Saddam Hussein is addicted to weapons of mass destruction?!?!?!

The documentary film, "War Made Easy," discusses the many ways the United States government has spun the truth, particularly with the intent of getting the American public to support the country in times of war. With many examples from the Vietnam War to the Gulf War, and to the war in Iraq today, the film is definitely an eye-opener. The Film helped me to realize how easy it is to assume that what we hear from government officials and higher status public figures is true, where in reality that simply is not the case. With that said, the biggest question in my mind after watching "War Made Easy," was, who could I really believe? Naturally I believe the government who I have trusted without much question, but now this film is telling me the complete opposite, leaving me to feel like it can only be black or white, right or wrong. This film made me think that "truth" is more of an imaginary ideal than something that we can truly hope to expect.

Watching the movie makes the viewer question the government and people in positions of power. Several statements were made concerning the way that the United States pushes democracy onto the public because it is the right, moral, and just way to run a country, duh! Or so they argue. The movie makes many other very genuine and legitimate arguments against the way that our country is run in time of war, or in times of "freeing the people" of other countries.

What I would really like to see out of a movie is one that argues both sides. Obviously there is an incentive for the government to go to war, even if they are not necessarily justified. The main concept I took from the movie was that presidents that have taken us to war have done it for the American ego, or something to that effect, and I'd be curious to find out what lies between the black and the white. What I mean here, is that usually the other country is wrong, and the United States is right because we are a democracy. As much as we like dichotomous labeling, there is not a true right or wrong, but rather, most issues fall within a continuum between two extremes. I'm afraid "War Made Easy" only considers both extremes.

Because most of the American public has lived their lives truly believing what the government tells us to be true, it is going to be hard for an hour and a half film arguing the other side to be as convincing as it aims to be. Don't get me wrong, films like "War Made Easy" need to exist, but I also think it is fair to question the legitimacy of the claims it makes just as much as the film questions the morality and demeanor of the American government.


Cass Kreitlow
Hamline Undergraduate Student
Junior
1217 Van Buren
Saint Paul MN 55104

Comm. 3639: Cass Kreitlow

Hello anyone and everyone. I am Cass Kreitlow and am a Junior Communication Studies Major at Hamline University. I am a member of the Hamline University Baseball Program, as well as a member of the Hamline University Jazz Band. I am currently employed by the Hamline Payroll office as well as The Big League Baseball Camps and Clinics. I hope to graduate with a BA degree in Communication Studies and go on to get my masters in teaching. What I want to teach is to be determined, but I have always been interested in teaching at the junior high level. I am not naturally an organized person but have become an organized maniac in the last year which I take a lot of pride in. My favorite quote is from The Doors' Jim Morrison, "Where's your will to be weird?" I take that to heart and am also outgoing and driven. I'll keep you updated if I feel that you need to know anything else about me.

Have a great day!

Cass Kreitlow
Hamline Undergraduate Student
Junior
1217 Van Buren
Saint Paul MN 55104