Black Hawk Down (Revolution Studios 2001)

When watching Black Hawk Down, I'm never sure where to focus my anger. Should it be at the Clinton Administration for their half-assed military leadership? The United Nations for their wimpy rules of engagement policies? The Somali Thugs for shooting at our guys? George H. W. Bush for getting us involved in the first place? Oh what the hell, why don't I make it easier and say all of the above!

After American forces raided and captured two Somali senior lieutenants, two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down by Somali militia armed with RPGs. The movie tells the story of the Army's successful but daring rescue attempt of the stranded soldiers through the hostile Somali capital of Mogadishu.

Interestingly, the movie's producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, told interviewers that the film's focus was on the brave soldiers and NOT the politics behind the events. I admit, it's very easy to get lost in the story and action of Black Hawk Down. However, when those credits start to roll at the end the political questions just seem to POP in the ol' brain like...

WHY WAS THE AIR SUPPORT REFUSED TO HELP OUR TROOPS?

WHO IN THE HELL AT THE U.N. CAME UP WITH THESE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT?

WHO WAS THE MASTERMIND BEHIND THE RAID?

WHY DID WE HAVE TO USE U.N. TANKS AND NOT OURS?

WHAT WAS THIS MAN DOING WHEN THIS CRAP WAS GOING ON?

Here is the trailer from the film.



How in the heck we only lost 18 guys in this is beyond me. Oh and by the way, a few weeks after this happened Slick Willy played the Cut and Run card. I guess the playbook hasn't changed that much for the Dems.