Proposed: Should the U.S. use propaganda to influence foreign opinion regarding the war on Iraq?

I don't think there is really a relevant sustainable discussion here.  I suggest eliminating the topic.  If we want to discuss propoganda, Jacki is right, let's move it under policy.

Regarding the topic, "propaganda in Iraq" - this strikes me as a subtopic of the "War in Iraq" topic, not a separate subtopic.  I'd be open to jettisoning this topic and moving it to a question under the more general "War in Iraq" topic.

Regarding Jacki's concerns with the term, "propaganda" - I don't think there's another description for what has been done.  The problem comes into it when people assert "this isn't propadanga, because it's true" - which is irrelevant to determining whether information is propagandistic or not. 

Clark's rewording is sound.  The term "propaganda" is loaded - too many subconscious negative linkages ("Nazi Propaganda," "Communist Propaganda," etc.).  However, it's also technically accurate - " Material disseminated by the advocates or opponents of a doctrine or cause" - we don't refer to CNN or FoxNews as "propaganda" but as "media."  Not so with Al-Hurra and other efforts to justify our policies on Iraq.

i  have a few thoughts on this issue.  #1.  We have been keeping topics and subtopics - e.g.Occupation and Invasion of Iraq and Propoganda in Iraq relevant to eachother so that every topic in the hierachy was relevant to its "parent" topic.  I am not sure whether we  should follow the same procedure with issues. 

Here is my other problem.  Propaganda in Iraq is itself a biased description of events.  Some people may believe the US has not used propaganda.  I think this issue is problematic under this topic.  It implies that the US is using propaganda in Iraq. 

Personally, I am unhappy with this topic.  The issue I like but it needs a new home.  Perhaps US Foreign Policy?

I think this question is okay, but a slight re-wording suggestion:

Should the US use propaganda to influence foreign public opinion?

I agree with Brian here. I think the specific case of our propaganda campaign in Iraq raises the larger issue. I could see a place for two  different questions, though, a general one and another specifically about Iraq. I could see how Iraq might be considered a special case, given that we're, you know, in the process of conquering it.

I kind of wished it would stay broader than just Iraq.  The Pentagon has hired consulting firms since the Cold War to frame  conflicts in order to gain support for the mission or to maintain our image abroad.

I think Jacki's question is good; except that it needs to read 'by using propaganda,' not 'with propaganda,' or it sounds like we're asking about influencing 'Iraqis with propaganda,' an under-represented group though they may be.

I'm in agreement with Jacki on this.

The Administration having paid for articles to be placed in Iraqi newspapers is what brought the issue of propaganda to the forefront. The question as it's phrased here requires thinking about it in a much broader context. That's not to say there's anything wrong with that, it's just that the main topic is the Iraq War and this topic also specifies Iraq, which is why I think the issue should as well.

we need to tailor this issue to the current use of propaganda in Iraq. Maybe something like:  Should the US seek to gain support for the war from Iraqi citizens with propaganda?

I'm not sure anyone could successfully argue that paying a newspaper to run an article -- which is not clearly labeled as advertising -- in a country we're waging war against is anything other than propaganda, try though they might. As our friends at Merriam-Webster define it, propaganda is "ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect." I think it's accurate and unbiased, and I say let it stand.

Yeah, it's pretty tough to come up with unbiased questions. Maybe, "Is propaganda a necessary tool for influencing foreign and domestic opinion?"

I created this topic and wrote this issue but I have doubts... I think some people would be uncomfortable with the wording. I think conservatives will balk with something along the lines of, "it's only propaganda when THEY do it."