Kerry urges we watch or host new Robert Greenwald film "Iraq for Sale"

[_dynamicdems]

In the latest e-mail from Senator Kerry, he asks that we sign up to host or attend a screening of this important Brave New Films offering.

I'd heard of this film, but I'm glad to have gotten this reminder from John Kerry or I might have forgotten. I signed up and forwarded an invitation to everyone I know. The more people that watch this, the better.

Dear DD,

You and I know that President Bush and his administration have created a disaster in Iraq -- and instead of setting a deadline to bring our heroes home and make Iraqis stand up for Iraq, the administration says "stay the course."

Well, "staying the course" isn't far-sighted; it's blind. Leaving our troops in the middle of a civil war isn't resolute; it's reckless. Half of the service members listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall died after America's leaders knew our strategy would not work. It was immoral then, and it would be immoral now to engage in the same delusion.

This Administration is terrified that enough Americans now realize that the war in Iraq has overstretched our military, served as a recruitment tool for terrorists, divided and pushed away our traditional allies, diverted critical billions of dollars from the real front lines against terrorism, and diminished our moral authority in the world.

But that's not all. It has also been a massive failure of management. The idea that American troops were sent into battle without the body armor they needed, and that American tax dollars meant to win the hearts and minds of Iraqis instead lined the pockets of contractors and big corporations while the insurgency grew, is an outrage of historic proportions. It is a reminder of why we are right and why it is patriotic to stand up against a broken policy, and why the blank-check, rubber-stamp Washington Republicans need to be fired for their incompetence and irresponsibility.

But guess what? No one is hearing us yet. And the big Republican dollars flowing from the same Texas Republicans who funded the Swift Boat smears of 2004 are being spent in the hopes of making sure you and your families don't ever hear the truth over the noise of fear.

We need to fight back. That's why I need you to see, and I need you to get your friends and your family to go out and see, the new film by Robert Greenwald, "Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers," because here in the weeks before the midterm elections we need as big and broad and full-throated a debate as possible about the war in Iraq.

I sat down and watched this film. I watched as Sgt. Kelly Dougherty of the Colorado National Guard said, "The tents that we were staying in were completely moldy and everybody was getting sick with respiratory infections. They're getting millions of dollars, and why can't they even give us a tent that doesn't make us sick to sleep in?"

Good luck to the armchair Republicans sitting in Washington when they challenge our patriotism and say "support the troops" -- these are our sons and daughters in uniform reminding these Republicans that "we are the troops."

Once I saw this film, I knew we had to do something about it. That's why we're supporting Brave New Films as they organize screenings of "Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers" in locations across the country -- not in major movie theaters, but in your houses and those of your neighbors. On Saturday, October 14, I will be attending one of these screenings, and following the screening at 9:00 p.m. EDT, I will join Greenwald on a live conference call to discuss the implications of the film and what you can do to make a difference.

You can participate in next week's "Patriotism Over Profit" screenings in one of two ways: you can sign up to host your own screening, or you can sign up to attend a screening at a location near you.

http://iraqforsale.org/screenings.php?track=kerry">I can host or attend a screening of "Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers" next week


It is important for this film to be watched, not in isolation, but with friends, family, and neighbors. "Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers" can do more than expose the errors of the past; it can foster discussion about the new course we can and must chart for the future. If you participate in a screening on Saturday, October 14, I look forward to joining you for this discussion at 9:00 p.m. EDT.

http://iraqforsale.org/screenings.php?track=kerry">I can host or attend a screening of "Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers" next week

We have fewer than five weeks to spread the word before voters go to the polls on November 7. Please make your voice heard.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

P.S. If you are unable to host or attend a screening next week, you can order your own copy of "Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers" to watch and share with everyone you know.

Text

[Island Blue]

1. Thanks for posting.

Looks like this is a "must see" film.

[_dynamicdems]

2. I've been looking forward to this film!

But you know how it is: so much is happening and it is easy to forget. Thanks to JK for the reminder. Of course, when you get the prod from JK, you respond. It is also a great testimonial for the film that Senator Kerry wants to promote it. It makes me even more determined not to miss it.

[blm]

3. Anyone who watches that film will DEMAND a withdrawal from Iraq.

Kerry is smart to promote this film. Hopefully, Feingold will join him, and then they can RESUBMIT their withdrawal plan to the Senate when they get back from recess.

Or do it with a Dem majority voting in January.

[_dynamicdems]

8. You know, it really ticks me off how all those Dems who whined about the

Kerry-Feingold-Boxer Amendment for withdrawal couldn't distance themselves from it fast enough. This is going to be yet another example of KWR Syndrome (Kerry WAS Right).

I'd like to see them re-introduce it, but watch some opportunist like Biden or Clinton jump in there (or try to) with a nearly exact plan and get Reid's support. At least the earlier bill and all their statements will be on record.

While they were playing politics, people have been dying: that is what really pisses me off, not the fact that they didn't support Kerry's bill. How could any public servants choose political safety over the safety of our troops?

I'd better not go off on this tangent until after the elections: Keep repeating Democratic Unity, Democratic Unity, Democratic Unity! After November, let's all ask, "NOW CAN WE GET THE HELL OUT OF IRAQ?"

[blm]

13. I will predict this - By early next year, Warner will join with Kerry and

Feingold in crafting a withdrawal plan.

[karynnj]

4. The reviews look very good for this movie

I didn't look at all of them just the NYT and a few others. It's great that Kerry is pushing this before the election. He is right that this is a disscussion that we need - especially with the troops sitting in the middle of a civil war. I hope this can jolt people into caring.

The reviews etc are at the link at http://iraqforsale.org/

[_dynamicdems]

10. Thanks for reminding me about that link.

I want to post the link on my Web site.

[Blaukraut]

5. I think I'll order a copy

This is an important film!

[kwolf68]

6. This war ... like most

Serves to enrich the powerful. FDR's idealistic vision that no millionaires would be created as the result of WWII has long since been suffocated by our nation's laziness and the abject greed of those who run it.

[blm]

12. This is why Open Government with open books is so important.

It's what is hidden from the citizens that ends up biting us all in the ass later on.

It's less likely war will be a first resort if there is no one getting richer off them.

[Catchawave]

7. I'm so happy JK is promoting this !

MoveOn members get a free copy of the DVD if they host a watching/phone banking party. I much rather just order a copy.

Thanks for the link ! :hi:

[_dynamicdems]

9. I'm going to order a copy too, but I want to attend the screening at a

local college to see it on the "big screen" first.

Your welcome! Let's hope it helps to wake up people up.

:hi:

[welshTerrier2]

11. kick, kudos, recommended

first, a major kudos to Kerry for endorsing the Greenwald film ...

war profiteering and imperialism needs to be a major focus for the Democratic Party ... until we have the courage to stand up to the military-industrial complex and American imperialism, the great resources of the United States will remain co-opted by greedy, selfish profiteers ... the sales pitch will be cloaked in patriotism, protecting the country, delivering democracy around the world to oppressed peoples; it's all bullshit ...

until we put "people before profits", the credibility of our government and the credibility of the parties that control it will not be restored ... there's gold in them thar hills if Democrats will take up the challenge ... i'm sorry to say i'm not very optimistic that, as a party, they will ...

it's great to see Kerry standing up on this issue ... i doubt his endorsement will be backed up by the party's conservative right-wing ...

[GetTheRightVote]

14. I am planning on watching it as well....JohnK is on a roll.

:kick:

[wisteria]

15. I ordered a couple of extra copies to give to friends. n/t

[karynnj]

16. This should be a huge scandal

Bush and the Republicans fought any oversight on the $87 billion budget and others - much went to profiteers who didn't even have the decency to give the soldiers good water, food and tents. It would have been bad enough if they simply blatantly over charged the government but they provided bad stuff!

Foley challanges that they are the party of values
This challanges that they are the party of patriotism