CNN Presents: "A FlyBoy's Story" featuring GW's dad, former President Bush (FASCINATING) 11:45PM EST

CNN TV | July 4, 2004

[rabidralph]

I am hopeful that our troops, and this president, will receive a similar welcome in Iraq, after sufficient time has passed.

[summer]

Re your post #18 - BTW, maybe I am making a leap in thinking too quickly there, because what this documentary really said to me was this: There are many chapters to war -- and certainly, what we are going through in Iraq, is not yet the end, because all these changes take time.

And, so, years will go by before we can ever hope to see the end result in Iraq, whether we are still there or not. But, it made me feel that we should not prejudge what is happening now, and the news media and GW's critics really can NOT accuirately evaluate at this point the impact of US efforts in Iraq.

Changing the course of world history does not happen overnight. And, for that reason -- an undecided might decide to continue to support GW in his efforts in Iraq.

[summer]

Re your post #21 - That was my hope, too. Yet, you realize from watching this documentary that such an enormous change takes a long time (even if we are not there), but, it is quite possible.

[summer]

accuirately = accurately

[summer]

Paula Zahn said this CNN documentary was based on this book, so you might want to read it if you haven't done so already:



Flyboys: A True Story of Courage
by James Bradley

Book Description from amazon.com

Flyboys is the true story of young American airmen who were shot down over Chichi Jima. Eight of these young men were captured by Japanese troops and taken prisoner. Another was rescued by an American submarine and went on to become president. The reality of what happened to the eight prisoners has remained a secret for almost 60 years. After the war, the American and Japanese governments conspired to cover up the shocking truth. Not even the families of the airmen were informed what had happened to their sons. It has remained a mystery—until now. Critics called James Bradley's last book "the best book on battle ever written." Flyboys is even better: more ambitious, more powerful, and more moving. On the island of Chichi Jima those young men would face the ultimate test. Their story—a tale of courage and daring, of war and of death, of men and of hope—will make you proud, and it will break your heart.

[Paulus Invictus]

It was the Japanese commander on the island that ordered that the captured US pilots were to be beheaded and parts of their bodies eaten by the troops. It had to do with the benighted ideas about bushido and Nip Army "traditions.'' The Nips were as bad as the Nazis in committing atrocities.

[summer]

Click HERE for a gallery and interactive presentation about this documentary online, from CNN. I don't know if this will always be online, but it's there now. Click on "the story."


A Flyboy's Story
George Bush in World War II
The 41st president returns to where he was shot down 59 years ago near a small island in the Pacific Ocean.

According to the site, it will be shown again on CNN on this date:

Saturday, July 10
A Flyboy's Story: George Bush in World War II, CNN, 6 a.m., 8 p.m., 11 p.m.

[summer]

The Nips were as bad as the Nazis in committing atrocities.

Yes, and the terrorists today seem to take their place right alongside the horrors back then.

It is somehow comforting to know we have been there before, and things turned out the best for the world.

[summer]

I liked it too. It gave the President a lot of time to talk, to explain his feelings. He really is a very decent, tender-hearted, intelligent person.

However, the brutality of people against each other is beyond my comprehension.

I agree. I wish people in Iraq could see this documentary. Maybe some of them did.

[summer]

It is a very good show.

Yes. It will be shown again on July 10 - see my post above. Thanks for your post.

[windchime]

Saturday, July 10
A Flyboy's Story: George Bush in World War II, CNN, 6 a.m., 8 p.m., 11 p.m.


Thank you for posting this story and providing the schedule, summer. I look forward to seeing it.

[summer]

You're welcome, windchime. I will be watching it, too. Be prepared to have your eyes glued to the screen! It really is that good! :)

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Thank you - I know that book. I am acquainted with the author, whose father was also a veteran of Iwo Jima.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Indeed they were. The Japanese of that era had some things in common with our current enemy, as well.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Thank you, summer.

[summer]

My pleasure, DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet. :)