Calling John Rendon

John Rendon is CEO of the Rendon Group, a secretive public relations firm that often provides behind-the-scenes advice to the U.S. military. Over the years, we've received dozens of phone calls from journalists who have sought interviews with Rendon about his work on behalf of the Iraqi National Congress, but no one has been able to get him to say more than "no comment."

We were a little surprised, therefore, when a telephone message was left for Rendon in our office by someone identifying himself as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force. A transcript of that message is as follows:

"Hi, it's Lieutenant Colonel Mike O'Brien at General Robert Elder's office at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. I'm calling for Mr. Rendon. Sir, if you could give me a ring here concerning, uhh, the engagement on the Second of February? It pertains to whether or not General Elder will be available to be here during your time here. And, if you could, give me a ring please at Area Code (PHONE NUMBER OMITTED).

Lieutenant Colonel Mike O'Brien. Again, Second of February. That's a Wednesday. And, uhh, appreciate it sir. Thank you very much. Buh-bye."

Why would O'Brien think to call the office of the Center for Media and Democracy? Occasionally we get calls or email from people who visit our Disinfopedia and mistakenly assume that we are affiliated with the organizations and individuals profiled there. We've done what we can to design the site so that these misunderstandings are rare, but mistakes do happen -- especially, it seems, when dealing with that oxymoron known as "military intelligence." (And if this is indeed an example of that sort of misunderstanding, it's all the more odd since our Disinfopedia article on the Rendon Group lists its phone number in the "contact information" section, while our own phone number appears nowhere on the page.)

In any case, Lt. Col. O'Brien can rest assured that we'll give Rendon his message personally -- just as soon as he phones our office.