food for thought
i just finished watching the final episode of Generation Kill. It was unbelievable and I'm really glad that HBO decided to make a mini-series about the war in Iraq. Every minute detail felt so authentic and the show seemed to give the audience a clear picture of what the soldiers thought of the Iraqi invasion. I'm going to pick up the book next time I'm at the bookstore. I hope people who couldn't catch it on HBO will see the series when it comes out on DVD or something.
I have learned that there are so many reasons that we fucked up in Iraq and the situation over there is so complicated and intricate. There are so many reasons that we've created this cluster-fuck, but I think a significant mistake our government made was their fundamental lack of understanding of the Iraqi/Muslim/Middle Eastern culture. How are we supposed to successfully liberate a nation if we don't even know about their religion, their infrastructure, their struggles, their strengths/weaknesses.... we had absolutely no fucking clue about Iraq or middle eastern culture. What troubles me even more is that our government and media don't bother to explain the complicated details of why we're not winning the war because the information is not easily digested. They'd rather compete for ratings by slipping in stories about Paris Hilton's vagina between their watered down, censored renditions of what's actually happening. It's so god damned frustrating.
I know, I know... what I'm saying is common knowledge among people who honestly want to understand what's happening in the world. What can be done to open people's eyes to the world around them? Most people in our country don't go out of their way to seek alternate news sources or rent documentaries from the library. HBO and Rolling Stone (RS current events-- not their music.. BLERGH) are really trying to use their power over audience for good reasons, but their audiences are limited, which is probably why they have the balls to tell it like it is.
Blah, I could type until tomorrow about this stuff... but I must try and keep my spirits at a maintainable level-- "outlook not so good"
There's a solitary man crying, "Hold me."
It's only because he's a-lonely
If the keeper of time runs slowly
He won't be alive for long!
If he only had time to tell of all of the things he planned
With a card up his sleeve, what would he achieve?
It means nothing!
From the opium den and the barroom gin
And the Belmont chair playing violins
The gambler's face cracks into a grin
As he lays down the king of spades
But the dealer just stares
There's something wrong here, he thinks
The gambler is seized and forced to his knees
And shot dead
He only wanted more time
Away from the darkest door
But his luck it gave in
As the dawn light crept in
And he lay on the floor
From the Hundred Year War to the Crimea
With the lance and the musket and the Roman spear
To all of the men who have stood with no fear
In the service of the King
Before you met your fate be sure you
Did not forsake your lover
May not be around anymore
I have learned that there are so many reasons that we fucked up in Iraq and the situation over there is so complicated and intricate. There are so many reasons that we've created this cluster-fuck, but I think a significant mistake our government made was their fundamental lack of understanding of the Iraqi/Muslim/Middle Eastern culture. How are we supposed to successfully liberate a nation if we don't even know about their religion, their infrastructure, their struggles, their strengths/weaknesses.... we had absolutely no fucking clue about Iraq or middle eastern culture. What troubles me even more is that our government and media don't bother to explain the complicated details of why we're not winning the war because the information is not easily digested. They'd rather compete for ratings by slipping in stories about Paris Hilton's vagina between their watered down, censored renditions of what's actually happening. It's so god damned frustrating.
I know, I know... what I'm saying is common knowledge among people who honestly want to understand what's happening in the world. What can be done to open people's eyes to the world around them? Most people in our country don't go out of their way to seek alternate news sources or rent documentaries from the library. HBO and Rolling Stone (RS current events-- not their music.. BLERGH) are really trying to use their power over audience for good reasons, but their audiences are limited, which is probably why they have the balls to tell it like it is.
Blah, I could type until tomorrow about this stuff... but I must try and keep my spirits at a maintainable level-- "outlook not so good"
There's a solitary man crying, "Hold me."
It's only because he's a-lonely
If the keeper of time runs slowly
He won't be alive for long!
If he only had time to tell of all of the things he planned
With a card up his sleeve, what would he achieve?
It means nothing!
From the opium den and the barroom gin
And the Belmont chair playing violins
The gambler's face cracks into a grin
As he lays down the king of spades
But the dealer just stares
There's something wrong here, he thinks
The gambler is seized and forced to his knees
And shot dead
He only wanted more time
Away from the darkest door
But his luck it gave in
As the dawn light crept in
And he lay on the floor
From the Hundred Year War to the Crimea
With the lance and the musket and the Roman spear
To all of the men who have stood with no fear
In the service of the King
Before you met your fate be sure you
Did not forsake your lover
May not be around anymore