Our story producers have been hard at work. Much time is spent on the phone dealing with government bureaucracy. For instance, getting any document using the Freedom of Information Act can take an entire day. Often someone will be passed from the State Department to Defense to Commerce and back again because no one seems to know what is going on (or maybe they just don't want to give out the info).
Talking with interrogators has also been enlightening. According to people that were interviewed the set-up is such that the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing ON PURPOSE; this is so no one will be held accountable.
Soldiers have also told some interesting stories. One vet discussed 'Food for Freedom' which is a unique way of getting discharged. According to him, some soldiers are overeating on purpose so that they are discharged from the military and can take much higher paying jobs at private security firms working in Iraq!
As you know, most of what we are uncovering is extremely sad, but the people we are speaking with are happy to share their stories hoping that these tragedies don't happen again. Below is part of an e-mail that Kerry received from the widow of a civilian contractor who was killed in Iraq. I am re-printing it with her permission. I have removed the names to protect her identity for now -- when you see the film, she speaks freely and you will know who she is.
Hi Kerry-How was your "mission"- to uncover the truth and see the repercussions of what is happening in Iraq? Heart breaking-isn't it?
So many families lives ripped apart and torn asunder--
You know Kerry-I walk a lot-with my dog--and get outside in beautiful (place removed) that (name removed) and I loved so much--and I can not look at the water-or walk the pier -or see a fishermen or a camper--or a couple holding hands-or grandparents with grandkids--without thinking of how very much was taken from us-when (name removed) was killed...
He was a good man Kerry-he loved life---and he loved to laugh. (name removed) was a dreamer-a beautiful dreamer with eyes that looked into my heart-and kept me safe and warm--
Well..............that's not the case anymore... I have always been an 'old soul" even more so now-- but I never thought I world feel this old--believe me- Is a terrible feeling-to know you can never lay the burden down-you must carry it always--and to not really be afraid of anything anymore- not after all that has happened to me-- its not a good feeling-
We need accountability--and we need answers--to ensure that this terrible tragedy never happens again.
So Kerry-I hope that you get the information you need--and I believe you will--you will be stunned-afar talking to all of us--at what you hear--and about what really happened that terrible day
We are stunned. And we know you will be too. Hopefully I will be able to post some clips in my next blog. We are proud to say that a total of 2907 have now contributed to make this film and more people are coming on board each day. We are starting to put together the education and outreach program for the film with our non-profit 501(c)(3) which will allow as many people as possible to see this film and be activated for civic participation. Together we will make a difference.
Best,
Jim
I have read and seen many parts to this Movie, BUT what I dont understand is ...IF our Government was so interested in what is really happening in Iraq as to shall I say "Ripping off the American People"... You have Halliburtion taking and billing for much higher then the bill should be, you have Security Companys doing the same. and now we have the US State Dept that can't explain the cost they have.. where is this comming to other then draining the United States of all that it has.
If our Government was so concerned they would PULL OUT,FIRE,WITHDRAW the contracts these Company's have.and give them ot the Company that can provide the same services. I for one have seen more then I would lke to in the Fraud in Iraq but I dont blame the guys on the Ground, I blame the Managers that run the Company and provide the billings to the US,Steal from the US and sign there names to such fraud, as the Old saying is stated "CHAIN OF COMMAND" they all should be fired,arrested and taken to trial for the crimes they do. it does not matter what happens in the White House, or who brings these matters to the eyes of our Government,as been seen in the last few hearings NOTHING is being done.. sure there are some god men standing forward to bring it forward, and I agree with them to the fullest in there stand, but what is being done I ask all of you because all I see and hear is NOTHING.. the Statements are there, the people with such statements, and Proof of the matter. but what is happening. I for one would like the name of the movie changed due to the fact that here at home in the GREAT USA. our men risking there lives are dieing without saying Good bye to there family, Children dont understand what happened to Dad, Family's are being kicked out of there homes, theres n medical for anyone unless your rich, the people living in te streets has grown. and WHY becasue all the FUNDS going to IRAQ is funds of the UNITED STATES. but lets keep giving it to the people involved in the fraud, there company , and there managers helping in there private quest to Fraud the GREAT USA. I have been on ground, shot at,in fights of gun fire and stood behind the men and women in uniform as they got shot at. so I know its not IRAQ for SALE it soon will be "United States Gone BROKE" or "Will work for food"
I am proud of all the lives in IRaq protecting the USA, there service, there lives ad family's that stand behind them. I can wake up today safe and free. with the Government as it is currently I am sad to say I cant depend on tomorrow yet.
In closeing; I would like to say.
IF there was just one "Grandmother" out there that would run for President maybe our country would become 100% better. BUt we need one that believes in the "Willow Branch" because I bet she would bend some people over her knee and CURE the matter at hand.
The gluttonous soldiers show that greed influences every part of our government. The influence of Corporate wealth has to be stopped. They must not ever have easy access to any world government. Corporate intent may be establishing several world government bases for it to roam in and out, leaving one for another when the other no longer does its will. My statements aren't not meant for vindication of these gluttonous soldiers. Their actions are wrong like the corrupt elected officials accepting bribes.
I am greately encouraged! This film is going to be "education that hurts" in order to heal, analogous to therapy or surgery for the nation. Hopefully, it will be part of a movement that helps the many Americans who have been too long in the dark about our foreign policy choose life over death. And, hopefully, it will help a growing movement that wants to GIVE IMPEACHMENT A CHANCE!
The prayer of your first correspondent that this horror will never happen again will be in vain unless we mobilize as a society to vote out the egomaniacs who brought it about. What is happening now is the thoroughly predictable outcome of their fantasy about ruling the world with our overwhelming, sophisticated armaments. For the good of the world, of course. If you have not read "Policy for the New American Century" by William Krystal, find it on the internet. It tells exactly how we got where we are without, of course, discussing the fact that it was always lunacy. We didn't learn from Vietnam. Can we learn from Iraq? How many must die before we do? SM
Here's an excerpt:
"This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."
Excerpt from Eisenhower's 1961 farewell speech. Sounds like a prophesy, doesn't it?
It always amazes me how gullible, or perhaps to put it more generously, misguidedly idealistic John Q. Public is. People that support this war (especially those that *still* support it) have obviously not benefited much from the (lack of) history education that American schools have to offer. Although these lofty words are what politicians need to motivate people to send their sons and daughters out to kill and be killed, anyone who's looked at the history of the world, and especially this country, could not with a straight face say that this war is about "freedom" or "democracy," or even American security for that matter (search npr.org for "Overthrow" by Stephen Kinzer). Each violent intervention in another land brings more long term insecurity to us and the world, even if there is any short term benefit. Every Child we recklessly maim in Iraq produces countless family members who would love to see America burn to ashes. Looks like the war on terror is a self-fulfilling prophecy, a long-term win only to those that benefit from long-term war. Violence begets violence. So, from a practical perspective, this war is a huge mistake.
As a Christian, I'm also appalled at the way religious extremists have forsaken the main message of the gospel in order to motivate their ranks by appealing to the masses with their dogmatic legalistic body-centered interpretations of scripture. The God I believe in weeps more when we murder, enact violence, take money from the poor and give it to the wealthiest, and display hubris then he does when we allow two males or females to wed. Somehow, these people have picked the more politically convenient messages and based a successful platform on them. (See sojo.net for an oasis). When God said "love thy neighbor" he didn't mean "kill them." Non-violence to the living makes my God weep much more than violence to the unborn (although I *personally* don't agree with either). There is almost never a justification for violence. What ever happened to "turn the other cheek," or "go the extra mile," or "give the shirt off your back?" Doesn't ring a bell, George? Preemption is another word for aggression. Thus, clearly, to any gospel-loving person, on a moral level, this war is completely bankrupt.
With those two justifications [prudence and morality] so apparently false, the only understandable motivation left is personal gain for the types of people that benefit from wars and middle east instability (e.g. folks tied to the defense establishment or oil business... no surprises here). I can't wait to see this movie.
Peace,
Jake C.
Chicago, Illinois
P.S. Will the movie makers please consider adding a clip of Eisenhower's 1961 speech in which he warns about the influence of the military-industrial complex [people might be familiar with it from the first 5 minutes of Stone's JFK. By the way, if you can watch that movie again in light of our present events, it will make you weep and will make you mad as hell.]
After 4 years of US Air Force Security Service as a Russian voice intercept operator and cryptographic worker in Europe (our boss was/is NSA) where I lost a close friend to a MIG shootdown of our C130 aerial listening post over the Soviet Union in Armenia in 1958. After military service I spent two years with the first Peace Corps Volunteers in Colombia and three more years on staff with the PC. I am now old yet upset with our government repeatedly putting our most valuable assets, our youth, at risk, solely for the benefit of the Dow and Nasdaq bottomfeeders.
This year I learned that the young police Chief from my town was wounded seriously in Iraq while performing US Army National Guard duties in a HumVee which struck a roadmine. Half of his skull was blown away and his brain severely disrupted. He has a wife and three children under 12 years of age. We are in the process of building them a new home which he may access when he is released with a Purple Heart and a pat on the back. He is still in US Army medical facilities in the DC area awaiting improvement enough to return home. I served 22 years with the same police department before retirement. We are now deeply involved in repairing the damages wrought by Rumsfeld, Rove, GWBush, Cheney, Halliburton and KBR.
I pray that your film will tell the story which will turn the tables during our November election for the US House and Senate so that George W's prediction is correct: It will be another President who brings the Iraq War to and end and brings our troops home.
Thank you for your patience. My friend in the C130 was A2/c Joel Fields of Cynthiana, Kentucky, now buried in Arlington National with his memorial at the Vigilance Park at Fort Meade, MD - NSA Headquarters.
Sugar Hill, New Hampshire
I agree. The company I work for is very conservative (at least the department I work for is) and sometimes it can feel like a very oppressive environment. (To give you an idea, Fox News is on 24 hours in the company fitness room, the channel cannot physically be changed even if I am the only person working out... I have asked :) Even though my coworkers are nice - I just feel like I cannot freely express my opinion on anything that might "give me away" as a liberal and put a big target on my head. So it gives me a lot of hope, when I read the comments and the blogs that Jim puts up here, that the story of the "other" America can be told by people like Jim and people like those who post here. The story of the America that doesn't necessarily support the War (or at least doesn't anymore), the story of the America that believes "family values" start with keeping families together, not ripping them apart. The story of the America that knows valuing life means valuing all lives - regardless of age, color, creed, orientation, and regardless of whether they are American, Iraqi, Afghanistani etc... and the story of the America that believes there is more to life than money.
Unfortunately, it seems the American people have been indoctrinated to somehow disconnect themselves entirely from violence or wrongful death. Even considering a blatant expose of these things, I doubt there will be many epiphanies in America. It is a sad form of mass psychopathy.
It is a very general observation, of course, but since ignorance is becoming less of an excuse with each passing day, total unconcern for human life seems to be the only other explanation for a refusal of the American people to popularly and unrelentingly demand withdrawal right this very minute!
The next question is: How does one reverse this process of de-sensitization?
Your excerpt made me realize that while I expect so much of this movie will make me angry, another side of it will make me cry at the loss of ANY life for this reckless pursuit.
On a happier note, while I have some very cool friends in my conservative DuPage County, IL, I wish I knew all of these great, enthusiastic and thoughtful people that have written into this comment area. Their energy and strong spirit is obvious. The sense of caring for individuals and a desire to help people in need as displayed by the postings should return as one of the core values of all Americans. We need to stand up for one another! Helping a friend does not include enriching the value of yours/their stock portfolios!