What would be the point of the US censoring the news?

The Vietnam experience taught the risks of unfettered reporting. Go back to your history book to see how the anti-war movement actually drove an Administration from power. Your final point is also valid - absent a compelling public threat - as with military conscription during the Vietnam War - people simply don't feel it all that important to become informed and even less important to get involved. As for the five points you made about US misconduct - all you have to do is tell the populace they're being attacked - a la 9/11 - and you can do anything to anybody, any time. Hitler's Minister of Propaganda, Josep Goebbels, said that - sadly, he was all too correct.