7/01/2005 08:20:00 AM|||Sarah|||

Hello, everyone. I occasionally posted on this blog many moons ago and I have asked its creator for permission to return. Since I'm his wife, the clearance wasn't so difficult to achieve.

Nathan and I made the mistake of landing on MTV last night. The network was running one of their "True Life" episodes in which some talent trained at the "Michael Moore School of Accurate Documentaries" splices together some footage in a way that always makes me want to reach through the TV screen and choke someone. A recent installment included pity for a 24-year-old with no job who moves home and gets frustrated with his parents' rules. Anyway, last night's episode was entitled, "I'm Coming Home from Iraq." I am always interested in hearing accounts from soldiers, so I put down the remote. (And, since the Braves were in a rain delay, Nathan didn't argue).

There were three Marines featured in the show. One of them lost three limbs to a roadside bomb. He was never asked what he thought of the war. The show just focused on his surgeries and his mother's pain. Both of these issues are important, but also frustrating considering the rest of the show. The other two men returned without injury and were eager to talk about the evils of war. MTV -- get those cameras rolling! I found Charles particularly offensive. He kept talking about how horrible it was to be there, how it's disgusting that he might have to go back, and how he hated killing terrorists because they have families too. He spoke to a group of middle-school students and let them know how horrible the war is and how we don't belong over there. The other Marine, Bryan, shared the same thoughts but wasn't quite as whiny and offensive about it. I have a feeling that these guys may not be warmly welcomed and congratulated on a fine television appearance by their fellow soldiers.

I understand that there are some soldiers who share the sentiments of the Marines in this show, and those views should be aired if they exist. But, how about the other side of the story? I find it difficult to believe that MTV could not find a single soldier returning home who said, "I was proud to serve my country. We're doing good things over there. I'm ready to go back if called." These are the Marines, after all! I think the perspective that was left out of the "documentary" is probably the dominant one.

But, MTV did not do much to hide their slant. As each segment broke to commercial break, we were treated to voiceovers such as "We need to stop this occupation" and "I can't believe soldiers were sent over there for a lie" with the word "Think" showing on the screen. This is the same network that sent out reminders for young people to vote that looked like draft notices.

MTV, please stick to promoting moral decay with new Jessica Simpson videos and Real World episodes and stop trying to do anything important.

|||112022556054123989|||MTV's Idea of Journalism