? I'm sure you can watch CNN, Fox News, or some other channel and get the latest reports on troop locations, the difficulties of securing enough MREs for the refugees or the Pentagon PR updates. But were you aware that NBC shitcanned a reporter for voicing his personal opinions on the progress of the war? Think about that. A person whose job is to observe events and summarize them was fired for observing and summarizing in a way that didn't glorify America.

Peter Arnett, a New Zealand-born reporter with experience in Vietnam, where he won a Pulitzer, as well as the earlier Gulf War, has been observing the events in Iraq for NBC. He was asked his opinion of the status of an offensive by reporters from Iraqi TV. Arnette's view was that the first offensive was not completely successful in removing Hussein from power due to Iraqi resistance, and that the offensive strategists were "trying to write another plan."

His opinion ran contrary to the claims of the Pentagon and he was subsequently fired for "granting an interview to state-controlled Iraqi television,especially at a time of war" and because "it was wrong for him to discuss personal observations and opinions in that interview." An individual voiced an opinion counter to the official line, and was fired. He said something that the US government didn't want anyone to think about, that they might not be all powerful, and he was removed from the capacity in which he reached people.

Could Arnett have been totally incorrect in his estimation of the situation? Yes. Is it possible that the US government is counting on solidarity from the news media to reinforce the idea that they are an overwhelming force that cannot possibly be stopped? Of course. In terms of numbers, resources, and technology, that is probably true. Is it possible that Arnette's non-Arab face saying America wasn't all-powerful could have served to encourage Iraqi troops? Sure. Is it reasonable for a reporter to be silenced for telling what he thought was the truth? Is it?

Has it sunk in yet? You're not getting the whole story. You don't get to see everything. You don't get to see any more than they want you to know. None of us do.

It's paranoia if you think there are powers aligned against you. But what do you call it when those powers are aligned against everyone who isn't one of them?