HBO’s Generation Kill Creating a Stir

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Dear Sgt. Brown of GA,
This reporter, who was embedded with this particular Force Recon Unit, did not choose the unit to which he was assigned. You seem to imply that he carefully auditioned units before he chose one to which he wished to be assigned.
I agree with you statistics pursuant to African Americans. In fact, across the services African American and Hispanic military service members are generally over represented per population scales. This has attracted criticism of deliberate racial genocide. You will notice that among this Battalion (3 companies) there was a fairly diverse population, except for the African Americans. I took except to the comments earlier that there were none because there very clearly were. I should point out that true names were used and they didn't change the race of anyone. In fact two individuals played themselves.
It was a shame that chance landed this reporter in such a unit because the finest Force Recon NCOs I have known were African American. In fact, one was Wesley Snipes black. He took pride in his night recon abilities.
I have heard Dave Simon criticized on his highly realistic portrayal of minorities in other productions also; Homocide: Life in the Streets, The Corner, The Wire all depicting inner city Baltimore. His comment was this was his beat with the Sun for nearly 20 years so this is what he knows. If you start messing around with the facts, he opined that you run the risk of making it less interesting.
Capt. Dan (Ret.)

Dan S., Capt. (Ret.) of VA 1:12PM August 31, 2008

As as African American OIF Veteran, After a about 5 episodes I too started to wonder WTF? African Americans are 20% of Americas military, where did they find an all white unit in Iraq? There are only two places African American males are over represented, and those are the military and jail.
So I'm wondering what Iraq war did these guys attend that there was no black marines? I didn't see any all white units when I was deployed in Iraq, but apparently that writers and people like Capt America Dan are in some parallel all white universe. As opposed to the American military I served during OIF.
This is not about political correctness this is about showing true representation. Anybody whose been in the military knows its fully integrated yet you wouldn't know it by this series.

Sgt R Brown of GA 11:24PM August 21, 2008

This is the reality of the invasion. I've not slept more than an hour after watching "Burning Dog". This series has brought the war back into the forefront of my mind in a way that I had hoped not to happen.
Secondly, Marines like Jim Crabtree there, that insist on capitalizing Marine are the same ilk as the idiot Sgt. Maj. Marines that believe the BS about the superiority of their service. It's nothing but jingoistic BS, unfortunately they can't see it because they are blinded by their love of Corps. In other words, those that insist on the minutae are the most heavily indoctrinated.
Anyways, for those that would suggest that this series depicts Marines in a bad light, I would suggest that they enlist and see the truth for themselves. There's a lot of each character in every Marine I've known. We're all a bit psycho, we're all a bit compassionate, some Marines are unprofessional but most aren't, we're all a bit too sure of ourselves to the point of being cocky... the list goes on and on. The truth is that this series is the closest to the truth of war that I have ever seen. This makes any man that would deny the truth value of this series a liar in my eyes.
Sherman put it best, war is hell.
Maybe if more Americans would see the realities of war, there'll be a lot less flag waving and a little bit more rational debate before we send our best and brightest off to fight for the interests of the capitalists.
Semper Fi... Mike Oscar Tango Hotel Echo Romeo Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo Echo Romeo Sierra!

Sgt. Tucan Sam of NY 4:52PM August 13, 2008

Basil,
Thanks for trying to look out for the GREAT US Military, but as you have seen in our nearly 250 years of history and proud traditions, we are able to take care of ourselves.
Thanks for playing but...
you casual acquaintances with former military personnel and jargon you pick up in SOF magazine doesn't hold a candle to 21 years in the war.
I appreciate what you are trying to say, but the fact of the matter is nearly every Battalion has a Capt. America, a Cpl. Persons, and a whole slew of Garza's. It is what we loved about our time was the connections we made and to put your faith in your buddy... Not your Senator or your neighbor. There is nothing like expecting someone else to check your six while you take a dump in a hot zone. If you think that's degrading... sorry but we do take dumps in combat and it does not always respect the local mores... but hey, you like Darwin? It could be that the Cradle of Civilization my have also become the agent of change and evolution for a new brand of society.
Basil, you are also not allowed to say Semper anything until you finish boot...
Hasta Pellegra,
Ciao
Capt. Dan (Ret.)
P.S. If you were trying to hurt my feelings with the comment about me retiring, it is actually a great honor to pass the torch to the youthful patriots and I think that Jeffereson has something when he proposed a litmus test for citizenship. Heinlein even suggested that you shouldn't be able to vote unless you serve in the military. That way we would ensure that cowards had no voice.
OORAH

Dan S., Capt. (Ret.) of VA 8:32PM July 21, 2008

So I'm not a Marine, but I love this show.I think the Marines are portrayed as resourceful and real ("Is J-LO really dead?")...I'll miss this when its over. 7 episodes will fly by!

mmp190 of PA 4:12PM July 21, 2008

Captain Dan, Sir:
You entirely missed my point. Generation Kill portrayes the United States Marines Corps as a group of undisciplined, stupid,
poorly led misfits, totally lacking dignity and professionalism. This show is elitist anti military anti Irag war propaganda that pretends it is the nitty gritty but is only
a shallow politically driven exercise. . I know many Marines all of whom have served in Iraqi and have been in combat. They are a impressive group of young men,intelligent,respectful,and proud of who they are. They are courageous in the real sense of the word. Generation Kill is disrespectful to these young men and to The United States Marine Corps.
As for you, Captain Dan, Sir. I can see why you are retired.
Semper
Basil

of 10:28AM July 21, 2008

Basil,
You, no doubt, have never served our glorious nation, on or off the our historic battlefields. My service spanned Viet Nam to the first Gulf War. I am sorry the your sensitivities have been offended, as you sit in your comfy easy chair, at least 20 lbs overweight and never knowing the real meaning of pain and sacrifice.
Have you even played sports. We do anything it takes to get the adrenaline pumping to preserve freedom and security for your ungrateful @$$3$. This is one reporter who DID get it right. Kudos to Dave Simon also. I have heard him take flack from minorities for his realistic portrayals of inner city Baltimore in Homicide, The Corner and The Wire, but his dedication to realism has earned him the respect of critics and the public, SO...
Your opinion reminds me of another important military concept:
SEMPER GUMBY, MOTHA F^<KA
[Translation: Alway flexible, Gentlemen]
Capt. Dan (Ret.)

Dan S., Capt. (Ret.) of VA 7:46AM July 21, 2008

HBO's mini series relies on the same old hollywood formulas that have portrayed America's armed forces since vietnam. Troops that are stupid, immature, blood thirsty and racist; officers that are incompetent, psycho, and completely unconcerned about their mens' welfare and safety; the military as an institution riddled with
macho crazies, inane regulations, and poor leadership from top to bottom. Yes and all the sterotypes, the intellectual who sees through it all( street wise dude), the killers, the ineffectual officers. Unjust war... And I thought Jarhead was crap. Generation
Kill . What misguided soul came up with that title. SemperFi Marines! For your courage, ability and selfless sacrifice. Kill our enemies and come home safe.

Basil Scaljon of TX 11:59PM July 20, 2008

Apropos Crabtree's comment:
"f-in' A"
You will note that I did not capitalize "marine" when talking about an actor playing a Marine.
OORAH,
Capt. Dan (Ret.)

Dan S., Capt. (Ret.) of VA 9:52AM July 19, 2008

Marines have earned the right to have their name capitalized. You have consistently put their name in lower case in the Washington Whispers section and it seems to represent a disdain that you hold for the United States Marine Corps. Why is that?
Semper Fi,
James Crabtree

James Crabtree of TX 10:17AM July 18, 2008