Posted on 07/28/2005 12:23:29 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
I am very skeptical of shows that portray the military, from way back with the series Call to Glory, Tour of Duty, M*A*S*H China Beach, JAG and my personal favorite Band of Brothers. I always look at the shows through the eyes of a person who has been around the military. When I was younger I did not take much action, but, now when I see something portrayed as fact and instead is fiction I voice my concerns.
I have always felt of my republican party as those with independent minds. That we have the same core beliefs but that we do not follow other's blindly, but more often I notice that not to happen.
There were folks who saw this show, and decided to put a bad note in folks minds. Those who already detest Hollywood, various actors or the like use their bully pulpit to sway the thoughts of those WHO HAVE NOT HAD THE CHANCE TO SEE THE SHOW AND MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS TO DECIDE IF IN FACT IT SHOULD NOT BE WATCHED. Then to take action if it is a bad show buy avoiding the show, boycotting the products during the show, actions that should be taken based on one's personal assessment of the show.
So, just to put myself on the line here folks, I was a wife of a soldier during the first Gulf war, it was hell. Ft Campbell, a wonderful town became a ghost town. Wives while most are very loving and do not cheat, some cannot help themselves but many honored their loved ones. Some who squander the pay of their beloved and just destroying the life of the soldier once they return. As folks returned during the first war, the suicide rate was staggering with returning GIs, those that could not cope, those that found their spouse with another and those who just shot themselves. WAR IS HELL. None of that get's published nationally.
I had shared many of my beloved's (Dave) letter's and he never HID anything of the dirt, the heat, the frustration, lack of showers, having a beer or the fatigue. The amazing Iraqi children, the loss of the driver/medic returning to camp, being hit with a bullet and killing him. That the few moments to have the chance to get mail were the highlight of the day. BTW, Ft Sill was no different from the first Gulf War. Same issues with spouses and finances.
I know service member's who DID not want to go to Iraq. You all know my thoughts on the subject from previous threads so I will leave it at that, not all in the military are pro war but some choose to handle their thoughts much better than others.
War is graphic, I imagine many Freeper's can attest to that and I can only repeat from my first hand friends.
Now I am not a big wig writer, whom has a following like all the folks that wrote about a show before it was shown nationally so I suppose you can discount my thoughts but come on, I am as close as one can get to a first hand account and frankly it was well written and has potential. I have to wonder, would my thoughts only matter if it were in a nationally syndicated paper/online publication? Even so I would not offer until after said reader's can watch it themselves so they can make an informed decision.
I cannot say how future episodes will fair but will certainly let them know if I have issues of how they portray the war. Frankly as I have said, I am not sure folks want to watch show about the war while we are at war.
So, skip the thread, ask me anything but please know in the end, if this can remind American's that we have wonderful men and women serving in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, than I pretty much say OORAH and ask that you send care packages to the troops.
Jumping off my rant.
Dave (No Longer Free State) was unable to watch it, the hotel he was at did not have that network, so he will watch it with me when he returns from this trip and can equally off his observations for discussion.
I remember reading a book titled Currahee. The author was with the 506th, same as Band of Brothers and wrote the book sometime in the 60's. There is a story about an attack on a position reinforced with 88's and a vivid description of a set of torso-less legs complete with canteen on the belt running beside the author.
Can you post a summary?
Apparently, now that its passed midnight, the article is no longer online. Neither is it archived (so far).
I might watch the next episode. Maybe.
I did not expect a documentary nor did I expect anything approaching reality. This is supposed to be fiction, after all.
And as fiction, after an hour, I still have no emotional investment in any of the characters. Heck, after the opening scenes, I didn't even like most of them. Still don't.
Bochco and his co-producer/writer/director sidekick, Chris Gerolmo, were IMHO. . . grossly, unforgivably lazy. They went for every easy cliché and one-dimensional character that ever showed up in a war movie.
And, hopefully, before they signed off on the episode 2 script, they actually took the time and effort to hire a military technical advisor or two.
Disappointing, but I'll probably give it another week before looking for a tractor pull or something. :-)
Thanks for the advice. As long as it's a good knocking off balance I'll continue to do it.
It bored me, though I gave it 45 minutes to un-bore me. From what I've read so far, I didn't miss anything in the last 15. Hmm... Quarterback... scholarship... going back to be a quarterback after his hitch... yep, he's losing a body-part.
Just remember anything coming out of Hollywood about the war is anti-war. I never saw Band of Brothers because I refuse to watch anything that has anything to do with Spielburg. I heard he is planning the Pacific theatre version of B of B, will avoid that also.
I saw some crazy stuff in Desert Storm and Somalia so I can believe it is possible. Everything is possible in war, sometimes you just have to scratch your head in wonder.
Band of Brothers was really well done and had no perceptible political bias, IMO.
Whatever Spielburg's personal views, I haven't really seen those views in any of his movies. I think, when he makes films, he tends to put his politics aside and focuses on making a good movie.
It's not the politics, it's the directing.
Close Encounters was it for me.
Mike not sure if you could see this, but, I posted the thread regarding previews shooting it down and not allowing folks to watch to make an informed decision for themselves and if needed debate this show and let the networks know about your feelings on the merit's of the program.
Folks were very civil on this thread, which was really terrific.
Yeah I was able to see this.
I am home now. I guess I forgot to tell you hehe :)
its a total piece of crap. It is amazing they are even running around in sand on this show it is so far off.
I predict they will get their first season in, but FX won't get much money out of it....
mark
Hmm, tell me how you really feel? I do appreciate your insight. Beloved will watch it when he returns home and I suppose we will make a joint decsion as to furture airings should he not like it.
WB, friend. Which means I can ping you to national stories now. :)
heh :)
yeah ping away :) works for me gives me stuff to read :)
did you see this? Soldiers watched the show and commented
These soldiers say 'Over There' is 'bogus'
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1453140/posts
First I am thankful to these fine men and women and their service to this country.
My main issue, that reviews were out before it aired and my in box filled up by so called hacks saying not to watch it.
I am not blind and have no need to led as if I were blind. I offered my thoughts and will not aruge with those who feel differently. But, I will wonder what you will say, once my beloved returns home, can watch the show and offer his thoughts, he served in Iraq just the same.
Thanks for the link and comment, I do appreciate it.
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