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Rep. Hodes needs to review his notes from school....if I may correct him, the same people who make policy are the same ones who make war. Let him not confuse the people who execute orders afield with the elected leaders who give them. The failure of diplomacy and resultant armed conflict demands any aid to regain diplomacy must be fully utilized. If psychological operations diminishes armed conflict and therefore saves lives the value of this influence is beyond measure. The unfortunate fact that military force is necessary as an extension of politics upon the failure of diplomacy absolutely demands close association of public affairs, public diplomacy communications, info ops, and psyops. (Again I must address your subjective wording "Smith unapologetically defends two controversial practices...") Why would he apologize? At their core, none of these are completely dissimilar, and all are completely necessary (applied properly). The effort to minimize the exertion of military force to the extent possible and return the curve of conflict toward diplomacy is by all means paramount - even above, yes, the integrity of local media and the reputation of the U.S. government. After all, we must admit in our hearts we know that both have been sold out for much less than peace in the past. -JF