Posts Tagged ‘Iraq’

Andrew Breitbart

How Sean Penn Won the War

by Andrew Breitbart

This week’s Washington Times column:

On this day in which Americans honor their war dead, perhaps a smidgen of our time should be spent reflecting on the unheralded and fearless wartime antics of Sean Penn.

Yes, that Sean Penn: Hollywood actor, director, tough guy and agent provocateur in America’s time of peril – a man history, no doubt, will credit with an assist in bringing democracy to Iraq.

It is now time for Mr. Penn to end his service to his country and commit to the next chapter in his life. He has done more than enough. America simply doesn’t make medals for Mr. Penn’s kind of service. Nor would he accept them. Now he must come clean and take on the next challenge of his career: Bring the rest of Hollywood to America’s aid by creating an army of underground patriots.

With a Democrat as commander in chief, it’s now or never for Tinseltown to get the patriotic bug. (more…)

John T. Simpson

Obama: The Great Disappointer

by John T. Simpson

There have to be millions of American liberals, gays and left wingers totally disappointed with President Barack Obama today. It would seem that he, like they, were the idealists running headlong into the brick wall of harsh realities, and will now be running headlong into each other.

Even the Mighty KOS can’t hold them at bay.

You won’t find any of that disaffection in the Vein Stream Media, of course. Just as you’ll find none over people eating tree bark in Kim Jong-Il’s PR machine, and for the same Dear Leader reasons. But the press can cheerlead President Obama all it wants. It is the political base that matters, the grassroots networks upon which all fundraising, canvassing and voting is dependent.

And unless I’m completely mistaken, the President’s grassroots political base is, and will be, experiencing a number of earth-shaking political tremors in the days, months and years to come. Pick an issue, any issue. Gitmo? Having trouble there. Military tribunals for detainees? Ran against them, supporting them now. You know. Kinder, gentler violations of international law. (more…)

J.R. Head

Part 1: Interview With ‘Brothers at War’ Director, Jake Rademacher

by J.R. Head

Not long ago, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jake Rademacher, the director of the incredible Iraq War documentary, “Brothers at War.” What ensued was one of the more enjoyable evenings I’ve had in a while. Jake is an interesting fellow.  I’ve seen him interviewed before and it seems that, when cameras are involved, he’s a much more subdued character.  Sit down with him one on one and get a few cups of joe into him and all bets are off.  He’s smart, funny, extremely passionate about his film and its subject matter — and the man talks fast. Very fast.


Cpt. Isaac Rademacher — Jake Rademacher

After some initial pleasantries (actor talk, a little sports, our mutual respect for Gary Sinise, etc.), we got down to it.

By the way, if you want to get a true feeling of how the interview was for me, try to read it very quickly.

J.R. Head:  First, let me say “Brothers at War” looks fantastic.  You’re an actor.  What was it like to make the transition to first-time director? (more…)

John T. Simpson

One Critic’s Review of ‘Roxana: A True Story’

by John T. Simpson

Now that ‘Roxana: A True Story’ has come to a most satisfying and happy conclusion for Roxana Saberi, her parents, myself and millions of others around the globe (a conclusion not always assured, and which looked very grim in some scenes), it is now time for Your Most Humble and Obedient Critic to give you the full skinny on ‘Roxana: A True Story.’

Or, by its Hollywood acronym, RATS. Funny. I actually found that startling contraction fitting, not for Roxana (not hardly), but for all of the major black hats and clueless morons who populated this nerve-wracking Thugocracy Studios production, which had civilized people everywhere both riveted and outraged in its most grueling and suspenseful moments.

Not to mention for Roxana and her parents. But before we get to heroes and villains, let us look at the story to date with all its dramatic twists and underpinnings, many with significant international implications. Just like a good Hitchcock drama should. And I caught ‘em all!

By pure happenstance, Your Most Humble Critic and Boy Reporter was already hot on the job covering Iran (unlike some people) and hammering AMPAS for their tea and finger-cookie soirees with these guys, when I saw what Iran was pulling with Roxana and called it for what it was: a hostage crisis. And on the same day HRW called it the same in a press release on March 13th, which I didn’t find out until the 19th thanks to our on-the-ball Vein Stream Media. (more…)

Kurt Schlichter

Sergeants Rock

by Kurt Schlichter

I just cannot get behind this Star Trek rebirth.  The whole thing is just so unrealistic.  Not the warp speed or phasers or beaming about the universe – those are at least remotely plausible.  I am talking about the fact that the starship Enterprise is composed entirely of officers and yet it still seems to function.  Where are the non-commissioned officers (NCO), the petty officers and sergeants who actually make any military organization run?  No, I can suspend disbelief over Klingons and tribbles, and I actively support the notion of green alien hotties.  But the idea of a functioning military unit without sergeants is just a wormhole too far.


Hollywood movies often focus on the commanders, the captains and colonels, but they have also managed to highlight some great sergeants as well.  When you are picking out DVDs for next weekend, remember that May 16th is Armed Forces Day and consider a few selections that show the sergeant in all his gruff and grumbling glory. 

If you have never experienced the joy of going through basic training and do not plan to, your first stop should be Full Metal Jacket, with R. Lee Ermey’s legendary portrayal of a Marine drill instructor who must have missed out on the block of instruction on sensitivity.  I saw this in the theater about a week before I reported to Basic.  That was a poor idea. (more…)

John T. Simpson

Why Reagan Was a Better Friend to Gays Than Obama

by John T. Simpson

I really thought my Republican platform piece here at BH would have been my last for awhile. Plenty for readers of all stripes to chew on. And I got too many other things to do. The reason for my reluctant return is yet another critical issue the Obamamedia and our LibDem government are completely flat-lining on: the officially sanctioned exterminations of LGBTs in Iraq, and on our dime. Not to mention State’s cold and lame response. More on that later. Too much more, actually.

First, the one of the main points of this fact-based opinion piece. And I know I’m going to catch hell from the Streisand and Brolin crowd on this one! Ronald Reagan was a hero to gays, and Obama has not been to date. I know, I know. The Evil Ronald Reagan, who practically invented AIDS? Reagan, the Adolf Eichmann of the Gay World? Not true. Not by a country mile!

In fact, Ronald Reagan was a better friend to gays and lesbians in his age than Barack Obama has been to gays in his. But don’t even go by what I say. I’m a right wing extremist, and very biased to what I believe. I admit it. Who isn’t these days? The press? LOL! But here are some irrefutable facts on The One and The Gipper I thought I’d throw out there. A gay buffet for thought, if you will. With swimming pools. And movie stars. (more…)

Eric Golub

Jon Stewart Courageously Defends His Bottom Flank

by Eric Golub

It takes a big man to admit he screwed up and take a principled stand. It takes a phony liberal elitist to apologize for the sake of protecting his television ratings.

Jon Stewart makes Arlen Specter look principled.

Like Pee Wee Herman, Jon Stewart launched his intercontinental ballistic missile, and he could not put the missile back on the launching pad. In his case, the only thing that seeped out was stupidity.

Jon Stewart, for those who are not “trendy,” “hip,” or “cool” (brie-cheese-eating-elitist-snobs according to the Tygrrrr Express dictionary), has a nightly political television show where he presents the news with all the accuracy and fairness of the Jayson Blair Times. (more…)

John T. Simpson

Why is Hollywood Silent on Roxana Saberi?

by John T. Simpson

I see a great story in Roxana Saberi. Don’t you? A can’t fail, high-concept, four-quadrant script with a unique storyline. In fact, I’d expect a bidding war no less severe and cutthroat for the rights to Roxana’s story as that for Lone Survivor. You know. A MARIE in Iran meets MISSING kinda thing.

A young and beautiful former Miss North Dakota and reporter for the BBC and NPR, among others, falsely arrested by misogynist Iran and tagged with a series of escalating charges, from buying wine to reporting with expired credentials to espionage, charges even Roxana’s lawyer has not officially seen to date, but upon which Ms. Saberi was just sentenced to eight years in the Iranian Hell of Evin prison in a one-day kangaroo court trial. Coercion was also involved, including a threat to kill her.

Any questions as to who and what we’re really dealing with here now? (more…)

Tom Tapp

‘Hurt Locker’ May Do Iraq Right

by Tom Tapp

For those who’ve agonized over Hollywood’s portrayals of the Iraq War, I give you “The Hurt Locker.”

The film’s second trailer hit the Internet today and, as I sit here wearing my (apparently passe) Camp Liberty t-shirt, I must say it looks pretty good.

– 


YouTube "Hurt Locker" trailer 2  

Billed as the “first non-political Iraq War film,” “Hurt Locker” follows the story of Staff Sergeant William James, a maverick bomb removal expert who leads a team trying to save lives – including their own.

It was directed by Kathryn Bigalow, who is herself something of a maverick.

Bigalow has made her name in Hollywood as one of the only female directors of action films. Her credits include “K19: The Widowmaker,” “Point Break” and “Strange Days.” (more…)

Burt Prelutsky

Obama, Your Slips Are Showing

by Burt Prelutsky

Judging by my e-mail, a great many conservatives are counting down the days until they next get to vote in 2010.  They hope and pray that Americans will come to their collective senses and undo some of the horrors unleashed by last November’s election. 

Naturally, I hope they’re right.  But I’m not sure that it will be enough to sound the alarm that the sky is falling because, by then, I suspect it will have already fallen.  Besides, I’m not convinced that most of my fellow citizens have a problem with the direction that Obama, Pelosi and Reid, have taken us during these past few months.

At the rate that Obama and the liberals are going, when it comes to piling up the national debt; nationalizing banks and major companies; scuttling our missile defense system; reaching out to Islamic and Communist tyrants; funding ACORN, AmeriCorps and Hamas; discussing nuclear disarmament with Russia at the same time that Iran, Pakistan and North Korea are gearing up; talking tough to Israel while currying favor with the Arabs and the Islamics; I have no idea what will be left to salvage a year-and-a-half down the road.  (more…)

John Nolte

Review: Baghdad Happens

by John Nolte

When you come out to Hollywood hoping for any kind of career in filmdom one of the first and easiest groups to fall in with are the dreamers who never give up waiting for the big break that never comes. At first it’s fun to be around those who share your same passion and struggle – who doesn’t like to commiserate? – but pretty soon you discover this group of endearing oddballs are talkers, afraid to risk, afraid to fail, afraid…


If you respect doers, documentary filmmaker JD Johannes is a doer and then some; a former Marine, television news producer, campaign manager, and Senate Staffer who saw what was happening in Iraq, saw how the defeatist media was covering it, did what it took and took all the risks — financial and otherwise — to get himself in country in order to uncover the truth and report back on what he saw. The result was a series of “Outside the Wire” documentary films with a fascinating and unique perspective all their own. (more…)

Ride 2 Recovery

Profiles in Courage: Major General David Blackledge

by Ride 2 Recovery


General David Blackledge (rt) in Iraq

Major General David Blackledge is not a superhero. He’s a human hero. 

In February of 2004, Major General Blackledge’s convoy was ambushed in Iraq. The interpreter, who was sitting next to him, was shot through the head. Taking fire, the vehicle rolled. But the survivors were able to escape. He sustained a broken back and ribs, with other injuries requiring eleven months of recovery and physical therapy.  

Fifteen months after the ambush, Major General Blackledge was deployed back to Iraq. While in Amman, Jordan for meetings, he was in one of three popular hotels that were struck by terrorist bombs. The explosions killed over 55 people and injured over 110. He suffered a neck injury.  (more…)

Spike Spencer

Mainstream Media: All Bias No Thunder

by Spike Spencer

President Barack Obama paid a surprise visit to the troops recently in Baghdad. For that I applaud him. The troops were buoyed up by a visit by their Commander and Chief. And that is a good thing. He also praised them for their service and commitment. Also a good thing. Then he went on to say that they had done a remarkable job in giving Iraq a great gift; the chance to govern themselves in a Democratic fashion. A free people now able to seek their own path thanks to the efforts of the U.S MILITARY!

Uh, come again? (more…)

Steven Crowder

Lonewolf Diaries: My Formal American Apology

by Steven Crowder

I’ll be the first to say it; Barack Obama’s G20 speech inspired me over the past week… I tell you no lies. In the spirit of his apologetic, butt-kissing extravaganza, I felt compelled to make some additional apologies on behalf of our backwards nation. I suggest you all pitch in and add your own. As Americans, we’ve all got a lot to be sorry for… But admitting that we have a problem is the first step towards recovery.

To England: I would like to apologize on behalf of my American Forefathers, for flipping you the finger, fleeing your tyranny and kicking the ever-loving crap out of you only to become the world’s greatest superpower within a mere century.

I’d also like to apologize for all of the goods, services and exploding ingenuity that resulted from our crazy new liberty-based system being put into place. Capitalism is a bitch. I get that now. (more…)

Julia Gorin

Answering Steven Crowder’s Challenge

by Julia Gorin

I agree with Crowder: When the headlines are more over-the-top than any joke one can form from them, it certainly makes comedy challenging. “Try making the idea of released detainees going back to terrorism funny”?

Hey, according to the Pentagon, only 11 percent of them do that! (Though I hear that estimate has a margin of error of about 89%.)

One released detainee detonated himself in Iraq a couple months ago. And our liberals are worried about us dripping water on their faces. The guy just blew himself up! Clearly, our interrogation techniques are not extreme enough. They prefer to lose a limb or two before giving us information. No wonder Gitmo and Abu Ghraib were torture for these sado-masochists. (more…)

John Nolte

‘Brothers At War’ Matters

by John Nolte

It’s a little surprising to look back and realize I’ve been complaining whining pouting crying bitching moaning writing about the insidious effects of left-wing Hollywood on both our culture and the art form of film itself for a few years now. Watching conservatives catch up a bit in the political documentary department has been encouraging, but if someone were to ask, “What do you want?” My response would be, “Brothers at War.”


As we’ve seen with John Ziegler’s important and well-made “Media Malpractice,” there’s a place and need for the political documentary, both on the left and right, but when it comes to the art of telling a story through film, that’s not the end game, it’s merely the opening kickoff. Though a documentary, “Brothers at War” is a reminder of what the goal line looks like. (more…)

Ride 2 Recovery

Profiles in Courage: Sgt. Noah Galloway

by Ride 2 Recovery

Welcome to PROFILES IN COURAGE, a series of articles profiling the courage and honor from some of the many Wounded Heroes that Road 2 Recovery has come in contact with. It is an honor and privilege to have worked with these brave men and women who have been severely wounded and had to overcame both mental and physical injuries. They have sacrificed so much to defend our freedom. 

It is a testament to their courage that each of them has not only overcome these wounds, but has gone beyond what most people thought was possible. Many of them have dedicated themselves to showing fellow wounded warriors the way as mentors, some have gone back to active duty to continue serving our country.  (more…)

Andrew Breitbart

‘Spreading the Good Vibe’: New Orleans’ Finest ‘Cowboy Mouth’ to Play for U.S. Troops in Iraq, Kuwait

by Andrew Breitbart

Memo to all active duty servicemen and women stationed in Kuwait and Iraq: An amazing musical group and an almost surreal positive live musical experience is coming to a theater near you.

According to the Times-Picayune, New Orleans-based Cowboy Mouth will be coming to Iraq and Kuwait for two and a half weeks in the beginning of March. This is not PR puffery. This is a direct order: See Cowboy Mouth when they come to your base. There are no excuses. And send your photos — I will post them at Big Hollywood.

Back in my college days in New Orleans (’87-’91) I took advantage of the city’s historic music venues (Tipitina’s, Storyville, etc.), the cheap drinks and cover prices, not to mention the great bands born from that vibrant, otherworldly and unpredictable culture. In 1990 my friend Chris Huston was working for the local music magazine, Wavelength, and informed me that the locally famous former drummer of Dash Rip Rock (still a Southern-fried country-punk bar band without peer) was starting a new band and would be playing at the now defunct Jimmy’s on Willow Street. (more…)

Ride 2 Recovery

Ride 2 Recovery: Profiles in Courage

by Ride 2 Recovery

Welcome to the first in a series of articles profiling courage and honor from some of the many Wounded Heroes Road 2 Recovery has come in contact with. It’s an honor and privilege to have worked with these brave men and women who have been severely wounded and who have had to overcame both mental and physical injuries. They have sacrificed so much to defend our freedom.

It’s a testament to their courage that each of them has not only overcome these wounds, but has gone beyond what most people thought possible. Many of them have dedicated themselves to showing fellow wounded warriors the way as mentors. Some have gone back to active duty to continue serving our country. (more…)

Andrew Breitbart

I Pledge to Ridicule Celebrities Who Refuse to Recognize We Are At War With People Who Want to Kill Them, Too

by Andrew Breitbart

Many of the celebrities that were central to demonizing and making life impossible for President Bush for eight loathsome years NOW want to help with the heavy lifting of bringing America back together under President Barack Obama.

Witness Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher’s cavalcade of shiny, happy situational patriots appearing in a derivative public servitude announcement: A “Presidential Pledge” to President Barack Obama.


Forgive and forget? Right.

(more…)

Rebecca Cusey

HBO Captures a Marine’s Final Journey Home

by Rebecca Cusey

Did you know that every fallen soldier travels from Dover to their final resting place with an escort every step of the way? HBO captures this touching journey in a new drama starring Kevin Bacon, Taking Chance, premiering February 21. Bacon portrays the real-life journey of Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl, USMC, who was tasked with escorting home a stranger, Chance Phelps. Phelps, a 19 year old Lance Corporal, had been killed in action in Iraq.

At a press event for the drama today, Strobl described how, as he escorted the body to Dubois, Wyoming, construction workers paused and put their hard hats over their hearts, a flight attendant handed him a crucifix, and ordinary Americans responded with emotion. “All of these people who you could presume had varying political views,” said Strobl, “exhibited a profound sense of gratitude and sorrow at Chance’s loss.”

“It’s an extremely profound comment on the casualties of war,” said Bacon. It’s also a profound comment on the great debt we owe our service men and women.

Have you been moved or touched by a fallen soldier finally coming home?

J.R. Head

“Mommy, Did Daddy Rape People in the War?”

by J.R. Head

I imagine this question will be heard in homes across America in years to come. And why not? We’ve been told by Hollywood that members of our military are rapists, cold blooded killers, and more. They are taking part in an illegal war, bombing villages and torturing innocents. I mean, why would they make movies about such things if they weren’t true?

I’m constantly amazed by the attitudes of some in our industry toward the military. Personally, the fact that I’m a former Marine is often met with incredulity. Apparently, I’m “pretty cool for a Marine” and I “seem so normal”. My favorite is the look on someone’s face when they ask, “Why would you join the Marines?” while they visually inspect for some previously undetected mental defect.

Being both an actor and a veteran allows me to come at this issue from a different angle. I know the men and women that we, in this industry, often portray. To say that, thus far, we have done them a disservice is an understatement.

It would be a travesty to allow our brave men and women serving in the Global War on Terror to be remembered in the way they are currently being represented by the films coming out of Hollywood. The extended families of our military members number in the millions. We’re basically telling them that their loved ones (their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters) are pieces of shit. Not only is this reprehensible, it’s not good business.

(more…)