Sunday, October 21, 2007

War Made Easy and Independent Media in a Time of War

Jason and I just finished watching an excellent documentary about the government's and media's role in creating war. It is a must see and the end is the most striking and strong part with the words of Martin Luther King Jr. as he spoke out against the Vietnam war. Let me just say that his speeches are a breath of fresh air in this frenzy of war, politics and hunger for power. He makes me feel that there is humanity and there can be peace. He is a hero along with others shown at the end of the film.

The film is called War Made Easy and as I watched displays of normal American media on the film it was so embarrassing to see first, how we approach war as a nation and second, how this approach is "normal" to see on news stations across the nation. (If you watch the film this will seem clearer)-- Like a student giving a presentation for school with impersonal graphs and silly power point stuff. These graphs represent lives and serious issues that are about life and death! It's like the presenters don't even recognize what they are talking about and are completely detached from humanity. It was also alarming when the news commentators were so stoked on talking about the newest war planes and what they can do (like a little boy with a new firetruck). This is so absurd to me. I've heard that the Bush administration has been very in control of the media with very little visuals seen about what is actually happening, such as a ban on images of dead US soldiers or coffins and what they call "tasteless" war images. This allows for such a mainstream detachment from the value of the lives that are lost.

I'm so grateful for wisdom of the strong in the world and that there is hope in the mess of pride and lies as people stand for humanity and truth despite the obvious slant. Parallels are made with the Iraq war and the Vietnam war that leave me feeling so frustrated and even more let down than I felt previously (and it was already strong). How did this happen again? The perspectives on media are extremely profound and need be seen and heard. We can stop this because this is still a government of the people.

My friend Suvi just started an excellent discussion on the approaching war as well at: http://talesofthesummerchild.blogspot.com/
I hope you will check it out and join the discussion there as well.

We also just watched Independent Media in a Time of War and it is so perfectly clear and honest and seeks for this same character in American Media. The documentary made me cry after seeing the truths of war that are not being shown through the American Media. Amy Goodman is the journalist and an activist that speaks out on a regular show call "Democracy Now!" She believes that if we Americans could see for even just a week on our mainstream media the true casualties of war that the American response would be to demand an immediate end to the violence against civilians. I just can't believe what is happening while we literally sit back and "watch" the media on TV with such a slant toward war without even realizing it. What we see on news channels is very different from what other countries all around the world are seeing, even when the same network owns both the US and the international programs, and it is so strange that we as a nation don't really know this. Our news is censored to promote the cause of war while silencing any calls for peace or diplomacy. Another unbelievable fact of journalism is the "embedded journalists" who only give the military perspective on war- either generals or soldiers- without the balanced perspective of civilian loss-- what a contradictory concept when the media is supposed to inform the public by presenting the facts in a fair and balanced way.

13 comments:

charles said...

A nice person directed me to this online publication on my blog. There was an article very relevant to my post, and there is an article relevant to your post!

http://www.themormonworker.org

http://www.themormonworker.org/Articles/1v1/warandthestate.htm

charles said...

shoot...
http://www.themormonworker.org/Articles/1v1/
warandthestate.htm

Cammie said...

Charla, I just read "War and the State" and it is very right! I can't wait to share it with Jason. Thanks to you and Liz's friend.

Elizabeth said...

That nice person is Kalani a.k.a. the
Virgin Tree Hugger.:)

Cammie said...

Thanks Liz and Kalani. :0)

Michelle said...

finally I have a chance to read your post without my kids hanging on me! I have been wanting to watch both of those documentaries for some time now, can't wait! I agree with you completely- it's disgusting and frightening! Can't wait to check out Charla's links as well. I've just got to email you a question- talk to you later!

Jason said...

I don't agree with themormonworker about abolishing the government and capitalism completely (although this is likely just rhetoric in his writing), but there is definitely reason to distrust the government and media's version of the story, and it is definitely past time to reevaluate what is functioning properly and what isn't in our democracy and economy and make some changes.

Also, the names of the documentaries in the post are links to google video versions of the documentaries that you can watch when you have free time.

Jason said...

I loved Independent Media in a Time of War. Amy Goodman rules. She has got to be the best reporter out there. She is passionate about having a real democracy and making sure that the whole range of thoughts on issues are presented accurately.

Jason said...

Jason,

About the article--I think that the statement you are talking about is just to grab the attention of the reader but that is just a guess. Very important issues are raised about patriotism within religion that I think are so important to discuss.

I'll need to go back and read it again. To see exactly what you are talking about.

Michelle said...

Hey I just read a little from the Mormon Worker site and found it interesting- I love the connection to the origins of our church, it just makes sense and if you know a little of Joseph Smith's own personal history you can see how our church's organization came about. I think personally Joseph Smith is fascinating, and whatever people choose to believe about Mormonism you can't deny the genius in it's ability to create a long standing community/society that outlasted so many others.

Melody said...

I love this post! I can't believe how easy it is to ignore what is going on. I hear things like this and get all reved up and ready for action, and then can't seem to find a venue to do any good through. I am also disgusted and ashamed and I can't believe how anemic to feeling that our media is, which rubs off on us in such a revolting way. I wish I had a better idea of where to take my frustrations.

Cammie said...

I know what you mean Melody. I feel the same way. I think voicing opinion when and where we can is a good start.

I know that good people all working together are powerful and I'm so touch by those who've paved paths in the past that demand peace in a peaceful way. I want to be a part of the peace movement.

Let's do it!

Cammie said...

Michelle,

I've only read "War and the State" so I have some catching up to do.

Can't wait to get your email as well!