The gulf war propaganda demanded submission for the sake of stupidity. One poll said that most Americans preferred even more extreme press censorship than the almost complete censorship that existed. Those still confused enough to answer a poll were naturally willing to accept the media's own empty logic. TV was saying that more lies would mean more support for the war. More support wins the war.
Stupidity is patriotic.
The war was nothing but a way to continue social peace by other means. Submission to absurd authorities was maintained by making it more extreme. From the savings and loan crisis to the sleep deficit of most workers, the need for misdirection was increasing exponentially. The Iraqi army was a kind of modern poltergeist. It appeared and disappeared many times during the course of the five month television seance.