...another less attractive but probably more realistic version of modern warfare in Iraq today ...
August 5, 2006 4:31 PM Subscribe
Pentagon to Soldiers: Don't Post those Trophy Videos Online ... another said it made him feel good to bring the gruesome reality of a soldier's life in Iraq to those living safely behind their "clean, white picket fences at home".
...the taking and posting of trophy video served as some kind of relief from the psychological stresses of serving as a soldier in such a violent and acutely dangerous place. ... and from PBS' Mediashift: Your Guide to Soldier Videos From Iraq
I have a question - should I watch this stuff?
On the one hand, there is stigma attached to watching snuff, and a social dislike of exposing people to extremes of violence.
On the other, isn't there a responsibility for people to be as aware as possible of what they have sent soldiers to do?
posted by -harlequin- at 4:50 PM on August 5, 2006
On the one hand, there is stigma attached to watching snuff, and a social dislike of exposing people to extremes of violence.
On the other, isn't there a responsibility for people to be as aware as possible of what they have sent soldiers to do?
posted by -harlequin- at 4:50 PM on August 5, 2006
From the second link:
As for what constitutes “improper images,” Vician confirms that they are images that give away troop positioning or other security details, as well as those that demean the enemy or glorify violence. While that might be true in theory, hundreds of combat videos online do glorify violence...
"Security details" are a legitimate concern. But it's important to show respect for those one kills, and to make sure the message gets out that killing isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Nice post and thanks.
posted by sluglicker at 4:52 PM on August 5, 2006
As for what constitutes “improper images,” Vician confirms that they are images that give away troop positioning or other security details, as well as those that demean the enemy or glorify violence. While that might be true in theory, hundreds of combat videos online do glorify violence...
"Security details" are a legitimate concern. But it's important to show respect for those one kills, and to make sure the message gets out that killing isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Nice post and thanks.
posted by sluglicker at 4:52 PM on August 5, 2006
I wonder if thiese images will be as frowned upon as the 911 recording from last week. Will this be decried as snuff? As pornography?
posted by Astro Zombie at 4:53 PM on August 5, 2006
posted by Astro Zombie at 4:53 PM on August 5, 2006
I think most people (pro- and antiwar) want to see this stuff--they know that we've seen very little of what actually goes on daily there.
It's a public service, and they're actual historic documents (or will be).
posted by amberglow at 4:57 PM on August 5, 2006
It's a public service, and they're actual historic documents (or will be).
posted by amberglow at 4:57 PM on August 5, 2006
harlequin, some are very much like Civil War Diaries, and some are crude and nasty and snuff films. I'd check out MTV's special for a taste.--Iraq Uploaded: The War Network TV Won't Show You, Shot By Soldiers And Posted Online (if you can find it anywhere)
posted by amberglow at 5:00 PM on August 5, 2006
posted by amberglow at 5:00 PM on August 5, 2006
I have a question - should I watch this stuff?
We've done worse.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 5:01 PM on August 5, 2006
We've done worse.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 5:01 PM on August 5, 2006
Great post. The video from halfway down this MTV site is quite interesting as well (although it did want to install something onto my Firefox, but not my IE.)
posted by Cyrano at 5:20 PM on August 5, 2006
posted by Cyrano at 5:20 PM on August 5, 2006
This soldier's angry song against Bush, When the President Talks to God, is intense. It received a high rating, on the iFilm War Zone, which is why I checked it out. The most views on that site is this pretty innocuous (for these days) white rap vid, Lazy Ramadi. This movie is taken while driving an Army vehicle and a bomb going off. The vehicle and driver astonishingly don't seem to be the worse for wear, however, it left me feeling how terrifying it is to be a soldier.
The impression I got from the videos I looked at or skimmed through is that there is an anti-this-war sentiment running through many of them.
posted by nickyskye at 6:39 PM on August 5, 2006
The impression I got from the videos I looked at or skimmed through is that there is an anti-this-war sentiment running through many of them.
posted by nickyskye at 6:39 PM on August 5, 2006
however, it left me feeling how terrifying it is to be a soldier.
No offense intended but a video does not even come close to what it feels like to be in such a situation. Barely two forms of input (sight and sound) are relayed and neither is close to the actual sensations experienced.
I am not that surprised that the videos being made are critical of what is happening in Iraq.
posted by Dagobert at 9:50 PM on August 5, 2006
No offense intended but a video does not even come close to what it feels like to be in such a situation. Barely two forms of input (sight and sound) are relayed and neither is close to the actual sensations experienced.
I am not that surprised that the videos being made are critical of what is happening in Iraq.
posted by Dagobert at 9:50 PM on August 5, 2006
The impression I got from the videos I looked at or skimmed through is that there is an anti-this-war sentiment running through many of them.
posted by nickyskye
Some may be anti-this-war, but some are just from sick fucks.
From the first link:
So why do servicemen want to film this stuff and why do they want to share it with the folks back home ?
One filmmaker compared his material with a video game: "you're stepped away from reality ... you're seeing it through the camera lens."
Another said it was the only way he could feel proud of his work, "like a big game hunter feels proud of his kills".
posted by leftcoastbob at 11:28 PM on August 5, 2006
posted by nickyskye
Some may be anti-this-war, but some are just from sick fucks.
From the first link:
So why do servicemen want to film this stuff and why do they want to share it with the folks back home ?
One filmmaker compared his material with a video game: "you're stepped away from reality ... you're seeing it through the camera lens."
Another said it was the only way he could feel proud of his work, "like a big game hunter feels proud of his kills".
posted by leftcoastbob at 11:28 PM on August 5, 2006
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