"The film Black Hawk Down is helping to create a new myth of American nationhood." -UK Newspaper

Published in the Guardian 29th January 2002 ^ | Published in the Guardian 29th January 2002 | By George Monbiot

[vannrox]

Another bout of crap from our friends in the UK.

[The Old Hoosier]

Abuse! Where is the super-barf alert? You should be banned for leaving it out!

This guy is just making sh!t up!!!

[IGOTMINE]

Actually, this critique raises some very legitimate points.

[anymouse]

Talk about projection psychosis. These British newsies have way too much time on there hands. And it is clear that the owners of these papers have no sense of integrity or expectation of retaining credibility. Look for these papers to be offered up for sale soon.

[sharkdiver]

Four paragraphs into this piece of drival the author states "George Bush senior announced that America had come to do "God's work". Notice how never any any further reading do you see the name of Bill Clinton mentioned. This piece of crap is so slanted that it tries to push the blame for the deaths of 19 fine American servicemen onto to Pres. Bush Sr. Drival. Pure unabashed hogswill.

[VaMarVet]

FYI background info for those that may be interested.

[oremites]

Actually, this critique raises some very legitimate points.

Why don't you tell us which points you think are legimate. Then the points can (hopefully) be discussed without this thread simply turning into a name-calling exercise against the author of the piece.

[The Old Hoosier]

Sure, I agree, but his most important points are factual fabrications. Of course we were stupid to back warlords, take sides, etc in what was meant to be a humanitarian mission. But his recounting of the actual events contradicts everything I've ever seen published anywhere. Is he the only correct person in the world, or is he a tin-foil-wearing crackpot? I think the latter.

[Kaslin]

What do you get if you insert id between Monb and iot?

[Amerigomag]

The title you posted (assumed a quote from the Guardian) presume the US is painting itself as a victim of foreign evil. The actual article implies but does not state the same premise with regard to the incident.

Both assumptions are false.

Most Americans do honestly believe that the circumstances portrayed in Blackhawk Down did victimize us ... but we were victimized by Bill Clinton, not a foreign power.

[rudypoot]

"...the belief that you can bomb a nation into peace and prosperity."

Japan and Germany come to mind. The movie also told of a famine because in the begining of the film you see warlords shooting people to get away from UN food drops. Why else would there be food drops?? hmmm??

"...even the crucial role played by Malaysian soldiers in the Rangers' rescue, have been excised from the record."

At the end of the film, it showed UN troops coming in and saving our special forces too.

[dennisw]

Just who is this freakish Brit presstitute? "Black Hawk Down" was a great movie about a disgraceful military incident that traitor Bill Clinton was  responsible for. Best lesson is to not put US troops into situations where they are hobbled with the wrong equipment and inadequate firepower because of politically correct orders from above. From Les Aspin and Bill Clinton. 

Lives of US soldiers are cheap to the Demon-crats

[TomB]

the belief that you can bomb a nation into peace and prosperity.

When did we bomb Somalia?

Although, you CAN bomb a nation into peace and prosperity if you hit the right people.

[Madame Dufarge]

I'm sure that the author, to this day, has a poster of Bill Clinton hanging on his bedroom wall.

"A terrible mistake was made that resulted in the loss of life on all sides," said Dellums, concluding that military force instead of diplomacy was used to settle a political problem. Rather than maintain a neutral peacekeeping role for a famine-relief effort implemented by Bush, Clinton became enmeshed in urban combat.

[old school]

He can't! Because there ain't none!

[dinasour]

the belief that you can bomb a nation into peace and prosperity.

The best thing that can happen to country that makes war on us is to lose: Germany, Japan. Russia and Eastern Europe, perhaps.

The worst, is to win: Viet Nam, or to come to a draw: North Korea, Cuba, Iraq.

[GOV'T MULE]

It had failed to recognise that the competing clan chiefs were ready to accept largescale disarmament, if it were carried out impartially.

You should have posted this under humor.

[Procyon]

Amazing, the article drags President Bush, Sr. into the mess but conveniently overlooks the fact that in 1993, Clinton and Aspin took over the helm but refused our men the tools they needed to be effective: armored personnel carriers and gunships.

[VaBthang4]

Man this guy really is bitter...

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