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

[Devlin]

Dunno. Some of the GIs did have some purdy darn good connections back then. However, drugs weren't exactly hard to come by during that time period. With respect, I would have to argue that the Nam era GIs were the result of the being drafted into an unpopular military straight out of the 60's culture. Acid, various amphetamines, pot (mostly Mexican), Turkish & Lebanese hash, assorted hallucinogens, etc. were floating around my public school in abundance and they weren't coming through the local military base. Was drug use a problem? Certainly. Is depicting the 60s-70s military as stoners fair and accurate? Probably depends on the service and assignment. Other than a relatively small percentage of lower rank REMF non specialty support personnel, I have some trouble believing that many people had the opportunity to pull this off without getting shot, run over or bounced out.

[Lysander]

Never been to DU. By the looks of the emotional one-sided repsonses on this thread I would say that changing the assumptions is all it takes to be a DemocRat or a Rupblidummie. The narrow-minded thought process is the same. All that is different is the letter next to the name of the guy in office. If Reagan and North had been Dummyrats, your opinionion would be different.

The problems are not party oriented they are policy based and have been for a long time. all that is different between you hypocrit Republiodummies and the demonrats is the uniform you wear.

Reagan was a senial old man who slept through cabinet meetings and was a puppet of the former Hooverites who backed him. North is a traiter to the rule of law who either disobeyed his commander-in-chief, or took a fall for him. Deny it with facts please. Not name calling.

[Lysander]

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

Big deal you can read. Refute it. North broke the law. He funded terrorists in Central America and sold arms to terrorist in Iran. Drugs were imported into the US and sold to get money to fund undercover operations. Reagan slept during cabinet meetings. All are documented facts. Spin it how you wish, but offer facts if you have them. I will admit I am wrong on any of it if you have any facts pal.

[somemoreequalthanothers]

They broke the law. That's the only thing you've got. North's operation funded the pro-democracy faction in Nicaraqua, and they were successful. They assumed power. They sold arms to pro-American forces in Iran. There were, and still are those groups in that country. YOU show me the documentation of North's operation being involved with drugs, and of Reagan sleeping in cabinet meetings. It doesn't exist, 'pal'.

[Lysander]

I see your point. Terrorism is not defined by what people do, it is defined by what side they are on. If nuns and civilian workers are killed for U.S. interests by thugs and gangs or raping murderers trying to overthrow a sovereign nation it is "freedom fighting." Now I understand Afghanistan better. Do a search if you don't know anything about the drug connection with the CIA, Clinton, and Ollie "the traitor" North.

"I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I'm in a cabinet meeting." - Ronald Reagan

[somemoreequalthanothers]

Well sure. Alot of people think the Israelis are terrorists. I don't, because the Palestinians commit acts of terrorism against the Israelis, and the Israelis then retaliate, as any free nation should do. We successfully thwarted communism (except Cuba) in our hemisphere, and I for one am damn glad for it.
It doesn't appear you're going to show me the documentation regarding Ollie running drugs or Reagan sleeping in cabinet meetings. See, in years past the liberal machine could float $hit like that and it would stick because there was no conservative balance in major media. Those days, my friend, are history.

[Drew68]

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

It takes place in 1989.

FWIW, I had a friend who was in the 82nd Airborne from 1986-89. He talked about drugs being used by paratroopers while he was serving. LSD and cocaine were popular because LSD wasn't tested for and cocaine leaves your system after 72 hours. He recalled paratroopers jumping from planes while tripping on acid.

Also FWIW, my friend did not do any drugs while in the 82nd and said that those who did were few and far between and typically not far from a return, either voluntarily or involuntarily, to civillian life.

[Lysander]

Drug Trafficking by the US National Security Council [Pt.1]

Ok maybe he did not actually sleep, just sat motionless with his eyes closed for extended periods...

[Levante]

Author Robert O'Connor is actually describing himself in his book -- about what a pathetic POS he is.
Producer Grupe is probably a Nazi-bastard type who got his ass kicked by a GI in a gasthaus sometime back and is still bitter about it.

To both of you: Screw off!