As one who has always believed that truth is our nations surest weapon in the propaganda war against our foes, I am distressed by reports of disinformation campaigns by American intelligence agents in Western Europe. In a disinformation campaign, untruths are disseminated through gullible local journalists in order to damage the interests of our enemies and protect our own. Those who defend this practice say that lying is necessary to counter Soviet disinformation campaigns aimed at damaging Americas political interests. These apologists contend that one must fight fire with fire. I would point out to the apologists that the fire department finds water more effective.

The authors main point is that



(A) although disinformation campaigns may be effective, they are unacceptable on ethical grounds

(B) Americas moral standing in the world depends on its adherence to the truth

(C) the temporary political gains produced by disinformation campaigns generally give way to long-term losses

(D) Soviet disinformation campaigns have done little to damage Americas standing in Europe

(E) disinformation campaigns do not effectively serve the political interests of the United States
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AB

IMO E. B talks about Americas moral standing in the world, which is not mentioned in the paragraph
others are irrelevant.

I would pick E as my answer too.

This question is a bit tricky. But I think that the best way to attack such a question is that when you scan through each word in each answer choice, try to find one word that is irrelevant or simply wrong - one wrong word means that the whole answer choice is wrong! I'll go through each answer choice and will highlight one word that I can argue against or even more if I can find them:

(A) although disinformation campaigns may be effective, they are unacceptable on ethical grounds

The author never said that he found the campaign effective. He only recalled what the defenders of this approach were saying. Also, who said anything about ethics??

(B) Americas moral standing in the world depends on its adherence to the truth

The author didn't say anything about being moral. He only doesn't think that lying will lead to the intended result. Also, there is nothing mentioned about what depends on what...

(C) the temporary political gains produced by disinformation campaigns generally give way to long-term losses

No speculation was made by the author about the long term consequence of this approach.

(D) Soviet disinformation campaigns have done little to damage Americas standing in Europe

we don't know the consequence of soviet's campaigns. we only know what the soviets did, but we don't know whether the action of the soviet is considered huge or small.

(E) disinformation campaigns do not effectively serve the political interests of the United States

correct. also, the use of "effectively" makes this answer choice mild rather than extreme.

Effective solution is what one should look for here.

E clicks in with the keyword effective.
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