July 14, 2008, - 10:23 pm
Scary Claim: More Than 1/2 U.S. Troops in Iraq Raised on Springer, Marilyn Manson, Hip-Hop
By Debbie Schlussel
**** SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATE ****
There’s been a lot of hype over the new HBO miniseries, “Generation Kill,” which debuted Sunday Night. It is about the Marines of the First Reconnaissance Battalion that led the drive into Iraq on the road to Baghdad, and features actors playing the parts of allegedly real Marines, in whose unit writer Evan Wright was imbedded. The show is based on his book.
While I did not see the show–and that is not important to the point of this post–the Wall Street Journal’s great Dorothy Rabinowitz reviewed it, and she notes some interesting–no, scary–info that Wright compiled about the real-life troops with whom he traveled:
More than half these troops, Mr. Wright has noted in his book, came from broken homes or were raised by absentee parents. The film’s dialogue, we’re assured — it’s not a heartening thought — accurately represents the speech of these Marines, raised on hip-hop, Marilyn Manson and Jerry Springer. Team leader Sgt. Brad Colbert (Alexander Skarsgard), age 28, and called “The Iceman” — a tribute to his calm — likes Barry Manilow and solitude, tastes not widely shared in the platoon.
Is this accurate? Surely there must be many more soldiers like Sgt. Colbert. I can’t believe that the majority of enlisted Americans are products of Manson (a/k/a Brian Warner), Springer, rap, and single mother households. If that’s truly the case, then Dorothy Rabinowitz is correct: It isn’t heartening. It’s frightening.
We have to keep in mind that it’s written by a liberal journalist, and they generally have negative agendas in what they write. But Rabinowitz, a long-time conservative, says the series (after Sunday’s first episode) is worthy. So maybe it is accurate.
I’d welcome the comments of soldiers serving in Iraq or who have served in Iraq regarding the veracity of Wright’s claims. Accurate?
**** UPDATE, 07/15/08: Reader Louis, a “former” Marine (you’re a Marine ’til you die) writes:
I read your article on “Generation Kill”. I haven’t seen it and don’t care too. I didn’t fight in Iraq but I did serve in the Marines back in the ’90’s. All I can tell you is the guys I served with were great for the most part BUT our troops come from society and they are a reflection of society. From what I gathered in your article it seems the premise is these guys are white trash losers who had nothing else to do but engage in a filthy job in the Marines. Springer’s show is base, smut and Manson is demonic. Do the math. It’s called “Generation Kill” that title tells me everything.
I’ve yet seen a movie where it captures the love, yes I said love, and friendship between Marines. It’s something I haven’t felt since I got out unless I meet up or talk with those I served with. Guys like that reporter and those of his ilk fail to understand the mind of a Marine. There are things worse than death. They are these: losing a battle, abandoning your men in battle, living in safety when they are in danger and taking an action to preserve your life while your fellow Marines die. These are unbearable. Many Americans don’t understand this. I’ve seen the most “squared away” and the biggest “sh#&birds” become one and the same during moments of crisis. You couldn’t tell who was who! They were all “squared away” and ready to fight. Because all the hip hop, smut and crap society gives is drowned out by drumbeats of heroism of past Marines and the desire to not let them and their fellow Marine down. It’ll take a Marine to make a good Marine movie.
Thank you for what you do. I do pray that the Lord will look over you and protect you from the enemy and not one hair from your pretty blonde ( I say this with respect) head gets touched!
Semper Fi,
Louis
Thanks, Louis. Good points.
Hey Deb, my cousin serves in Iraq and is on his 3rd tour there. both his parents are still married and we come from a long line of families who have proudly served in the armed services. He is a real man who’s been married for 9 years and has 3 beautiful daughters. having grown up with him,I can assure you that we had a great childhood full of Boyscout meetings, softball games with the family and summers at the Boys and Girls Club of El Paso. We all support him and always have gatherings not only to send him off, but to welcome him home. Nothing unusual here. It must be Hollywierd trying to blow an issue out of proportion to make a buck.
tita2juju on July 14, 2008 at 11:09 pm