While doing the dramaturgy assignment for the class, I came across a huge amount of information regarding my topic: Gulf War/Desert Storm. My most valuable piece of evidence was finding a website that had many declassified government documents which were able to be downloaded into a PDF version. This information was WAY helpful, because it gave an unpopular, yet very factual, insight to the war.
The overall language of was very USA biased. For example, one of the main reasons we even started paying attention to things in Iraq was due to the Iraqi success in the Persian Gulf War and what Iraqi influence my do to the surrounding areas. We, and it's stated in the Executive summary released by the Government, the US Government became nervous of losing OUR influence in the land that is Iraq, Iran, UAE, etc. First off, the immediate question is why do we,the USA, have to have the overpowering influence in a land that is not, in anyway, our home? It's ridiculous. However, there are other reasons for war.
Kuwait sits on oil for days..., if Iraq took over Kuwait it was would have control of almost three quarters of the world's supply of Oil(previously having around 1/4). (It's safe to assume then Kuwait is not a threat - since by a simple arithmetical process we will easily discover that Kuwait now has almost 50% of the supply). Is it safe? Desert Shield was an act to protect Kuwait and keep Iraq out, then Desert Storm was born and created the effort to go around and attack Iraqi forces from the side (blindside them). We won! Hooray! - yeah...
The first Gulf War is heralded as the one that "broke the Vietnam Syndrome!" We did in fact have success in many ways in Iraq. I believe that this war had the least US Casualties reported as well as conflict seemed resolved, whereas Vietnam...is still a scourge in our history and will forever be the comparison for a war that went on for too long (and should have never started). When will ever learn; How can you remove a speck of sawdust from your brother's eye when the whole time you've got this great big plank in your own!
That little parable to me is the epitome of what In the Heart of America is for me. We've got these problems but we're spending time trying to solve other problems. We have to work on ourselves first to be able to open up and accept what is right and what is ... true to ourselves. It seems that the one character who does open himself up for truth is the one who dies. Remzi. Craver, who is lost in his own world from issues of PTSD and issues growing up; Fairouz who carries bitterness in her towards her brother and herself and how everything is turning out; they carry planks in their eyes and they need to be able to wash themselves of it. Does that make any sense?
Other information found was visual evidence from Youtube. There is a youtube channel that offers videos on all of the major American wars and the reason and tactics used during the war. It is extremely helpful in allowing someone (like me) who knows very little about war tactics and just general knowledge to be able to understand how it all happened. It is sponsored by the Discovery Channel.
I am not at my own computer so I cannot provide the accurate links (that are saved at home) but will update this post when I can get to my own computer!
I'm reminded of a song...
Thin Ice - Soviettes
I might not know just everything
But what I hear is that you kind of brought this on yourself
Well not quite you, but some before
They set it up so that the one you're after sat on top, they put him in a privileged spot
They gave him everything he's got
And now he's keeping to himself, so send someone for your revenge?
Well maybe not revenge
It's been suggested that you're out to finish up your daddy's war
You say it's not okay for them to have enough to wipe us out, so why is it okay for you?
It seems to me that since no one's got their hands on anyone for what happened last year
You're using this as a distraction
If you stepped back a minute I would hope you'd see
Its better that you work this out yourself
I know you won't miss kids like us, but kids like yours will pay the price
How will they see you then?
I wonder what they think of your big plan to wipe those people out
This could be your biggest regret
The ice you're on has never been so thin
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I really enjoyed your presentation in class, those videos were really helpful in explaining what was going on, I'm such a visual learner. If you still have them on your computer, will you put them up?
ReplyDeleteTalking about the Gulf War reminds me of a series of photos that I remember hearing about on NPR, and looking up back when I was in 9th or 10th grade and we were still marching against this war on Iraq. The photos were called The Unseen Gulf War, by Peter Turnley. Link here: http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue0212/pt_intro.html
Lastly, I wanted to say how much I like that we incorporate music into our understanding of things in this class, because music is such an integral part of my life and the way I see the world.