Why We Fight Review
By David Kempler
Fighting For Fun and Profit
As the war on terrorism continues more and more films are attempting to report on it and give theories behind the causes in an attempt to tell us just how the hell we got were we currently are. From director Eugene Jarecki comes "Why We Fight" and it has a somewhat different slant on our current state of affairs. It's not something that hasn't been discussed before but here Jarecki delves deeper into the subject.
Simply put, his theory is that the reason the United States invaded Iraq had nothing to do with terrorism or the felling of the Twin Towers. As he sees it it's all about the benjamins. Corporate greed is behind it all. He uses Eisenhower's farewell address as a starting point and as evidence. Eisenhower spoke of the military industrial complex and it was the first time the American public had ever heard the phrase. He warns America that the country is in grave danger of heading in the direction of corporations running our armed forces. Not literally, but by influencing politicians.
He offers up as evidence speeches by Congressmen all of whom wrap themselves in Old Glory while incessantly requesting appropriations for our troops. Jarecki points out that it is pretty clear that these "do gooders" are actually just lining the pockets of corporations that endorse them. In return some cash is tossed at some of the citizens that live in the areas run by these political hacks. He makes his point, and convincingly.
"Why We Fight" claims to be apolitical in that it accuses both parties of stealing from the citizens and passing the booty along to the members of Congress and the large corporations. To an extent that is true but there is a decidedly Liberal flavor to the proceedings. That's not a knock on the film. It's just that even though Jarecki tries to remain politically neutral, he can't. But since the corporations seem to have become brothers in arms with the Republicans what other conclusion could he have drawn. If you're left of center you'll like "Why We Fight." If you're to the right of center you'll either like it or condemn it as more Michael Moore type rubbish.
