"Sir! No Sir!"

11 Comments

1. 

   Steven D on April 7, 2006 at 7:25 am

   Thanks for the heads up Jim.  On my list if it comes to my town.

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     jimstaro on April 7, 2006 at 5:18 pm

     Welcome Steve, keep checking the site for updates, also keep a headsup about what the local Pro-Peace Actvists might be planning.
     We had a showing of it on the 25th, last month, here in Charlotte, because we had a copy of the DVD sent to a ‘Nam vet who served 2yrs of a 9yr sentence.
     I had 2 copies of ‘Caught in the Crossfire- The Untold Story of Falluja’ which we also shown after a panel discussion, following ‘Sir! No Sir!’ of which I participated in!!

2. 

   Kahli on April 7, 2006 at 10:41 am

   I wonder if the size and visibility of the anti-war movement helped to create an environment in which members of the military felted empowered enough to questions authority.  I wonder if  our efforts not to vilify military personnel, as happened during Viet Nam, might have had the unintended consequence of making it harder for soldiers to speak out.

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     Bearpaw on April 7, 2006 at 11:13 am

     I wonder if  our efforts not to vilify military personnel, as happened during Viet Nam, might have had the unintended consequence of making it harder for soldiers to speak out.

     For one thing, the vilification of military personnel during and after ‘Nam was evidently much less common than commonly believed.  I’m certain that it happened, but I’m equally certain that it was blown out of proportion by war-supporters smearing their opponents.  For instance, some years back, somebody went looking for Vietnam soldiers who had been spit on, in order to tell their stories.  He couldn’t find any.  It was always “friend of a friend” stuff.

     For another thing, how the hell would vilifying military personnel make it easier for them to speak out?  I dunno about you, but I’m a little less likely to take someone seriously if they insult me.  Certain friends can use the first-you-have-to-get-the-mule’s-attention approach on me to good effect, but I wouldn’t take that shit from anyone else.

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       Kahli on April 7, 2006 at 12:53 pm

       I see what you are saying.  I also asked the question of myself because it is something I’m wondering about not because it is something I have conclusively decided.

       I, too, have heard that the attacks on returning Viet Nam Vets (verbal or otherwise) were overstated and I frankly feel this is true. I don’t have any facts to back it up, but it sounds truthy to me.

       What I was grappling with was the idea promoted by the right/pro-war crowd that it is somehow wrong/traitorous/immoral/cowardly/evil to question the actions of the military. If those of us who have flat-out opposed the war from the beginning find ourselves intimidated for fear of being called unpatriotic, how much more difficult it must be for those in the service.

       I shake my head when I hear praise heaped upon service men and women who state they don’t think the war was right and yet volunteer to go there — sometimes more than once.  In what other situation would we applaud people for doing repeatedly something that offends their conscience?

       The right wing has been very successful in mischaracterizing those who question the actions of the military. America applauds heroism in actions of individuals who fight bravely in the war zone. What we don’t do is applaud the bravery of those who answer their conscience by saying “Sir. No, Sir.”

       I’m not sure I’m expressing this very well, but it is just a question that has been gnawing in the back of my head. (OUCH!)

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       jimstaro on April 7, 2006 at 5:25 pm

       about the ‘Spitting’ won’t go into detail but It Couldn’t Happen To Us Returning, simple reason, we Didn’t Fly Into Anyplace Where It Would Be Possible!!

       And ‘Any’, though the ones told me kept changing as I pursued questions over time to those who stated it,’Spitting’ that might[?] have happened was Blown Way Out, Now ‘Verbal’ Spitting happened on a Regular Basis, just as now, and by the same, Pro-War Sheep!!!

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     jimstaro on April 7, 2006 at 5:21 pm

     But it mostly came about from what was going on in Vietnam and the Experiances of Many of us who served there. ‘GoldStar’ Moms also joined the Vets which Really Made A Powerful Force to Face!!

     When you get the chance take in a viewing, you’ll understand Much More!!

3. 

   SallyCat on April 7, 2006 at 11:45 am

   Both places close to me are tonight….and I can’t get there on such short notice….damn!

   Thanks for the info – it is great that the movie is coming out and that maybe it will inspire another generation of soldiers to speak out.

   Would’ve commented at the Orange site but was busy booting the troll around and had seen the diary here.

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     jimstaro on April 7, 2006 at 5:27 pm

     Read the reply to Steve and Follow that. And believe me, if being shown now It Will Come Back!!!

4. 

   Damnit Janet on April 7, 2006 at 6:31 pm

   Thanks for the heads up. We just had someone email the codepink info email about this.

   Love, Janet

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     jimstaro on April 7, 2006 at 7:23 pm

     Janet!!

     Saw Portland will be showing next month, suggest a Panel Discussion somewhere after the showing, BOHICA propably would be more than happy to participate!!