LifeNRA Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Hollywood: Rotten to the Corps? By Oliver North Published November 13, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SAN ANTONIO, Tex. Nov.10 -- the 230th Anniversary of the founding of the United States Marine Corps. Nov. 11 -- Veterans' Day. Marine Lance Cpl. Aaron Mankin observed both celebrations from Brooke Army Medical Center here. He's been here for months -- recovering from burns and wounds he received earlier this year near Al Qaim, Iraq. I was there, covering his unit for FOX News when the Assault Amphibious Vehicle he was in was blown apart by an improvised explosive device. This week, I was privileged to spend part of the Marine Corps Anniversary with him here in San Antonio. It would have been nice to introduce him to some of the fools in Hollywood. It's pretty clear those making movies in Tinsel Town don't know any real men like Aaron Mankin. They apparently prefer cowardice over courage; witless whiners to real patriots; gutless wimps and hollow phonies to men who know the meaning of self-sacrifice and integrity. That's the only conclusion one can draw after seeing Hollywood's latest anti-military travesty -- "Jarhead." The newly released film is loosely based on an anti-Marine screed crafted by Anthony Swofford, who purports to be a "veteran" of Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990-91. Mr. Swofford maintains it is an accurate depiction of his military experience, from boot camp -- where he claims to have been abused and belittled by a maniacal drill instructor -- to his mutinous "tour of duty" in Saudi Arabia in the first Gulf war. "A witty, profane, down-in-the-sand account of the war many only know from CNN, this former sniper's debut is a worthy addition to the battlefield memoir genre," says a book review by Publisher's Weekly. But this is no "Battle Cry" -- by Leon Uris -- a real battle memoir by a real Marine. The plug for CNN could easily have read, "ABC," "CBS" or "NBC" -- for all the so-called mainstream media have covered war and warriors with equal disdain. And just in case the reader is dense enough to misunderstand what the work is really about, the reviewer helpfully notes Mr. Swofford "questions whether the men are as prepared as their commanders, the American public and the men themselves think they are." One might conclude from the book and movie reviews that this is simply another antiwar epic. But this isn't "Red Badge of Courage," or "All Quiet on the Western Front" -- two great books and films that accurately depict the horror and carnage of war. Nor has "Jarhead" any of the cutting, satirical humor of "M.A.S.H." or "Catch-22" -- which portray war's futility. It's not that Hollywood has always failed those who fight our wars. During and after World War II, every studio produced films that encouraged a war weary nation -- and showed American soldiers, sailors, airmen, Guardsmen and Marines as committed, courageous and compassionate. But that was the "good war" -- and as the fictional "Saving Private Ryan" proved -- both in critical acclaim and at the box office -- decades after it ended, Hollywood remains comfortable making movies about the great crusade against fascism. But clearly, "winning" a war isn't a prerequisite for a positive portrayal on the silver screen. Though the Korean War ended in stalemate -- the first war we didn't "win" -- film-makers were still able to show the Americans who fought there in a positive way. "The Bridges of Toko-Ri" -- based on James Michener's novel -- has a tragic ending like the war in which it was set -- but it is still a saga of bravery and self-sacrifice. Even the much-maligned Vietnam War has a small handful of films accurately depicting the valor and perseverance of those who served there. "We Were Soldiers Once," based on the account of Gen. Harold Moore and reporter Joe Galloway, of the events of Nov. 14-16, 1965, when 450 U.S. soldiers were airlifted into Ia Drang Valley and immediately surrounded by elements of the North Vietnamese Army's 66th Regiment is an example. Other "losing campaigns" have been chronicled by cameras without denigrating those who served. The magnificent film, "Blackhawk Down" -- depicting the true-life story of Rangers and Army Delta Force operators sent on a disastrous raid into the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia, to capture warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, is a case in point. Given these profitable precedents, why do the powerbrokers and financial geniuses in Hollywood choose to make a movie such as "Jarhead" and release it coincident with a Marine Corps birthday and Veterans' Day? The film has not one character or scene with any redeeming virtue or value. It is an excessively vulgar movie without a moral or a point. With our nation at war -- this film is not just antiwar -- or rotten to the Corps -- though it is certainly that. "Jarhead" is anti-everything good and decent. During a week when Americans honor the Corps and thank their veterans, "Jarhead" cheapens and distorts the heroism, warrior spirit, superior intellect and selflessness of America's fighting forces. Those who participated in making this nihilist flop deserve nothing but scorn. Oliver North is a nationally syndicated columnist and the founder and honorary chairman of Freedom Alliance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeStandBowHunter Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Re: Hollywood: Rotten to the Corps? The "Jarhead" movie is a disgraceful attack on the dignity and honor of all current and former Marines. The movie does not paint any positive qualities about us. It selectively amplifies the negative actions of a few, at the expense of the whole. This movie will undoubtedly have an extremely negative effect on recruiting efforts. The overall theme of the movie paints enlisted infantry Marines as morally depraved people who quickly degrade into insanity, infighting and completely lacking in honor as Desert Shield progresses into Desert Storm. Individual scenes are exceptionally offensive to Marines and civilians alike. Examples of scenes portrayed in the movie include the following: Forced hot branding / burning flesh of fellow Marines in the barracks. A platoon simulating group sex with one another in the field. "Friendly fire" bombs lighting a live Marine on fire as he climbs out of a truck. A Marine wife mails a video tape of having sex with their neighbor, and the entire platoon enjoys viewing it. Decline of an entire platoon into insanity during combat operations. One Marine threatening to kill another at point blank range with a loaded M16 in an insane rage, and then turning the weapon on himself and asking to be killed. One loyal Staff Sergeant is portrayed as having irrational love for his service. Excessive portrayal of sexual obsessions. No respect whatsoever for fellow Marines. While U.S. citizens have welcomed Desert Storm veterans with open arms, this movie is Hollywood's way of spitting in their face. From the halls of Montezuma To the shores of Tripoli' , We fight our country's battles In the air', on land, and sea. First to fight for right and freedom , And to keep our honor clean, We are proud to claim the title of United States Marines. Sergeant Jeff Davids 1983-1987 I agree so that's all I've got to say about that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Re: Hollywood: Rotten to the Corps? Jarhead - Haven't seen it, probably won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdickey Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Re: Hollywood: Rotten to the Corps? I've seen enough of the previews to know that it will not be on my list to see, rent, or buy. My son, who is a former Marine, has said that he too will not see the movie. Claims it's some more "liberal Hollywood PUKE"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Re: Hollywood: Rotten to the Corps? [ QUOTE ] A Marine wife mails a video tape of having sex with their neighbor, and the entire platoon enjoys viewing it. [/ QUOTE ] Think this has to one of the biggest rumors started during the Gulf War, think just about every unit had this happen, did they not??? Been waiting on your response Mike, glad to see what you think of it, makes me NOT want to watch it even more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Re: Hollywood: Rotten to the Corps? sounds like another Michael Moore production. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popgun Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Re: Hollywood: Rotten to the Corps? *DELETED* *DELETED* Post deleted by popgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldksnarc Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 Re: Hollywood: Rotten to the Corps? I don't need to waste my money lining the pocket of some hollywood liberal if that's the case. Thanx for the heads up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slugshooter Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 Re: Hollywood: Rotten to the Corps? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] A Marine wife mails a video tape of having sex with their neighbor, and the entire platoon enjoys viewing it. [/ QUOTE ] Think this has to one of the biggest rumors started during the Gulf War, think just about every unit had this happen, did they not??? Been waiting on your response Mike, glad to see what you think of it, makes me NOT want to watch it even more! [/ QUOTE ] Whether or not this is a falsehood within the movie I cannot say. How many of you remember a few years back when soldiers were coming home to Fort Bragg from Afghanistan and subsequently murdering their wives and sometimes themselves afterwards? This happened about 4 times within a 3 month period if I am not mistaken, well, one of the murders happened about 5 miles from where I live, when the police were there doing the investigation they found a videotape (I have friends in the Sheriffs Dept.) on this videotape was footage of this soldiers kids at a b-day party or something, and then, in the middle of that, it switched over to his lovely wife in a compromising position with 2 other gentlemen. Needless to say it rattle him up a little. As far as Jarhead goes, I want to see it, it might be when it hits video, it might be in the theater. You see, Hollywood provides entertainment, I don't go to a movie for a history lesson, because even if it is historically based, the movie most likely isn't historically accurate. Did everything that happen to this Swofford guy actually happen, maybe it did, maybe it didn't. I like to take the position that even if one may not have seen or experienced what one person says they did, it does not mean that it didn't actually happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted November 18, 2005 Report Share Posted November 18, 2005 Re: Hollywood: Rotten to the Corps? it came out of hollywood, slugge. of course it's a falsehood. haven't seen it, and i won't. nothing out of the libs in hollywood is meant to be complimentary, or factual, to anything they don't like. like our military. of course, if it involves a serial rapist, well, he's just "misunderstood". pay attention to what is happening from the left coast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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