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"War Made Easy": From the Gulf of Tonkin to WMD [VIDEO]

Posted by Adam Howard at 5:48 AM on August 7, 2007.


A terrific sequence from the new documentary "War Made Easy", which shows the identical pattern of lies that got us into both Vietnam and Iraq.

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Watching this footage from 1964 and then later during the lead up to the Iraq War featuring prominently Colin Powell, I can't help ponder what goes on in that man's mind. Of all the Bush Administration clowns one would think Powell would have learned some lesson from Vietnam or held onto some bitterness once it was revealed that the entire event that was supposed to have triggered that war never happened and yet as this video shows how he was seen by many pundits and people as the man who "sealed the deal" on this current war. I just wonder if that keeps him up at night.

Anyway, this footage is from a highly acclaimed new documentary called "War Made Easy", which is narrated by Sean Penn and features writer Norman Solomon, on whose book the film is based. The uses shocking archival footage from the 60s and juxtaposes it with footage from 2002 and 2003, proving not just that administrations were repeating themselves but also mainstream news organizations morphed from reporters to cheerleaders overnight. Check out the video to your right for more.

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Tagged as: bush administration, powell, iraq war, war made easy, solomon, vietnam

Adam Howard is the editor of PEEK.


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This is NOT new
Posted by: russianblue1 on Aug 7, 2007 6:07 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
For anyone paying attention these past few years, this is NOT news. The Tonkin/WMD connection was made a LONG time ago.

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» RE: This is NOT new Posted by: Vik
9/11 got us into Afghanistan
Posted by: kellysgarden on Aug 7, 2007 7:18 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
and WMD got us into Iraq.

Both 9/11 and WMD were crafted ahead of time as false flag scenarios.

Beware of the next false flag scenario which will bring even more war (and profits to the neo-cons MI complex).

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» RE: .9/11 got us into Afghanistan Posted by: aurora2484
The Psychology of Warmongering
Posted by: Roy Eidelson on Aug 7, 2007 7:32 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
For those interested in a psychological analysis of warmongering, I have recently completed a 10-minute online video entitled “Resisting the Drums of War.” It examines how the Bush administration has promoted the misguided and destructive war in Iraq by targeting five core concerns that often govern our lives--concerns about vulnerability, injustice, distrust, superiority, and helplessness. Looking ahead, the continuing occupation of Iraq--or an attack on Iran--will likely be sold to us in much the same way. The video examines these warmongering appeals and how to counter them. It’s available for viewing HERE.

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» The question is... Posted by: buffeliscious
These People Do Not Act Alone...
Posted by: thehousedog on Aug 7, 2007 7:42 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
They are our friends, relatives and neighbors, and we are equally as responsible as those who are in positions of "power" for not attempting to influence them with our thoughts and ideas as well. For every reporter who has not challenged the Bush & Co. doctrines, there is a neighbor, family member or friend who also FAILED to ask the "why" questions of those who should also be asking the questions. Equally, for every member of the Bush & Co. administraion and government, there is a neighbor, family member or friend who also FAILED to ask the "why" questions of those in power. We as a nation have all failed in our duty. Is this an excuse? No, but it should give us all pause to stop and think at every decision that we and others make on the behalf of everybody else in this country. We The People are ultimatly ALL responsible.

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» RE: These People Do Not Act Alone... Posted by: outsideagitator
General Strike
Posted by: Gonnuts on Aug 7, 2007 8:23 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Impeach/Out of Iraq GENERAL STRIKE SEPT.11th

Buy nothing - do nothing! Tell your co-workers, friends, neighbors, strangers, stay home from work, be you cab-driver, baker, banker, waitress, manager, painter, contractor, cashier, cameraman, garbage collector, entertainer, laborer, gardener, if you own a company give your employees the day off, whatever you do do nothing! Is you future and the future of this country worth one day out of your life? Bring this country to a standstill!

Pass it on. Post a sign.

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» RE: General Strike Posted by: peacefullaim
frank69
Posted by: frank69 on Aug 7, 2007 9:52 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colin Powell was instrumental in the cover-up of the infamous MyLai massacre during the Vietnam War. He was a member of General Westmoreland's staff at the time. Bet he didn't mention that fact in his memoirs!

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» RE: frank69 Posted by: Astroboy
The propaganda goes on unabated
Posted by: dainin on Aug 7, 2007 11:23 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Be very afraid...

And Alternot has been an integral part of the propaganda machine.

But never think for yourself

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» RE: . Not true. Posted by: aurora2484
Those who do not remember the past...
Posted by: P. Hermes on Aug 7, 2007 11:29 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Adapted from: http://snopes.com/quotes/goering.htm


"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger. It works the same way in any country."

-- Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials


The quote cited above does not appear in transcripts of the Nuremberg trials because although Goering spoke these words during the course of the proceedings, he did not offer them at his trial. His comments were made privately to Gustave Gilbert, a German-speaking intelligence officer and psychologist who was granted free access by the Allies to all the prisoners held in the Nuremberg jail. Gilbert kept a journal of his observations of the proceedings and his conversations with the prisoners, which he later published in the book Nuremberg Diary. The quote offered above was part of a conversation Gilbert held with a dejected Hermann Goering in his cell on the evening of 18 April 1946, as the trials were halted for a three-day Easter recess.

Gilbert recorded Goering's observations that the common people can always be manipulated into supporting and fighting wars by their political leaders:

We got around to the subject of war again and I said that, contrary to his attitude, I did not think that the common people are very thankful for leaders who bring them war and destruction.

"Why, of course, the people don't want war," Goering shrugged. "Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship."

"There is one difference," I pointed out. "In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars."

"Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."

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bill davidson
Posted by: pnut on Aug 7, 2007 7:50 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Now ever post on this page is a 5 rating, all of the people who read this know the truth, the lies Mr. Bush & Co., told us is just a dam lie now that we all know the truth, what the hell can we do about it? I feel so helpless, to know the truth and not be able to do any thing about it is sick. Bill Davidson I think I am going to be sick uh uh uh

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» RE: .bill davidson Posted by: aurora2484
Iraq has absolutely nothing in common with Vietnam
Posted by: bestofthebest on Aug 7, 2007 9:22 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It is imperative that we win in Iraq.
Winning is defined as leaving Iraq a country that can govern, sustain and defend itself. And be an ally in the war on terror.

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