LowerCaseRepublican

Saw this in the news and wondered what people thought here...Where have the black soldiers gone?: On February 19 1945 Thomas McPhatter found himself on a landing craft heading toward the beach on Iwo Jima. "There were bodies bobbing up all around, all these dead men," said the former US marine, now 83 and living in San Diego. "Then we were crawling on our bellies and moving up the beach. I jumped in a foxhole and there was a young white marine holding his family pictures. He had been hit by shrapnel, he was bleeding from the ears, nose and mouth. It frightened me. The only thing I could do was lie there and repeat the Lord's prayer, over and over and over." Sadly, Sgt McPhatter's experience is not mirrored in Flags of Our Fathers, Clint Eastwood's big-budget, Oscar-tipped film of the battle for the Japanese island that opened on Friday in the US. While the film's battle scenes show scores of young soldiers in combat, none of them are African-American. Yet almost 900 African-American troops took part in the battle of Iwo Jima, including Sgt McPhatter. The film tells the story of the raising of the stars and stripes over Mount Suribachi at the tip of the island. The moment was captured in a photograph that became a symbol of the US war effort. Eastwood's film follows the Marines in the picture, including the Native American Ira Hayes, as they were removed from combat operations to promote the sale of government war bonds. Mr McPhatter, who went on to serve in Vietnam and rose to the rank of lieutenant commander in the US navy, even had a part in the raising of the flag. "The man who put the first flag up on Iwo Jima got a piece of pipe from me to put the flag up on," he says. That, too, is absent from the film. "Of all the movies that have been made of Iwo Jima, you never see a black face," said Mr McPhatter. "This is the last straw. I feel like I've been denied, I've been insulted, I've been mistreated. But what can you do? We still have a strong underlying force in my country of rabid racism." Melton McLaurin, author of the forthcoming The Marines of Montford Point and an accompanying documentary to be released in February, says that there were hundreds of black soldiers on Iwo Jima from the first day of the 35-day battle. Although most of the black marine units were assigned ammunition and supply roles, the chaos of the landing soon undermined the battle plan. "When they first hit the beach the resistance was so fierce that they weren't shifting ammunition, they were firing their rifles," said Dr McLaurin. The failure to transfer the active role played by African-Americans at Iwo Jima to the big screen does not surprise him. "One of the marines I interviewed said that the people who were filming newsreel footage on Iwo Jima deliberately turned their cameras away when black folks came by. Blacks are not surprised at all when they see movies set where black troops were engaged and never show on the screen. I would like to say that it was from ignorance but anybody can do research and come up with books about African-Americans in world war two. I think it has to do with box office and what producers of movies think Americans really want to see." He added: "I want to see these guys get their due. They're just so anxious to have their story told and to have it known." Roland Durden, another black marine, landed on the beach on the third day. "When we hit the shore we were loaded with ammunition and the Japanese hit us with mortar." Private Durden was soon assigned to burial detail, "burying the dead day in, day out. It seemed like endless days. They treated us like workmen rather than marines." Mr Durden, too, is wearied but unsurprised at the omissions in Eastwood's film. "We're always left out of the films, from John Wayne on," he said. Mr Durden ascribes to both the conspiracy as well as the cock-up theory of history. "They didn't want blacks to be heroes. This was pre-1945, pre-civil rights." A spokesperson for Warner Bros said: "The film is correct based on the book." The omission was first remarked upon in a review by Fox News columnist Roger Friedman, who noted that the history of black involvement at Iwo Jima was recorded in several books, including Christopher Moore's recent Fighting for America: Black Soldiers - the Unsung Heroes of World War II. "They weren't in the background at all," said Moore. "The people carrying the ammunition were 90% black, so that's an opportunity to show black soldiers. These are our films and very often they become our history, historical documents." Yvonne Latty, a New York University professor and author of We Were There: Voices of African-American Veterans (2004), wrote to Eastwood and the film's producers pleading with them to include the experience of black soldiers. HarperCollins, the book's publishers, sent the director a copy, but never heard back. "It would take only a couple of extras and everyone would be happy," she said. "No one's asking for them to be the stars of the movies, but at least show that they were there. This is the way a new generation will think about Iwo Jima. Once again it will be that African-American people did not serve, that we were absent. It's a lie." The first chapter to James Bradley's book Flags of Our Fathers, which forms the basis of the movie, opens with a quotation from president Harry Truman. "The only thing new in the world is the history you don't know." It would provide a fitting endnote to Eastwood's film. First person Sgt Thomas McPhatter, 8th US Marine Corps ammunition company, was at Iwo Jima in 1945. These are his memories We set up an ammunition dump and the Japanese spotted it because they were firing mortars. There was black powder and smoke everywhere. It's unbelievable what you can smell. Men losing their legs ... "On the second night we were hit again by mortar fire. All of a sudden the dump was burning. I said the whole dump's going to go soon, and we couldn't put the fire out. We made our way to the beach ... when I got to the beach my eyes were burning and the dispensary put something on my face. Two days later they start ammunition drops from planes. They started dropping the ammo in multi-coloured parachutes like an ice-cream canopy. So you've got to chase ammunition with the enemy firing on you. Oh, Lord. My platoon leader put us in for a commendation but that never got anywhere. It was beyond the call of duty. "Our last involvement was when we turned back a banzai attack ... the last battle on Iwo Jima. There were army people there who had come after us to repair the airfield who were living in tents ... they came out of their holes with their swords drawn, high-hollering 'Banzai!' The Japanese cut the guy ropes and they were running them through the canvas with their swords. When they came through our area, we were still sleeping in the dirt. We cut them down. It was the black soldiers that did it. It's never been recognised.

QUOTE(SoxAce @ Oct 22, 2006 -> 03:14 PM) Nuke, I've been wondering the same thing for a while now. Hell, my little brother gets suspended for a while for sniffing glue (his first time doing it and it wasn't just him, it was a group of them, but he gets caught becasue the teacher and assistant principal are hispanic racists [assistant was fired 2 months later]) That's not the only reason eigher, but that one just sticks out to me. It's not like he was in a fight of brung a weapon considered dangerous or anything to school. I've sniffed glue, my sister, alot of my friends, family, etc.. When your a kid, your curious especially if it's a school-type material. They're trying to cover their asses to avoid upset parents and lawsuits. If they fail to do something, they get blasted for being too lax. They go too far and they get blasted. It's damned if you do and Damaclesed if you don't.

QUOTE(EvilMonkey @ Oct 22, 2006 -> 03:29 PM) Any points taken off for the hypocracy of wanting the government to spend tax money on his pet projects, them moving their company to a tax-haven to avoid paying taxes? That is reason alone to dismiss his politics. No more than the average US company that does the exact same thing.

Nuke, how did you miss this story? http://www.nbc11.com/news/10122738/detail.html So much more funny.

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Oct 22, 2006 -> 02:18 PM) He is certainly the overexposed torch bearer of the mixing of politics and rock music. The problem with Bono is most people really don't care about his opinions. But having opinions and doing something...it is better than 50 "I got shot 9 times yet still can't rap for crap on anything that isn't produced by Eminem/Dre" Cent and the rest of the commercialized idiot pop/rock/rap that folds like a flan in a cupboard when it comes to issues of substance and doing anything even the slightest bit meaningful. I don't enjoy U2 or their music, but gotta give a golf clap for him at least getting issues out there and doing something.

Edit request fulfilled.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Oct 21, 2006 -> 08:40 PM) No, because the story "broke" two years ago. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1240644/posts Some right wing hack blogger just dug it up again, as opposed to the left wing hack bloggers that hold onto the story until a month before a mid-term election. Uh, Kap -- Not trying to quibble but we did have an election in 2004(not a mid-term) as well and this was posted on FR (Oct 10) less than a month before the Kerry/Bush election. So, the point you were going for is kinda moot. Again, I harken back to my Warren Ellis-esque statement about the barbary apes regarding politicians.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Oct 21, 2006 -> 05:23 PM) Filibuster in 5.........4.........3......2..................1........... Lets see here. Some dumbass kid makes a phony bomb threat and you're trying to equate him to the President making a decision to go to war. It's not so much a double standard as it is you being opposed to the war and trying to equate anything that's wrong or distasteful to it in a vain attempt to make a point. /rolly No, I'm just making the moral equivalent that it is a dumbass politician making a phony threat to justify a nationalistic effort to secure oil supplies to the dumbass kid posting on the net. Either both lying are bad or neither is bad. Somehow, one is okay with 1/3 of the American public and the other is being seemingly over-zealously condemned.

Wait... we're surprised that politicians are acting like (and I love Warren Ellis for this paraphrase) barbary apes jacking off into the Constitution while watching out the windows in Washington at the prospect of running peoples' lives for them?

If they are so disgusted by the wasted resources towards this case then...why...are...they...wasting...resources...now with the FBI etc.? So, let's get this straight: Lie about the possible use of weapons of mass destruction, explicit details of where it would take place and how they'd be used -- start a war and it is seen as okay by 1/3 of the population currently. Lie about the possible use of weapons of mass destruction, explicit details of where it would take place and how they'd be used -- go on trial and possibly get a 5 year prison term. Add in the fact that Bush laughed at the fact we haven't been able to find WMD in Iraq during a press dinner and it looks like we've got some people here creating a double standard when the one standard would work just perfectly fine here. Either it is fine for both to lie and joke about it or it is okay for neither.

I kinda wanna say Eazy E -- just for the record company perspective with his eye for finding new talent (i.e. Bone Thugs and Harmony) but he wasn't a really creative musician himself. From the overdose category: I'd also say Cobain and Hendrix at least for another couple albums. Nobody wants them to turn into lounge acts. From the disease category: I'd say Frank Zappa. From the violence category: I'd say Tupac Shakur.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/10/18/soldiers.court/index.html Holding down a 14 year old girl, raping her multiple times, shooting her and her parents and then burning the house down and toasting their bodies to a crisp. How are we different than the terrorists again? We've seen plenty of posts here on ST that the people who burned the mercenaries' bodies were savages and even the allegation that all Muslims were savages because of the actions of these few. So, anybody want to put that shoe on the other foot now in regards to US soldiers torching a teenage girl that they killed and raped? I mean, if the logic holds true for those that allege the Muslims were savages, then it must hold true here too. And if the logic holds then that means -- following that logic to its extention -- then that the US Army must be full of savages. I'm not saying anything here other than taking previously alleged logic to its extention and applying it to a new situation. So yeah, this is why I'm all about supporting troops and people on an individual basis.

Good to see Johnny Ace putting out Generic Wank Fodder #8738923 out as the new interviewer on ECWWE. She's got as much personality as a wet paper bag. Geez..needs more King Book-ah!

Two stories. 1. Ricky Steamboat was going to be used with Flair's team of legend wrestlers. However, his ex-wife owns the rights to the Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat gimmick and the E didn't want to pay for the rights to use it. 2. Current rumor is that for Cyber Sunday, the fans will be able to vote for which belt goes on the line in the Booker vs Cena vs Skillet Hands match. With all the Kevin Dunn "People can't figure out that ECW is actually WWE programming, so we need to get rid of the ECW name and turn it into a full E show instead.", I have a feeling that the ECW title will be on the line and show loses it to Cena or King Book-ahh. And Fantasy Leaguers -- remember, new week (Week 2) starts tonight.

My current job or standup comic.

How is this any different than Sox fans saying that Ozzie didn't have a high batting average, he wasn't a smart ballplayer and the such so he sucks as a manager? How is this any different than some of the irrational (as opposed to the rational, legitimate criticisms well founded in things like fact, logic and reason) ranting and ravings here about Ozz? It's not. Oh wait, this is the Cubs. I forgot.

For the school dance I have to chaperone: Charlie Chaplin For the party I'm going to: Only wearing a pair of nice Dockers and that's it. I'm going as a premature ejaculation -- I just came in my pants.

QUOTE(Brian @ Oct 10, 2006 -> 10:13 PM) I hate that mosaic thing TV does when girls get nekkid. Maria and Candice both got nude and we didn't see a damn thing on Extreme Strip Poker. Go figure. PIXELATED BOOBS ARE EXTREME! XTRM! Joey Styles and Tazz said so! /wonders when their apology for getting naked on TV and being nude being against the corporate policy of the E will be out on wwe.com

Fantasy Leaguers -- Oh yeah! Who's in first? w00t! Granted we still have ECW and SmackDown to count for the week -- but a lead is a lead, hahaha. Woooooooooooo! And Gaelic, re: the MVP getup...I too thought Flash Funk hence the "We ain't gonna drive, we gonna step!" reference a few posts ago.

QUOTE(Brian @ Oct 9, 2006 -> 07:19 PM) Cena always ruins confronting promos. Booker is talking and he says something about Mr. Nanny. Bad timing and let the WORLD champion speak! Yeah, Cena's response with the Brit accent was amusing...but it was really bad after that point from the Cena perspective. Perhaps this is just the Kane 'Lost in Cleveland' sketches! And also, Jake the Snake is in TNA now as a guide for the Monster's Ball.

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Oct 9, 2006 -> 05:11 PM) We ain't gonna drive...WE GONNA STEP! Oh wait, wrong gimmick. I can't believe they broke up the Court at the PPV. This King Booker gimmick is hysterical. And dear God, what is this? Cena being entertaining with the British accent? I'm actually entertained. And supposedly a triple threat match at Cyber Sunday may take place between Booker, Cena and the Show.

The E is publicly apologizing for Regal exposing his...um, tallywhacker during the PPV in a backstage segment. Logic is now doing barrel rolls in its grave. WWE apologizes Oct. 9, 2006 World Wrestling Entertainment would like to apologize to anyone who watched WWE No Mercy and was offended by the William Regal locker room incident. Conduct of this kind is unacceptable in a family-friendly environment, and WWE accepts full responsibility. Nudity of any kind, even in a live television environment, is offensive to our audience and to the reputation of our company. Now, be sure to tune in to Raw with the Mr. McMahon Kiss My Ass Club and ECW's Extreme Strip Poker On Sci Fi!

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Oct 8, 2006 -> 05:11 PM) Predictions for tonight? World Heavyweight Championship - Fatal Four Way Match - King Booker © vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Batista vs. Finlay. - The Undertaker vs. WWE U.S. Champion Mr. Kennedy. Falls Count Anywhere Match - Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero. - MVP (Montel Vontavious Porter) makes his in-ring debut. - Matt Hardy vs. WWE Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms. WWE Tag Team Championship Match - Paul London & Brian Kendrick (c's) vs. K.C. James & Idol Stevens. As for MVP's opponent, well, I have no idea. I'll go out on a limb and say Chris Benoit. King Booker Mister Kennedy!.........Kennedy! Chavo -- I see this as the opportunity for Chavo to 'injure' Rey Rey and get him the time off that he wants. MVP is gonna go over somebody otherwise all the promos etc. have been for nothing...perhaps the re-hired Boogeyman? Gregory Helms Lundrick

QUOTE(EvilMonkey @ Oct 8, 2006 -> 05:58 PM) Eagle Forum, Promise Keepers = Islamofascist. I don't think so, try again. What you fail to point out is that the Promise Keepers don't 'honor kill' their daughters for showing their legs or for kissing a boy. If you are claiming moral equivilence here, you can't claim it doesn't exist between Foley and Butts. I know a lot about 'honor killings'. I've helped out with organizations to cut down on those types of activities. Then again, I've seen a few "good, Christian conservative" dads go apes*** and beat the Hell out of their daughters because they became 'unpure' before marriage in the news. Every religion has it to a degree. Again, it isn't about Islam. It is about fundamentalism. Take a look at the threats that came out because of the TV show, "The Book of Daniel". It is all about small sects of fundamentalist belief in any religion. Buddy Christ and Dashboard Muhammad powers activate!

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Oct 8, 2006 -> 12:57 AM) Religon of peace indeed....................just so long as you dont happen to be a woman. Uh...Eagle Forum, Promise Keepers, laws telling women what they can and can't do with their bodies here or denying a vaccine to a disease that afflicts women because it would violate their religious fundamentalist code to allow it to be used -- much? Again, it's all about fundamentalism much more than it is about a specific religion.