Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 13 > Entry
U.S. in Iraq: Is There ‘No End in Sight’?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First-time director Charles Ferguson’s “No End in Sight,” an incendiary film essay on the Bush administration’s handling of reconstruction in Iraq and the apparent growing insurgency there, begins with then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld offering praise to the president: “I know with certainty over time the contributions you’ve made will be recorded.”
I’m sure the record of facts and assertions that follows in Ferguson’s biting film is far from what Rumsfeld had in mind.
“No End in Sight” opens on Friday in Atlanta. And like a Michael Moore time bomb embedded on film, it’s a one-sided kick in the backside of President Bush’s inner circle, detailing what some see as the arrogance, misthinking and recklessness of U.S. policy-makers.
Advocacy on film is nothing new — just look at how in the 1940s Hollywood embraced World War II — and I think people have the right to make whatever kind of movie they want. Let’s just not call this a documentary, which in strictest terms would require a balanced, fair fight.
Still, the assertions in “No End in Sight,” while certainly not new, are compelling. Here’s a few reasons cited in the film, and supported by several former top government officials, for the birth and rise of insurgency in Iraq:
1. Looting. After the invasion, martial law was not declared. The public was allowed to strip whole buildings, including the Iraq National Museum. The outlawing devolved into murders, rapes and more, ripping into national morale.
2. Delay of the formation of an interim Iraqi government.
3. Removing tens of thousands of Ba’ath party members, including school teachers, from their jobs.
4. Disbanding the Iraqi military, rendering half a million armed men unemployed.
5. Failing to protect large weapons storage facilities, allowing angry Iraqis and others to make off with arms.
Time magazine’s Richard Schickel has declared “No End in Sight” a riveting film and “without question the most important movie you are likely to see this year.” The New York Post’s Kyle Smith begs to differ, labeling the film’s interviews and archival footage “a Greatest Hits for Bush haters.”
Will you see “No End in Sight”? What’s your view of American policy in the Persian Gulf region?
Permalink | Comments (72) | Categories: Alan Smithee
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Charles
August 13, 2007 8:10 AM | Link to this
I’m sure the film will only inflame the hatred of the anti-Bush crowd with it’s trumped up ‘facts’. Unfortunately, like anything the Right Wing media puts out it won’t discuss the bottom line: The Islamic terrorists will not be stopped until the world is subjugated or killed - end of their discussion. President Bush understands this and won’t allow it to happen under his Administration no matter what the Right Wing Whackos say or do.
God Help Us If Hillary Ever Gets Elected!
By Doctor Phibes
August 13, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this
Charles says, “The Islamic terrorists will not be stopped until the world is subjugated or killed - end of their discussion.” Well, Charles, I agree with your statement. And Bush is doing his best to both subjugate and kill the world. Sometimes these neo-cons tell the truth without realizing it, just because they can’t understand the grammar of a sentence.
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this
Charles, “Trumped up facts”????? Dude, get your head out of the sand! You must be one of the last, blind, conservative idiots left.
All that the Iraq war has served to accomplish is:
The ousting of the Bush family enemy.
The making of the conservative right-wing upper crust super rich. For proof, see the Cheney connection to the contracts.
Increase in military spending, thus increase our national debt. This is especially needed to “protect” the contract people in Iraq (see #2).
Unnecessary deaths of many Americans and Iraqis.
There were no “weapons of mass distruction.” There has been no proof of any connection with Al Quida or with any 911 event.
Get a clue!
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this
Charles, “Trumped up facts”????? Dude, get your head out of the sand! You must be one of the last, blind, conservative idiots left.
All that the Iraq war has served to accomplish is:
The ousting of the Bush family enemy.
The making of the conservative right-wing upper crust super rich. For proof, see the Cheney connection to the contracts.
Increase in military spending, thus increase our national debt. This is especially needed to “protect” the contract people in Iraq (see #2).
Unnecessary deaths of many Americans and Iraqis.
There were no “weapons of mass distruction.” There has been no proof of any connection with Al Quida or with any 911 event.
Get a clue!
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this
Charles, “Trumped up facts”????? Dude, get your head out of the sand! You must be one of the last, blind, conservative idiots left.
All that the Iraq war has served to accomplish is:
The ousting of the Bush family enemy.
The making of the conservative right-wing upper crust super rich. For proof, see the Cheney connection to the contracts.
Increase in military spending, thus increase our national debt. This is especially needed to “protect” the contract people in Iraq (see #2).
Unnecessary deaths of many Americans and Iraqis.
There were no “weapons of mass distruction.” There has been no proof of any connection with Al Quida or with any 911 event.
Get a clue!
By Charles
August 13, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this
I hope Doctor Phibes and JustMe aren’t reproducing. It seems they have both been brainwashed.
Open your eyes people!
By craig also
August 13, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this
No Charles the brainwashed one is you. Bush’s war in Iraq has done more to help Islamic terrorism than anything that Osama bin Laden could have hoped for when he attacked us. He is sitting somewhere in his cave in Pakistan laughing at us.
By TheRightThinker
August 13, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
Charles is unfortunate. It is even more unfortunate that there seems to be too many ‘Charles’ around. These people seem to be like sheep and mindlessly follow the right-wing propaganda that flows from places like talk radio and Fox News.
Try to be a free thinker. I realize that it may be scary for you, but try.
By TheRightThinker
August 13, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this
Charles is unfortunate. It is even more unfortunate that there seems to be too many ‘Charles’ around. These people seem to be like sheep and mindlessly follow the right-wing propaganda that flows from places like talk radio and Fox News.
Try to be a free thinker. I realize that it may be scary for you, but try.
By TheRightThinker
August 13, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this
Charles is unfortunate. It is even more unfortunate that there seems to be too many ‘Charles’ around. These people seem to be like sheep and mindlessly follow the right-wing propaganda that flows from places like talk radio and Fox News.
Try to be a free thinker. I realize that it may be scary for you, but try.
By zeke
August 13, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
What a crock of B. S.! These liberal socialist nuts like Michael Moore should be silenced by law for promoting false facts and avoiding the truth! Anyone stupid enough to go see this drivel, or, any of Moore’s trash, needs to be sent to a mental facility for life!
By John
August 13, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
What a crock of B. S.! These neocon fascists nuts like George Bush should be silenced by law for promoting false facts and avoiding the truth! Anyone stupid enough to go to war, or believe any of Bush’s trash, needs to be sent to a mental facility for life!
By Get over it
August 13, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Why is it conservatives are so afraid of other opinions? No one says you have to watch this film, much less believe it. So why all the hostility about expressing a dissenting opinion? This is still America? Right?
By Vet
August 13, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
Although, the military believes in completing the mission, this one needs to be aborted. This administration feeds off bad information, poor leadership, fear, and arrogance. VP Cheaney was the head of Haliburton, who has the contracts??? Haliburton. What is it to them that American lives are lost, they still get paid right? So does Cheaney. He didn’t resign, he just took a leave of absence. This is just one reason why G.W. will not back off this war. Nothing that he stated at the beginning of this war has been true. It contnues not to be true. We get it now. You lied to us, you got those Republicans that there wives and daughters were going to be killed, that our borders are unsecure, that our way of life had been threatened. My question is, why didn’t this happen while Clinton, or even your father was in office… Maybe they had a foreign policy? So what is the justification of these brave soldiers falling? They’ve fought for nothing. Bush will never meet a casualty (except for a photo op) that he can answer the question of why. Heck he won’t answer the American public… Please get us out of this war… Charles, you tell us why we need this war?
By John
August 13, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Here’s something to try: Ask a college republican if they support the war, and if so, why arn’t they enlisted?
By Barbara
August 13, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
If you’re going to publish your opinion, at least learn how to spell. The Vice President’s name is Cheney, not Cheaney. People who can’t even spell the name of the V.P. are immediately discredited, period. You don’t have to like him, but at least respect the position, one of which I’m sure you’re not qualified to hold.
By Barbara
August 13, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
Oh, BTW, spelling Halliburton correctly would be nice also. If you can’t spell, why should anyone take your opinions seriously? If you read the book, “Disinformation”, you’ll find a complete explanation as to why Halliburton was “legally” (although some are misinformed) awarded the contracts in Iraq. Also, if you read “America Alone” and “While Europe Slept”, you’ll be given a full explanation of why we need this war. Spoon-feeding information to those of your ilk never work. Perhaps picking up a book and reading about the global situation would require too much time. As for the Clinton administration, (I do believe I’ll die if I have to repeat this one more time), we wouldn’t be in this mess if Bill had taken the initiative to rid us of bin Laden when he had the chance on three occasions. He was too busy playing in the Oval Office, yes, the taxpayers’ office, not his.
By BlueMoon
August 13, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
First off, I’m not a republican or democrat but for the people that never saw the images of Saddam gassing his own people, well, try looking it up. No weapons of mass destruction? Well, he literally killed thousands with gas. I would call that a WMD.
For the left wingers here, just because the right has a different view than you doesn’t make them wrong, it just makes them different and there is much more left sided news in the media today than right.
I’m not a war monger and would rather be at peace than war any day of the week but it seems like few people forget that the US was attacked. 9/11 is a distant memory and we would have been better off if we just let the terrorrists do what they want. These terrorrist cells have been building for over 20 years and anyone that has studies the Koran in any shape, form or fashion knows that they believe we should all be dead. It’s an ideological war. They aren’t going to stop, why should we not defend ourselves?
And another point on going into Iraq… does anyone remember the 10 years of UN Sanctions that Saddam ignored? Does anyone remember him attacking our jets in neutral space? Of course not, it ruins your argument.
And has anyone read any of the report by the Iraq War Commission? Read it and then if you can honestly say that Iraq was not involved then I can honestly say that you need to be institutionalized.
And why in the world can’t we just listen to each other and discuss? Why is everyone on here so hostile to each other? No wonder it’s so easy to splinter this country. We don’t even like ourselves.
By Trudy
August 13, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
BUSH BELONGS BEHIND BARS. SO DO RUMSFELD, CHENEY, AND ROVE.
By Barbara
August 13, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
Trudy, for all of you that want people impeached, “behind bars”, etc. just ask yourself something this, what have acts have they performed illegally that warrants such action, other than the hate felt by some toward them. If someone can give me legalities here, then I’d consider their opinions. I can assure you, if they’ve been involved in illegal activities, don’t you think we would have heard about it by now? Everything that is being investigated by the Democratic Congress is an effort in trying to dig up something. At this point, all we really know is that whatever these people have done has been within the legal limits of their powers. I want details of broken laws by all of them, Bush, Rumsfeld, Cheney, and yes, Rove. Amazingly, Bill Clinton “publicly” lied in front of his constituents to a Grand Jury, which is breaking a law, and he didn’t end up behind bars.
By Barbara
August 13, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
Sorry for the horrible verbiage in the last post, trying to work and play on this thing at the same time do not warrant accuracy.
By Jim
August 13, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
The reason that Hollywood didnot produce in any “Michael Moore type” of movies during WWII is that the American people knew that they had been attacked. After years of anti-American movies the current population does not even know that they have been attacked. They think that it is the CIA or our government who attacked us! The “sleeping giant” is now the babbling confused disoriented schizophrenic! History will record that America’s demise came from within!
By Jay
August 13, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
“Spoon-feeding information to those of your ilk never work.”
Barbara, don’t you mean “works”? How can I take you seriously if you can’t spell a one-syllable word correctly?
By huffbrau
August 13, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
Bluemoon, don’t forget the U.S. sided with Hussein when he was “gassing his people”..or at least looked the other way, we did anything to help Iraq as they were fighting Iran at the time..remember those pictures of Rumsfeld shaking Saddam’s hand in 1983?, ( Go google it for yourself )..being greeted as liberators with roses ?…Cheney B.S….we are a country run by Chickenhawks that have no personal sacrifice, and no need for the truth. We have created our own enemies in the Middle East..remember, all the 9-11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, not Iraq…we still prop up that Sunni regime…
By huffbrau
August 13, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
Bluemoon, don’t forget the U.S. sided with Hussein when he was “gassing his people”..or at least looked the other way, we did anything to help Iraq as they were fighting Iran at the time..remember those pictures of Rumsfeld shaking Saddam’s hand in 1983?, ( Go google it for yourself )..being greeted as liberators with roses ?…Cheney B.S….we are a country run by Chickenhawks that have no personal sacrifice, and no need for the truth. We have created our own enemies in the Middle East..remember, all the 9-11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, not Iraq…we still prop up that Sunni regime…when was the last time you heard Bush mention Bin Laden and our efforts to catch him?
By huffbrau
August 13, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
Bluemoon, don’t forget the U.S. sided with Hussein when he was “gassing his people”..or at least looked the other way, we did anything to help Iraq as they were fighting Iran at the time..remember those pictures of Rumsfeld shaking Saddam’s hand in 1983?, ( Go google it for yourself )..being greeted as liberators with roses ?…Cheney B.S….we are a country run by Chickenhawks that have no personal sacrifice, and no need for the truth. We have created our own enemies in the Middle East..remember, all the 9-11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, not Iraq…we still prop up that Sunni regime…when was the last time you heard Bush mention Bin Laden and our efforts to catch him?
By huffbrau
August 13, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Bluemoon, don’t forget the U.S. sided with Hussein when he was “gassing his people”..or at least looked the other way, we did anything to help Iraq as they were fighting Iran at the time..remember those pictures of Rumsfeld shaking Saddam’s hand in 1983?, ( Go google it for yourself )..being greeted as liberators with roses ?…Cheney B.S….we are a country run by Chickenhawks that have no personal sacrifice, and no need for the truth. We have created our own enemies in the Middle East..remember, all the 9-11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, not Iraq…we still prop up that Sunni regime…when was the last time you heard Bush mention Bin Laden and our efforts to catch him?
By Jay
August 13, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
“I’m not a war monger and would rather be at peace than war any day of the week but it seems like few people forget that the US was attacked. 9/11 is a distant memory and we would have been better off if we just let the terrorrists do what they want.”
What does this have to do with Iraq? The 9/11 highjackers were almost exclusively from Saudi Arabia and none was from Iraq. If our true intention was to retaliate against those who attacked us, we should’ve targeted cells in Saudi Arabia. Hmmm…wonder why we didn’t?
By Shannon, M.Div.
August 13, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this
A few points…
First, THANK YOU Jay for pointing out what anyone who watches the Daily Show (for crying out loud) already knows: IRAQ HAD ZERO, ZIP, ZILCH, NADA to do with 9/11. Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein had NOTHING to do with each other, didn’t even LIKE each other, had no RESPECT for each other. Lord have mercy, if you don’t know that by now, then you are deeply misinformed.
It’s actually a statement in the original blog with which I’d like to take issue: “Let’s just not call this a documentary, which in strictest terms would require a balanced, fair fight.”
I don’t think that’s true. Sometimes, one side is right and the other side is wrong. Not every argument has both sides being 50 percent correct! This is one of those times. I believe that in 50 years, when the full history is uncovered (may I be alive to see it), we will find out that Bush, Cheney, and company knowingly misled America into this war. I believe that Bush thinks himself above the law (good grief, watch the Gonzales testimony for some revisionist writing of the Constitution to make the executive branch all-powerful while Congress is a lapdog!). Many of the facts are on record now, but they are not being reported by American press.
The point is, in this particular instance, there’s no “fair and balanced” (what a joke anyway). There is only truth. Somebody is right and somebody is wrong.
Here’s a hint. The evidence is mounting up in one direction. Those with ears to hear, let them hear.
By Robert
August 13, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
First let me say that Bill Clinton did lie under oath and was tried by congress in an impeachment proceding. We all know the result. Why is it that the right wing always uses Clinton to defend their positions? Bush lied? Well Clinton did. Bush cant find bin Laden? Neither did Clinton. That is so lame. You sound like kids in the playground. And oh yes..all who disagree with this administration should be outlawed and forced to be silent..just like they do Iran and North Korea, your models of freedom and democracy. Sure Saddam was a tyrant. Sure he gassed his own people (with materials he was given by our government). He deserved to be removed. But you dont attack a sovereign nation because you dont like their leader. If you do, you are no better than the thugs that attacked us on 9/11. We started in the right direction when we went into Afganistan because the Taliban government was harboring and supporting Al Quida. Why did we then feel it nessesary to consentrate most of our war effort on Iraq where the regime was at least under control? Why did we attack Iraq when there was no concrete connection between Saddam and Al Quida. Why did we attack Iraq when most of the suicide pilots from 9/11 were Saudi? Why did this administration knowingly invoke a false connection between Saddam and Nigeria about an attempt to buy Yellow Cake. I dont know the answers to these questions but they are questions we all should be asking. If you think we attacked Iraq because Saddam was killing his own people, that he was a bad man (which he was)and that he hated this country and wish nothing but evil things for us (which he did), then why have we not attacked North Korea? Surely they are not our friends. Why have we not attacked Somalia? Surely they are killing their own people. Perhaps, just perhaps, there is something more valuable (to certain people in power) laying beneath the hot sands of that forsaken country. Something that has made a lot of people with money, a lot more money. There must be a reason for this madness. We must ask these hard questions of our leaders and they must give us the truth.
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
Barbara, Sorry dollface, but anyone that discredits the office of Vice President deserves no respect from me.
And, assumming that you are a republican and one that wanted to impeach Clinton, you SHOULD agree with me!!!! However, most all republicans are idiot conservative ditto-heads that let the right-wing radio talk shows do their thinking.
For the life of me, I just don’t get republicans. They are SUPPOSED to be for fiscal responsibility, yet this administration has run up the largest deficit in history. They are SUPPOSED to be for free speech, and yet they want to surpress any anti-war speech. They are SUPPOSED to be for morals and ethics, and yet this administration has lied and misled the American public more than any other in history.
Republicans = Hypocrites
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
Barbara, Sorry dollface, but anyone that discredits the office of Vice President deserves no respect from me.
And, assumming that you are a republican and one that wanted to impeach Clinton, you SHOULD agree with me!!!! However, most all republicans are idiot conservative ditto-heads that let the right-wing radio talk shows do their thinking.
For the life of me, I just don’t get republicans. They are SUPPOSED to be for fiscal responsibility, yet this administration has run up the largest deficit in history. They are SUPPOSED to be for free speech, and yet they want to surpress any anti-war speech. They are SUPPOSED to be for morals and ethics, and yet this administration has lied and misled the American public more than any other in history.
Republicans = Hypocrites
By Stupid people!!!
August 13, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
It appears that once again, the stupid (or ignorant people) have returned to repeat the same old retoric. Isn’t it ironic that they bash Fox news, which is more fair and balanced than CNN, CNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, NPR, etc., but want to defend movies from idiots like Michael Moore as an opinion that should be available to all to choose to hear?!?!?! Are they stupid, or just blind in their bias? Based on their writings, I suspect that they are stupid (I am talking specifically about “just me”, and “the right thinker”). These people are unable to think for themselves since they listen/watch truely biased shows (liberal). How about watching Hannity and Colms. Perhaps you will agree with Colms all of the time, but at least you will get boths sides and make an informed opinion. This you do not get anywhere else.
On another note, there should be an official definition for “documentary” because Michael Moore has yet to make one, but he is receiving awards in the category. Everything he has done is biased, and fictionalize. Might be good film making, but it is not a documentary. Don’t watch his stuff thinking it is real. There is so many falsehoods in his movies.
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Barbara, Sorry dollface, but anyone that discredits the office of Vice President deserves no respect from me.
And, assumming that you are a republican and one that wanted to impeach Clinton, you SHOULD agree with me!!!! However, most all republicans are idiot conservative ditto-heads that let the right-wing radio talk shows do their thinking.
For the life of me, I just don’t get republicans. They are SUPPOSED to be for fiscal responsibility, yet this administration has run up the largest deficit in history. They are SUPPOSED to be for free speech, and yet they want to surpress any anti-war speech. They are SUPPOSED to be for morals and ethics, and yet this administration has lied and misled the American public more than any other in history.
Republicans = Hypocrites
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
Hey “Stupid people!!!!”
Have you ever seen one of M. Moore’s films? From your post, I would very much doubt it.
His films are documentaries because they state facts. That is basically the definition of documentaries. And, Moore did state all facts in his film(s).
A documentary on the breeding habits of moose also includes facts. However, often the commentator and/or producer of the film will humanize the moose. For example, they may say that the male is in “love” with the female. That may be a stretch, but the facts in the film are real.
That is also true for Moore’s films. The facts in his films are real. And, he may intrepret them a specific way for his film, but that doesn’t change that the facts are real.
It is you that is unable to think for yourself. You seems to have swallowed the BS that Bush and the republicans have spewed hook, line, and sinker. I guess in your world, we did find weapons of mass distruction in Iraq? In your world Iraq was behind 911?
Seems more like your world is the fantasy!
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this
Hey “Stupid people!!!!”
Have you ever seen one of M. Moore’s films? From your post, I would very much doubt it.
His films are documentaries because they state facts. That is basically the definition of documentaries. And, Moore did state all facts in his film(s).
A documentary on the breeding habits of moose also includes facts. However, often the commentator and/or producer of the film will humanize the moose. For example, they may say that the male is in “love” with the female. That may be a stretch, but the facts in the film are real.
That is also true for Moore’s films. The facts in his films are real. And, he may intrepret them a specific way for his film, but that doesn’t change that the facts are real.
It is you that is unable to think for yourself. You seems to have swallowed the BS that Bush and the republicans have spewed hook, line, and sinker. I guess in your world, we did find weapons of mass distruction in Iraq? In your world Iraq was behind 911?
Seems more like your world is the fantasy!
By Barbara
August 13, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this
JustMe, dollface here doesn’t expect you to “get” Republicans. Don’t flatter yourself. I really enjoyed the post by Shannon. People who get their news from the Dailey Show don’t get Republicans either.
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
Hey “Stupid people!!!!”
Have you ever seen one of M. Moore’s films? From your post, I would very much doubt it.
His films are documentaries because they state facts. That is basically the definition of documentaries. And, Moore did state all facts in his film(s).
A documentary on the breeding habits of moose also includes facts. However, often the commentator and/or producer of the film will humanize the moose. For example, they may say that the male is in “love” with the female. That may be a stretch, but the facts in the film are real.
That is also true for Moore’s films. The facts in his films are real. And, he may intrepret them a specific way for his film, but that doesn’t change that the facts are real.
It is you that is unable to think for yourself. You seems to have swallowed the BS that Bush and the republicans have spewed hook, line, and sinker. I guess in your world, we did find weapons of mass distruction in Iraq? In your world Iraq was behind 911?
Seems more like your world is the fantasy!
By Scooter
August 13, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
No, I will not go see the latest canning of criticisms. I agree mistakes were made but I can also understand the reasoning behind those decisions. For example, our mere presence will create instability and hostility so let’s use as few troops as possible. Or, Baath party loyalist might remain loyal to Saddam and undermine our efforts to dethrone him, so expunge them from the ranks. The beauty of criticisms is they will never be tested against reality.
As far as Middle Eastern policy, yes I agree with it. In the past we have fought TERRORISTS while ignoring the oppressive factors that create TERRORISM. We fought terrorist (whacking moles as Clinton called it) for 30 plus years and the problem was only exacerbated. For that reason, I feel we should fight the oppressive creators with representative government.
The good thing is Bush did not choose to kick the “Saddam can” further down the road so Saddam could reap the fruits of his Oil for Food Corruption.
Just weeks before UN inspectors were removed from Iraq - “Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process.” Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998.
Now, Bush is called a liar and Pelosi is promoted to Majority Leader, go figure?
By Barbara
August 13, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
JustMe, if you read “Disinformation” it will document the weapons that were in Iraq before we got there and what happened to them. Also, if you sincerely believe Michael Moore’s so-called documentaries are factual, then you’ve been way out of the loop. There is a new book coming out that’s written by a former classmate/friend of his that is going to blow the lid off of Moore and what he really is. I already know enough (by reading, heaven forbid) to know the hypocrite he is, but perhaps if you made some effort to do some research on your own, you’d know what the “facts” are. Even a liberal friend of mine has to admit that he expunges his “views” instead of facts. Michael Moore, the grand one that hates everything America, owns stock in oil companies (the one that hates Halliburton), stock in pharmaceutical companies (the one that hates our healthcare system), the one that owes money to the IRS on a mansion in Michigan. Michael also enjoys having his productions company in Canada, where he doesn’t have to pay the taxes he would here in the States, thus making more money for himself. Don’t get me wrong, I believe everyone has the opportunity to be a Capitalist, but when you’re biting the hand that feeds you, you’re a complete idiot, and that’s what he is. He can be friends with Castro and any other Socialist/Communist he wants because he doesn’t make a difference to the mainstream here in the states. He’s just a dirty, fat slob that can do and say what he wants because he lives here in the U.S. He couldn’t get by with this crap in other countries he so eulogizes. When you get booed by your own (remember the Academy Awards presentation 3-4 years ago?), you know you’re out of your ever-living mind!
By irish65
August 13, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
I have now the proof that is needed that the neo-cons are illogical and unable to see any reason.
Charles and others have already stated that the facts presented were false, even though they haven’t seen the film.
The fear of the facts has closed their minds to logic or reality.
By michelle
August 13, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
i dydnt reelize thatt not beeing aybul to spelll ment yoo allso cuddint hav an openyun.
fascist.
By Peggy
August 13, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
Can you imagine what the Republicans would have done if Clinton would have created this mess. The Right wouldn’t let Clinton get away with an extra-marital affair. Bush has done so much that his own party is distincing themselves from him.
I am also disgusted at the Left for allowing him to get away with it all. The first thing the punk azz house speaker said when she took over is she will not immpeach! If all of this was the other way around, the Republicans would have ran their entire ticket on impeachment.
It’s time for a good strong independant to run.
By BlueMoon
August 13, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
Peggy-
Clinton did more than have an affair (see bank loan fraud)
And politicians will do whatever they have to in order to get reelected. Team ME. It’s all about power and it’s that way with both parties.
Why don’t you try being an American for a change instead of just belonging to a party? Good grief, we’re so much better than it’s not funny.
By Barbara
August 13, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
Why Michelle, you must have attended one of those “gub’ment” schools (as Boortz would describe) to learn to spell like that. I have to admit, I’ve never participated in diaglog here, as I do have work to do, but I’m in such a good mood this Monday, it’s been a blast, really. Some of you take yourselves way too seriously, especially the ones that don’t know what in the hell they’re talking about. Then again, just watch the “Dailey Show”, and you’ll come up a friggin’ genious! It never ceases to amaze me as to the rhetorical one-liners that people defend themselves with. Instead of becoming knowledgeable about issues, it’s too easy to listen to the mainstream media. Yep, I’m with Neal on this one, there should be a test administered before people are allowed to vote. OMG, there goes another “right”, taken away by those nasty conservatives! You people are quite entertaining, and I’ve enjoyed it. Listening to most of you has reconfirmed my thoughts about the general populace and their mentalities.
By Hey Peggy
August 13, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this
Clinton did help creat this mess, hey John get your head out of your A!! Your arguments are childish at most, you argue like my two year old. Why don’t you do it. JustME, your just dumb, Moore only included facts that supporeted him, just like so called Global warming, there are facts on both sides but the ignorant ones will choose one side and present those facts. Hey did you guys know that back in the 1940’s and 80’s had high tempetaures like now, was there global warming back then too?
By Hey Peggy
August 13, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
Clinton did help create this mess, hey John get your head out of your A!! Your arguments are childish at most, you argue like my two year old. Why don’t you do it. JustME, your just dumb, Moore only included facts that supporeted him, just like so called Global warming, there are facts on both sides but the ignorant ones will choose one side and present those facts. Hey did you guys know that back in the 1940’s and 80’s had high tempetaures like now, was there global warming back then too?
By Jay
August 13, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
“Instead of becoming knowledgeable about issues, it’s too easy to listen to the mainstream media. Yep, I’m with Neal on this one…”
So in deriding people who are influenced by mainstream media, you reference a personality from mainstream media? Wow, you’re a hypocrite.
By Ronda
August 13, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
For those of you supporting Bush and this war…ask yourself a couple of questions.
Are you willing to hemorrhage money to fight every perceived enemy of democracy that portray themselves as terrorists? Where does it stop and how long are we the world’s police? How many American soldiers should continue this fight? Also, how is it that our original target of Osama Bin Laden, that Bush swore to hunt down was suddenly an afterthought when Bush said that he could honestly care less where Bin Laden was?
You have a higher chance of dying in a motor vehicle than you do by the hands of a terrorist but that doesn’t stop you from putting down your car keys now does it?
By Rone
August 13, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Barbara,
It’s dialog, not diaglog.
It’s Daily, not Dailey.
I’m amazed that you could call people out in two consecutive posts, but then not spellcheck your own.
Pot meet Kettle
By Peggy
August 13, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Clinton didn’t decide to go to war on false info! He was almost impeached for having relations with an adult female. For the right to be so conservative, why are they always caught up in gay, underage sex. Those who are the most judgemental usually have the most skelitons in the closet.
The only smart man in this entire mess was Colin Powell. He knew this war was bull$hit! He told Condeliza, “You better get the hell on cause we were set up to take the fall for all this.” Her buck teeth azz choose to stay. 100yrs from now the history books will blame her for it all. It’s not like she will have kids or grandkids to dispute the evidence. She is the perfect fall guy.
By Eric
August 13, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
Listening to Neal will not keep you informed, Babs. Your rant makes you sound like and idiot.
By steve
August 13, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
all five points are valid. now, we all can agree, the war has been a clusterf**k up to this point. but, there is no way we can walk away from this mess we (and I do mena we) created. we have to stay as long as it takes to fix it. this ain’t humpty dumpty and all the king’s men, this is a living breathing threat to western civlization and democracy that’s been smoldering and flaring up for centuries. the line is drawn here. so, hang in there folks for the long ride. you can bet your bottom dollar any democrat that is elected president will not “cut and run”. as they play to their liberal base, they privately realize this is a long term problem that cannot be dismissed by pulling out.
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
Barbara,
You scare me. Ignorant and blind people that follow what republicans say without asking questions scare me. Your type is the most dangerous in America, today.
Yes, I read “Disinformation.” However, the author readily admits that the book is not factual. That is 180 degrees different from Moore that said he would pay anyone that could disprove any fact in his movie $100,000. I wonder why no one has stepped up to claim the $100,000? Hmmmmmmmm.
By the way, it was the “general populace” and their “mentalities” that supposedly elected Bush - twice! But then again, even that is in debate.
Mark my words, Bush and the republicans will go down in history as having ruined America over these 8 years. I pray that we have learned our lesson and will never elect these types of crooks, liars, and theives again.
Give me Clinton (Bill or Hillary) any day! His BJ didn’t kill any one!
By huffbrau
August 13, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
Hey, since we all like a good video, how about this Cheney goodie: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=9a8_1186873756
Kind of like Nostradamus, the way he can predict the future….
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this
Barbara,
You scare me. Ignorant and blind people that follow what republicans say without asking questions scare me. Your type is the most dangerous in America, today.
Yes, I read “Disinformation.” However, the author readily admits that the book is not factual. That is 180 degrees different from Moore that said he would pay anyone that could disprove any fact in his movie $100,000. I wonder why no one has stepped up to claim the $100,000? Hmmmmmmmm.
By the way, it was the “general populace” and their “mentalities” that supposedly elected Bush - twice! But then again, even that is in debate.
Mark my words, Bush and the republicans will go down in history as having ruined America over these 8 years. I pray that we have learned our lesson and will never elect these types of crooks, liars, and theives again.
Give me Clinton (Bill or Hillary) any day! His BJ didn’t kill any one!
By steve
August 13, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this
ronda, quit thinking short term. it’s so unbecoming to an intellectual like yourself.
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Barbara,
You scare me. Ignorant and blind people that follow what republicans say without asking questions scare me. Your type is the most dangerous in America, today.
Yes, I read “Disinformation.” However, the author readily admits that the book is not factual. That is 180 degrees different from Moore that said he would pay anyone that could disprove any fact in his movie $100,000. I wonder why no one has stepped up to claim the $100,000? Hmmmmmmmm.
By the way, it was the “general populace” and their “mentalities” that supposedly elected Bush - twice! But then again, even that is in debate.
Mark my words, Bush and the republicans will go down in history as having ruined America over these 8 years. I pray that we have learned our lesson and will never elect these types of crooks, liars, and theives again.
Give me Clinton (Bill or Hillary) any day! His BJ didn’t kill any one!
By JT
August 13, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
Also, Barbara: it’s “genius,” not “genious.”
Looks like you ain’t no genious. But, like our Dear Leader, perhaps you’re just misunderestimated.
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
All - sorry for the repeating postings. I am not doing it. Seems the servers here are messed up today.
Steve, I fear that you are right. Things have been botched up so much, it will take a wizard of foreign policy to get us out of this mess with any grace or dignity left. The US has lost it’s world position as any type of leader at all and it will take a long time to regain anyone’s faith and confidence - just look at China. They are holding US T-bills as hostage to our economy in order to continue their unfair trade practices. In the meantime, they continue selling us kids toys laced with lead paint, poisoned food, and so on. Think that they respect the US at all?
Who has benefited from the war? It is the wealthy republicans that owned the contracts in Iraq. It will be the oil companys (see Bush’s friends) that will reap the benefit of the Iraq oil.
Who has paid for the war? It is the poor and middle class sons and daughters that are in the military (wonder why Bush and Chaney’s kids didn’t join the military?). It is our children that are the future tax payers for many decades to come. It is the Iraqi people that are the innocent victims.
By Opportunist
August 13, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this
Give Darfur time to become stable like Iraq was!
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
All - sorry for the repeating postings. I am not doing it. Seems the servers here are messed up today.
Steve, I fear that you are right. Things have been botched up so much, it will take a wizard of foreign policy to get us out of this mess with any grace or dignity left. The US has lost it’s world position as any type of leader at all and it will take a long time to regain anyone’s faith and confidence - just look at China. They are holding US T-bills as hostage to our economy in order to continue their unfair trade practices. In the meantime, they continue selling us kids toys laced with lead paint, poisoned food, and so on. Think that they respect the US at all?
Who has benefited from the war? It is the wealthy republicans that owned the contracts in Iraq. It will be the oil companys (see Bush’s friends) that will reap the benefit of the Iraq oil.
Who has paid for the war? It is the poor and middle class sons and daughters that are in the military (wonder why Bush and Chaney’s kids didn’t join the military?). It is our children that are the future tax payers for many decades to come. It is the Iraqi people that are the innocent victims.
By JustMe
August 13, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
All - sorry for the repeating postings. I am not doing it. Seems the servers here are messed up today.
Steve, I fear that you are right. Things have been botched up so much, it will take a wizard of foreign policy to get us out of this mess with any grace or dignity left. The US has lost it’s world position as any type of leader at all and it will take a long time to regain anyone’s faith and confidence - just look at China. They are holding US T-bills as hostage to our economy in order to continue their unfair trade practices. In the meantime, they continue selling us kids toys laced with lead paint, poisoned food, and so on. Think that they respect the US at all?
Who has benefited from the war? It is the wealthy republicans that owned the contracts in Iraq. It will be the oil companys (see Bush’s friends) that will reap the benefit of the Iraq oil.
Who has paid for the war? It is the poor and middle class sons and daughters that are in the military (wonder why Bush and Chaney’s kids didn’t join the military?). It is our children that are the future tax payers for many decades to come. It is the Iraqi people that are the innocent victims.
By Opportunist
August 13, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
I know pro-Iraq war supporters have experienced this often, as have I: pointed out the basis for the Iraq war, the history that led up to the Iraq war, with carefully researched links and a thoughtful analysis, and in the end, it always comes back to “Bush lied in order to avenge his daddy/get rich off the oil/help out the VPs buddies at Halliburton/to jump start the economy by creating a demand for defense weapons/” etc etc.
By Ronda
August 13, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
Steve - you need to reread my post. My post was about the future - how far is this country willing to take this fight? This is not just about Iraq - if that’s what you think then you are the one that is short sighted.
By earl
August 14, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
To “just me” - anyone who prefaces their remarks with “dude” emediately unmasks themselves as an imature idiot of major proportions.
By Consultant
August 14, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
Hi. Yes, I will see the film. Although it will only confirm what I’ve read and heard elsewhere. Bush, Cheney and the rest of the gang need to be impeached/prosecuted for getting us into this avoidable mess. And for the criminal conduct of the aftermath. This is without a doubt the worst President in American History and one of the worst governments in modern Western history. Lord help us, please!
By justin
August 14, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
The real reason we declared war on the Iraqi people was to steal all of their sand.
By Consultant
August 14, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
Mr. Smithee,
Your column is great.
There is no ‘rule’ that says a documentary has to be even handed. All good documentaries have a point of view, and that means they choose what goes in the film. Something always gets left out. Sometimes on purpose, sometimes because they can’t get the shot or sound on film. Even the great documentary Filmmaker, Frederick Wiseman, who was sometimes criticized for letting the camera run to long in a shot, created films that had inescapable points of view. This has never been a fair world. Take your shot, speak your piece, and the let the people decide.
By Rick
August 14, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this
Where did you ever come up with the notion that a documentary must be “balanced,fair fight.” Have you been brainwashed by FOX “news?” A documentary must be factual, but a good one always has a point of view. Some of the best ever include,”Bowling for Columbine,” “Capturing the Friedmans,” and the Enron documentary. These were all great movies, were factual docs, but were hardly balanced.
By jbmlaw
August 15, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
I will not see “No Backbone in Sight.” As the Islamists intend to destroy our civilization, as proven by their acts of evil over the past 25 years, I anticipate we will have a military presence there for the next 50 years or so. I oppose appeasement, and I think “duck and cover” is not an intelligent alternative. Unfortunately the loyal opposition has no rational plan to exterminate the killers, so we are stuck with the administration’s program.
By Sherri Eley
August 27, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
I hope to be able to see the movie “No End in sight”, but since I live in a Republican stronghold, I doubt it will even come to my area. The people in this city still strongly support this adminstration which gained power illegally and has spent their years in power trying to amass more, and relive the ordinary citizen of his constitutional rights.
The fact that this president has not had impeachment proceedings against him is very disturbing. I feel that the world as we know it, will be forever changed by the policies of an adminstration whose hunger for power and ideological goals are destroying the America I love.
Sherri Eley