"You can learn about war by walking through this facility...the horrors of what man can do to man are visualized right here. But we do our best, our level best, to make sure our people survive and make it back to their homes."
-- Col. Casper P. Jones III, Commander, 86th Combat Support Hospital
If you didn't catch it yet, please check your local listings and watch HBO's Baghdad ER. This movie is a reminder of the tremendous heroism and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, the courageous doctors who work around the clock to keep them alive, and the Chaplains who provide spiritual comfort in the most harrowing of circumstances.
We read the names, and watch the number of those we've lost in Iraq continually rise, but we don't see the faces. This movie gives us a glimpse into the horrific human cost of war, and does not allow us to close our eyes to the gruesome reality. We hear much about how positive stories coming out of Iraq don't get reported, but my friends who are or were there tell me that we don't see the grim reality, because we can't handle it. And that reality is critical to understand if we are to properly evaluate the merits of this war.
It is painful and heart-wrenching to watch the graphic scenes of young Americans torn apart by I.E.D.s, losing their limbs and suffering unimaginable injuries, and worst of all, losing their lives. The only thing more powerful than these images is the bravery of our medical personnel who work tirelessly to save them.
All Citizen Hunters should see this film. Regardless of your view of the war in Iraq, it is important for us to see the war's true cost, and the daily heroic acts of our soldiers and doctors in harms way.
Sorry about the long links, wish the "war president" would watch this one. Maybe when he's spent all his "political capital" he'll take a moment to see some of his creation.
If you've read the book "Johnny Got His Gun" by Dalton Trumbo, you will see that we are creating a lot of Johnny's. I thought I had it bad in Vietnam, I can't believe that I am powerless to stop the insanity and that 30% still think we should "stay the course". Frank Rich wrote a great op/ed in the NY Times that really says it all in the title, "Suporting Our Troops Over a Cliff" 2,475 dead soldiers, a record number of journalists killed, 58 women soldiers dead, recruiting is down, standards have been lowered. One needn't have to ask if the National Guard is capable of responding to a national emergency, look no farther than New Orleans or Mississippi.
Stars and Stripes article related to the documentary "Army hospitals getting copies of 'Baghdad ER' documentary" Army Medical Corps plans to use as a training film.
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=36403&archive=true
NY Times article "Army Concerned About HBO War Film"
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/14/us/14hbo.html?ex=1305259200&en=98bf6e33c6cb0f68&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Posted by: Mike Collins at June 5, 2006 02:35 PMLooks like a good film, I will check it out.
Posted by: Matt at June 6, 2006 10:04 PMI have heard alot of good things about this show from servicemembers. Its enough to make me subscribe to cable again.
Posted by: jd at June 7, 2006 05:11 PM