Thanks for all of the kind offers. Kerry, Nick, Lisa or I will contact whoever has offered a meal or drink if the team happens to be traveling through your town and has some down time. We really appreciate the offers. It is always good to see a kind face while on the road and away from home (or when your car overheats). Please understand that the schedule is very tight with a lot of flying and driving as well as interviews with such interesting people that the time allotted is invariably not long enough. That said, if time allows Kerry and Nick would like nothing more than to take a break and have a good meal.
We have now completed two full weeks of production and shot 52 hours of footage. Some harsh realities and powerful stories are being told. In my opinion, the most touching and most inflammatory information this week came from interviews done in Michigan. One woman spoke about the loss of her husband, who was a civilian contractor, and what his death has meant to her and their daughters. She said, "I love my country, I support my country, I'm proud to be an American....but I'm not blind". She went on to say that she was concerned and worried about what is happening in America. Even though her family has suffered a great loss, she is still extremely patriotic and was able to articulate her feelings succinctly. She said that one of the best values of the United States is "right to Free Speech, say what you want without being thrown in jail. Trust in your government officials is part of being an American and if you don't trust 'em and don't want 'em you have the ability to vote them out. That's part of being an American."
Also in Michigan a gentleman gave us details of some of the atrocities that have been occurring -- things we had no idea have been happening, but with his help we are going to uncover the true story. When asked what he would consider justice in these cases, he said "Justice will be done when those people who perpetuated these crimes will be held accountable for their actions." His main point was that these people "must answer to their actions". This is a recurring concern with the people we have spoken with -- there is no accountability. Hopefully we can change that.
The production team is working overtime to get as many people with stories on camera as possible. Last weel Abbie got a call from a soldier who had returned from Iraq last year and was going back to Iraq as a civilian contractor. The problem was he was leaving in two days. He was willing to be on camera but was also very cautious and didn't want to give out his address until we were certain we could get a crew there. Amanda got on the phone and arranged everything so that within 15 hours there was a crew there. Abbie interviewed the soldier over the phone while a camera crew did the filming!
Kerry and Nick left Los Angeles today and will be in the mid-west for the next week. I will keep you posted.
Best,
Jim
"The first and greatest commandment is, Don't let them scare you." - Elmer Davis
Hey! Keep up the good work - and the good fight for our liberties and the freedoms the Goerge Bush talks about only for his buddies within the proverbial brass ring but not for the rest of us ordinary Americans.
Let us know if you are coming to Milwaukee.
414-355-7795
Keep plugging along.......it cannot be easy but the light at the end of the tunnel will soon appear! If your plans include San Diego, feel free to contact me for lodging, meals and transportation.
My home is always open.
Bush Jr. went to finish what his dad started.
If green beens or broccoli were grown in Iraq,
Bush Jr. would have no business there.
I am looking forward to viewing the movie.
I will encourage others to see.
"We the People" need to regain Control.
Our political leaders are not only,
"undermining the middle class"
Our political leaders have exploited every low income or
less fortunate family in America for their own profit.
WE NEED CHANGE NOW / WE NEED TO REGAIN CONTROL
I have immense gratitude that I can contribute to this project.
I am SO TIRED of being made afraid and enraged by the media and this administration's response to the events presented to it. THANK YOU.
I'm not just ambivalent on civilian contactors. I believe, given the numbers I heard on an NPR piece today that we have 70,000+ of them in Iraq, that the level of outrage and disapproval of Bush would have reached their current levels much sooner had we not had non-military businesses profiting obscenely by provinding those 70,000+ "contractors". Then again, if W had not spent his time undermining the middle class, perhaps many of those 70,000+ might not have risked being in Iraq to support their families or personal habits.
Please tell us if you need more donations, & many thanks for allowing us to participate. Regarding the film : in addition to war profiteers, will you be able to show that that while BushCo produced a well developed ECONOMIC plan to have corporations bid for Iraq businesses (is my understanding) they had no satisfactory military plan to stabilize the country. What about the safety of American soldiers vs perceived corporate profits even in prewar planning? Truely "Iraq for Sale". You are not likely to get to Ontario, but I would certainly contribute to a good meal or some brews wherever you are filming. Good luck and take care....
In an earlier blogg I puposely screwed up the spelling of Chef Shef any way,I'mthe best dang 80 year old cook on the Atlantic Coast when it comes to seafood. I would be delighted to cook for your crew if they are in the Calabash, NC or North Myrtle Beach area.
Harold & Lin Hickman
910-287-6978
I'm in Vallejo, CA (the Bay Area). My home is small, but it's open to you, and my neighbor is a masseuse if you're in need of stress relief! I'm thankful every day for your efforts to shine the light of truth in dark, ugly corners. Your work gives us a voice.
I live in Los Angeles--in the San Fernando Valley--and my home is open to you. I have a spare room with a queen-sized bed and 4 sofas to crash on if you need it. I'd be glad to offer you home-cooked food and whatever I have in the frig. Come on down!
Bless you and your crew for this extremely important project that you've undertaken. I'm glad to be a part of it, albeit in a small way.
Fantastic project - glad to know it is humming along....
I am seconding Gerry Constantinou's comments about Australia above.....as well as offering my house and fridge for shelter and food if there is a need to come down this way :D
Whatever you need that I can provide - I'll do it!
You are all the best.
"Illegitimi non carborundum..."
I spent a LOT of time on the road as a musician earlier in my life. I know what down time is worth...
If you're in the Windham, ME area and need a place to lay yer head, let me know. I'm near big Sebago Lake and have deeded water access and a mooring, with a runabout just about ready to put on the water (as soon as the bottom paint's dry and the new lights are in). You could float on the boat, looking straight across at Mt. Washington in the distance...exhale a bit...
Just getting set up there in my new digs. Furniture is sparce yet, but should be mostly moved in by the 3rd week of June or so...
Keep up the good work.
If you need anything in the Providence, RI area, please let me know. I'd be happy to help. Steve
I'd love to see a Greenwald film about Paul Hawken's book "The Ecology of Commerce" including Amory Lovins (and others) work on the Environment, corporate America's reluctance to wake up and the shotcommings of classical economic theory. All of that in conjunction with Bush Policy, a montage of policy missteps that have led to the US's lagging position in alternative fuels, energy conservation, and American's general apathy. I suppose it would be a pointed dovetail from the Corporation, another excellent film!!!
I imagine that Gore's film might splash a ripple of interest, and as the advertising world knows all to well, its the number impressions that count!
Keep up the great work!!!
I hope you keep your focus in the documentary on war profiteering.
Can you make some reference to lack of paper trails for voting machines and how the GOP rigs elections?
Lansing,MI is my area----you have a place to stay and a meal whenever you might arrive! :-)
Aug 4,5,6,& 7th is the Michigan Summer School for Women Workers in Dearborn,MI. Same offer applies here! This is
the largest and longest running Labor School for women in the United States. We would LOVE To have you pop in! A warm heartfelt reception by several hundred organized laborers is guaranteed!!
Your work is so greatly appreciated!
Willie
We are also happy to offer a meal at our home in Southwest Austin... and are wondering... although schedule is tight... If there was some way to have a feature on the website where people could enter their address and phone # (not to be seen by the general public) and it would place it on a map for you then it might be easier for you to see if production is going to be anywhere close to a home where a meal is offered. Or... some people (my husband and myself included) may even be willing to offer a bed or a couple of beds for a night to save on hotel costs.
It sounds like there's a lot of great work being done and we want to make sure you have the funds to investigate and follow stories to the best of your ability... if there is a need for additional money please post that (is it already posted somewhere). In addition, I have always liked the way Heifer has done the donation thing (donate a rabbit, donate a sewing basket, etc)... I think it is easier for some people to donate when you know approximately what your money is being spent on. So if you wanted to segment donations into categories like "donate a meal" and alot about what a meal would cost.. "donate a night" or "donate a day of production" or something like that... it might motivate people to donate more than they normally would (if there is still a need) because they have an idea where their money is going. That being said, sounds like schedule is tight so I'm not sure you would even have time for something like that. :)
This film cannot come out soon enough. It is so frustrating to watch our government violate our civil liberties, lie to us, attack a sovereign country for the sole purpose of controling that country's resources, leaving hundreds of thousands of innocent people dead, and smiling about it, like only someone who has never been to war before could smile about something so terrible.
I commend you on your bravery and diligence. I am honored to support such a truth seeking cause.
Ben Q
Thanks for keeping us updated. We are anxiously looking forward to viewing the finished product. Give us a yell if you are in the Austin, Texas area.
We are so excited about this movie! If you find yourself in Utah and need anything at all please let us know, it's the least we could do!
May 24, 2006
You surely are making a difference with this film. Can't wait to see it.
If you are passing through Punta Gorda Fla, be assured of a meal (on me) at one of our fine restaurants.
What I am enjoying as I read these posts is the wonderful sense of unity and community I see. As a movie is being made about the tragedies of Americians, the community being fostered here is talking about cook-outs and sleep-overs. These small acts kindness offered by caring individuals are the things that make great countries.
Keep up the good work America,Australia and all decent humans are on your side.
Here in Australia we have our own problems with the new
Industrial Relations laws.
When you finish this project would you consider doing a film about the Australian immigration policy,Industrial relations laws,Indigenous people and Bribes for Weat sales
to Iraq from the AWB (Australian Weat Board).
Y'all are welcome to come stay overnight with us if you come to the Milwaukee area. Free food, free drive to performance and free trip to and from airport! All are welcome.
Joyce
You have a place in Washington, DC if you need a place to hang your hats (Dupont Circle to be exact). Not much here but a whole lot of support. Thanks for making this film!
I've seen a great bumper sticker, "If you're not outraged then you're not paying attention." Some of are paying attention, and we ARE outraged!!!!!
Keep up the great work, more people need to wake up!!!
The welcome light is on at my house should you find yourselves in the Atlanta area...warnig, 2 needy dogs live here also ~~)
Have you considered making a film on what the Bush Administration has done to the economic status of ordinary working people? For example, it has failed to raise the minimum wage to an inflation-adjusted level so that not even a single person can live on it, has all but eliminated time and a half for overtime (who works 12-hour days except people who desperately need the money?), has stood silent while executive "salaries" have risen to more than 30 times the wages of people who work for a living, an enormous increase over the US ratio a decade ago and 3 times the ratio in Japan and other industrial nations. These huge financial windfalls for those who don't need them have been fixed in place by a revised tax schedule allowing the wealthy to pay far less than in the past...The Republican drive for "smaller" (spelled cheaper and weaker) government and the "conservative" objection to regulation is responsible for the degrading of worker safety, e.g. in mines where Federal enforcement staff lacks the clout to enforce the regulations because they are deliberately underfunded. Working class wages are steadily dropping relative to the past. WHY ON EARTH DON'T THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS SCREAM????? SM
I admit to feeling ambivalent concerning civilian contractors. They are there making big bucks doing what the military should be doing if they only had enough people to fill those jobs. Is "mercenary" too strong a word?
As a Canadian who follows US news and events with interest, I often wonder what factors or forces prevent indignant Americans from expressing their opinions more forcefully in public--not that we're so good at it in Canada! But I'm wondering if the film will be covering that angle at all.
Is there a palpable climate of fear? Are avenues of pubic expression just not available? Corporate-controlled media just not doing its job? Do citizens feel that nothing will change even if they do speak out? Is there a consensus that war is good for business, even if that business is corrupt?
When all this is history, people will be left wondering why public outrage at documented injustices didn't register more forcefully.
Keep up the good work, eh!
Marshall
We've only got a 1-bedroom apt in Manhattan, but the pull-out sofa (and whatever's in the fridge)is all yours.
I'd like to add a hospitality offer for the Virginia suburbs of DC.
Keep up the terrific work. America is counting on you.
If you are in the Fort Myers area, my apartment is open for hot showers and the pool, of course, for a dip. Dinner on me!
and if you're in Canada let me know, Ontario until June 14th and Newfoundland from June 19th to end of August.
Keep up this amazing work, you do us all proud.
If your mid-west travel brings you to Denver I'd love to offer you a backyard bbq stop with some cold beers. I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing.
The blog said you're in the midwest this week, if you're in Chicago, our home is open to you, and if you want to just enjoy a meal at one of our outstanding restaurants, it's on me. CANNOT WAIT for the finished product.
Dan
If your crew finds themselves in Southeastern North Carolina, in the area of Calabassh, or North Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, My wife and I would like to stake them to a home-cooked seafood dinner which will be preparred by a sheff with seventy years of experience.
Harold and Lin Hickman
Phone # (910) 287-6978
If you need a port from the storm anywhere near Knoxville, TN, I can extend some R&R and a hot meal. As Albert Einstein said, "We are all connected." ~ Linda Sennett
Can you get Neil Young to contribute...Sounds like a natural underscore....Get it on Buckaroos !
Jim,
Seattle/Tacoma/Ft. Lewis area, great access to local vets leaders (disabled etc.). I am a local doc./feature producer. Hook you with whatever you need in the area. Bam!
~John Comerford
If for some strange reason you find yourselves in the San Luis obispo area I would love to buy you a meal! Just let me know by email and we can work out the arrangements.
If you are ever in the Portland,Maine area - Scarborough to be exact - we would love to have you stay here. We are a mile from the ocean and on a marsh. The best of luck and can't wait to see the film.
Hey, if you're in the midwest, we're a bit off the beaten path but you can sure stop by for a bite and we could even get you saddled up if you've got a minute.
If you're around Cleveland OH and would like some R&R, dinner, drinks, etc. contact me. I live in a highrise on the lake with pool --- just minutes from downtown.
If you need some help filming in Ohio, I have a nephew who could help out. He's a senior film major at Ohio University, and just got back from LA where he'd been filming & directing a 20 minute short video which he's now editing. This summer he'll be in Cleveland editing hundreds of hours of film for a documentary he's been working on. He may be available to help out. Depends when, where, how long. Let me know.
My door is open if you find yourselves in the Charlotte, NC area and need accomodations. Keep up the wonderful work.
Leslie: The previous posts are linked at the bottom of the page. I will make it a bit more obvious.
Having traveled for work a bit myself, I can appreciate "down time", which would translate into a quiet motel room. If your staff defines "down time" as a home with a dog, two kids (1 young, 1 college-age), then by all means come for a cookout, overnight, or however long you need. No need to put on a front at our house. You can take a nap and leave if that's what will keep the momentum going for ya. We're in CT near New Haven and Hartford.
Just wanted to continue wishing you all well during the filming and production phases. I continue to hope that your final outcomes get to the heart of what the title clearly implies!
I too wish to extend an offer if in the Portland, Oregon area to contact me for some effective R & R with a fine meal out on the town in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
I wish you all the best and continued safe travels!
Jerry
And on a bloggy note, it would be great if future posts linked back to previous ones in some way, rather than having to keep all your email messages w/the links to the individual posts. Just a thought.
Hey, add me to the list of lunch/dinner/drink-providing folk, if you happen to find yourselves in the Sacramento area.