DVDs for the Troops??

[raydofan]

I love this.

Fox 29's Morning Show is collecting DVDs to send to the troops?

I hope that they're able to pound the aluminum into body/truck armour. What a bunch of crap. Really. The troops need nothing else, eh? Good job.

 

[imhomerjay]

Did they say the troops need nothing else? No. But how is it the least bit bad to collect some items that will give the troops entertainment in their down time? Many people collect many different things for the troops, and they may not be necessities--but that's exactly the point. We can try to make a small difference by contributing things that may give them moments of comfort or enjoyment. Take the issue of them not being adequately protected up with the elected officials who created the situation.

 

[Al Johnson]

Did Fox29 bother to find out about the availability of DVD players?

All these "support the troops" promotions, including this one, are cheap publicity stunts. The purpose is to make people feel good about the station, and the war. Fox is and has been pro-administration and pro-war. So are the other broadcast outlets that engage in these stunts. Also notice that Fox29 is not sending DVDs themselves. Fox is in the DVD and movie business. They could send DVDs at cost and get a tax deduction. But they are not even doing that; they want you to buy a DVD retail (and if you buy a Fox DVD, the money goes in Murdoch's pocket).

This is almost as sleazy as Rush Limbaugh selling subscriptions to listeners to give to troops so they could watch the "ditto-cam" broadcast of his show on the web.

 

[raydofan]

Did they say the troops need nothing else? No. But how is it the least bit bad to collect some items that will give the troops entertainment in their down time?

Drives like this supplant any other need that they might have-at least in the heads of most busy folk.
What would be wrong with organizing an armour drive? They have a wide viewing area. Oh, I forgot: It might make us feel bad and stop consuming for a moment.

Many people collect many different things for the troops, and they may not be necessities--but that's exactly the point. We can try to make a small difference by contributing things that may give them moments of comfort or enjoyment. Take the issue of them not being adequately protected up with the elected officials who created the situation.

I take issue with the same convivial media that said nothing to criticize the war on the ramp-up and pulls s__t like this, politicians or no.
I would not encourage a 'moment of comfort' that can potentially bring a remaining lifetime of agony.

 

[imhomerjay]

Drives like this supplant any other need that they might have-at least in the heads of most busy folk.
[\quote]
I'm about as busy as anyone else, and don't seem to have a problem understanding different elements to a complex situation...and I don't consider myself especially brilliant or in possession of some intellectual skills the rest of the public doesn't have.

What would be wrong with organizing an armour drive? They have a wide viewing area. Oh, I forgot: It might make us feel bad and stop consuming for a moment.
[\quote]
Doing "A" doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with "B." No one is stopping anyone from doing an armour drive. In fact, people have done those kinds of things.

I take issue with the same convivial media that said nothing to criticize the war on the ramp-up and pulls s__t like this, politicians or no.
[\quote]
I recall coverage of protests leading up to the war, reporting on the allegations that people made that the reasoning was not as sound as it should be. The definition of bias in the media today seems to be reporting anything that doesn't fit one's own pre-conceived notions (thereby ignoring the evidence to the contrary). Congress, with the support of most but not all members of both parties, fell down on the job of providing checks and balances. My anger with the situation lies first with them for not rolling over and playing dead.

I would not encourage a 'moment of comfort' that can potentially bring a remaining lifetime of agony.
[\quote]
Which happens....how? Where is the cause and effect link? They're already there. I don't like it, it appears you don't like it, but that isn't changing anytime soon. If having a DVD to watch in down time passes some hours, how is that "a lifetime of agony?"

I hate that we're in this mess, but I also don't ascribe sinister motivations to organizations that try to do something to make the sacrifice our soldiers are making a bit more bearable. Sometimes things are what they are, and aren't some deep Olvier-Stone-meets-Michael-Moore conspiracy.

 

[raydofan]

Drives like this supplant any other need that they might have-at least in the heads of most busy folk.

I'm about as busy as anyone else, and don't seem to have a problem understanding different elements to a complex situation...and I don't consider myself especially brilliant or in possession of some intellectual skills the rest of the public doesn't have.

Well, riddle me this, salt-of-the-earth man: What else are the troops lacking? What not get them that stuff?
Why a movie?

What would be wrong with organizing an armour drive? They have a wide viewing area. Oh, I forgot: It might make us feel bad and stop consuming for a moment.

Doing "A" doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with "B."  No one is stopping anyone from doing an armour drive.  In fact, people have done those kinds of things. 

OK then, well, why not a TV station to lead the charge for another drive-as armour is still needed?

I take issue with the same convivial media that said nothing to criticize the war on the ramp-up and pulls s__t like this, politicians or no.

I recall coverage of protests leading up to the war, reporting on the allegations that people made that the reasoning was not as sound as it should be.  The definition of bias in the media today seems to be reporting anything that doesn't fit one's own pre-conceived notions (thereby ignoring the evidence to the contrary).  Congress, with the support of most but not all members of both parties, fell down on the job of providing checks and balances.  My anger with the situation lies first with them for not rolling over and playing dead.

OK, leaving 'bias' aside for a moment; perhaps a more accurate term is 'post traumantic conviviality'. The media was not critical, supplied inevitable bromide to a needful public. So there is no open criticism for politicians, as it doesn't fit the package. The fault lies all over the Gov't, and it is dissapointing there were few dubious responses. The 4th branch has had its head up its cloaca. It has more of a chance to be helpful here.

I don't think you meant 'not', right?

I would not encourage a 'moment of comfort' that can potentially bring a remaining lifetime of agony.

Which happens....how?  Where is the cause and effect link?  They're already there.  I don't like it, it appears you don't like it, but that isn't changing anytime soon.  If having a DVD to watch in down time passes some hours, how is that "a lifetime of agony?"

And I'm only talking about our troops...
How much control to our collected forces have in Bagdad? Do you think the insurgents are relaxing?
I said 'potentially'. Truck/suicide bomb?

I hate that we're in this mess, but I also don't ascribe sinister motivations to organizations that try to do something to make the sacrifice our soldiers are making a bit more bearable.  Sometimes things are what they are, and aren't some deep Olvier-Stone-meets-Michael-Moore conspiracy. 

And it's not nearly that complex as you think my notions are about this. WE ARE NOT INVOLVED ON A DAILY BASIS. We are sending them movies. 'Entertainment' is an important signifier. It says on a meta-level: "Yeah, it's OK. We'll be just fine. It's a little different than say a gauze drive, or an armour drive. Meanwhile, the economy tanks, we borrow more money from China, and we are encouraged-yet again-to consume.

Relax! It'll be fine!