Wow have yall seen "Body of War"?

I am just 5 minutes into it and tears are already in my eyes.. have yall seen this yet?

Tomas is a friend of mine.

I even got to meet Phil Donahue:)

It's such a wonderful film. I taped it and I am sitting here watching it again even though I own the DVD.

:cry:

It is NOT enough to protest. It is NOT enough to produce films and generate nodding and tearful agreement among the "in crowd" - the "knowing" folks - the self-proclaimed progressives and liberals. It is NOT enough to satisfy one's self and impress one's allies that it's an "illegal war" and all those sent to fight are victims whether they know it or not.

If that's all we do, it's mere mental and emotional masturbation. It's NOT enough.

This nation did that once already. All it did was pave the chasm with simplistic maxims and platitudes. There was NEVER a finding in any court of law that, in any degree whatsoever, actualized the claims of "illegality." Nowhere can one find anyone responsible for the deceits and exploitations and "illegal acts" that resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives (nearly sixty thousand of which were our countrymen - siblings, children, neighbors) and the toll on the hearts, minds and bodies of so many. Nothing.

So it sits as mere posturing. Empty rhetoric that suffices only to give thin cover for those who put absolutely no "skin in the game" in any direction. It has served to make permanent the cynical and self-serving apologetics of abdication - abdication of self-governance and the commitment to any national identity even approximating "land of the free and home of the brave." That's neither 'liberal' nor 'democratic.' It's nihilistic cynicism and antithetical to any healthy body politic whatsoever.

We're NOT done unless and until criminals are brought to justice ... an ACTUALIZATION ... even if it has to be done posthumously.

:rant:

(I don't expect many to "get it" but it needed to be said. Today especially.)

As you know,I am a vocal local veterans' activist in a highly Red area.Speaking out and calling congressmen does make a difference,even if you live in a hopelessly Republican area.We owe our veterans this...speak out,people-hold these criminals accountable.

... self-fulfilling prophecies that nothing will happen and nobody will be prosecuted. And then they proceed to strut away with arms twisted over their shoulders in a display of back-patting and masturbatory escapism. I actually have more respect for the deliberately corrupt and exploitative than the cynical escapists. I remember having more respect (and feeling of kinship) for the PAVN than the Jodies back home.

Somewhere, at some time, I got the silly notion that an adult in a democracy had some kind of duty to put their ass on the line for their political choices. I've always felt that the 'choice' that resulted in a cushioned butt while others bled, either in the streets or in some combat hellhole, was most likely one of convenience rather than principle. I've never believed that effort without accomplishment was any kind of 'success.' When so many lives are wasted, it seems those in whose name it is done have to either shut up or exact justice on those who've abused their authority and the public trust.

I can see no principled in-between.

the "Intelligence" during the build-up to the vote on HR114, starting with subpoenas for Cheney and Rove. This will also allow us to re-visit the outing of Plame. We want Hearings!!!

especially the segment where a widow sleeps next to her husband's coffin. Unbelievable

to every member of Congress.

I think it should be required viewing for every critter who voted to go to war.

when Tomas yells "If I could walk I'd come over there and kick your ass!"

Those people are so horrible. They are at every march. Michelle Malkin has a group she organizes.

Can you imagine what a dickhead you would have to be to yell at a veteran in a wheelchair?? :mad:

Those are the same assholes who beat the shit out of a Gold Star Dad last year at a march in DC.

In the scene where the war mongers are on the sidewalk, they are taunting Tomas and he yells back that if he could walk he would kick their ass. That is just so Tomas. He is a tough kid. He's been through so much and just keeps on keeping on. Idiot freepers are way low on the list of shit he worries about. LOL

:hi:

Wow.

Fuck.

Pisses you off good. Especially listening to the Congress critters all use the same talking points.

Brings back too many memories.

It was an amazing film. Everyone should see it.

http://durhambullpen.blogspot.com/2008/04/afternoon-film-at-full-frame.html

I just purchased it too, from the website http://www.bodyofwar.com , not just because it is an excellent film, but also because part of the proceeds go to Thomas Young. And, oh yes, also because Senator Byrd is in it!

I had been laid off from Sprint; called my Congress critters every day for a week before the vote. Cried when Hillary voted YES.

God Bless Senator Byrd and the NOs in the House and in the Senate! And God Bless Thomas Young!

Harrowing. Just like you don't always die from tobacco, you don't always get killed in a war. My friend has PTSD because of Bewsh's bullshit.

It makes me angry that occupations of aggression are the only options now available to rural kids who aren't interested in college.