from al-jazeera: War is hell, but for Hollywood it has been a Godsend, providing the perfect dramatic setting against which courageous heroes win the hearts & minds of the movie going public. The Pentagon recognises the power of these celluloid dreams & encourages Hollywood to create heroic myths; to rewrite history to suit its own strategy & as a recruiting tool to provide a steady flow of willing young patriots for its wars. What does Hollywood get out of this 'deal with the devil'? Access to billions of dollars worth of military kit, from helicopters to aircraft carriers, enabling filmmakers to make bigger & more spectacular battle scenes, which in turn generate more box office revenue. Providing they accept the Pentagon's advice, even toe the party line & show the US military in a positive light. So is it a case of art imitating life or sinister force using art to influence life & death & the public perception of both?
Showing posts with label al-jazeera. Show all posts
Showing posts with label al-jazeera. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
'hollywood & the war machine'
from al-jazeera: War is hell, but for Hollywood it has been a Godsend, providing the perfect dramatic setting against which courageous heroes win the hearts & minds of the movie going public. The Pentagon recognises the power of these celluloid dreams & encourages Hollywood to create heroic myths; to rewrite history to suit its own strategy & as a recruiting tool to provide a steady flow of willing young patriots for its wars. What does Hollywood get out of this 'deal with the devil'? Access to billions of dollars worth of military kit, from helicopters to aircraft carriers, enabling filmmakers to make bigger & more spectacular battle scenes, which in turn generate more box office revenue. Providing they accept the Pentagon's advice, even toe the party line & show the US military in a positive light. So is it a case of art imitating life or sinister force using art to influence life & death & the public perception of both?
Thursday, September 06, 2007
osama plans new video for 9/11
from ap: Osama bin Laden plans a new video to be released in the coming days ahead of the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in what would be the first new images of the terror mastermind in nearly three years, al-Qaida's media arm announced Thursday.
The al-Qaida leader has not appeared in new video footage since Oct. 29, 2004, and he has not put out a new audiotape in more than a year.
One difference in his appearance was immediately obvious. The announcement had a still photo from the upcoming video, showing bin Laden addressing the camera, his beard fully black. In his past videos, bin Laden's beard was almost entirely gray with dark streaks.
Rita Katz, director of the SITE Institute, a Washington-based group that monitors terror messages, said bin Laden's beard appeared to have been dyed, a popular practice among Arab leaders.
"I think it works for their (al-Qaida's) benefit that he looks young, he looks healthy," Katz said.
update: US government examines bin laden video
from afp: The US government is analyzing a copy of the latest video message said to be made by elusive Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden for the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, top US officials said Friday.
"I can confirm that USG has the video and it is currently being analyzed," a senior US administration official told AFP, referring to the US government.
The al-Qaida leader has not appeared in new video footage since Oct. 29, 2004, and he has not put out a new audiotape in more than a year.
One difference in his appearance was immediately obvious. The announcement had a still photo from the upcoming video, showing bin Laden addressing the camera, his beard fully black. In his past videos, bin Laden's beard was almost entirely gray with dark streaks.
Rita Katz, director of the SITE Institute, a Washington-based group that monitors terror messages, said bin Laden's beard appeared to have been dyed, a popular practice among Arab leaders.
"I think it works for their (al-Qaida's) benefit that he looks young, he looks healthy," Katz said.
update: US government examines bin laden video
from afp: The US government is analyzing a copy of the latest video message said to be made by elusive Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden for the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, top US officials said Friday.
"I can confirm that USG has the video and it is currently being analyzed," a senior US administration official told AFP, referring to the US government.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
what is aipac?
from google video/wikipedia: The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is a special interest group that lobbies the United States Government in favor of maintaining a close US-Israel relationship. Describing itself as "America's Pro-Israel Lobby," it is a mass-membership organization including both Jews and non-Jews. AIPAC was formed during the Eisenhower administration, and since then has helped secure American aid and support to Israel.
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