[Jack Deth]

For more than three decades Hollywood's had its head in the sand
It started during our little debacle in Vietnam
I believe it was an episode of "Hawaii Five-0"
Where a young Yaphett Kotto played a Marine Psycho
Talked down by Steve and Dan-O
And that vignette soon became the norm across the land

Returning soldiers were no longer to be admired
Filling whatever Nemesis roles required
To sell Muscle Cars during the hours of Prime Time
The "Troubled Vietnam Vet" became part of our culture
Whoever went was stupid and deserved to be slimed
And it didn't cost the studios vultures one thin dime!

The Seventies gave us Conrad's "Heart Of Darkness"
Jazzed up with great lines not lacking tartness
And a Heavy as a West Pointer who suddenly broke the rules
By "Going Native" while crushing the NVA's Family Jewels
So, they sent Martin Sheen to murder Brando
A mission cooked up by LBJ's political sycophants and fools!

If "Apocalypse Now!" was bad, "Platoon" was much worse
Setting the tone for GIs as murdering rapists
With a My Lai thrown in, Chapter and Verse
The soldiers and gear looked right
Yet soon ground down the plight
Of soldiers through entertainment surreal and escapist

'Tis a sad state of affairs when actors of this generation
Need a taste of Basic and Warfare's strict regimentation
To move with a ruck, carry a rifle and know how to use it
Under the strict eye of Technical Advising Vietnam Vets
Foremost, Marines R. Lee Ermey and Dale A. Dye
While Hollywood continues to give warriors a black eye!

Jack Deth~ 11/12/05.

[luvie]

Very powerful, Jack. Thanks for sharing your deep emotions with us!

[StarCMC]

Well put Jack. I went to see "Platoon" on a Valentine's day date of all things. We walked out. What a steaming load of BS that was.

[trussell]

Thank you for sharing Jack...and for the ping.

[GodBlessUSA]

Thank You for the ping. Fabulous post. It is a sad state of affairs:)

A few more. ;) When hollywood Men were really MEN not just actors trying to pretend to be. ;)

There were so many more. :)

My favorite is this man. He brought moral into the Hollywood actors guild too. :) The Hero for all times and all things to me and so many. :)

[EsmeraldaA]

Thank you Jack.
That was powerful emotional and great.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Well done. Thanks.

[DollyCali]

There you go.. I just came in .. go to my pings & you make me cry!!!1

Thanks Jack... you seem to so easily have thoughts emit from your soul & so freely share with use. I join the others in expressing appreciation for the time & labor of love that your talent is.

God Bless!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Powerful words, Jack, and oh so true.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so very much for your poem! Kudos!