Abuse Your Illusions : The Disinformation Guide To Media Mirages And Establishment Lies

Received opinion is demolished in some cases (the Wayne Williams serial murders, Watergate), while glaring light is shed on sound but unpopular arguments unfamiliar to the mainstream reader (i.e., the Drug War - a Disinfo favorite topic). Elsewhere, an expose of racial profiling provides ample grist for the proverbial liberal mill, and the editors compiliation of 9/11 non-topics provide disquieting food for thought.

The beauty of the Disinfo series of books is that they challenge the acceptance of mainstream media dogma as fact, without regard for political ideology. If there is a liberal element to the writing, it is largely because the authors are often disenfranchised journalists and social commentators working from the fringe. Some reviewers insinuate that this creates a safe haven for crackpots, but that consensus is far too exclusionary and only logical if you share the mainstream media arrogance that only THEY are above the fray. Clearly, they are not. In "Abuse Your Illusions", as in previous Disinfo offerings, even the "crackpots" make relevant arguments at some level. A few pundits have misconstrued the inclusion of contradictory articles as a lack of focus on the part of the editor, but in fact its - surprise! - fair and balanced coverage. In these times, such non-partisan discourse should truly be encouraged. And $upported, if you know what I mean...

So, although an uneven bag this time around, anyone wondering "Dude, wheres my country?" is encouraged to read this book. Rest assured, there are still some courageous, principled souls looking out for us. And even a few journalists.

At its best, Abuse Your Illusions offers some of the best investigative reporting available. Intelligence Onlines Wayne Madsen explores the 2001 death of leading microbiologist, Don Wiley, finding what is almost certainly cover-up. Religion journalist, Richard Abanes, exposes a disgusting strain of racism in the history of Mormonism. The Sunshine Project, a think-tank opposing the development of chemical weapons, uncovers the Pentagons treaty-breaking research into germ warfare. And investigative reporter, Diane Petryk-Bloom examines the self-serving abuses of power of child protection agencies and the terrible harm it is causing families. It would be worthwhile for every parent in America to read Petryk-Blooms alarming piece.

But Abuse Your Illusions crown jewel is a tally of new revelations, unanswered questions and stories that do not add up concerning the September 11th attacks, compiled by Russ Kick, the editor of this volume and its forerunners. From the missing videos of the Pentagon collision to the White Houses efforts to block a Congressional investigation into the attacks to the unlikely emergence of a hijackers luggage and its even more unlikely contents, Kicks facts will make the reader seriously question the official version of the tragedy. It is articles like this that make Disinformations collections so valuable.

Unfortunately not all articles are as hard-hitting and on-target as the aforementioned. In fact, out of all of the Disinfo volumes, Abuse Your Illusions makes the most missteps.

Many of the pieces are obvious, trivial or not-fully-substantiated. Dissident historian, Howard Zinns grisly accounts of innocent causalities in the US military campaign in Afghanistan are certainly affecting, but would only be shocking to someone to whom warfare is a completely alien concept. Investigative reporter, Jim Hougans defense of the theory that investigation into a Democratic call-girl ring begat Watergate states nothing more than such a theory is possible. And alternative journalist, Paul Krassners article theorizing that Sirhan Sirhan and Charles Manson were brain-washed by scientologists screams crack pot.

Another mistake is the inclusion of articles that seem, ironically enough, biased. Articles concerning media controversies, written by people involved, seem like axe-grinding sessions. Shouldnt the most accurate and unbiased views on CNNs Operation Tailwind story, the leaking of the Pentagon Papers and James Bacques research pointing to Allies mistreatment of German POWs in World War II be written by people other than those who have much at stake in them?

There are many instances in Abuse Your Illusions in which Disinformation proves itself a relevant and enlightening institute. But one should look to the previous two volumes to see the group at its best before reading this utterly uneven collection.