In an overall thought about the film “War Made Easy,” I would like to say that I agree and find interest in most of the statements made throughout it. The areas of concentration were based around media propaganda as well as propaganda from the Military during times of war. A major portion concentrated on the false statements made at various times during war efforts.
A large part of that concentration involves many politicians talking from stances that they are not sure on. In particular, WMD statements by Powell, Bush and others were blown out of proportion and twisted into lies and uninformed statements.
The failure of the media to inquire within the government for solid facts and information on the eve of the war in Iraq contributes alot in my mind, to the reasons why war happened so quickly. Take a look at the follwing page and video clip about the media coverage and it’s impact on public perceptions. Especially the “left-wing” matters: http://mediamatters.org/research/200908210056
Media Bias: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=2827
One aspect of the film that surprised me was when it dealt with Phil Donahue being taken off the air because of his truthful stance against the War on Terror. When Donahue became a supporter and questioned the government, MSNBC removed him.
Phil Donahue was cut out of the media spotlight by his own network as he raised anti-war questions and concerns. This is the wrong thing to do, no matter what the circumstances are. Here’s a check on what Donahue has continued to do since he lost his spot with MSNBC: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,232057,00.html
Another point that brought concern to me can be summarized in a way as saying: The media makes our public knowledge seem minimal, “dumbing us down” and trying to change public morals.
Another aspect that also bothered me comes from the point made about John Murtha, a Vietnam Veteran and government official who when he stood up to the issues of War and propaganda was silenced. He stood up and spoke that the troops needed to be brought home and when he did, the entire left and right wing politicians took a stance against him and left him in the cold. Realistically his stance was one taken by millions of Americans.
To see a Vietnam Veteran John Murtha stand and say that US troops need to come home was certainly something that should have been shown more throughout the media.
One place that truly hit home to me was when the film dealt with the most recent war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and this is why:
As the brother of a United States Air Force Special Forces Veteran I have heard so many behind the scenes stories and truths about the propaganda and news stories it is unbelievable the differences employed and shown by the media and government. I know news reports that involved actions taken by my brother and his platoon, and the reports were completely misleading and full of stretched truths and lies.
In the end, I realize that the American public, and the world for that matter, will only be able to see what the government allows and approves. We do not see the amounts of violence that our military causes and deploys on many innocent citizens, and after Vietnam, we need it. We need to see the truth, it may be graphic and demoralizing but it needs to happen to put people in the right place. I still believe that up until recent years, the public was too supportive of the idea of war. Vietnam shot down hope for years afterward, but in the new age of terrorism, payback became our motive.
