Meghan McCain: Why Does Hollywood Hate Our Troops?
by Big HollywoodMeghan McCain at the Daily Beast:
“I asked my mother if she would come see ["Brothers"] with me, but she said she didn’t want to give any money to a movie in which the preview showed the soldier coming back home and waving a gun at his family in their driveway. I have to admit, the preview disturbed me as well, but decided to see the film anyway because I’m always curious about Hollywood’s take on our soldiers and the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unfortunately, many of these films typically portray our soldiers as deserters—Stop Loss is another classic example of this stereotyping—or complete whackjobs.
“In Brothers, not only does one of the Marines captured by the Taliban actually say that he “realized we shouldn’t be there,” but Maguire’s character beats a fellow soldier to death with a lead pipe. Sam then returns home to his family and goes AWOL trying to kill both his wife and his brother. I don’t care if every producer, director, and screenwriter in Hollywood is against the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (and presumably most are), what offends me is the portrayal of soldiers as cowards and lunatics—driven to such lengths that they come home and try to kill their families. Obviously, post-traumatic stress disorder has become more prevalent in the military and clearly this is a problem that needs to be seriously addressed. But I believe these films add to the damage when they portray soldiers as disloyal, unwilling to serve, and against the missions themselves. In my experience, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
“How many deserters do you actually hear about on the news? Not very many. Unfortunately, the thousands of stories about heroism and courage that could be told about our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are not in the interest of many Hollywood filmmakers, and so a real disservice is being done to these troops. These films only perpetuate negative stereotypes about soldiers and the military. At a time when support for the war in Afghanistan is dividing this country, I simply don’t understand why Hollywood insists on portraying our soldiers in such a negative light. If Vietnam taught us anything, it was hate the war, love the warrior. …
“I urge everyone to see the documentary Brothers at War to understand what it’s truly like to serve (and be the loved one of someone serving) in a war.”
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105 Comments
I take most stuff she writes with a huge grain of salt. She's too sucky-uppy to the left for my tastes.
but glad to see she kind of seems to get it on this issue.
You should listen to Mom next time!
good point
I see Megan finally bought a clue concerning the Hollywood left. Maybe in 20 more years she'll also figure out big government statism isn't the answer, either. I know her father still hasn't figured that one out.
Tobey Maguire & Jake Gyllenhaal in an Iraq War movie? What Emile Hirsh was too busy on Sean Penn's next film "Castro: America's First Great Hero" to lend some surely needed cred?
Brothers Schmothers.
Who listens to this yahoo anyway?
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I don't understand why Meghan is surprised by Hollywood's consistently negative depiction of the military. A movie that shows them in a positve light would be more shocking. Too bad, most filmmakers are unwilling to make such a movie.
Which is why I absolutely REFUSE to see this movie… But then I refused to see this movie when I saw Natelie Portman was in it…. there was a time when I would spend money to see a movie she was in… but not as of late.
I realize that men and women come back from war with some sort of PTSD…. even my dad who was in Afghanistan for 6 months came back with some degree of it… and it's detrimental to the families and everyone involved… But how about instead of glorifying it in a movie we actually get the Government to get off their arses and do something to help our soldiers instead of casting them off like some begger on the street. :/ It amazes me how people expect the Government to take care of them when the Government can't even take care of those that put their lives on the line for that same Government… :/
Sorry for the rant…
I hope this girl is finally learning to know something before she talks about it. If her last name was Smith…well you get my point. P.S….We need Delay to head the RNC. Steele is too quiet, to soft, to nice to fight this enemy.
You've gotta be poopin' me, man!
Megan, the law of averages has been proven once more! You finally got one thing right!
Open your eyes girl, Lose your Hollywood pals, or, put 'em on the back burner, as you seek the other side of the issues that face our country. Get some balance.
Hollywood is not our main enemy, but they are a powerful, insistent, and hypnotic force for the radical left. Not the moderate left… the radical left.
I am the same way about Portman
interesting that the people who were appalled by Katrina response and complain about the lack of flu shots and the spotty treatment at VA hospitals, still think the government will suddenly become efficient enough to pay for global health care with out wasting a dime. Look the "don't check for breast cancer" thing was just the beginning, and if they get thier way, holy smokes.
Your rant is justified.
But this government is not the only one to cast off its soldiers.
The Brit government is well-practiced at it as well.
I have worked with the studios and the MPAA. They are trying to erase any legacy Hollywood once had in being supportive toward an American war effort – this goes to the fact that no matter what you thought of the man Joe McCarthy was right – this country and Hollywood is filled with commies. Starting with the White House.
I agree with Meghan on this one. I have absolutely no desire to see these three over rated 'actors' in anything, let alone a troop bashing, anti American romp. My wish is that that we ship all three of these brats to Afghanistan for six months. The realities of war, instead of the play acting of elite, pampered out of touch HOllywood types might actually be good for all three of them.
"How many deserters do you actually hear about on the news? Not very many."
True, but how many suicides do you actually hear about on the news? Not very many, though there have been tons over the past few years. Since when does the media do honest reporting that makes the government look bad?
War unquestionably damages the psyche of many people involved in the fighting. Most soldiers are able to return to some sort of normal life, but some are not. We can't deny that fact just because it makes us uncomfortable. We, through our government, are responsible for putting these men and women in horrific situations most of us can't even imagine. They deserve to be taken care of when they return home.
I really hate what our Governments do to our men and women… I realize that they volunteer for this gig… but in the events of these wars they see atrocious acts and suffer horrible wounds and then the Government doesn't have the audicity to take care of our veterens, because of their politics. Regardless of whether or not any one agrees with this war or that should be irrelevent… and our men and women of uniform should be WELL taken care of… both active duty and retired.
I agree… I just don't understand their way of thinking….. and the more I work for a city the more I hate bureaucracy…
I keep trying to remind the left that the people that they want in charge of their health care are the same ones that are in charge of the VA, Medicare, Medicaid, Katrina, etc…. they really don't have an answer for it.
I have been in three wars and served in the military police. The military actively recruits criminals, gangsters, scumbags and drop outs that should never get their hands on a gun or combat training. They act like animals. It brings discredit to the 75% of them / us that serve with distinction and pride. I have seen military members kill fellow soldiers in the war and beat their families and children at home and non of it can be blaimed on combat stress or PTSD, they were scum to start with. The government is under no obligation to coddle these animals, they belong in jail. A draft would swell the ranks with decent men.
Why Ms. McCain how unmoderate of you.
19 months and counting without going to see a Hollywood movie. Can't turn off Blue Rays yet but I am trying. I am down to 3 per year. Hollywood is evil and has done a wonderful job destroying this country.
the left keeps telling us that our soldiers ALL have PTSD, but how many stories do we hear about in the news of a crazy soldier going out and committing crimes?
I remember hearing a theory as to the true cause of PTSD, which was the reaction of people at home to their soldiers. during vietnam many "anti-war" protesters abused our troops, spitting on them and calling them baby killers as they arrived at the airports from the war zone. naturally, those experiences combined with a very unpleasant war took its toll on the veterans.
now I happen to know a family member who served in both afghanistan and iraq, and he is doing quite well, he doesn't have emotional outbursts as far as I know, and he has never done anything to make the family worry about his mental condition. certainly, no one accuses him of being a war criminal or anything nasty like that.
When they make a movie depicting how corrupt Obama and his posse of Czars are, among other maggots who are destroying this great country and its reputation, I will gladly spend the money to watch it. But I refuse to watch a movie where actors and liberal producers try to stereotype our warriors as the enemy. Kiss my American and patriotic buttocks…..
Is it possible to be anxious to NOT see a movie?
Bombs away.
A draft would be state slavery.
The "Twilight" kids were busy.
I'm not a psychologist and have no direct experience with this sort of thing, but why did we never hear about PTSD until Vietnam?
Not dismissing the issue by any means, just…curious.
Thanks for writing this. My husband served in Iraq and my son is enlisting in the Marines after high school. I am proud of them both.
I think that is why I cannot give any of her articles a single minute of my time. I sure her goal with this one is
strictly an attempt to placate some moderate to conservative republicans. I'll be glad when her star has burn out.
I think if you'll check the same type of anti-vet movies came out after WWI, II, and Korea. The WWII "crazed vet" plot line got veterans groups all bent out of shape and many extrapolated political purpose in the characterizations. Everyone who has been in battle has been disturbed to one degree or other, it's using the condition to further political agendas that is disgusting.
Ms. McCain most likely gleans her insight via a father who served in the military and was a POW. Therefore hers is an emotional acceptance and understanding of the military. Given that she writes for The Beast, I doubt she intellectually gets what she's saying.
Still, maybe her viewpoint can be small beacon of light in the darkness that is the Beast.
Meghan McCain. . . Meghan McCain. . . nope never heard of anything worth listening too from anyone with that name.
Our soldiers do not need to be treated as if they were victims. They do not need to be "taken care of" like poor little lost puppies. My son just finished a 15-month combat tour in Afghanistan — he actually volunteered for extra duty over there and enjoyed the work he did there. He endured some rough stuff, but he doesn't have a "damaged psyche." I know others who have done repeated tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they're fine: people are not fragile little eggs who break because they see a gory death.
The movie depictions of deserters and psychos in the military is bad, but the whiny therapy-oriented depiction of our troops in much of current dialogue is almost as bad. If there's any truth to it, it's because much of our society no longer raises up men, but instead raises whiny extended adolescents.
Oh! So now you are a sexist also?
The word vapid comes to mind when reading Meghan McCain's piece. The last really good movie that dealt with the effects of War on the returning vet was 'The War'. This movie actually showed a vietnam vet that struggled to overcome the effect of PTSD and honored his family. How refreshing. It showed the struggle to overcome PTSD rather than just the tradgedy.
Hollywood can't seem to make a truthful movie concerning this subject. The Liberal directors only are concerned with slamming the military and the Bush administration. That's why you won't find many vets in attendance at these political bashing festivals.
Meh. "I'm Meghan McCain, the blonde John McCain daughter, and I have thoughts and opinions. Read them at DailyBeast!"
Yawn.
I take it with PeptoBismol.
Meghan, this is a great article and some here just don't get it. This is a war against America and the people who defend her. This all started with the low life malcontents that crawl out of the mud in Woodstock. These mad dogs sons os bitches ended up working in the very establishment they wanted to destroy. These druggie perverts who thinks they invented everything had no choice to get with the program because they had to feed with worthless bellies. Now, they are in control of all media but FOX, they control the schools system so they can turn out mindless cultist of malcontents like them.
They attack our veterans, our Marines and soldiers because the represent everything they hate. The fact that McGuire took this role shows he has no balls to walk away from this crap. He is of the same generation of kids that are now fighting an enemy that would cut off Mcguire's head if they got their hands on him. Where is the loyalty to this country that gives this punk millions to run around in a Spiderman's custom? This is proof that we all need to stop going to patronize this shit coming out of the anus called Hollywood. They live off OUR money starve them out, stop going to see this vile crap and support films made by conservatives. Films that show our kids as heroes. There is one and its called FORGOTTEN HEROES and you can read all about it at http://www.forgottenheroesthemovie.com
My film is the ONLY game in town, you won't film another narrative film out there that honors our veterans in a positive light and the bastards made sure this film would never see the light of day.
LOL!!!~Thanks for the tip-I will keep a bottle next to my computer!!!
MP,huh? What, too stupid for Cooks and Bakers school?
Seriously, catfish, do you really think anyone outside of kos readers and Obambi hissownsef believe any of your drivel?
I think a felony conviction keeps you from being eligible to serve. Also, the army is kicking out any new enlistees who have a family history of mental issues given that their PC approach to issue-mitigation at Ft Hood was responsible for a lot of people being killed or wounded by a jihadi.
Got nothing to do with her sex, everything to do with her mind. No wonder Meghan doesn't like Sarah Palin. (She's jealous!)
I guess great minds think alike.
The vast majority of military people do not come back from a war zone with PTSD. PTSD is grossly over used. You need to read the clinical literature before making a statement like that.
She still doesn't get it, just like dad.
DeLay? Well, sh_t, why not — although I think Sarah Palin would also give the RNC the kick in the ass it desperately needs.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
F__k him. If J.D. Hayworth would just stop fidgeting around and announce his candidacy, I could guarantee that McCain would lose his seat.
Those who deride our sentinels will cry out when no one is there to protect their liberty. Sean Penn wouldn't be Sean Penn if he grew up in Venezuela.
As George Carlin pointed out, we've always had PTSD, it's just that we used to call it by harsher names in pre-PC days — it was called 'shellshock' in WWI and 'battle fatigue' in WWII and Korea. It wasn't until 'Nam that we started calling it "post-traumatic stress disorder". To quote him directly: "Don't you think all those vets coming back from Vietnam with problems would have gotten more help if we still called it shellshock?"
Sean Penn wouldn't be Sean Penn if he grew up in Venezuela.
Too bad.
How big of you to essentially call our soldiers "whiny extended adolescents."
as a veteran of afgahnistan and iraq I would like to point out that these sorts of movies and the impression that they give to an ignorant populace about how I "should" be acting actually make me want to act that way! just let me live my life, earn an honest living, go about my business and quit pestering me until I do tell you to shut up and then blame it on the war – the reason i tell you to shut up is because you need to shut up!
Yeah, I know.
It's just amazing guys like him don't understand that. There might be many talented folks in Venezuela, but Penn praises the guy who's oppressing them.
Maybe we were duped and the real McCain was never nominated to run for President, perhaps they tried to get McCains wife to run and John misunderstood and thought they meant him?
I didn't say that a vast majority of them come back with PTSD… and I didn't mean it as the vast majority… I'm sorry if it seemed like I was making a sweeping generalization but it was not my intention… Maybe I should have inserted the word SOME in there… :-/
Who gives a phuck what Hollywood thinks; they, like our professional athletes are so overpaid for such limited talent! Our sons and daughters in the military have to call on so much more talent and knowledge to not only keep themselves alive but to keep their men alive as well. They are as underpaid as actors and athletes are overpaid…it's criminal.
It would be nice if a real discussion about Ft. Hood could take place, BTW. How the hell was a guy preaching Jihad an officer in the Army? What does that say about the officers who promoted him?
wow…don't give away plot points or anything there, megs. (i was aware maguire did something "horrific", but didn't know what it was exactly; i assumed he beat the tar out of one of his taliban captors [of course, in retrospect, i now realize that possibility is an absurdity in Hollywood films]).
I think this article is well-intentioned, and certainly there are some soldiers who need our help when they return. War nearly always changes in some way, small or large, those who serve. But she still doesn't quite get it. You can't support the troops while attacking the very thing they're fighting for. These men and women who join the military do so because they believe in what they're doing. They go over there, and day after day, week after week, put their lives on the line because they feel they're doing the right thing. Maligning that, criticizing it day in and day out and then turning around and saying, "Oh, but I still support the troops!" is ridiculous and hypocritical at best. It just doesn't work.
my question wouldnt be how many people go awol. My question would be how many american soldiers have actualy goten away from their taliban alive. As far as they kill all americans.
Maybe Big Hollywood should consider replacing Carl Kozlowski with Meghan McCain as its movie reviewer.
No, not sexism. . . I'm anti-RINO. Or is it anti-stupid? Or is that saying the same thing?
See, I view it the exact opposite. I heard a vet who was paralyzed in Iraq say that the only people who should "support" a war are the ones doing the fighting. Everyone else should simply pray for the troops to return safely as soon as possible because that's the only way non-military folks can "support the troops." I thought he made a good point.
Our men and women do their job because it's a job. Some of them no doubt fully believe in what they're doing, and some of them no doubt don't fully believe in what they're doing. We don't all like what we have to do with our jobs everyday, and it's no different for people in the military. For that reason, it's quite possible to "support the troops" without supporting a war when "supporting the troops" means praying for their safe return.
Alrighty then.
Meghan, you did your service. Now go back to your Lib friends and Facebook page and write something crappy about Sarah P. You're overdue aren't you?
http://cafepress.com/rightwingstuff
Alrighty then.
Meghan, you did your service. Now go back to your Lib friends and Facebook page and write something crappy about Sarah P. You're overdue aren't you?
http://cafepress.com/rightwingstuff
Studies show that military men that come home are much less likely to cause problems in society then the people with no military experience. I remember some commie in congress making a ridiculous claim that they, (ex-soldiers), were a danger to society, but the facts came out that they are ten times safer then the dirtbags without military service.
Ron Reale
realetybytes@yahoo.com
realetybytes.townhall.com
Tell us something we God fearing,right thinking, American loving people didn't already know about Hollyweird Meghan.
Will Big Hollywood post Meghan's articles on how the Republicans should be more like Democrats?
You got that right!!
Meghan McCain is nothing but an egotist willing to suck up to anything that will give her 15 minutes of fame. It doesn't matter that she just wrote something quoted on this conservative site – if Pravda were still around, Meghan would be begging to write a column for them as well. Face it, she has no morals, no beliefs – the only thing that matters to her is how to turn spotlight on her self.
For God's sake, Breitbart, what were you thinking when you chose to flick the 'on' switch of this dim bulb?
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She is pro military, servicing them is what she is all about. I have no respect for her loose ways and her pushing them. Just because she could not keep her legs closed does not mean others can't. She irks me.
Jeez I was just going to say the same thing about MM buying a clue, but you beat me to the punch. I don't know if she'll ever figure out that big gubbermint isn't the answer. We'll have to wait and see about that. Even if I honor his brave service, you are correct in that her dad. hasn't figured it out,.
She's just trying to get her father re-elected.
If you want to see Hollywood portray the military nicely, watch NCIS. Or pre-70 war movies.
And dear cast of Brothers: I'll make sure you won't get any of this American's money from this point on.
Thanks…and back at you… I also take her pontificating with a grain of salt (and skepticism)!
Three wars?
MP, huh?
I call bullsh*t. Your descriptions don't match my observations, sorry. Go back tho the DU swamp, KoskiDsfOroBOWma or whatever trolling menagere you came from. Your projection of Vietnam anologies on current day forces doesn't wash, slick. Vamanos.
I think Jeff Cooper had it right. A lot of people are told that they should feel bad after killing another person. They are told that it should leave them traumatized and needing therapy, possibly for the rest of their life. But the proper reaction to victory in just combat should be joy and confidence. It is not wrong to kill the enemy of your country, and the sooner we stop telling people they should feel bad for doing so, perhaps the sooner we will see a decline in PTSD cases.
"There is no greater thrill than to be shot at and missed." – Churchill
I don't know, the Transformers and GIjoe folks were very military-friendly.
"criminals, gangsters, scumbags and drop outs"
Really? Because the Marines are turning away recruits with GEDs in favor of diploma holders, and there are almost no waivers these days. A gang tattoo, drug conviction, or psych disorder likewise is near 100% guarantee of rejection. And it isn't 75% that are good, it's more like 95%, and most of the remaining 5% are potheads that pop on drug tests. I would put the number of no-BS bad apples (in the corps, at least) at leas than 1/10 of 1%, far lower than the general population.
You want to smear the military, at least have the balls to come say it to my face.
"How can you shoot women and children?"
"It's easy, just don't lead them as much."
The title "babykiller" doesn't hurt if you make it a joke.
Oooh-Rah
It was Iraq, but you do remember Jessica Lynch right?
Yes, but since when has Hollywood ever let reality interfere with "storytelling?"
Hey, I happen to be an AUTONOMOUS murderous psycho-killer, thankyouverymuch!
I liked "Generation Kill." It wasn't all nice, but it was fairly accurate, so I didn't take offense at the less-friendly parts. Transformers and GI Joe were pretty friendly too. Although not actual war depictions, 100 times more kids saw that and got a good impression than watched Spiderman attempt to portray a Marine.
Meghan McCain threw a dart into a room full of balloons and got lucky one popped. That's a fair parallel to how she came up with this.
Because, let's face it, she has next to no clue about matters military. Her siblings are all Daddy's legacy Academy grads and ol' Meghan herself grew up with the keys to the liquor cabinet (which explains the heft…run a lap, girl.)
Sarah Palin's kid, on the other hand, is a private and an infantryman. THAT'S knowing a little about real military life.
yes she was capture by Iraqi army regiment not by Taliban or Al-Qaeda
U.S. Marines staged a diversionary attack, besieging nearby Iraqi irregulars to draw them away from Saddam Hospital in Nasiriyah. While the army could get their soldier, "no body is ever left behind"
she herself also got herself captured without a fight while the true heros died arround her
Semper fi
She's the biggest starfucking fellator in Hollywood.
There's a diff between preaching it and asking an extremist about it; the Major was doing the latter. His activities were becoming known but no one did anything out of 1) fear of being "crucified" for not being PC or 2) more intel was desired before an action plan was developed.
Anyway, a lot of families got hurt because of ANOTHER guy that fit the profile.
In Brothers, not only does one of the Marines captured by the Taliban actually say that he “realized we shouldn’t be there,” but Maguire’s character beats a fellow soldier to death with a lead pipe. Sam then returns home to his family and goes AWOL trying to kill both his wife and his brother
—————————————————————————–
The private says that because he was tortured and forced by the Taliban to say it on tape, the Maguire character beats another soldier to death with a pipe because, again, he's was forced to. The other things don't even occur at all.
I am reminded of George Carlin's bit on "shell shock" versus PTSD. I hate that this is called a "disorder" as it was unnatural. I prefer the term they used in the Civil War — "Soldier's Heart" As someone who loved a man who did 3 tours — I think that's is the most apt term. It is a natural melancholy that a soldier will carry in his/her heart forever. Stop telling them that they have a mental disorder and actually tell how to manage the natural pain they feel in their hearts.
The Hollywood Left, like the MSM, the Acedmics and the self-described "intelligensia" can only get their tiny brains around ONE template where our military are concerned: Our soldiers are all damaged, illiterate, victims who have been transformed from dim jocks to murderous programmed psycho-killers.
How much intellectual wattage is required to maintain this fantasy in the face of heroism and dedication the equal of anything seen in WW2? It requires major effort and concentration (and millions of studio dollars down the rat-hole) to maintain such a champion level of stupidity.
Jake figured he already played a $#!*bag Marine in Jarhead, so he could coach Toby for this film.
"…..I’m always curious about Hollywood’s take on our soldiers and the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan…."
She's curious? They aren't exactly mysterious about their opinions. They hate the war, the troops, and anyone who disagrees with them. Just remember, they're "tolerant".
Alternative title: "The Great Testosterone Famine"
Why are people saying this movie creates a negative stereotype of the troops. I didn't hate Sam, MaGuire's character, I was broken hearted for him and his children and his wife. The movie certainly was a negative depiction of war and it's effects on men and women, but really do we want movies that love war and revel in it. Aren't we supposed to think of war in a negative light. It's War people not a video game and It's a bad thing. I am not saying it's necessary or unnecessary, just that it's bad (although it could very well be argured that Iraq & Afganistan were unnecessary). These are real men and women that are being sent to war, that what, you think is good? And how is it that the people that want to bring soldiers home to their families are somehow against them. That is faulty logic.
Good for you Megan, you found a new career – as a movie critic. Your political rants on the Daily Beast are plain awful and completely off the mark. Stick to movie reviews – I may read some of your stuff.
I was under the impression that it was fedayeen, not uniformed Iraqi army, but I may ahve been mistaken.
And yes, the real heroes are the ones who maintained their weapons, were able to fight back, and died doing so.
PART I–
I could not disagree more. This film did not come off for me as hating its characters–Marines. Quite the contrary. Everyone I know was horrified when Maguire’s character puts his gun to his head, and thrilled when he finally tells his wife what he did (representing hope for healing). If we were supposed to hate him, hate the soldier/Marine, why does the audience have such sympathy for him? This film doesn't "perpetuate negative stereotypes about soldiers and the military", it presents a truth about war–and that is an entirely different thing. War is a ghastly enterprise, and it changes those who participate in it. It leaves scars–some burried deep where perhaps no one will ever see them, but others are only too clear–both physical and mental.
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