Wag The Dog.

BigDBigD [OldF] Join Date: 2002-10-25 Member: 1596Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Makes ya wonder...</div> If you haven't seen the movie, you probably should. It's a good show, good actors and good story, but it has really left me to question what I see on the news since then. It has been awhile so I have forgotten most of it, but the jist (sp?) of it is this: US government fakes small war, hire a hollywood movie director for all the media coverage (complete with some written in a night "patriotic song"), special effects, etc. Can't remember why they did it, but it was for political favour. (The conspiracy from the conspiracists point of view, if you will.) Now, I'm not questioning the war with Iraq, here, but do you think what happened in that movie... could be possible? Completely, partially or not at all?

Personally, I am of the belief that you can fool some of the people all of the time, but all of the people only some of the time. (I think I hacked that quote but you know what I mean)

Comments

  • MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    <!--QuoteBegin--BigDXLT+Apr 9 2003, 04:14 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (BigDXLT @ Apr 9 2003, 04:14 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> do you think what happened in that movie... could be possible? Completely, partially or not at all? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Ehhh, no. Not possible. That movie required more suspension of disbelief than <a href='http://www.imdb.com/Title?Capricorn+One+(1978)' target='_blank'>Capricorn One</a>, which in itself required the audience to be slack-jawed pinheads...
  • BathroomMonkeyBathroomMonkey Feces-hurling Monkey Boy Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 78Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    edited April 2003
    Oh, come on Msr. . . . you have to admit, there are <i>always</i> reasons to fight, and even if on the off chance those are entirely sincere -- the timing of action <i>can</i> be convenient.
  • SovietDictatorSovietDictator Join Date: 2003-01-19 Member: 12461Members
    No, it's impossible. Why? The media.
  • MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    edited April 2003
    I bet BathroomMonkey goes to conspiracy websites all day long... <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

    <a href='http://www.moontruth.com/clips/moontruth.mpg' target='_blank'>OMG moon landings were faked!!!</a>

    <a href='http://www.moontruth.com/full.htm' target='_blank'>OMG fake moon landings were faked!!!</a>

    <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

    (ps: and here are at least <a href='http://www.moontruth.com/links.htm' target='_blank'>16 people</a> who are prime, Grade-A idiots ready to believe whatever you tell them.)
  • WheeeeWheeee Join Date: 2003-02-18 Member: 13713Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--QuoteBegin--MonsieurEvil+Apr 9 2003, 04:36 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (MonsieurEvil @ Apr 9 2003, 04:36 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I bet BathroomMonkey goes to conspiracy websites all day long... <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

    <a href='http://www.moontruth.com/clips/moontruth.mpg' target='_blank'>OMG moon landings were faked!!!</a>

    <a href='http://www.moontruth.com/full.htm' target='_blank'>OMG fake moon landings were faked!!!</a>

    <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

    (ps: and here are at least <a href='http://www.moontruth.com/links.htm' target='_blank'>16 people</a> who are prime, Grade-A idiots ready to believe whatever you tell them.) <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'm sorry, but I just had to laugh at that. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • eggmaceggmac Join Date: 2003-03-03 Member: 14246Members
    sorry to blow your bubble MonsE but parts of that film are completely true and happened already many times. Like this whole propaganda issue with the girl (= UN SC hearing of a 'victim' of Saddam in 1990), the reasons for the war (personal problems of the president).
    You don't need to be a genius to see a lot of parallels to reality...
  • BathroomMonkeyBathroomMonkey Feces-hurling Monkey Boy Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 78Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    edited April 2003
    Pfffff. I just said that the timing of an inevitable action could be manipulated.

    And Eggmac, In the movie, you could objectively say that the problems with the president were the impetus for the war because it was spelled out explicitly in the plot. In this case, it's based on speculation, and quite simplistic and reductive to assume that it's the sole reason for the war.

    So in this case, your <i>theory of the war's cause</i> is similar to Wag the Dog.

    But there's no reason to take a large leap of logic to proclaim that this makes it so.
  • KungFuSquirrelKungFuSquirrel Basher of Muttons Join Date: 2002-01-26 Member: 103Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    Well, of course Sahaf was proclaiming that this entire war's progress was being made up a la this movie... stating that US troops hadn't entered Baghdad and that those that had had been slaughtered...

    Interesting to note that he canceled his press conference yesterday and hasn't been seen or heard from since as of this time.

    He must be in on it.
  • MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    edited April 2003
    <!--QuoteBegin--eggmac+Apr 9 2003, 06:38 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (eggmac @ Apr 9 2003, 06:38 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> sorry to blow your bubble MonsE but parts of that film are completely true and happened already many times. Like this whole propaganda issue with the girl (= UN SC hearing of a 'victim' of Saddam in 1990), the reasons for the war (personal problems of the president).
    You don't need to be a genius to see a lot of parallels to reality... <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Uhhhh, the question was (and my point was) you cannot fake a war, eggmac. Everyone of course knows that you can fake little things on film, or lie on TV, as in your example. That's not worth mentioning. And you don't need to be a genius to understand that.

    Thanks, and come again.

    ^_^

    PS: And it's 'burst' your bubble. Your phrase means something rather sexual in most circles.
  • eggmaceggmac Join Date: 2003-03-03 Member: 14246Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--MonsieurEvil+Apr 9 2003, 11:19 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (MonsieurEvil @ Apr 9 2003, 11:19 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--BigDXLT+Apr 9 2003, 04:14 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (BigDXLT @ Apr 9 2003, 04:14 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> do you think what happened in that movie... could be possible?  Completely, partially or not at all? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Ehhh, no. Not possible. That movie required more suspension of disbelief than <a href='http://www.imdb.com/Title?Capricorn+One+(1978)' target='_blank'>Capricorn One</a>, which in itself required the audience to be slack-jawed pinheads... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    He asked 'Partially?' and you said 'Not possible'. A rather clear statement. If you meant something different then please say so.

    P.S. I DID mean something sexual, MonsE <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • RyoOhkiRyoOhki Join Date: 2003-01-26 Member: 12789Members
    This is getting worrying, I'm starting to agree with Monse more and more <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

    Yes, it would be impossible to fake a war like they do in Wag the Dog. However, it is entirely possible (and may very well have already happened) that the timing of war can be manipulted for political gain. I recall back in the NATO Kosovo action that comparisons to the Wag the Dog scenario were being thrown around; idea being that Clinton wanted to distract from the Lewinsky scandel. Although I wouldn't go as far as to say Clinton started the war because of that, I would say that the timing was a little conveniant.
  • Nemesis_ZeroNemesis_Zero Old European Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 75Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    edited April 2003
    <!--QuoteBegin--MonsieurEvil+Apr 9 2003, 09:36 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (MonsieurEvil @ Apr 9 2003, 09:36 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I bet BathroomMonkey goes to conspiracy websites all day long... <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

    <a href='http://www.moontruth.com/clips/moontruth.mpg' target='_blank'>OMG moon landings were faked!!!</a>

    <a href='http://www.moontruth.com/full.htm' target='_blank'>OMG fake moon landings were faked!!!</a>

    <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

    (ps: and here are at least <a href='http://www.moontruth.com/links.htm' target='_blank'>16 people</a> who are prime, Grade-A idiots ready to believe whatever you tell them.) <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Not adressing Mons personally, but the stream of argumentation he picked up here:
    Does it occur as weird to anyone else that whenever somebody states that the government could have hidden motives, they're called 'inhabitants of the hollow Earth' or something to that effect, <i>no matter</i> how good or bad they can prove their point, whereas (for example) a government official can go around declaring 5000 Arab men conspirators against the US until proven otherwise, and is called cautious?

    I guess I'm making a meta-conspiracy theory up here...
  • ImmacolataImmacolata Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2140Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    edited April 2003
  • MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    edited April 2003
    Jeez Ryo, stop it, you're freaking me out... <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->

    But you are of course correct, and there are MANY examples throughout history of government leaders distracting their populace through warfare - the movie was just expanding on a rather tired out scenario. One could almost make an argument for that in ANY war, really, if you tried. Perhaps not the main reaon, but wars often seem like an easy way to prop up sagging popularity polls. Unfortunately for most leaders, they often don't work out that way.

    As for Nemesis... did you know that they saved Hitler's brain? It's true... it's in Area 51, right next to the flying saucer. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

    Egg, I repeat: 'That movie required more suspension of disbelief than Capricorn One, which in itself required the audience to be slack-jawed pinheads... '. Talking about the whole picture. The gestalt <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> .
  • Nemesis_ZeroNemesis_Zero Old European Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 75Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    Not correct.

    It's nearer to Elvis' cage.
  • RyoOhkiRyoOhki Join Date: 2003-01-26 Member: 12789Members
    Interesting point that is raised by Monse there: what ever happened to the old guy? I thought they nailed it down recently when they got a hold of his old driver who told German officials Hitler had ordered him to burn his body in a home in residential Berlin near Hitler's bunker. They had some trouble with the remains though apparently. In any case, the Russians still want to be certain he's gone (people often underestimate the sheer amount of historical weight that hangs over German - russian relations)
  • Nemesis_ZeroNemesis_Zero Old European Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 75Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    The Russian FSB showed what they claimed his skull around a few years ago.

    Anyway... Back on topic!
  • MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    edited April 2003
    Yep, saw it on Discovery Channel (so it MUST be true! <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> )

    And I think that is on topic, Nem... topic is kinda silly though. I do know that the Israelis were hunting down Nazi fugitives in South America like Franz Stangl (who ran Treblinka) as late as 1966.

    Although the place to hang out for the really 'in for the long haul' Nazi's seems to be <a href='http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/jan2000/nazi-j17.shtml' target='_blank'>Australia</a>. G'day Herr Mate!
  • That_Annoying_KidThat_Annoying_Kid Sire of Titles Join Date: 2003-03-01 Member: 14175Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin--MonsieurEvil+Apr 10 2003, 08:13 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (MonsieurEvil @ Apr 10 2003, 08:13 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Yep, saw it on Discovery Channel (so it MUST be true! <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> ) <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The discovery channel speaks no lies!
    <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • SpceM0nkeySpceM0nkey Join Date: 2003-01-19 Member: 12480Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--MonsieurEvil+Apr 9 2003, 09:20 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (MonsieurEvil @ Apr 9 2003, 09:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--eggmac+Apr 9 2003, 06:38 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (eggmac @ Apr 9 2003, 06:38 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> sorry to blow your bubble MonsE but parts of that film are completely true and happened already many times. Like this whole propaganda issue with the girl (= UN SC hearing of a 'victim' of Saddam in 1990), the reasons for the war (personal problems of the president).
    You don't need to be a genius to see a lot of parallels to reality... <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Uhhhh, the question was (and my point was) you cannot fake a war, eggmac. Everyone of course knows that you can fake little things on film, or lie on TV, as in your example. That's not worth mentioning. And you don't need to be a genius to understand that.

    Thanks, and come again.

    ^_^

    PS: And it's 'burst' your bubble. Your phrase means something rather sexual in most circles. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    You cant fake a war hey?

    Somebody lives in a moderate democracy.


    In a facist regime anything is doable.

    I hate to use Iraq, cause it is so Passe, but The Iraqi information minister is faking a war everyday.

    Its called propaganda. Stalin, Hitler used it. So did Winsten Churchill. (nobody read this as saying WW2 didnt happen).

    I dont suppose anyone here has read 1984. Come on all this typing someone must be able to read.


    1984, by George Orwell.


    You can fake a war. Possibly alittle harder if you live in modern Germany.
  • MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    Space, can you not resurrect dead discussions unless you've got something new to say. Please? Thanks.
This discussion has been closed.