Why We Fight

Last night I went to see a documentary the title of which was co-opted from the “Why We Fight” series done during World War II. It could have been titled “Why We Shouldn’t Fight,” but that would be over-simplification. It was funded to some unspecified extent by the Sundance Documentary Fund which should give some idea of it’s bent. I went in expecting a leftward lean and it was there to be sure, but not so heavy-handed as to be dismissible out-of-hand the way Michael Moore is. In fact, the message was well framed and well supported with interviews from some highly placed people that we don’t often get to hear in this kind of context. Other interviews from private citizens with unique circumstances gave compelling perspectives. I came away thinking that agree or not, the position that America is moving in the direction of imperialism by design certainly merits consideration and debate.

I probably wouldn’t have blogged about this but for another hard-to-miss observation. Though the parking lot was full and the cineplex busy with people going into the late showings, when I walked into the theatre it was completely empty. Well, not quite. Two old men and a woman (old meaning at least ten years older than me) were sitting in the back row. Actually, they were probably 70-somethings. Old enough to have been Korea vets and have late childhood memories of WWII. Now this film hasn’t received much publicity or perhaps I haven’t been paying attention, but I couldn’t help the critical thought that with many hundreds of people consuming the bread and circuses entertainment from all the other screens in the house, this serious film proclaiming America truly the new Rome played to empty seats. If the thrust of the film is correct and history is any teacher, the implications are pretty scary. One day the sequel may be called “Why We Fell.”