Obsessed With "Obsession"
By pparmley Posted in National Security — Comments (11) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
As we approach the inauguration of a new president, the importance of a strong national security/terrorism policy – thank god for FISA - is without question one of the most vital and crucial issues in the campaign. In that vein, I want to share some thoughts about a really powerful movie I recently watched, titled Obsession.
Obsession takes a hard look at the near-critical levels of Islamofacism in the Middle East, and provides a scathing critique of the potential for disaster if these threats – which have been building for years – are not taken seriously. Featuring biting commentary from noted Middle East scholar Daniel Pipes, Obsession scrutinizes the rise in terrorist thought, the haunting parallels between modern terrorist cells and Nazism – a tie that I was not aware of before watching this movie (quite eerie similarities) - and the growing pervasiveness of Arab extremists in the West.
To be sure, Obsession is not an anti-Islam movie; instead it emphasizes quite credibly that the extremists are a minority, albeit a growing and dangerous one. It’s thought provoking; it presents itself as a display of facts in the form of real footage, and opinions of experts instead of a sensationalist “you need to be afraid” news pitch; conversely, the interviews are of academics and moderate Muslims, not fear mongering pundits.
I don’t know about you, but I get pretty freaked out – and pissed – when I hear 5, 6 year old children explaining how they would like to set GWB on fire, and bomb the U.S. To be sure, the Left can’t admit that the surge worked, and Al-Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, nearly decimated - they remain shockingly unaware of the gravity of the dangers that exist around the globe. These dangers are addressed and analyzed in Obsession, a film that provides a telling – and ominous – look into the ever-growing world of Arab extremists.
They are on the run. I have several buddies over there that have reported a huge drop in extremists since the surge has been put in place - and a lack of interest on the part of Iraqi policemen and soldiers to "join the dark side," as it were. They are moving back towards their historical strongholds in Pakistan/Afghanistan - hence the increase in troop presence and air attacks on the region.
Anyway, check out the movie here - http://obsessionthemovie.com/. It's good stuff.
I never thought much of the WMD thing,* and I dislike the way the war was conducted.
My view was that it would become a giant magnet sucking all the would-be Jihadi's in the world where they would die. Sort of like a big roach motel. Looks like I was right.
Like any one who studied military history will tell you, you take the fight to the enemy, not on your own soil.
* not that I didn't think he had them, I just didn't think a coward like Saddam would ever use them.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
Agree with @Southern Gunfort -- can we get a link or a video for more on this?
I hate to have to choose between the talking heads and the propaganda. When it comes to a free market of information, especially on dicey topics like this, I have always felt that there is a real monopoly with media coverage and terrible choice set at that.
What we need to do is also work on increasing the demand for these kinds of things. Let me know how I can help... J.
Good point. The thing about Obsession is that the commentary comes from all sides - mostly from people that have lived in this world, have endured the kinds of horror that extremists have inflicted.
The trailer is here - http://obsessionthemovie.com/trailer-12min.php. Let me know if you'd like any more info.
and it's one of those most important films I've ever seen. I read a quote from Frank Gaffney Jr. (head of the Center for Security Policy) on the film's website and couldn't say it better myself:
"Viewing this documentary should hereafter be considered a prerequisite for participating in the debate about the national security challenges we face, and what must be done to address them. The full dimensions of that War for the Free World are laid bare in Obsession from an extraordinary array of sources."
When it was on Fox News a couple years ago. If I can get a copy I will definitely see it.
Donuts? Go nuts!
There are several TV spots from Hannity on the "TV media" section of the website: http://www.obsessionthemovie.com/media_TV.php.
Good to see it getting coverage, though I'd like to see it get even more.
in the Muslim World gets glossed over in our history of the region. We're stuck on the Lawrence of Arabia Arabist view that they rose up against Turkish/German oppression and fought loyally beside us in WWII or stayed neutral. They defintively did not and it is a very short step from the Nazis to the Baathists.
In Vino Veritas
is a clip from Obsession that examines the ties between Hilter and the Muftis of that era...the connections and similarities in thought and world outlook are indeed scary.
Many of the other officers at the Pentagon have seen it as well. We should just pay a 527 to run the entire thing before the election and that would win it for McCain..
"Small town folks get bitter after which they cling to guns or religion, or antipathy to people who aren't like them, or anti-immigrant sentiment"- Barack Carter Obama
that Al-Quaeda is on the run in Iraq.. but if that's the case, and the world of Arab extremists is ever-growing, where is that group growing?
Do you have a link to this movie, so I can check it out and learn more?