Reddit reviews Secret and Sanctioned: Covert Operations and the American Presidency

No one will see this so far down... but why not...

During the Civil War Abraham Lincoln knowingly and covertly:

• Hired a political operative (Thurlow Weed), to influence the New York Herald, essentially bribing the major paper to shift its stance on the war. (Weed) - "Mr. Lincoln deemed it more important to secure the 'Herald's' support than to obtain a victory in the field." This was due to the paper's large circulation both domestically and abroad, and it was hurting the North's image in both regions. What was the bribery?
  
  > "The Herald would modify its position on the war in return for a commission for the editor's son in the revenue service."
  
  
• Funded, at first publicly, then privately, the purchase and influence of nearly all Southern papers (from a proposal to Lincoln, which he later sent to William Seward for a plan of action):
  
  > Allow me to present to you a plan, whearby the Union sentiment at the South would be strengthened, The dissatisfaction of the people with their Government, increased and their Army demoralized. Their are now but (36) newspapers printed in the Confederacy, They are poor few of them making money. I would suggest that the control of many and nearly all of them may be had by purchases of the controlling interest. The amount of funds required would be small in comparison to the advantages that would result to our cause form the control of the Southern Press.
  
  One more.
  
  
• Used private funds to influence the elections in Connecticut and New Hampshire, ultimately funding victories for pro-war candidates.
  
  > "The President appears to have decided to intervene covertly in elections in Connecticut and New Hampshire for the purpose of defeating "peace" Democrats critical of Lincoln's war policy... 'Lincoln asked Weed if he could raise the necessary funds from some of NY's major businessmen. He gave (Weed) a brief note to show potential contributors that Weed was on an authorized pres. mission; the note - The matters I spoke to you about are important, & I hope you will not neglect them. The bottom of the note listed 15 private individuals and corporations, each donating $1,000.
  
  It's not PROOF. But...
  
  > Secretary of the Navy Gideon Wells's diary entry for Feb. 10, 1863, noted that "Thurlow Weed is in town. He has been sent for, but my informant knows not for what purpose. It is, I learn, to consult in regard to a scheme of Seward to influence the New Hampshire and Connecticut elections."
  
  
  Source: Secret and Sanctioned PGS: 144-148
  
  The entire book, cover to cover, is one collective mind fuck.

Dude, you don't know what you are talking about. I've actually studied American history extensively through the lens of intelligence and covert operations, and spying is nothing new nor is it contrary to our founding principles. Read this book for a great history lesson on the subject: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Sanctioned-Operations-American-Presidency/dp/0195100980

Also, comparing modern-day America to Soviet Russia - a place where you had to wait in line to buy rationed consumer goods and could be sent to Siberia or worse for disagreeing with the government - is complete garbage.

As for freedom, point to a country that is more free than America. Do you think that Europe would tolerate the Westboro Baptist Church? Many of them have explicit instructions to not let them enter their country. They also have national assimilation criteria, lists of banned books/propaganda, and generally more regulations and taxes than the US. Think of the type of cars that are permitted on the roads in the US vs Europe for instance.. I once saw someone driving a lazy-boy armchair motorcycle down the road in Kansas, complete with plates and indicators. Do you think that would be legal anywhere in Europe? Seriously, travel the world more before you judge.

Yep. Here's a good book on it as well Titled Secret and Sanctioned by the same author.

>Today when we think of covert operations, we think of American-backed mercenaries circulating through jungle camps of Contra guerrillas, CIA agents plotting coups against governments in Chile and Libya, or the lethal cigars used in an attempt to assassinate Castro. In the public imagination, these kinds of operations--often seeming to go over the line, and always hidden from Congress and the American people--are a recent innovation, a rogue offspring of the Cold War, and perhaps even a violation of the democratic ideals on which this country was founded. But in this fascinating volume, Stephen F. Knott demonstrates that such covert operations have a long history in the United States, dating back to the Founding Fathers themselves.