Those who oppose the Iraq war are always adamant that they support the troops, but how do you characterize people who think it's good television programming to portray Iraq war veterans as violent criminals? This Sunday at 9pm EDT/PDT, the Spike TV cable channel, part of the CBS/Viacom empire, starts The Kill Point, a four-part, eight-hour mini-series “event” revolving around a group of Iraq war veterans who rob a bank and take hostages. John Leguizamo (IMDb bio page), “Dr. Victor Clemente” on NBC's ER, stars as the leader of the heavily-armed robbers and the Spike Web site for the show describes his character as a man who is “fighting his own personal demons from the Iraq war.” Spike TV, best known for incessant re-runs of CSI, will air The Kill Point in two-hour blocks over four successive Sundays, starting this Sunday, July 22.
From Spike TV's page on their mini-series:
Emmy Award-winning actor and Golden Globe nominee John Leguizamo and Donnie Wahlberg star in Spike TV's new original scripted series, THE KILL POINT, an eight-hour event focusing on two men as they square off during a bank heist gone horribly wrong and the hostage negotiations that ensue. THE KILL POINT premieres on Spike TV with a two-hour event beginning Sunday, July 22 at 9:00-PM ET/PT.John Leguizamo is "Mr. Wolf," the leader of a small group of military veterans who set out to rob a major bank in Pittsburgh. When things go awry, they're forced to take more than a dozen hostages from all walks of life, including a wealthy and powerful businessman's daughter. Suddenly, "Mr. Wolf" finds himself battling the police, the hostages and members of his own team while at the same time, fighting his own personal demons from the Iraq war and from his own war at home. Will he be sharp enough to hold it all together or lose control of the situation? And will he find redemption before it's too late -- and does he even care to?
On the opposite side of the perimeter is "Horst Cali," the Pittsburgh Police Department Hostage Negotiator, played by Donnie Wahlberg, who must go toe-to-toe with "Mr. Wolf." "Cali" must use his wit and negotiating skills, while managing his own personal issues, to manipulate the situation and convince Wolf to free the hostages before the FBI takes control, or worse.
With time of the essence and the uncertainty of the unfolding events, both men need to remain resourceful and collected or risk losing lives. THE KILL POINT reveals how the hostage takers leverage their situation and how the negotiator tries to unravel their plans. Which man will blink? Who will outsmart the other? Who will survive? It's a dangerous game of chess played out with human lives at stake.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
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Is it valid at all to point
July 18, 2007 - 11:49 ET by balboaIs it valid at all to point out that this show probably doesn't make the claim that ALL vets rob banks? That these guys aren't representative of vets overall?
Goose and Gander, acaiguana
July 18, 2007 - 12:03 ET by motherbeltwell, aca, the same was true of the Tom Clancy novel, (was it "Clear and Present Danger?) It didn't make ALL Arabs out to be terrorists, nor did it imply that those guys were representative of Arabs overall. But the Hollywood folks making the movie still found it necessary to change the bad guys into white, neo-Nazis.
wrong movie
July 18, 2007 - 15:55 ET by SQL_SamI believe you meant "Sum of all Fears" with Ben Affleck. They changed the bad guys to Nazi's (because we are all aware of the millions of nazi's that have so much influence around the world) where in the book it was Muslim's - way to go Hollywood bury that head even farther in the sand.
Remember that Audi Murphy
July 18, 2007 - 16:00 ET by TruthMongerRemember that Audi Murphy movie back during WW2 where the American vets become deranged pedophile clowns and go on a manical killing spree, raping, pillaging, burning Korans, torturing innocent terrorists, etc, etc...
What was that one called again - Balboa do you know it?
Gay haters unite!
Well, now, we won that war,
July 18, 2007 - 22:11 ET by balboaWell, now, we won that war, so there's a different feeling associated with it, right?
Yes, it is valid
July 18, 2007 - 13:37 ET by bbbossThis is exactly what happened 35 years ago, every other episode of any cop show had a deranged Vietnam vet shooting people from a cliff top (actual Hawaii Five-O episode) and this show is the start of a continuing pattern. It is called perpetuating the stereotype....and those like you that brush it off as just television didn't live through the horror of the Vietnam War...woops!! I didn't really mean the horror of the war, rather the horror of coming home from the Vietnam War. For many vets, including me, the coming home to this apathetic bordering on hostile attitude that you are showing was far worse than the war. At least, with the NVA and the Viet Cong you knew where you stood.
Here we go again, gang . . .
July 18, 2007 - 13:59 ET by GalvanicYou're exactly right, bbboss. As John Burkett points out in his book Stolen Valor, these media images of the maladjusted, haunted, anti-social Vietnam veteran were quite harmful then, and still linger to some extent today, somewhere between pitiable victim and psychopathic killer.
Since most Hollywood producers of war films seem to have learned about war strictly from other war movies, it's no surprise that the plot for this new series seems to be a renewal of the "vet-as-nut job" stereotype.
No wonder most of America
July 18, 2007 - 16:01 ET by TruthMongerNo wonder most of America hates these frackin Hollywood scum bastards - give them credit - they worked very hard and EARNED it fair and square...
Gay haters unite!
I'm not showing any kind of
July 18, 2007 - 13:58 ET by balboaI'm not showing any kind of hostile attitude.
There are bound to be movies and shows that show war vets in a bad light. They can't all come back happy as a lark.
Images
July 18, 2007 - 14:05 ET by GalvanicNo one says they do. But as Burkett details in his book, Vietnam vets were no more maladjusted or traumitized than any other group of US war vets. The vast majority got on with their lives, hold careers, raised families, and are no more prone to suicide or violent crime than the general population.
But polling in the '70s and '80s found that Americans generally had a negative image of Vietnam vets, and assumed that most suffered from PTSD, addicted to drugs or alcohol, were unemployed, and homeless. Of course, that's how they were usually portrayed in films and TV, so it's only logical that the young audience were impressed by it all.
Vietnam was a bad moment in
July 18, 2007 - 14:12 ET by balboaVietnam was a bad moment in American history. It's no wonder that most movies are going to depict a soldier's experience as bad as well.
Vietnam was a "bad moment
July 18, 2007 - 14:34 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveVietnam was a "bad moment in American History" because the politicians and the media made it that way...not because of what the soldiers experienced in battle. Soldiers have been returning from war and successfully adjusting back into civilian life for centuries. Why are all of the "mal-adjusted soldier" stories about Vietnam or Iraq war vets? I don't think it is coincidence...there is obviously an agenda at work.
It's like the guy up in Wyoming that shot his wife the other night. He just killed himself. The news is caught up in his military training and whether he had been in combat. People shoot each other all the time for one reason or another, but they don't get this kind of national attention unless the shooter is a soldier or a cop.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
Vietnam vets were protrayed as losers or victims
July 18, 2007 - 14:45 ET by GalvanicThey were depicted that way because that's how Hollywood thought about the vets -- not how the vets actually are. Imagine a TV series where every gay character has AIDS, or every black character is a criminal --- how long would it take for Hollywood and the MSM to slam the production company for reinforcing negative stereotypes and creating myths? Special interests groups would be threatening the network with law suits left and right.
But that's what happened to the Vietnam vet, where even the supposedly 'positive' images of the Vietnam vet --- personified by Sylvester Stallone as Rambo --- are those of a psychologically wounded outcast seeking revenge or vindication.
Well I hardly think gays
July 18, 2007 - 14:49 ET by balboaWell I hardly think gays and blacks are comparable to Vietnam vets as a group.
If you're going to do a movie about a veteran, most likely it's going to be about their struggles after the war. Because otherwise, where's the conflict in your story?
But I understand what you're saying. And this will most likely be a really bad movie, however, on a third-rate cable network. It's probably gotten more attention with this post than it would have otherwise.
Why are Blacks and Gays not
July 18, 2007 - 15:36 ET by BDWhy are Blacks and Gays not comparable?
One of the dirty little secrets in the demographics game is that Vietnam era vets suffered from LESS mental illness than their counterparts who nevr served. If you look at the issue analytically, it makes sense.
Draftees and Volunteers for the military during that time frame were screened by the army mental health professionals during induction and those showing mental illness potential were removed from the pool of inductees. Therefore later in life they were much less apt to suffer from mental health issues.
BD -- yes, for some odd
July 18, 2007 - 18:43 ET by Jack BauerBD -- yes, for some odd reason the military don't actually want mental cases who can't follow orders.
But where would TV and the movies be without these figments of screenwriters imaginations.
Brent, more of the sameo-sameo... War Vets are crazed Psychos.
July 18, 2007 - 11:53 ET by acaiguanaBrent, more of the sameo-sameo... War Vets are crazed Psychos.
Yeah, right. This is straight out of the Iraq is Viet Nam playbook. And when all was said and done (and it has all been said and done) the picture of the crazy Viet Nam vet was bogus. Sure, out of 3.5 million Viet Nam era veterans, there were a few psychos. Duh.
But to even try to go there with the Iraq men and women is a greater disservice than when John Kerry painted everyone as a 'baby killer' similar to Ghengis Kahn. Right...
That's where this crap got it legs. The turncoat Kerry, making up stuff for a Senate Committee (and never prosecuted for perjury) and then shuffling his military discharge under Carter's Board of 'Reconciliation' to make believe he was honorably discharged after disgracing all Officers of the military with his behavior while still under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
I'm so angry about this and the Democrat 'passion play' in the Senate that I think I'll just go to the basement and scream a bit.
ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
Well that's OK then....
July 18, 2007 - 11:58 ET by motherbeltWell, that's OK, then...they didn't make the bad guys Arabs.
Flashbacks included?
July 18, 2007 - 11:58 ET by Mica the MagnificentI'm sure the vet will have 'flashbacks' of the impossible task he had in this unjust war in Iraq.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a liberal senator show up at the hostage negotiations and, through a bullhorn, tell the vet that the dems have been trying to end the war, but that damn Bush and the republicans . . .
He robbed a bank for peace. - - - Moral of the Kill Point t.v. series
Well, I am happy that the
July 18, 2007 - 12:00 ET by bassndudeWell, I am happy that the Vietnam vets were not targeted this time. Before it was always the crazed Vietnam vet, either a sniper or a special forces vet. Killing sprees when they snaped after comming home, or while living in a tree somewhere in the wilderness.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
The Evil List
July 18, 2007 - 12:23 ET by Free StinkerTo the MSM, and Hollywood as well, there is a standard list of "Bad People" they can always use as villans:
I'm not surprised at this Mini-series. :-(
_______
Fred Thompson and Ann Coulter walk into a bar. The bar is instantly destroyed because that much awesome cannot be contained in one build
VRWC list of Hillary's
July 18, 2007 - 12:35 ET by vrwc13VRWC list of Hillary's covers most of your list. Maybe we will see some shows that:
vrwc
July 18, 2007 - 13:05 ET by Free StinkerVRWC - Law & Order: SVU already did a Home-Schoolers gone bad episode. I'm surprised that I had forgotten.
______
Fred Thompson and Ann Coulter walk into a bar. The bar is instantly destroyed because that much awesome cannot be contained in one build
I am surprised, but then
July 18, 2007 - 13:27 ET by vrwc13I am surprised, but then again I am not. Missed it as we miss 99.9% on TV. We have cable but rarely watch. It's one of the "weird" homeschool family things.
I have to agree that if it
July 18, 2007 - 12:57 ET by mostlymoderateI have to agree that if it was Arab's being portrayed as terrorists, all we would hear is screaming from CAIR. If these were Rabbi's, the ADL would be kicking our doors down. If it was black basketball players, the NAACP would be throwing a hissy fit. If it was a mob of Mexicans, La Raza would be heating up their tortilla's. If it was a bunch of Chinese guys...well, you get the picture. HOWEVER...during a time of War and accelerating tensions, WHY would Spike TV portray our brave soldiers as terrorists???? I think it is irresponsible.
is that a flamethrower?
July 18, 2007 - 13:14 ET by pmohbuckwhoa ... the muzzle flash looks like flames.
i've got another show idea for spike TV ... how about a series of a gifted athlete making millions upon millions who moonlights as a professional dog fighter ...
The Ron Mexico
July 18, 2007 - 13:21 ET by SemperrightThe Ron Mexico Follies
They would have to make a new way of counting ratings
"Your best is an idiot," Bender
That's exactly what I
July 18, 2007 - 13:28 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveThat's exactly what I thought (see my comment below). I hate the "fake stuff" Hollywood does to guns and military equipment to make them spectacular...it make it difficult for me to sit through TV shows and movies without getting upset about all the fake stuff.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
That's some impressive
July 18, 2007 - 13:23 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveThat's some impressive muzzle flash in the photo attached to the story. What's he robbing the bank with a flame thrower shaped like an MP5?
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
Evil Weapons
July 18, 2007 - 13:26 ET by Free StinkerTo the MSM, not only are Vets evil, their weapons are Extra-Evil
_______
Fred Thompson and Ann Coulter walk into a bar. The bar is instantly destroyed because that much awesome cannot be contained in one build
And all cars explode on
July 18, 2007 - 13:30 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveAnd all cars explode on impact (or if they get shot in the gas tank or engine compartment).
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
I'm waiting for the first
July 18, 2007 - 13:38 ET by Jack BauerI'm waiting for the first head on PRIUS crash in a movie.
All the passengers will be acided to death when both BATTERIES spray their contents over the unfortunate victims.
Jack, how about the
July 18, 2007 - 14:31 ET by bassndudeJack, how about the hydrogen and the sparks?
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
bass -- oh yeah, that would
July 18, 2007 - 18:39 ET by Jack Bauerbass -- oh yeah, that would be one hell of a bang.
Clearly Gulf War Syndrome
July 18, 2007 - 13:34 ET by Jack BauerClearly Gulf War Syndrome has mutated into Bush Wars Derangement Syndrome.
By the way, best heist movie of recent time is Inside Man.
Of course, one of the best ever is HEAT.
Mean Gene, I think they
July 18, 2007 - 14:30 ET by bassndudeMean Gene, I think they must have put gas in the blanks for this one, lol.....
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
To the writers of this
July 18, 2007 - 22:46 ET by jdhawkTo the writers of this propaganda "movie" and to all of the posters here at "Newsbusters, you all have forgotten to include Special Forces/Green Beret in front of deranged, sadistic, and crazed soldier.
Please don't let me catch you doing that again!
I have now returned this blog back to its owners . . .