Over a week ago, the New York Times published a major investigative article detailing a secret Pentagon program the Times said was designed to recruit and cultivate the "military analysts" you see on the major news networks in an attempt to create coverage favorable to the Bush Administration’s policy in Iraq.

The Times described an extensive program, with dozens of television analysts involved, some of whom had extensive business ties to the Defense Department -- in fact they called it "an effort to transform the analysts into a kind of media Trojan horse -- an instrument intended to shape terrorism coverage from inside the major TV and radio networks."

Since that story ran, there's been a virtual news blackout, and we haven't gotten any closer to finding out the real story.

You can change that. I sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office requesting an investigation, and I'd like you to show your support by virtually “co-signing” the letter with me. Only with an overwhelming display of grassroots energy can we put this story in the spotlight and press for answers.

The Pentagon quickly issued a statement that they’ve ended the program, but I still believe that we need to have a complete accounting of exactly what was happening, who was involved, and what it accomplished. I don’t think that’s too much to ask -- do you?

If you believe, as I do, that we as citizens have a right to know the real story, please co-sign the letter demanding answers:

http://www.johnkerry.com/pentagonpundits

We know the life-or-death consequences of policy decisions in Iraq and Afghanistan -- and we know that these policies should be debated and defended without secret programs designed to tailor the news for the Administration's goals. This is too important to brush aside.

We must demand answers.


Thank you,
John Kerry


P.S. -- If you'd like to read the original New York Times article for more information on the Pentagon pundits program, click here.