Its worth mentioning that the individuals creating these montage videos are investing quite a bit of time – many even arrange to have their images or videos to follow the lyrics, (MTV generation anyone?) There are comments from the creators like "two full days of my life went into this" and many write with a warning that this is their first video, so sorry its so sloppy. I chose mostly music videos without commentary just the lyrics – its an interesting exercise to open your mind for once and just try to see what the creator is trying to communicate – whether you agree or not.
First up, Testosterone Time! This video is claimed by Lance Corporal Jan Bender of the 3rd Battalion 1st Marines Iraq during the 2004 Fallujah assault, Seether – Outta My Way
Next the flip side. The creator dedicated this video to Alabama National Guardsman Douglas Barber who survived Iraq only to commit suicide while suffering from PTSD in 2006. He is not counted in the 4,594 American soldiers dead from Iraq and Afghanistan. Interestingly enough, it’s the same band Seether – Fine Again
Here’s the best example of a vehement anti-Bush music video I can find. Do you thinks its overboard? Its also to Seether – Fake It
Back to aggressive pro-War. I should mention here that there are hundred of prowar vids, they are by no means a small minority. Pennywise – **** Authority
And here’s the same song used by the Antiwars. The creator stresses "F*** Bush, Not Our Soldiers" Pennywise – Fuck Authority
And this antiwar decided to use History of all things. Nirvana – Rape Me
Last the third ‘war is a senseless evil’ group. The prime example is Alex Park’s song Mad World. This song really seems to strike a chord with a lot of people – there are HUNDREDS of different compilations at youtube. Here are just a few examples.
Mad World – 1, Mad World – 2, Mad World -3, Mad World – 4, Mad World – 5
And another – Fort Minor and Linkin Park – Where’d You Go?
And a sentimental pro-Bush, pro-War but sad Linkin Park – Hands Held High
And a strong anti-Bush retort. Linkin Park – What I’ve Done
Captain Insano, anyone? This is worth it for the humor value alone of the ‘insurgent’ taking his first shot. Offspring – The Kids Aren’t Alright
And a few honorable mentions: Pennywise – Society, Pennywise – Land of the Free, Offspring – Nitro, Pennywise – God Save the USA
Well what do you think? Please leave any comments below.
My perspective is biased (not just my music tastes) – virulently antiwars (Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan). Below are a few links to my work. My Iran article is getting updated, but even now it’s a nice resource if you check out the links. My most original and time-intensive work was an analogy between the Vietnam and Iraq wars. My closest to breaking a real story (I am sore since I did get beat) was my report on Rumsfeld wistfully wishing amongst his generals that another 9/11 would occur so Congress would just shut up and give the DoD more money. Listening to the mp3 link will give you an insight into our Military Empire, which I also oppose but most Americans don’t care about or even acknowledge as existing. You also may like this collection of antiwar and freedom clips.
If you feel like it, join the Army - the Downsize DC Army that is - at www.downsizedc.org and email and call your representatives in Congress, tell them what you think about the war. If you want to chat with me about anything, shoot me an email. This article is dedicated to Monica and Jordan, just because they keep checking out what I write and keeping my spirits up - my recent antiwar articles have done fairly poorly in terms of readership at this Libertarian website, my new tactic of trying to use humor to attack apathy bombed (and judge for yourself, I challenged Petraeus to a boxing match), so its time to shift tactics once more.
Peace!
Jake, the Champion of the Constitution
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Other Articles from the Author [Reach the Author Here!]
Iran Declares War on the Dollar = More War for America
Published: April 30, 2008
"Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" - John McCain. America gears up for another Hitler blitzkrieg. And Fu** your Yellow Ribbon.
WARGATE: Rumsfeld Calls for "Another Attack" of Terror to Bolster Support for Bush
Published: May 17, 2008
Breaking News! Read and Listen here at the dod.mil link. Give a Thumbs up if you think Donald Rumsfeld is "waaaay off the record," I mean way out of line!
My Father's Vietnam is My Iraq - Disturbing Parallels
Published: May 2, 2008
Maybe 9/11 didn't REALLY "Change Everything." An Analogy between the Vietnam and Iraq Wars, topped off by a John McCain expose
Preemptive War and Freedom Video Clips
Published: May 16, 2008
Sick of war? A countdown collection of videos centering on the Bush Administration's unAmerican policy of Preemptive War followed by a collection videos centered on Freedom and Anti-War. Maybe you missed a clip or two. Are you Insane like Ron Paul, Jesse Ventura, Mike Gravel or are you unAmerican like Cheney, Clinton, McCain, and Obama?
AMERICA, Fight Your Apathy! You CAN Save Our Soldiers and Iraqis from the Sickness of War! Laughter at The Onion is the Best Medicine!
Published: May 18, 2008
Not feeling very Antiwar-ish today? No problem! Try Laughing at our Wars and Foreign Policy using the Hilarity of The Onion!
The Gauntlet is Thrown - The Champion of the Constitution vs. David Petraeus
Published: May 19, 2008
Will Ron Paul Fight Him? No, its just Me and the legend of Cassius Clay!
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Listen up everyone there's something wrong!
We got the answers in our sights now,
But somehow still we struggle along
Looking for solutions in a threatening sky
But we never get an answer
Just a chorus of voices wondering why
We're stuck here without a peaceful day
It's a promise in the night I'll be okay
The superlative is telling me that help is on the way
Won't someone tell me how will I make it through today
Looking towards the future and all I can see
Is the next generation looking back
With pity on me
Hunting for some insight or mean to change
But do we have the will to or will our
Future look the same
HOW CAN I LIVE when you won't let me in
HOW CAN I DIE without reasons why
HOW CAN I LAUGH when I want to cry
HOW CAN I GO ON with nothing nowhere
How will I make it
- Pennywise is freedom music. This is from 1995's 'Peaceful Day' (no war, just surf!)
©2008 Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Saturday, May 31, 2008
Last modified: Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The views expressed in this article are those of Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
| More Articles By Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution |
Reader Comments:
Posted By: Jordan
Date: 2008-05-31 22:05:28
<3 the Mad World song. It's great and can be applied to so many different situations in life - from the scared, confused 4th grader who moves to a new school and doesn't know anyone - to such a monumental event such as the one implied..
Posted By: DigitalBob
Date: 2008-06-03 04:35:06
Posted By: Matt Kough
Date: 2008-06-03 18:56:35
Its hard to say. Since I served four years in the Corps, I loved the first video. I love Marines and the Corps. They are the Spartans of our time and they are generally the best. WHat we do and are trained to to do is locate, close with, and destroy the enemy (official Marine Corps policy). Any jackass that feels that we joined the Corps for college money does not understand the mentality. As I have stated before, Islam is the enemy of our time much in the way that Nazism and Communism were in the previous century.
However, I will admit that the way in which we conducted the war has prolonged the conflict. We have not made the enemy hate death more than we do.
Also, seeing the death of so many Americans is sobering. Rumsfeld and his ilk are responsible for pussy-footing around and not bringing total war to the enemy and the civilian population that supports the insurgents and the jihadists.