Trials of Henry Kissinger was made by Eugene Jarecki who also made the superb WHY WE FIGHT.

Jarecki and Adam Curtis are the best of the new batch of "polemicist" documentarians. Both are much smarter and more observant than Michael Moore or the OUTFOXED/Walmart guy.

An epic and incredible documentary - possibly the best political/historical one I've seen:

Is American foreign policy dominated by the idea of military supremacy? Has the military become too important in American life? Jarecki's shrewd and intelligent polemic would seem to give an affirmative answer to each of these questions

The American Documentary Grand Jury Prize was given to WHY WE FIGHT, written and directed by Eugene Jarecki. http://festival.sundance.org/2005/docs/05Awards.pdf

What are the forces that shape and propel American militarism? This award-winning film provides an inside look at the anatomy of the American war machine.

He may have been the ultimate icon of 1950s conformity and postwar complacency, but Dwight D. Eisenhower was an iconoclast, visionary, and the Cassandra of the New World Order. Upon departing his presidency, Eisenhower issued a stern, cogent warning about the burgeoning "military industrial complex," foretelling with ominous clarity the state of the world in 2004 with its incestuous entanglement of political, corporate, and Defense Department interests.

Deploying the general's farewell address as his strategic ground zero, Eugene Jarecki launches a full-frontal autopsy of how the will of a people has become an accessory to the Pentagon. Surveying the scorched landscape of a half-century's military misadventures and misguided missions, Jarecki asks how--and tells why--a nation ostensibly of, by, and for the people has become the savings-and-loan of a system whose survival depends on a state of constant war.

Jarecki, whose previous film, The Trials of Henry Kissinger, took such an unblinking look at our ex-secretary of state, might have delivered his film in time for the last presidential election, but its timing is also its point: It does not matter who is in charge as long as the system remains immune from the checks and balances of a peace-seeking electorate. Brisk, intelligent, and often very, very human, Why We Fight is one of the more powerful films in this year's Festival, and certainly among the most shattering.— Diane Weyermann

While I find it commendable that Robert McNamara did do this film. I can't accept his explanations for the use of Agent Orange as being simply "I don't remember".

I felt that the documentarian gave his subject too much leeway because of a wider message he wanted to put out post the war in Iraq.

Still a monumental film that needs to be watched. What I would to see now is the same treatment of Henry Kissinger.

From pt. 2- Kissinger drops by the white house about once a month. "Kissinger is fighting the Vietnam war again". Kissinger says "Victory is the only exit strategy."
President is "Cheerleader in Chief"
Bush says "I will not withdraw, even if Laura and Barney are the only ones supporting me."

holy crap.. kudos to Woodward for writing a real book this time.

long story, but i will *try* to make it short ...

i used to work at this greasy-spoon hamburger joint (just a small shack on the side of the road). it has been in business for over 60yrs and hires high schoolers during the season. clamps (aptly named after the original owners) is on the way to a more affluent part of the scenic country life (in connecticut) and rakes in the business.

one weekday afternoon a red head stops with her young son and nanny in tow. she looks sooooooooooooo familiar, so i give her 'that look' and say, "can i ask you a question?" she quickly responds with, "yes, i am!" i laugh and told her that i had no clue who she was. she replied, "i guess it will remain a mystery" we laughed some more and then she took her food and went to sit down at a picnic table.

i figured she someone in one of the many soap operas i watched at the time ... i had my own apartment senior year and had basic cable (12 channels), so it was soap operas, sitcoms, and my boyfriend's STNG video tape collection.

she came back to get an ice cream for her son and i couldn't resist, "can you just you just tell me your name?" she obliged with, "gates mcfadden" i shrugged and she just smiled and walked away.

moments later it hit me!!!! dr beverly crusher from the star trek enterprise ... i nearly bolted out the door for her autograph before being stopped by the owner. he told me one of the reasons they are so popular is because they treat celebrities like 'normal' people! UGH!!!!

she was walking to her car to leave and i yelled, " goodbye dr beverly crusher!!" she laughed and waved!

that was my most memorable meeting but there have been others that i've just seen around my hometown. i've spoken to kyra sedgewick, oscar de la renta, gloria vanderbilt, the kissingers, dustin hoffman, mia farrow, michael bolton ... i worked for the local answering service in high school so they REALLY weren't talking to me ... more like leaving a message for a client!!! i used to keep their phone numbers ... like i'd EVER call one of them!!! hahahahaha

i've invited adam sandler over for a 'home cooked meal' he filmed mr deed's in my hometown and i met him on the green (center part of town). i had nothing on me but my checkbook so i had him sign that and then gave him a deposit slip and circled my name and addy!!! *slaps forehead* winona ryder is beautiful in person!

anyway .... i said i would try to make it short, but i'm a girl and it didn't work! so there ya go ...

I find it so bewildering that the American people can impeach a President over oral sex. But outting a CIA operative, going against the Geneva Human Rights convention, letting Henry Kissinger run free, going to war over cherry picked intelligence. Oh that's all fine and forgivable.

frm http://www.sonomacountyfreepress.com/bohos/bohofact.html
Conspiracies abound regarding this elite woodlands club. The clip is obviously of the hardcore conspiracy version, and the (long) snip below seems a more likely or reasonable description.

"What is the Bohemian Grove? The Bohemian Grove is a 2700 acre redwood forest, located in Monte Rio, CA. It contains accommodation for 2000 people to "camp" in luxury. It is owned by the Bohemian Club.

What is the Bohemian Club? The Bohemian Club is a private. all male club, which is headquartered in the Bohemian building in San Francisco. It was formed in 1872 by men who sought shelter from the frontier culture (or lack of culture).

Who are the present members? The Club has evolved into an association of rich and powerful men, mostly of this country (there are similar organizations in other countries). Some artists are allowed to join (often at reduced rates), because of their social status and entertainment value. The membership list has included every Republican U.S. president (as well as some Democrats) since 1923, many cabinet officials, and director; & CEO's of large corporations, including major financial institutions.

What industries are represented among the members? Major military contractors, oil companies, banks (including the Federal Reserve), utilities (including nuclear power), and national media (broadcast and print) have high-ranking officials as club members or guests. Many members are, or have been, on the board of directors of several of these corporations. You should note that most of the above industries depend heavily on a relationship with government for their profitability.

The members stay in different camps at the Grove, which have varying status levels. Members & frequent guests of the most prestigious camp (Mandalay) include: Henry Kissinger, George Shultz, S. D. Bechtel, Jr., Thomas Watson Jr. (IBM), Phillip Hawley (B of A), William Casey (CIA). and Ralph Bailey (Dupont). George Bush resides in a less prestigious camp (Hillbillies) with A. W. Clausen (World Bank), Walter Cronkite, and William F. Buckley.

What activities take place at the grove? The grove is the site of a two week retreat every July (as well as other smaller get-togethers throughout the year). At these retreats, the members commune with nature in a truly original way. They drink heavily from morning through the night, bask in their freedom to urinate on the redwoods, and perform pagan rituals (including the "Cremation of Care", in which the members wearing red-hooded robes, cremate a coffin effigy of "Dull Care" at the base of a 40 foot owl altar). Some (20%) engage in homosexual activity (but few of them support gay rights or AIDS research). They watch (and participate in) plays and comedy shows in which women are portrayed by male actors. Although women are not allowed in the Grove, members often leave at night to enjoy the company of the many prostitutes who come from around the world for this event. Is any of this hard to believe? Employees of the Grove have said that no verbal description can accurately portray the bizarre behavior of the Grove's inhabitants.

Besides this type of merriment. the annual gathering serves as an informational clearing house for the elite. The most powerful men in the country do their "networking" here, despite the Grove's motto "weaving spiders come not here" (don't do business in the Grove). At these gatherings men representing the government, military-industrial, and financial sectors meet and make major policy decisions. The Manhattan project, which produced the first atomic bombs, was conceived at the Grove in 1942. Other decisions made at the Grove include who our presidential candidates will be. There are speeches, known as "Lakeside Talks", wherein high-ranking officials disseminate information which is not available to the public-at-large. "