VERSION (1)- The following link is to the original WikiLeaks video, which is also shown on the main page of the WikiLeaks web site and has received 6,157,832 YouTube views as I write.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rXPrfnU3G0
VERSION (2)- The next two links are of the first video that I saw of the incident. This video is basically the same as above except it includes commentary from Alex Jones.
http://www.infowars.com/you-tube-blocks-viral-spread-of-powerful-wikileaks-video-see-it-here/
YouTube indicates that this version has received 57,246 views so far.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIvGhYQVPoQ
After first watching the Infowars video, I was compelled to send the following letter to Alex Jones-
http://kishlog.blogspot.com/2010/04/you-tube-blocks-viral-spread-of.html
Today, I just finished listening to Dan Carlin's Show #174 – “A Cold Slap in the Face” which takes up the topic of the WikiLeaks video and "citizen journalism" at large. I found it interesting how Dan presented the elements of "context", "agenda" and "credibility" in his commentary.
Dan’s commentary was especially poignant given the fact that a just a few days ago I was exposed to VERSION (3) of the video through The Scholars Stage which, so far, has only received 4,858 YouTube views. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgYfTRAZqek
VERSION (3)- adds much “context” and brings into question the “agenda” and “credibility” of the WikiLeaks organization. This is especially the case when it shows the infamous black van (or "truck") drop people off into the “area engaged in the firefight”. And clearly shows the insurgents carrying weapons including a rocket propelled grenade.
The Scholars Stage says it well-
WikiLeaks edited and presented this incident in a manner that can be called nothing but blatantly dishonest. This video presents portions of the full 40 minute video that Wikileaks left out. At this moment it has received 500 hits. The Wikileaks video has received 5 million.
I ask my readers to spread this video to the best of their ability. While I do not condone the reckless actions of these aviators, their side of the story needs to be told. The record needs to be set straight.Quickly, let's review- the Anti-American "military as mind-numbed murders" version has received 6,215,078 views and the context-included version has received 4,858.
This situation fits a quote by Jon Voight in which he attempts to explain his youthful anti-war activism-
I was caught up in the hysteria during the Vietnam era, which was brought about through Marxist propaganda underlying the so-called peace movement.WikiLeaks- Mission Accomplished. Although, now, at least some have an idea of what and who you really are.
Posts
2 comments:
The following is a cut and paste from Dan Carlin's discussion board.
Post by Member- Dr. Strangelove
Post subject: Re: Show 174 - A Cold Slap in the Face
Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 1:52 am
I would go further. Just showing people the reality of war through video is insufficient.
When the time comes that a political faction, or coalition, decides to convince Americans to go to war, that warfare should include potentially *everybody*. If you want war, then you should have no trouble fighting it if you are eligible. You should have no trouble sending your child to fight in that war only to receive your child in a coffin or with some disability.
Americans are FAR too removed from war.
I say show them everything. Not just that. I think just showing them war is insufficient. I think that we need a draft. I think every American of age or eligible for recall should face draft or muster call.
The nonsense that causes much of the needless bloodshed (at least by our own nation) would dry up rather quickly. I am very tired of people advocating war when they know they will never participate in the risk of that war.
That is the whole point of war. It is a risk. It can never be predicted. If you want to roll the dice for others, or for our entire nation, then let your lives be part of the wager.
The footage is pretty normal. It is a little aggressive from what I had seen in F-15 vtr tapes. But this is the Army. I guess they do things a little more quickly.
I could not quite put my finger on it before. I think Dan is absolutely right. The reason they don't want you to see the footage is because Americans will not support the war. If the American people would not support the war if they saw the reality of it, then the war obviously does not serve the interests of the American people and that really is the whole point of a democracy. If the American people cannot support the war, then it not only is wrong, you cannot ever win it.
The more troops we send, the more we kill, the more we actually win on the battlefield, the more we lose the war.
The following is a copy of my reply to member "Dr. Strangelove" on Dan Carlin's discussion board.
Reply by Member- J.N. Kish
Post subject: Re: Show 174 - A Cold Slap in the Face
Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 5:33 am
Dr. Strangelove wrote:
"When the time comes that a political faction, or coalition, decides to convince Americans to go to war, that warfare should include potentially *everybody*. If you want war, then you should have no trouble fighting it if you are eligible. You should have no trouble sending your child to fight in that war only to receive your child in a coffin or with some disability."
Agreed. Now, allow me to take it further. As far removed from war as the average American is, even further removed are the actual "decision makers". In a perfect fantasy world, there would be no war. Next best would be for those that make the decision to fight, do so as first in line to the front lines.
Most of the world’s leaders are far too removed from the real world. Yet, those leaders who are most wise, are quietly winning the real war by allowing their nation(s) to avoid armed conflict- until it is the right time to act with overwhelming force and the clear aim of complete victory.
The real war is that which is waged for global dominance. If this were not the case, then today the U.S. would be working in coalition with China and Russia with overwhelming force against Al Qaeda, Iran and North Korea. But the truth of the matter is that China and Russia are enabling our enemies, and have been doing so since the Korean War.
Have you ever wondered why the Chinese military isn’t helping us in Afghanistan?
http://jnkish.blogspot.com/2009/12/friend-or-foe.html
If the totality of the American leadership and the American people would wake up to the fact that the real war is that which is waged for global dominance then we wouldn’t be bogged down in Afghanistan, and we wouldn’t spend our weekends clamoring over mass manufactured trinkets dumped in from China.
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