Thoughts on Spike Lee's incredible Katrina documentary....

[NRaleighLiberal]

My wife and I just finished watching Acts I and II of Spike Lee's profoundly moving, angering, tragic documentary on Hurricane Katrina, "When The Levees Broke". It is hard to know what to say, but not hard to describe how we feel - deeply embarrassed that Americans could be treated with such utter disregard and callousness. For those who have not seen this, please watch it - to hear the words of people who lived it (and watch loved ones die from it). As bad as Iraq is when lining up disasters wrought by our most ill-suited Misleader, this surely will be the permanent blot on his legacy - the true measure of his lack of caring for ALL of our citizens. Yes, there is some element of blame to go around to others impacted and involved at the leadership level - but this disaster perfectly encapsulates and sums up the disaster that was, is, and always will be George W. Bush.

[ThatsMyBarack]

1. I'd love to see it!

Sounds amazing! Also easier to sit through than Jesus Camp. ;)

[Kerrytravelers]

2. We have seen all four parts.

You have summed it up perfectly.

The documentary was heartbreaking and makes a very clear point of what I have found myself saying dozens of times. It wasn't the hurricane- it was the levees. It makes comments like newt gingrich's latest show how despicable he and his ilk truly are.

[knowbody0]

3. add to your outrage Gingrich's comments

Faulting the "citizens" for being too dumb to get out of the ninth ward before the hurricane hit.

Many of these families had lived in the ward since they were freed from slavery, rarely venturing outside. These are the people remaining in places like texas, idaho and utah, and there they are criticized for not helping themselves to fit into their new communities.

Yep, this is our homeland secured for us by george and dick and halliburton.

[OwnedByFerrets]

4. As though its not bad enough.............

we don't really know how many have died.....or if it is known, its not being told.
I was in contact with ppl on the ground in the days after the Levy's broke and they were talking about thousands being brought in dead. There are still thousands missing....its most likely that these missing are actually dead, but covered up by this criminal administration. They lie about EVERYTHING.....they certainly have no problem lying about this.

[EFerrari]

5. When you are ready, watch Greg Palast's film

which shows that the WH knew the levees were breached and never warned anyone.

That got him arrested by Der Homeland Security.

They didn't warn anyone when they knew the levees failed. That's murder.

[aaronbees]

6. It's moving on many levels...

In addition to being a great work of art that only the finest documentaries can be, the film's incisive display of the multi-layered failures is a portrait of the far-reaching wretchedness of this government -- they were massive failures of imagination, basic decency, and responsibility that we saw there and so many experienced. Yet it's also a fine homage to the soul of New Orleans. Frankly, I'm not sure I can watch it again because in addition to so many mixed emotions, it just made me viscerally angry in a way unlike any other event did since BushCo took the steering wheel six years ago at this sinking ship. But I sure do recommend it if anyone hasn't seen it.

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. thanks - you put how we felt even more eloquently than I did...

we watched Act I two nights ago, and it was quite incredible. But Act II took it to a whole different level as it outlined the bare, naked politics of it all - in a country with the wealth, and, supposedly, sophistication of ours, how can we allow people to get completely lost/left behind? And we are seeing it playing out all over again with the Walter Reed debacle.

Yet we seem to have an infinite hunger for Anna Nicole's dramas. My wife and I often feel completely lost and disconnected from our current culture.

[aaronbees]

8. I can totally understand that...

It seems like such a different world than even 10 years ago. Then again there are times I have to lose myself in the current cultural miasma just a little to temper the anger, I suppose; there's only so much anger I can take in and feel after years of this. And you're right about the Walter Reed thing -- same sad song, different verse. You mention sophistication and yes, that is amazing we can allow this in such a supposedly sophisticated culture ... so "civilized" we are supposed to be and that's the image this country projects to gain power over others. But it seems sophistication, to me, can sometimes mask or even distract us from the deeper problems in the culture which still operate on those baser instincts of hatred, fear and control.

[klebean]

9. it is an excellent documentary - I fell in love again w/NO and at the same time

I was consumed by anger for what the Bush admin did not do and what they DID do - play politics
while lives were wasting.

It's good to have this place to say these things.

I say them among my cohorts in grad school - we were assigned this film for viewing.
I discussed the aftermath and the intentional propaganda that is pitting brown immigrants
against black residents - all who want to work but are being exploited mercilessly.

I praise the advocates that are down there on their own time working to save this city.