Documentary -- Uncovered: The Whole Truth About The Iraq War

[Bowfinger]

I just watched a great documentary on the excuses used to justify invading Iraq. They interviewed about 20 experts and insiders, reviewing the claims of the Bush administration and the truth as it was known at the time. The movie also does a good job of documenting the way the administation's story changed over the months leading up to invasion, as well as a couple of choice examples of members of the administration contradicting themselves, then denying it.

In his documentary feature, UNCOVERED: THE WAR ON IRAQ, filmmaker Robert Greenwald chronicles the Bush Administration?s determined quest to invade Iraq following the events of September 11, 2001.

The film deconstructs the administration?s case for war through interviews with U.S intelligence and defense officials, foreign service experts, and U.N. weapons inspectors ? including a former CIA director,
a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia and even President?s Bush?s Secretary of the Army. Their analyses and conclusions are sobering, and often disturbing, regardless of one?s political affiliations.

This documentary follows a more traditional style than Fahrenheit 9/11. It does not use a lot of clever editing to entertain. It relies much more on direct quotes from the interviews. I don't think there is much new for those who actively read the links here over the last 18 months. For those who rely on TV "news" and talk radio, you'll hear a lot you've never heard before. Either way, it's a lot of information collected into one convenient package. It's only about an hour; highly recommended.

The documentary is called Uncovered: The Whole Truth About The Iraq War. It is on Sundance again on Sunday night, 9/26, at 7:00 p.m. EDT. It is on five times in October: 10/5, 10/11, 10/17, and twice on 10/27. You can get more information at the documentary's web site: TruthUncovered.com. There is also more information at the Sundance web site: Schedule for 9/26.

For the majority of you who don't get Sundance, Uncovered: The War on Iraq is either out on DVD now, or coming out on DVD on October 19. There seem to be two releases. 😕

 

[Bowfinger]

Amazon has one version available now for $10. For that price, I think I'll get extra copies for my YABA friends.

 

[Riprorin]

The title alone makes me highly suspicious.

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
The title alone makes me highly suspicious.

Probably makes Bush nervous too.

Watch the movie. Draw your own conclusions.

 

[Riprorin]

I'll pass. I highly doubt I'll get the "Whole Truth" from this documentary.

 

[shadowninja]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
I'll pass. I highly doubt I'll get the "Whole Truth" from this documentary.

Can you honestly say that you can get the "Whole Truth" from any source of information nowadays? Like Bowfinger said, watch it and draw your own conclusions. Is it really fair to judge the validity of information given by a source without seeing it first?

I'm new to these forums, but I've read many of the posts here for awhile. It really seems like some people have preconceived notions about anything that comes up. If it's for the guy I'm voting for, it must be true. If it's against the guy I'm voting for, it must be false or not the whole truth. Who knows, I could be wrong, but the that's the first impression I get from both sides of the aisle.

Point being, you never get the whole truth from any one source. You're likely to get a better picture of the truth if you give something a chance, rather than passing it off because you might hear things you don't necessarily agree with.

 

[jjzelinski]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
I'll pass. I highly doubt I'll get the "Whole Truth" from this documentary.

I wouldn't have guessed the "whole truth" was ever much concern to you. Man November 2 is taking it's sweet time...

 

[Gaard]

VCR is already set. (Football's on too, gotta have priorities. 😉 )

 

[Gravity]

Watched as much of it as I could.

Sorry, didn't change my mind. Don't think it will change the minds of many either. Another liberal stab at the administration in the name of "documentary".

I wonder if the swiftvets will get 30-60 minutes in primetime to talk about Kerry's storys? Wouldn't that be analagous to this piece of film?

Or, how about Kerry's participation in the senate intelligence committees, the ones where records are not public?

 

[Gaard]

Originally posted by: Gravity
Watched as much of it as I could.

Sorry, didn't change my mind. Don't think it will change the minds of many either. Another liberal stab at the administration in the name of "documentary".

I wonder if the swiftvets will get 30-60 minutes in primetime to talk about Kerry's storys? Wouldn't that be analagous to this piece of film?

Or, how about Kerry's participation in the senate intelligence committees, the ones where records are not public?

I haven't seen it yet Gravity. Can I ask what it is that put you off about it? Does it take liberties with facts? Examples please. Is it just not strong enough? Why?

Can you be a little more specific when you say "another liberal stab"?

 

[Moonbeam]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
I'll pass. I highly doubt I'll get the "Whole Truth" from this documentary.

The human mind excels at nothing better than the avoidance of information that will cause pain. We are ignorant because we are afraid. Because we are afraid we love the authoritarian who offers us security.
for security we trade our freedom. Better to be safe than sorry. But as can easily be seen form your remark it doesn't work that way.

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: Gravity
Watched as much of it as I could.

Sorry, didn't change my mind. Don't think it will change the minds of many either. Another liberal stab at the administration in the name of "documentary".

I just had this conversation with a conservative friend. It's not about changing one's mind. It's about making informed choices.

More so than most Presidents, Bush likes to operate in the dark. He doesn't want Americans to know what he does and who he serves. He has bludgeoned the media to suppress unfavorable reporting. Most people have never seen behind the curtain. They've only seen the carefully-manufactured image. Documentaries like this give the other side of the story.

Many people will watch this and still support Bush. For example, die-hard Republicans and certain single-issue voters will always vote Republican. Many others simply cannot stand Kerry. That's fine, this is America. At least they're making a better-informed choice.

I wonder if the swiftvets will get 30-60 minutes in primetime to talk about Kerry's storys? Wouldn't that be analagous to this piece of film?

In the first place, they have, on radio and television both thanks to all the ultra-right shows. It is disingenuous to suggest the Swiftboat Liars for Bush haven't had their 15 minutes of infamy.

That said, I don't believe the two are at all comparable anyway. This documentary isn't unsubstantiated lies and innuendo about personal events that happened 30 years ago. This is a behind-the-scenes look at the events leading us to invade Iraq, an act that is costing tens of thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars. Iraq affects all of us -- here and now -- and this movie provides first-hand, documented accounts of the truths and deceptions that put us there.

Or, how about Kerry's participation in the senate intelligence committees, the ones where records are not public?

If you think that's more important than lying to lead America to attack another country, trampling the Constitution, raping the environment, and burying America in record debt to give hand-outs to rich buddies and corporate interests, vote for Bush. We all make choices. Let you conscience be your guide.

 

[Riprorin]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam

Originally posted by: Riprorin
I'll pass. I highly doubt I'll get the "Whole Truth" from this documentary.

The human mind excels at nothing better than the avoidance of information that will cause pain. We are ignorant because we are afraid. Because we are afraid we love the authoritarian who offers us security.
for security we trade our freedom. Better to be safe than sorry. But as can easily be seen form your remark it doesn't work that way.

If this documentary didn't purport to be the "Whole Truth" I probably would have watched it. It looks to me like another propoganda film.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

Originally posted by: Moonbeam

Originally posted by: Riprorin
I'll pass. I highly doubt I'll get the "Whole Truth" from this documentary.

The human mind excels at nothing better than the avoidance of information that will cause pain. We are ignorant because we are afraid. Because we are afraid we love the authoritarian who offers us security.
for security we trade our freedom. Better to be safe than sorry. But as can easily be seen form your remark it doesn't work that way.

If this documentary didn't purport to be the "Whole Truth" I probably would have watched it. It looks to me like another propoganda film.

I actually agree with you on this, a film with this title is definately misleading. I haven't seen it but I would guess that it should rather have been named "The war in Iraq: What the media didn't show" or something similar. Anyone claiming to hold the whole truth are per defination either lying or megalomaniacs. But on the other side it might have some good points, and refusing to see them because of a bad title might deny you of some new information.

....
is the DVD only called Uncovered: The War on Iraq while the movie is called Uncovered: The Whole Truth About The Iraq War. The first title seems to be much better than the second.

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

Originally posted by: Moonbeam

Originally posted by: Riprorin
I'll pass. I highly doubt I'll get the "Whole Truth" from this documentary.

The human mind excels at nothing better than the avoidance of information that will cause pain. We are ignorant because we are afraid. Because we are afraid we love the authoritarian who offers us security.
for security we trade our freedom. Better to be safe than sorry. But as can easily be seen form your remark it doesn't work that way.

If this documentary didn't purport to be the "Whole Truth" I probably would have watched it. It looks to me like another propoganda film.

If it makes you feel better, the "Whole Truth" part came later, added by Sundance perhaps. The official web site still calls it Uncovered: The War On Iraq.

With that out of the way, let us know what you think. It's on again tonight.

 

[Riprorin]

Who made the documentary?

 

[umbrella39]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
I'll pass. I highly doubt I'll get the "Whole Truth" from this documentary.

Well, if it differs from your 'opinion' of the truth then I can't say I blame you RIP. Keep on trucking.

 

[kage69]

Watch the movie. Draw your own conclusions.

*tsk* *tsk* Bow, I'm afraid you're asking too much of the sheep. You should know by now the YABAs don't believe in forming a logical opinion based on review of pertinent material.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
I'll pass. I highly doubt I'll get the "Whole Truth" from this documentary.

:roll:

Like we get the "Whole Truth" from the Bush Administration

 

[polm]

These same producers have 2 Uncovered's running on Sundance.

One about the War in Iraq, and one about the 2000 Election.

I recommend ALL voters watch these. They are very insightful.

No matter how you already plan on voting Nov. 2, you should be exposing yourself to as much info as possible. Especially that coming from the "other side".

 

[Moonbeam]

Originally posted by: polm
These same producers have 2 Uncovered's running on Sundance.

One about the War in Iraq, and one about the 2000 Election.

I recommend ALL voters watch these. They are very insightful.

No matter how you already plan on voting Nov. 2, you should be exposing yourself to as much info as possible. Especially that coming from the "other side".

While this is doubtless true, we know that people go to psychiatrists not to get better, but to be better at being sick. The discovery of truth is always an accident because it's the last thing anybody wants. The truth hurts as bad as one can hurt.

 

[arsbanned]

While this is doubtless true, we know that people go to psychiatrists not to get better, but to be better at being sick.

Huh. I hadn't thought of it that way before. You're probably right.

 

[Gaard]

Originally posted by: Gaard

Originally posted by: Gravity
Watched as much of it as I could.

Sorry, didn't change my mind. Don't think it will change the minds of many either. Another liberal stab at the administration in the name of "documentary".

I wonder if the swiftvets will get 30-60 minutes in primetime to talk about Kerry's storys? Wouldn't that be analagous to this piece of film?

Or, how about Kerry's participation in the senate intelligence committees, the ones where records are not public?

I haven't seen it yet Gravity. Can I ask what it is that put you off about it? Does it take liberties with facts? Examples please. Is it just not strong enough? Why?

Can you be a little more specific when you say "another liberal stab"?

Let me guess...you didn't actually watch any of it.

 

[Genx87]

Sundance Channel is the Air America of TV.

I am sure there is plenty of fact twisting and assumptions as usual.

 

[Genx87]

More so than most Presidents, Bush likes to operate in the dark. He doesn't want Americans to know what he does and who he serves.

Oh god get off it. You think with the liberal press running around with their heads cutoff for the past 4 years he could hide anything?

He has bludgeoned the media to suppress unfavorable reporting.

Prove it

Most people have never seen behind the curtain. They've only seen the carefully-manufactured image. Documentaries like this give the other side of the story.

Prove it

Many people will watch this and still support Bush. For example, die-hard Republicans and certain single-issue voters will always vote Republican. Many others simply cannot stand Kerry. That's fine, this is America. At least they're making a better-informed choice.

Watching movies that are self-proclaimed documentarys when they are nothing more than propoganda outlets for a given side is not making a better more informed voter. It is simply spilling the airwaves with half-truths and smears.

In the first place, they have, on radio and television both thanks to all the ultra-right shows. It is disingenuous to suggest the Swiftboat Liars for Bush haven't had their 15 minutes of infamy.

Ultra right? And it is nice to see another typical liberal trend. Call the people you disagree with names. Are we still in 3rd grade or something?

That said, I don't believe the two are at all comparable anyway. This documentary isn't unsubstantiated lies and innuendo about personal events that happened 30 years ago. This is a behind-the-scenes look at the events leading us to invade Iraq, an act that is costing tens of thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars. Iraq affects all of us -- here and now -- and this movie provides first-hand, documented accounts of the truths and deceptions that put us there.

Alcohol costs this country 75,000 people a year and costs billions of dollars to work with. Are we going to have a public outcrying about this and make movies?