May 28, 2007
Video of the Day: Staging War
The Iraq Veterans Against the War, dressed in full uniform, engaged in a series of street theater actions around the New York City area yesterday. Actual veterans of the Iraq war played American service members and local volunteers played the civilians. The event was treated like a military operation with squad patrols, searches, detentions, and crowd control. An IVAW member, Adam Kokesh, said, "By reenacting what we've been through in Iraq, we hope to inspire more of our fellow Americans to act to end the war now."
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Wow Adam... I never would have thought a war zone would have "violence every day." :rolleyes:
He didn't say anything remotely related to your comment. He said that they wanted to enlighten Americans as to the "TYPE of violence that happens everyday in Iraq." He said nothing as to the fact that violence happens everyday in Iraq. Reading/listening comprehension: It's good for you.
So this "TYPE of violence that happens everyday in [a war zone]" was a shock to you Elderta?
Sure in Manhattan, the actions seem extreme, but I'd consider the actions the IVAW reenact probably the most just in Iraq!
Why no mention of suicide bombers and body parts? How about some context as to why " military operation with squad patrols, searches, detentions, and crowd control" are performed?
No, this "TYPE" of violence isn't a shock to me, Glenn. I expect war to be hell and I keep up on what is happening in Iraq. IVAW are trying to get Americans to wake and pay attention to what's happening over there. These actions are quite effective for that purpose. Of course, you'd rather scold Adam than learn more about what Adam is talking about. Maybe he didn't articulate it the way YOU would want him too... but, just like RNC conventioneers mocked Kerry's service with fake purple hearts, you have no qualms mocking Adam's words. Reading and learning: It's good for you, too.
Why We're Against the War:
http://www.ivaw.org/faq
Stan, you make a good point. Maybe the three minute, edited video is the issue? You can only get so much information into one of those things.
"You can only get so much information into one of those things."
Pretty selective, huh? You know what they say about half truths...
Stan, your point is taken, but it's a three-minute video stressing the patrol and detention aspects of the war. Yeah, I guess it is selective. Let's see what else could have been in the video or action: soldiers enlisting, soldiers flying to Iraq, soldiers training in Iraq, soldiers eating in Iraq, soldiers taking leave from Iraq, soldiers getting medical attention in Iraq, soldiers torturing people in Iraq or being tortured, soldiers dying in Iraq, soldiers helping in Iraq, soldiers sleeping in Iraq, Iraqi army soldiers setting off bombs to kill Americans in Iraq. Wow! They do a lot of stuff in Iraq! And I'm sure all of it should have been included in a protest action and a three-minute video.
Yea and none of that mentions why we are there and who we are fighting. Heck, replace "Iraq" with "Germany" and you could make a protest video against our involvement in WW2.
Thanks for making my point.
It's not Germany, because the greatest difference between WWII and the Iraq War is that everyone paid attention to WWII and soldiers didn't have to come home to hold mock patrols in American cities to wake up the American people. You say it's a 1/2 truth? IVAW focused on one simple thing: everyday patrols in the streets of Iraq and how they are carried out by our troops. Why should they talk about suicide bombers too? Maybe that's the next action.
"It's not Germany, because the greatest difference between WWII and the Iraq War is that everyone paid attention to WWII"
Don't be naive. Back then the news didn't come home for days and even then it was just the news of major battles. Today, somebody, somewhere makes an allegation and you hear about it within 5 mins.
We got photo, video, blogs, etc.
When Mussolini was hanged, people celebrated. When Saddam was hanged it was a controversy. The bombing of Dresden by allies, alone, caused tens of thousands deaths. Learn your history.
Stan LS: It's not about being naive but rather the public's perception/acceptance of what's goin on in Iraq. Everyone talks a good game when it comes to supporting our troops but there is no anti-war movement today like there was during Vietnam, nor is there the support for our troops like there was during other American conflicts.
Hopefully a video like this can make people get involved more about ending this needless War.
"It's not about being naive but rather the public's perception/acceptance of what's goin on in Iraq."
That's what I wad driving at - perception. Only half the story is being told here.
Stan LS: Thanks for the clarification.