Bochco's Biased Bile

[thedrifter]

Bochco's Biased Bile
By Michael Fumento
Fumento.com | August 15, 2005

"Peace at any price" purveyors are going gaga over the new FX Channel series "depicting" the Iraq war, "Over There," produced by Steven Bochco of Hill Street Blues fame. "Wow! Anybody else watch Over There last night?" gushed a writer for the heavily-read antiwar blogsite, Daily Kos. "Within a few minutes . . . it was obvious that Iraq was Vietnam all over again."

How a fictional show shot in La La Land could make anything about Iraq policy "obvious" is hard to fathom. But the series does tout its realism, as have some reviewers who've never gotten closer to Iraq than filling their gas tanks. Further, Bochco claims it's politically neutral. Unfortunately, "Over There" puts reality in a body bag and is as unbiased as if scripted by a guy named Allen Qaeda.

If "Over There" has a true military advisor, he deserves the firing squad. In the first episode a squad is pinned down while besieging a terrorist-filled mosque. The unit remains for about 36 hours with no air support, because "Air is dedicated to another area." Never mind that planes or choppers are always available within minutes. They request artillery, again to no avail. There's no armor.

In order to include women, two females from a transportation unit just happen to join the siege. In fact, they just happen to tag along for the rest of the series! Reality is sacrificed to the God of Diversity. Why didn't Bochco also include a Klingon?

Towards the end of the show a troop transport pulls off to the side of the road, an idiot thing to do since that's where improvised explosive devices are almost always buried. Naturally they roll over a powerful IED, even though the bombers have kindly marked it with little white flags. A horribly wounded soldier is then evacuated in a type of chopper not used in Iraq.

Clearly this is a military that can't even tie its bootlaces and in the immortal words of Pogo: We have met the enemy and he is us.

Read more
http://p089.ezboard.com/fthefontmans...cID=5153.topic

Ellie

[kentmitchell]

It sucks. Through and through.

[thedrifter]

August 22, 2005
Over where?
Readers sound off on new Iraq war drama
By C. Mark Brinkley
Times staff writer

The new television war drama, airing Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Eastern time on FX, was expected to show the personal challenges military men and women face these days in Iraq, free from political debate over the rights and wrongs of war. So far, the only thing creator Steven Bochco has done is paint a scary and incomplete picture of a volatile conflict managed by buffoons and waged by incompetents.

Maybe they should change the title to “Over Where?”

To be sure, the effort in Iraq has not been flawless and the military has its share of characters. But “Over There” has yet to yield a single moment where the men and women over there are people you’d like to be, or like your children to become.

The only thoughtful voice heard in the first two episodes comes from an Arabic-speaking junior soldier of Middle Eastern descent, adding to the myth that garden-variety Americans have no understanding of the Iraqi culture they’re interfering in.

This isn’t the real Army, but the Army as told in jokes by Marines waiting in line for chow. The only thing missing from this show is Jane Fonda, starring as herself.

On a positive note, “Over There” does a good job at depicting the violence of war in a realistic fashion. But haven’t you seen enough blood?

We asked readers for their opinions of “Over There.” Here’s what they had to say:

Thought it was very thought-provoking and definitely for adults or at most for high school-age students with adult supervision. I hope our political leaders were watching it to get a dose of what I think is really happening “Over There.”

Navy Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Michael Brown

Windber, Pa.

My fiancé is overseas in Iraq right now fighting for the freedom of the Iraqi citizens. I watched the show “Over There” … and I liked it. It shows me what is going on over there and I see what my fiancé is dealing with, even though half the things they showed on TV isn’t really nothing compared to what our soldiers are going through. I support the troops on what they are doing but I do not support President Bush. I like the show and I think it needs to stay on.

Amanda Hinojosa

New Philadelphia, Ohio

It seems to be a good show. If it continues at this rate, it will be a hit because now we are enrolled in a soap opera to see what happens next week. Unfortunately for our troops over there, they are wondering what is going to happen next, not next week. Remember to pray for our troops! God Bless America!

Air Force Staff Sgt. Rickey Brandenburg

Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

How am I supposed to watch a Hollywood war about a war that my husband is currently fighting? I think that it was insensitive to the loved ones of those soldiers deployed, and a slap in the face to those soldiers. This is not a joke or a game, and Hollywood is making my life a commercial soap opera for people in suits and ties. For the people who don’t have a loved one “Over There,” I hope you enjoyed my misery and stress. And on another note, who uses nicknames like that anymore?

Brandy Bush

Wife of Spc. Mark Bush, an infantryman at Fort Lewis, Wash.

Too stereotypical — the tough sergeant, clueless officer, streetwise kid, too-smart for the Army kid, etc. Plus, I find it hard to believe that they’re operating under Vietnam-era rules of engagement. Only watched about half the pilot show and turned it off.

Air Force Master Sgt. David L. Bongiorno (ret.)

San Antonio

The series is simply more anti-war propaganda that fails to accurately depict our fellow service members.

Former Marine Sgt. Chris Correia

No hometown given

The series “Over There” is just a disgrace to all members of the military who have served, are serving and will be serving “Over There.” It discredits outstanding achievements and overshadows the horrors of real combat. In reading about this series and talking with my fellow veteran Marines about it, the opinion that it is just a disgusting attempt to win the favor of the American public is without contest. I am working with Weapons Training Battalion at Camp Lejeune, so I meet a lot of Marines and service members from other branches also and it seems to be a trend, where instead of instilling pride, and showing the world the real story, you give us this knockoff. I think the media and everyone with a video recorder should turn them off, leave the servicemen and women alone. Let us fight, let us win, and let us tell of it later. At least give us the respect to let us finish the job and win the war before everyone tries to rape our efforts for profit.

Marine Cpl. Allan W. Boothroyd

Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Outstanding. It’s hard to believe this is not reality TV.

Chief Engineman Dave Peterson

No hometown given

I really enjoyed the program. I felt it really conveyed a sense of what we went through over there and what current soldiers are going through. However, it is a program designed for entertainment and nothing except the experience of actually having been over there could ever do justice to what some of us feel inside. I will continue to watch the program, and I hope the producers keep it real and don’t try to slip propaganda in it.

Former Army Cpl. John Burgeson (an Iraq war vet)

No hometown given

I was very disappointed. My wife left the room because she was disgusted. The show tried to paint a picture of the enlisted military members as drug-smoking enlistees with no morals. It led you to believe that they did not want to be there and did not believe in the war. I will not buy into that misrepresentation. I will not be watching again.

Army Reserve Maj. Richard Gurr

San Diego

I really enjoyed the movie. I am an Army ROTC cadet and I have many friends fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan right now. I think the movie gave civilians a perspective of life in the military. Many people don’t realize how hard it is to send a loved one overseas. I believe the series showed a little about how families cope. Some of the tactics were accurate and others were not. I liked the [improvised explosive device] aspect of it and it showed how soldiers are so vulnerable in Iraq. I hope the series allows the American public to realize the decisions and actions these brave individuals go through every day. Thanks to all those who serve and godspeed!

Army ROTC Cadet Jonathan Voyt

No hometown given

As a retired Special Forces soldier and consultant for the movie/TV industry for many years, I found “Over There” technically flawed and boring.

I can count on one hand the war films that accurately portray combat, its inherent death and destruction, combined with the physical and mental damage that occur to the human psyche.

From the opening scenes of Pfcs departing base housing to the hard-assed squad leader, the eager platoon leader and Boy Scout fire and maneuver tactics, “Over There” was as accurate a portrayal of the men and women serving in Southwest Asia as “Star Wars” is to NASA’s space program!

Army Capt. James P. Monaghan (ret.)

Long Beach, Calif.

I did watch “Over There” and I must say that I was honestly not very impressed. The action was good but the dialogue was horrible. Maybe it’s just the fact that I was in the Army and know that you may make the mistake of calling an NCO sir once or twice in basic training, but not on the front lines. By then I guarantee you know your stuff. That’s just one example. The rest of the show dialogue-wise was quite lousy as well.

Former Army Cpl. Tim Martin

Fairfax, Va.

Having spent two tours in Iraq, I can say that the production team needs to focus on obtaining more research from the junior enlisteds who served there in the “forward” areas. That being said, if the team desires to construct the story line in and around a small unit, the team will need to observe and/or embed itself into these small units. Otherwise, there may be too much “hogwash” for viewers to withstand. Best of luck and keep pressing on!

Cmdr. Steven Medina

Camp Pendleton, Calif.

I don’t think the country is ready for this type of show — not right now. I think it is a little insensitive to the feelings of the family members who have loved ones in harm’s way, currently serving in the theater. I’m currently awaiting deployment to the theater and don’t want my wife to view this show, as it may invoke additional concerns for my safety. After all, I’m not taking my family with me, at least not physically.

The show got pretty graphic. I mean, a 203-round center mass? Now don’t get me wrong; I’m not condemning good basic marksmanship skills, but do you really think the American public needs to witness that type of mayhem on TV?

Everyone has the right to watch the show or turn the channel, I’m not trying to tell folks what to watch or not watch; it’s just an opinion — not right now.

A soldier

No hometown given

Ellie

[CAS3]

Opinions are like *******s....everyone has one and I guess Bochco is sharing his with any fool dumb enough to think this show is based on reality....

[dcline]

Will Bochco be changing his name to Fonda? Tune in next week to find out....What an ass

[jcarrasco]

I watch the show once, the premier, Very disappointed. Have no interest to see it again if i can can help it. If i want to see a more factual Hollywood war movie a couple of DVDs ,''Saving Private Ryan'' or " We Were Soldiers" . Mr. Bochco you Bloched this one !!