The Power of Nightmares - You Have To See This

[Solomon]

Some of us saw the ruse from the very beginning.

This is a BBC documentary that the media powers absolutely refused to show here in America.

It's free on the internet and it's three hours long broken into three segments.

I ordered the dvd but couldn't wait for it to get here. I watched this riveting show right on my computer. I still can't wit to get my dvd copy.

Link: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1002626006461047517


I was listening to CSpan and a caller said to google the Power of Nightmares. Everyone needs to see this video.

Starting from the 1950's it details the rise of "islamists" on the one hand, and the neo-cons and american christianity on the other. Dove tailing right into our current crisis.

It's fascinating.

[Roland99]

1. Yes, an excellent documentary. You can download the MPEG video here >>>>

http://www.archive.org/details/ThePowerOfNightmares

[Solomon]

2. I have been ostracized ever since 9-11 for telling people that

Al Qaeda was something made up by the US, that it never existed until we made it.

I feel vindicated after 5 years of vilification.

[Roland99]

4. Check out this book, too >>>>>

Al-Qaeda: The True Story of Radical Islam by Jason Burke

[Solomon]

6. Thanks. I've read some of the other books but not this one.

Jason Burke must be a british reporter. No american reporter would tell the truth about this stuff.

[timtom]

41. Thanks to you, as well, for YOUR post

I am downloading this right now.

[peacetalksforall]

3. Does it show who will bring us together in peace?

Thanks for posting. I didn't know about the film

[Solomon]

5. It throws light on things which give us a clue toleading the way.

The premise in a nutshell is that politicians used to derive power from promising the good life ahead, but now they derive power from "saving" us from "nightmares" like terrorism.

I was utterly fascinated at the realization that the "islamists" are already where american christians are trying to go. Government run by theocracy. It blows my mind that the christian right in this country can't see and learn from the mistakes committed by the "islamists".

The documentary points out the difficulty of establishing democracy in a part of the world that because of religion thinks that democracy is wrong. Governments shouldn't be run by people elected by the people, but by religious authorities. In other words, if you vote, then you are against the Koran, and if you are against the Koran, then you are no longer a muslim, and thus fit to be killed as an infidel. Christian fanatics in america are trying to go down this same road.

[tblue37]

13. Becky Fischer, the "children's pastor" in the documentary

Jesus Camp actually comments on how the Islamists train their children at such a young age to be ready to die as martyrs for their faith, and she brags about how her ministry is teaching Christian children to have the same sort of faith. Then she says, "At this age they are so usable."

[Solomon]

7. Just click on the link and wait a minute or two, it will start

automatically.

[Solomon]

8. One morekick before it disappears.

The film gets into Leo Strauss and his ilk, and when Irving Kristol comes on (Bill Kristol's dad) I want to jump right through the screen and ...

[helderheid]

9. I've heard of this but not seen it so I am kicking AND recommending - 2 more recs needed

[helderheid]

10. can you link to where I can order the DVD?

[Hotler]

11. Kick! Well worth watching. eom.

[Octafish]

12. Wonder why ABCNNBCBSFauxNoiseNutwork won't show it?

Just kidding. Great video. DUer Little Wing tipped me off a few days back...

Those interested in learning about how we armed Iraq, check out Alan Friedman's book "Spider's Web."

He's also interviewed on Amy Goodman's "Democracy Now":

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=03/04/07/0312256

[williesgirl]

14. Thanks for the links - recommended

[rman]

15. neocons and terrorists both fighting liberalism

that's it in a nutshell.

No surprise really that the neocons take away the freedoms for which the terrorists hate us.

[Beam Me Up]

16. Yes, it is a good documentary. Doesn't go far enough, though.

It is a good documentary to get people to see that the "War on Terror" (tm) is a sham but it doesn't take us as far as we really need to go -- seeing that 9/11 itself was psyop. Once we get that, all the pieces fall into place. We've been had. Totally.

[undeterred]

17. I bought it on ebay early this year

I think its 2 years old in January. I'd love to see a follow up on it.

[Hamlette]

18. they are for sale on ebay but the listing says:

Please verify that your DVD player is capable of playing DVD-R discs.

Anyone know what DVD-R means?

The price is only 99 cents but with a $8.99 shipping fee...still, not a bad price.

I can't find it anywhere else...netflix shows it has not been released yet (?).

Amazon says "its available at these sellers" but when I click the link, no sellers are listed.

(edited to add .99 to shipping fee after checking ebay listing again)

[pamela]

20. Not 100% sure, but...

I think it means you should make sure your player can play DVDs that have been recorded on a DVD recorder. It probably means the person is selling a copy instead of the original and some DVD players won't play copies. That's my guess anyway.

[Hamlette]

23. actually sounds right since the seller says he downloaded the movie

thanks

[Minnesota_Lib]

28. Correct. DvD-R = Recordable DvD disk. He is making copies....

...and selling them. He probably downloaded the original from the net and converted it into the VOB format so he could make DvDs (I did the same thing but not for resell, personal use only).

I wonder if this is copyrighted? If so, it seems odd that someone can do this.

Oh well, it is a great doc and the more people who see it the better.

[Lisa]

26. I got my copy on eBay as part of the "Wholphin 2" DVD

It's included as a bonus.

[Hamlette]

19. kick

[madmusic]

21. K&R It will confirm you aren't crazy...

There really is a vast right-wing conspiracy that thinks you are a stupid puppet.

[Dirty Hippie]

22. This film has answered many questions

I only intended to watch a bit of it but I watched the entire 3 hours.

I know have a framework of facts to evaluate events related to the War On Terror.

If you can only watch a bit, watch the last hour.

[mdmc]

24. kicking for

a later look...

[Solomon]

25. That's what happened to me. I only meant to peek at it but couldn't stop

watching it. Watched the whole three hours yesterday.

[Dirty Hippie]

27. One question I have about the movie

The movie stated several times that Strauss and the Neocons believed that people needed a lie (in the form of a national boggie-man) to cure them from their self-centered amoral ways.

I kept wondering what their definition of morality was?

I don't think it was the morality of the religious right.

So what was/is the "morality" of the neocons? Just how do they think American citizens should behave?

(I know I'm begging for sarcasm here but I'm hoping for a serious answer.)

[LouisianaLiberal]

30. Best answer I can come up with:

There is no "evil" intent in Strauss's works I think. But implemented it is very dangerous to what Popper called "the open society". It is a very foolish ideology - one designed by a man who I think lost a great part of his humanity as he tried to give direction to what he thought was humanity's basic "rudderlessness", and utilized by those neo-cons who believe that THEY are the right ones to rule the world.

The Straussians are "above" morality and have no need for it. The people must be brought to believe in - something. It seems that just about anything that directs the desires of the masses and distracts them from questioning their leaders will do. Religion and nationalism are those things that connect best with the hoi polloi's basic desires, and when aroused, will prevent them from questioning the leaders and encourage them to ostracize those who do. They give purpose and direction to otherwise undirected lives.

So I think "morality" for a Straussian is an artificial construct designed to allow the "wise leaders", those with the will to lead and who can see that there really is no basis for anything called "morality", to guide the people who are blind to the fact there is no "morality", to act in their own best interest, even if they don't understand the reasons why.

Strauss was a Platonic scholar, so that accounts for some of this. But Albert Scweitzer was also a Platonic scholar, and came to lead a very different kind of life (much more to my liking, anyway).

[Solomon]

31. Wow! That was extremely well put!

(bowing solemnly)

[Dirty Hippie]

32. Thanks for the great response n/t

[StrictlyRockers]

29. Kick It's great! I've watched it twice.

[Solomon]

33. Kick so that more people can see this. Especially in light of

Saddam's execution.

[Liberal In Texas]

34. Thanks for the heads-up on this.

Watched it last night after seeing your post...didn't get bed until after 1 'cause I couldn't stop watching.

It kind of ignored some of the other reasons for our predicament today, but I suppose it had to to stay on point with it's subject. It's quite good.

Recommended.

[Liberal In Texas]

35. Kick. Y'all need to watch this.

[killbotfactory]

36. Also watch "The Century of the Self" by the same director!

Please, just watch it! It will be worth it, I swear!

"To many in both politics and business, the triumph of the self is the ultimate expression of democracy, where power has finally moved to the people. Certainly the people may feel they are in charge, but are they really? The Century of the Self tells the untold and sometimes controversial story of the growth of the mass-consumer society in Britain and the United States. How was the all-consuming self created, by whom, and in whose interests?"

http://www.archive.org/details/AdaCurtisCenturyoftheSelf_0
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2637635365191428174
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article12642.htm

Please? Just watch a little of it?

[Liberal In Texas]

37. I should kick this tomorrow instead of tonight, but here you go.

I will look this up (but not tonight, it's so late). I'm guessing I'll probably like the watching those links.

I'll let you know (on this thread) what I think. I can't wait to look them up.

[killbotfactory]

38. It contains a lot of information I was never exposed to

And after watching the videos, it's not surprising.

The links all go to the same video, so just pick whatever source you want.

[Liberal In Texas]

39. Thank you, sir.

I'll check them out.

And I also thank Soloman for the OP on this. I don't have cable and miss a lot of stuff. DUers like he and you here have kept me up to speed with these videos that appear on the web, and I am greatful.

[timtom]

40. Thank you for posting this

I am downloading this right now.

[Karenina]

42. Kick!

:kick:

[mdmc]

43. kick

for a later look...

[Glimmer of Hope]

44. Neo-conservatism = political terrorism.

Kick for this great and important documentary.

[bidiboom]

45. Kick

I've seen it 3 times on TV in Canada on PBS and CBC. Recommended.