Re: 10 Most Historically Inaccurate Movies

Umm, I'd like to point out that a big reason that many American's don't protest and rally our government establishments is because most of us don't have the time. The working class in the US is the most over-worked nation in the world, and big business here has made sure that the demands for long hours are only compensated with wages that barely keep us afloat. For many people, to take a few days off with no pay to go protest can lead to financial difficulties later in the month, and sometimes the effect can last several months as we try to play catch-up. Most American's live by the skin of their teeth from month to month, so taking time out to fight for a cause is simply out of the question because every dime counts.

Take where I work for example, I'm on a salary that is paid for a 40-hour week. However, the responsabilites and demands of my job outweigh the expected hours -- therefore I end up working 50 to 60 hour weeks, but that's what sucks about salary as they have you by the balls 24/7. Sure, stress is a huge health issue in the US and has been linked to several illnesses, but with the pressure and demands most of us face in the work force it's no wonder stress is a concern. Our work demands and long hours over the years have made it difficult for us to find time for family, friends, self and protesting.

As far as our health care system, there are many things that need to change within before we even consider universal care. For starters, we need to get the insurance companies to stop deciding what's best for us and give that responsibility back to our doctors. Insurance companies have far too much power over our doctors and limit us to what they only will cover. Next, the drug companies should never be allowed to tell our doctors which drugs to push. If you don't think this happens, let me give you a little story. My uncle Richard went to his family doctor he's been going to for the past 20-years. He had a problem with Acid Reflux and his doc was going to perscribe him Nexium. My uncle's insurance wouldn't cover that particular perscription and he told his doctor he wasn't about to shell out $100 a month for nasty heartburn. He got his doctor to confess that he is required by the drug company to perscribe Nexium, and he admitted his practice gets a kickback for pushing the drug. He then told my uncle that you can get the same exact results that Nexium gives by taking two, over the counter, Prilosec's daily. As you can see, big business should have no business telling our doctors how we should be cared for. Until we can change these issues, universal healthcare in the US is going to be a long, long battle. It's a sad time when you realize you can't even trust your own doctor because some idiots want to fatten their pockets by telling our doctors what diagnosis to deliver. IMO, insurance and drug companies should never be allowed to have any kind of control or power over our family practices.

EDIT: As far as M. Moore goes, I don't think he's full of shit, but he can be bias. However, at least he's addressing issues that we should all be concerned with whether you agree with him or not. I praise the guy for at least making us "think" rather than being blinded by the bias opinon of the news media night after night. And no, I'm not in love with the guy but I do respect that he at least has the guts to deliver information that hopefully gets people off their asses and contribute with the changes needed.

Mr. All Serious!

[Post edited by Tim Raynor on Mar 22, 2008]

tim is da man

Tim:

Best post ever!!

You can argue American innovations until the cows come home, and because the U.S. is so far from universal health care, as Tim said, there are numerous things that need to be fixed first in order to get within striking distance of it. Until someone in government is willing to stand up against pharmaceutical corporations, nothing will change. The fact is, U.S. is the only developed, "civilized" country that charges their citizens for the right to live.

Bottom line is this: When health care in America stops being a business and a great money making scheme for doctors, insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies and gets back to square one which is the actual caring for the well being of the general public, then you know we'll be heading in the right direction.

[Post edited by gvortex7 on Mar 22, 2008]

Quote:
No anti-war rallies up here in Canada - in fact every second car has a "Support Our Troops!" ribbon sticker on it.

When that debate was at its peak (and, at least in my area, it was a big debate), the pro-ribbon sentiment was too right-wing American for comfort.

I don't mind when movies about ancient history are a little fast with the historical accuracy. I mean let's face it, the minute a Roman soldier says something in English and not Latin it's historically inaccurate.

I have more of a problem, with more recent history being screwed up. I just got Untouchables on HD-DVD yesterday and I was watching it again for the first time in years. I'm pretty sure in everything I've ever read about that time. That Elliot Ness never threw a suspect of the court house roof to his death.

Quote:
The fact is, U.S. is the only developed, "civilized" country that charges their citizens for the right to live.

Agreed, but even in a free medical society they pay for it through their taxes. However, coming from taxes you don’t think or notice the expense as much because you no longer see a giant, heart stopping doctors bill. I feel the fact that the US medical system is run like a big business makes me sick! IMO, medical should be treated just like any vital human service in this country, much like Police and Firemen.

Nevertheless, I should point out that there are actually communities where I live that require you to pay for your own Fire Department. So, say you didn’t pay your dues -- the Fire Department will come out to a call and watch your house burn to the ground. This has already happened to a family in Gilbert, AZ. The family got out of the house ok, but since the family didn’t contribute to their neighborhood Fire Department, the Firemen just stood their and did nothing. The story even made our local TV news. It just sickens me that that could happen in this country.

What’s next, Police?! Could you imagine making a call to the Police, “Hey, someone’s breaking into my home!”, Police Dept. – “Sorry Mr. Raynor, but you didn’t pay your due fees, so you’re on your own!” The way this country is going, it wouldn’t surprise me that could happen.

[Post edited by Tim Raynor on Mar 22, 2008]

To be fair Tim the cops were probably going to do that do you anyway.

Actually Tim where I live things like this are already happening with the Police. The local cops refuse to go into the poor neighborhoods because A. It's too dangerous and B. most of those people are so poor they aren't paying taxes to they figure there's no rush to help them. I didn't realize this until I was visiting a friend who lives on the outskirts of one of these neighborhoods, and my car got broken into. I called 911 and I was told on the phone, that they would NOT be sending out a police officer to take my report.

I thought this post was about Historically Inaccurate Movies? LOL

They just have to do an accurate portrayal of the My Lai Massacre - from the soldiers gearing up for the invasion - to the 3 Soldier's Medals awarded - to the emotional visit those 2 surviving soldiers had with the few My Lai survivors. I don't mean that crappy "investigative" film that Oliver Stone was going to do staring Bruce Willis. Is the history so hard to bare that Hollywood wont touch it the way it should? And hold back no gore - show those women lined up holding their babies while they all get killed, and how 3 crazy American soldiers flew that helicopter between the few left running away and the hundreds of Americans shooting at them.

And they should pick characters from both "sides" to develop before the invasion occurred: a few villagers (including one or two that the soldiers meet later in the film), along with the characters of the soldiers themselves - those 3 especially, but also the characters and demoralization of what war does to a weaker personality. No holds barred. Show it the way it was, and if the religious right and patriotic extremists don't like it, too freakin' bad. No taming this one down.

Edit: BTW, here's the BBC story of the guys getting their medals. They could make this pretty emotional - so many years later in their old age only then were they recognized:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1998/03/98/mylai/62924.stm

Man, what a movie they could make with all that.

[Post edited by Skyhawk on Mar 22, 2008]