"War Made Easy" Opens to Packed House
March 16, 2008
Jerry Stiller, Marilyn Clement, and Anne Meara
The gathering rain clouds over New York City, Friday evening, did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm for the theatrical debut of “War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death.” The documentary, based on the book of the same name by PDA advisory board member Norman Solomon, was produced by the Media Education Foundation and narrated by Sean Penn.
The movie was first released on DVD last year, yet it is well worth seeing again- on the big screen. As we approach the fifth anniversary of the Iraq War, it is a timely opportunity to review the lies and propaganda used by the Bush administration-supported and spread by the corporate media-that have now killed nearly 4000 American troops and injured thirty thousand more, killed and injured countless Iraqi civilians and destroyed the lives and livelihoods of millions more.
Journalist Laura Flanders introduced Solomon to the near-capacity crowd before the 7:30 p.m. screening, then directed the audience to the reception in the Kaplan room at the GLBT Center for a Q & A with Solomon and other guests: PDA endorsed candidate Steve Harrison in NY's 13th Congressional District and former PDA board member and author Jeff Cohen. Long time PDA supporters Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, members of the host committee, provided some impromptu humor to lighten spirits after the sobering reality of the film.
PDA field coordinator Diane Shamis discussed the “Healthcare NOT Warfare” campaign, and how PDA will use this campaign to link the issue of unnecessary and wasteful military spending, specifically the Iraq war and occupation, to our government's failure to meet human needs at home, starting with the U.S. healthcare crisis. It is hoped that progressives will come together to pressure Democratic Party leaders and elected officials to support “Healthcare NOT Warfare.” Marilyn Clement, Executive Director of HealthcareNOW! was on hand to lend her support.
The host committee for the event included: Jerry Stiller and Ann Meara, Laura Flanders, Bill Fletcher, Jr., Carolyn Eisenberg, Jonathan Tasini, Diane Shamis, Frances Anderson, Vin Gopal, Ina Howard-Parker, Jeff Cohen, Barry Keating, Bob Fertik, Dana Balicki and Judith LeBlanc. The proceeds will be used to support PDA's endorsed candidates.
The success of the event can be attributed to the tireless efforts of Frances Anderson, N.Y. State Coordinator, and the outstanding group of volunteers she brought together: Sharon Lynch, Theresa Kelly, Diane Lane-Hymans, Eileen Wilkinson, Michael Schur, Beth Zucker, Dana Balicki, Scott Davidson, Kimberly Banks and Doug Biviano.
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