Veterans Ron Kovic, Oliver Stone
On the True Cost of War (Video)
On the True Cost of War (Video)
Truthdig Editor in Chief Robert Scheer recently hosted veterans Ron Kovic, an anti-war activist and author, and documentary filmmaker Oliver Stone at the University of Southern California for a discussion on war, peace and the American military-industrial complex. Kovic and Stone served in the Vietnam War, an experience that shaped their lives and their politics.
Stone and Kovic worked together on the film "Born on the Fourth of July," based on Kovic's autobiography of the same name. The two discuss creating the film during their interview with Scheer.
"For the rest of my life, I will thank him for changing my life, for making that movie," Kovic says, gesturing to Stone.
Stone discusses the difficulties of creating a Hollywood film about the realities of war. "You have to realize that when it comes to war, killing people, shooting people, bombs, people dying, it's a very political thing," he says. "Every country gets wrapped up in its own sense of self, and its own flag, and these things are so distorted through time."
The two share their views of patriotism and politics, from growing up under the shadow of World War II to today's seemingly endless American military engagements abroad. The conversation concludes with a Q&A from the audience.
In advance of Veterans Day, Truthdig presents footage of the conversation, as well as links to our past coverage of anti-war efforts by Kovic, Kevin Tillman, Tomas Young, Chris Hedges and Scheer. Check out the links below, and watch the full conversation between Scheer, Stone and Kovic (which also features Kovic's partner, TerriAnn Ferren) in the player above.
Ron Kovic, anti-war activist and author:
Click here to read Kovic's essay titled "Reflections on the Vietnam War: The Things a Warrior Knows"
Kevin Tillman, veteran and anti-war activist:
Chris Hedges, activist and Truthdig columnist, and Tomas Young, Iraq war veteran
Click here to read Young's powerful plea to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, titled "The Last Letter"
Robert Scheer, Truthdig editor in chief:
Chris Hedges and Robert Scheer
--Posted by Emma Niles.
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten