New Film Smears U.S. Military

Accuracy In Media (AIM) - Media Monitor ^ | July 25, 2003 | Cliff Kincaid

[NonValueAdded]

A film described as "a no-holds-barred account of corrupt, drug-ridden and under-employed American soldiers" is scheduled to be released in the U.S. The Drudge Report says the film, Buffalo Soldiers, is being released by Miramax, part of the Disney Company, which is "set for maximum controversy." A poster for the film shows an American soldier flashing a "V" for victory sign in front of an American flag with dollar signs instead of stars, under the slogan, "Steal All That You Can Steal."

[snip]

Director Gregor Jordan, who is from Australia, says the film is supposed to be funny. But the British reviewer says "Jordan is not taking a satirical swipe at the U.S. military. He’s serious." The film is based on a book by the same name by Robert O’Connor, who teaches at an American university. The German producer, Rainer Grupe, obtained the rights to the book back in 1996, and claims that it is a "realistic" picture of the American military presence in Germany.

An Amazon.com review of the book says the main characters are "drug burn-outs" and "uniformed sociopaths." Nevertheless, it was named a Notable Book of 1993 by the New York Times. The Times may like the film, too, but we doubt that many Americans will.

Cliff Kincaid is the Editor of the AIM Report and can be reached at aimeditor@yahoo.com

[cake_crumb]

"The German producer, Rainer Grupe, obtained the rights to the book back in 1996, and claims that it is a 'realistic' picture of the American military presence in Germany"

That 'splains it. Yes, we need to pull all of our troops out of Germany.

I know I won't watch it. Or any Disney or Miramax film ever again.

[cake_crumb]

The entire thing was a tad more complicated than that and somewhat less sinister. However, you're right, it would make an excellent movie these days if they stick to your plot line. Fits the Dems talking points from 1986 perfectly.

[gr8eman]

It's called marketing!!!!!!

[Darksheare]

Or, we could do the opposite.
Send in more troops, quietly take over, force them to shower and shave, and then leave.
Make them all shiver and quake while smelling pretty for once.

[squidly]

claims that it is a "realistic" picture of the American military presence in Germany.

Sure there are druggies and thieves in the military. I knew a few. But if it is the producer's intention to portray everybody in the military as being that way, and claiming this to be "realistic", he is in the wrong.

[stop_fascism]

Or - A democratic congress was attempting to turn all of South and central America over to communists (oh, I mean "agrarian reformers"), and a handfull of patriots was driven to desperate means to prevent that from happening. And, thanks be to g_d, the patriots won! Now there's a film I'd pay to see.

[somemoreequalthanothers]

I've read a rather thick book on the Iran-Contra affair. The events you describe are left wing ABC News propoganda bull$hit.

[alrea]

"set for maximum controversy."

maximum panic in the dem'rat ranks as election season nears and their worst ever is possible. we owe mr. clinton and his wife a ton of gratitude for starting the slide.

[Dialup Llama]

>claims that it is a "realistic" picture of the American military presence in Germany.

People in other parts of the world see these movies and think it represents fact about what Americans are like.

[Jumper]

If the timeframe for the film was 1974 through 1978, then it might have some truth in it about the drugs, booze and wild behavior; at that time in many concerns the second floor and above was off-limites to officers and NCOs. Scag was running in their veins, hash smoked, reefer rolled, acid dropped and the GermanMark was 4-1 dollar making life easy and fun for GIs. It was a time when the Russian Bear and the USSR had it gun sights trained on American; the Russian War Machine had just expended it's wad economically surpassing momentarily the US convention military equipment. Not until late 80 when the 0ver 200 new items of military gear hit the ranks did this qualative advanage disapate to America's favor, and it was about that time the Drug Tests started to force the drugs from Americas soldiers. By 1982, this situation had been totally rectified in regards to both the drug problems and inferior military equipment fielded. Also, the NCO corps become more professional but by the late 80s and early 90s this new peacetime Army was again in disciplinary decline, in great part due to Clinton's social experiments.

[VOA]

She certainly doesn't deserve a bronze star - her injuries are those of someone
who was in a car accident, not battle related...(snip)...
the bronze star is multi-culti b.s.

As is often said about controveries...
"Stay Tuned"

I heard a segment of the radio show of "Concerned Women For America", the conservative/
religional group.

I'll cut to the chase and do a summation in my own words:
"The US Military may not be revealing the true extent of what
happened to Pvt. Jessica Lynch, because it might jeopardize the move by certain
groups to make sure that female soldiers will be in combat situations...
increasing the rapid advancement of females into the higher levels of the
military establishment."

The guest on the show mentioned that during the Clinton Administration, Sec. Def.
Les "Blackhawk Down" Aspin, quietly changed rules to assure that female military
personnel would find themselves in combat situations.

This occured DESPITE surveys that constantly reveal that only about TEN PERCENT of
female military personnel are in favor of going directly "into harm's way", seeing how
many are mothers/single mothers.

The guest speculated that aside from a politically-correct mindset
amongst some military administration officials...a cadre of female military officers
are pushing for females to be PUSHED into combat situations for the
chance at rapid advancement/recognition.

As I've said on a number of threads...don't blame Pvt. Jessica Lynch for
what's going on YET.
We may yet (as we often do in our freest-of-all-countries) get a
shocking Paul Harvey-style "REST OF THE STORY" that tells us who the
sheep and the goats are in this situation.

(just a guess, but I suspect we're going to find out that Pvt. Lynch is NOT one
of the detestable goats...)

[stop_fascism]

Lyndon Johnson was awarded a bronze star for being a passenger in a military aircraft during WWII.

[chudogg]

oops, correction: My post should read, "I didnt grow UP anytime near the vietnam war". My typo made it seem like i used to grow marijuana!

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Her gun was not fired...

Now, I asked this on another thread yesterday: I missed the Military or Government statement outlining what transpired. What I heard on news interviews from military officers who spoke directly with soldiers who were there, is that she fired off her weapon defending her life as well as the members of her unit.

I am unable to find info to back up your claim. Would you have a link, please? Thank you.

Oh. And welcome to FreeRepublic. Enjoy your visit.

I am pinging a few people who keep up with the news in hopes they can help provide me some info.

[VOA]

My money is on the idea that a Feminist Officer in favor of female combatants leaked
a false story of her bravery to the press from the get go. Which is why she has
not been allowed to talk about it.

Your scenario is very reasonable.
I'm just hoping people will "hold their fire" on Pvt. Lynch and the issue of
the military decorations until some time passes.
Even if they are technically correct about the questionable nature of
some of the decorations/commendations.
"Truth will out"..."in the fullness of time".

[OPS4]

The troops get to vote, and can read.
Those who like it so much will see it
reflected in the voting results in the next election.

I will be sure to post this on the Stars and Stripes
forum and update the troops with those names
who like it so much.

Ops4 God Bless America!

[OPS4]

I must ad, that the Disney company will not be a long favorite of the U.S. Military when they decide on
where to vaction, and what videos to rent.

A Military boycott of the author and Disney will be
in order and posted as such!

Ops4 God BLess America!

[Khurkris]

Your historical perspective is absolutely correct. I would even go so far as to say that the drug use in VN during the VN war by soldiers, both US and Allies, is now widely underestimated.

As far as 'profiteering' in the military...well let me say that the most go-to people in any Army company I was ever in were, in this order:

1. 1st Sargent
2. Captain
3. Co. Clerk * (interchangeable with #2)
4. Mess Sargent
5. Supply Sargent
6. Motor Pool Sargent
7. Company Scrounger*
*all of the above did rely upon this person to...solve problems.
8. Ex-O