Why We Fight
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Movie Reviews of Why We Fight
Movie Review: Follow the money . . .
Summary: 5 Stars
President Eisenhower warned of the Military Industrial Complex at the same time he encouraged a strengthening of our defense in response to the growing threat of the Soviet Union. What was the right course of action in his contradictory warning, or was he foreshadowing an unavoidable outcome?
This movie isn't about the Iraq War per se. Nor is it a heavy-handed peacenik hit piece. What it does is gives equal sides to the indictment that our war machine is perpetuating itself through monetary control of our foreign policy.
We've been at war since WWII, and some people and several corporations have become quite wealthy because of it - and that money travels in a circle, from the government, to the major defense contractors, to the lobbyists, and back to politicians who make decisions based on who gets slices of that ever-increasing defense department pie. Without war, without conflict, the need dissipates and we haven't seen that need dissipate in many decades because there's always a bigger and badder and worse boogie man for us to fear.
So, it's a chicken and egg debate - do we need a big military to help us win wars or do we need wars to help us get a big military?
Better than any other documentary, this movie addresses this tough thesis, giving full weight to proponents of the military options like Richard Perle and William Kristol. Without thrusting myself too much into my review of this product, I've been in this military industrial complex, engaged in conflict, and feel that I've never upheld and defended the Constitution in these actions. Instead I believe I've worked as an underpaid mercenary for large corporations. This film reinforced that belief for me.
Pro or Anti War, please watch this movie and add it to your decision-making information pool.
- CV Rick
Movie Review: Why do YOU fight?
Summary: 5 Stars
I've seen the "Why We Fight" WW2 propoganda films for myself and I have to tell you, there was a lot of truth in them but there was still that sense of not hearing everything. "The entire German and Japanese nations are to blame for this so they all deserve the same fate" mentality is prevalent throughout them. It surprises me in some sense that troops on the battlefield, even on the battlefields of WW2 where you could make the argument of that being the last justifiable war that we've fought.
Using this as a title Eugene Jarecki looks into the reasons that we fight and ultimately says a lot of things that we know already. And he brings to life things that maybe we don't think about, such as why soldiers enlist, why this military machine exists, and what the cost is. Eisenhower knew what those costs were and would be. I wouldn't call him a "prophet" though. He saw the inevitability of what was happening within his own country and was asking the American people to be aware of the dangers surrounding it.
To here people like Karen (I won't even begin to try to spell her last name. :) ) who actually worked for the pentagon, someone who was privy to the actual information and who was told how to handle it, to here her say that the war in Iraq has nothing to do with the war on terror was actually refreshing to here someone in that kind of position.
Jarecki does the right thing by getting people like Richard Perle, I hate even writing that name, and William Kristol from the Project for the New American Century, people who created these policies and gives them a voice and equal time to present their views.
Brillantly edited and photographed. This doc shows the confusion and the behind the scenes of this very undemocratic way of conducuting war that we have found ourselves in.
Movie Review: A must see documentary
Summary: 5 Stars
If you watch one documentary this year this is the one you must watch. Jarecki's documentary starts off with Eisenhower, who is leaving office, but warning the American people of the dangers of the Military-Industrial Complex which is beginning to become too strong and too much of a political force in the nation.
The documentary then goes into some history of our nation since WWII and the growth of the corporations that build weaponry and weapons systems since that time. Jobs, jobs and more jobs are created and even the most far left liberal isn't about to cut defense spending knowing that his/her voters will vote him/her out of office if their defense company gets financial cutbacks the Federal Government. One fascinating comment is made that the B-2 bomber has parts built in EVERY state in this nation so if anyone wants to cut funding for the B-2 they will end up hearing from every other senator and representative who will kill any thought of cutting out funding.
There are interviews with John McCain, former CIA officers, Pentagon military officer and other people who represent both the liberal and conservative views of the U.S. and its relations and goals in the world today.
The U.S., as the documentary points out, could be a force for positive changes in the world, but the military machine (and Think Tanks that have helped the military machine) have grown too economically strong and with all the military might there is always a conflict somewhere to use those weapons instead of using diplomacy and allowing nations to pursue self-determination.
It is not completely balanced as far as politics but it is very hard to argue with the facts pointed out.
Outstanding documentary. I rented it but I'll probably end up buying a copy.
Movie Review: Ike had it right all along
Summary: 5 Stars
"Crises there will continue to be. In meeting them, whether foreign or domestic, great or small, there is a recurring temptation to feel that some spectacular and costly action could become the miraculous solution to all current difficulties."
"This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence - economic, political, even spiritual - is felt in every city, every state house, every office of the Federal government ... In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes."
These are some of the excerpts from President Dwight Eisenhowers farewell address, which is used prominently in this movie. It centers around these thoughts, uses facts of where we are and what we have done as a nation, incudes interviews from some of the top political people, and former CIA heads to present the viewer with the questions, who are we as a nation? What have we become? Why are we fighting? And what are we fighting for?
It has become apparent that The United States has become the major super power in the world, And we have turned ourselves into "The new Rome", a vast empire with military bases in most foreign countries. We have become a country that has thrived off of War as a means of economic growth.
This film was very eye opening, and presents these facts in a subjective manner that let's the viewer decide What they truly believe we are fighting for?
Movie Review: What's the Big Deal?
Summary: 5 Stars
Throughout history humans seeking wealth and power have lied and committed atrocities to cause wars. And dumb people go along with it every time. Humans love to hate and love to do harm. This is part of the human condition. In fact, none of the American government officials (or governments) involved in this film are suing for false statements. This film is simply the truth.
From the beginning Americans were far from innocent in this regard. All readers know American history with the attempted racial cleansing of the native peoples. Americans used to repress woman's rights as badly as the Muslims. Our so-called Founding Fathers were rich men who didn't want to pay taxes - so they started a war. We all know about slavery in America, half a million Americans died in that war, and continuing prejudice against Afro/Americans still exists - especially in the South. And then there is the prejudice of racial minorities against other racial minorities. Ill treatment of gays is just another illustration of the human desire to hate and cause harm. (People even want to harm our actors, models, musicians, dancers, and male hair dressers.) I'm sure the reader could easily add a long list of human evil of man against man that is common.
How many people are real Christians? It can't be many.
America will continue to rise in power until the oil is depleted. Then, like the Roman Empire, it will start to decline and a new dark age of small wars will start - further wasting resources and polluting the planet. Global warming will greatly reduce the earth's ability to support the present population. Billions will die. Actually, for you true Christians, know that the great tribulation has already begun.