lthough mainstream media in the United States supported the Bush administration in the run-up to the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, critical assessments of the government's justifications for war circulated throughout global capitalism's communications networks. Alternative media, independent media, and non-U.S. media provided thoughtful reports, insightful comentary, and critical evaluations of the ''evidence" of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. They highlighted the falsity and venality of the administration's articulation of the attacks of September 11 with Iraq, its elision of Osama bin Laden into Saddam Hussein as public enemy number one. Amy Goodman's syndicated radio program Democracy Now regularly broadcast shows intensely opposed to the militarism and unilateralism of the Bush administration's national security policy. The Nation magazine ofered detailed and nuanced critiques of the justifications ofered for attacking Iraq-particularly those cloaked in humanitarian good wil. Antiwar activists working to supply citizens with opportunities to make their opposition known circulated lists of congressional phone and fax numbers via email. On websites, they posted petitions and announcements for marches, protests, and direct-action training sessions. As the administration's preparations for a seemingly inevitable war proceeded, thousands of antiwar bloggers commented on each step, citing other media to support their positions. True, the mainstream news media failed to cover demonstrations such as the protest in September 2002 by 4oo,ooo people in London or march on
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T H E P R O M I S ES O <sup>F</sup> C OM M U N I C AT I VE CAPI TA L I S M