Young Americans Screening
A couple weeks ago, I screened the new videos for a group of folks that included the ever-awesome Ann Coulter, Andrew Breitbart, Rich Miniter, Roger Simon, Captain Brian Iglesias, USMC ( featured in the clips ), Evan Wright, Roman Genn and one of his many cousins, David Milch’s Production Partner Ted Mann ( Milch and Ted produce “Deadwood” ) and several others ( I don’t want to drop any more names, the page will break ), and let’s just say that given the subject matter ( Marines directly naming some very big MSM folks who have flat out reported falsities about Iraq ) it was a roomful of some very pleased MSM critics.
Stay tuned, the clips will be forthcoming once the arrangements with my Internet friends are sorted out. And, as noted below, I’ve finally begun the process of securing a distribution deal for the whole project. I’ll be giving updates, anecdotes, new video snippets of my stateside shenanigans, and whatever else comes to mind, as all this unfolds.
Semper Fi,
Pat Dollard
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
Hey Pat,
Remember the good times we had in Ramamdi. I remember that day you almost fell out of my truck when the RPG attack happened. Close call but good times. I am currently training recruites combat marksmenship at camp Pendleton. Would like to hear from you. And have you talked to seth william lately, I don’t have his number. Well heres to 3/7 wpns company CAAT RED.
February 2nd, 2007 at 11:56 pmThanks for the update. I am anxiously awaiting “Young Americans” and you have my full support.
February 3rd, 2007 at 4:36 pmSemper FI!!! Can’t wait till the release and see the film. You are a good dude, and I admire your courage for going to war with us. Keep it Honest and tell it like it is. SSgt “Kilo Spook” Tanner 4th platoon sgt. Kilo Co 3/7.
February 6th, 2007 at 8:47 amkeep up the good work man, the truth needs to be told and you’re the only rich hollywood motherfucker who’s willing to do it for us! Good luck brother!
February 7th, 2007 at 9:59 pmI was just wondering if you could tell me when “Young Americans” will be coming out. Cpl. Matt Conley that was killed is one of my best friends that I grew up with my whole life…it is coming up on the year Anniversay of his death and I was just curious as to when the documentary was being released…Thanks….Chad
February 10th, 2007 at 9:53 pm” …Marines directly naming some very big MSM folks” Hot fucking damn!! String the bastards up, I’ll send you string if you need it! It’s about damn time these lying sacks of …got their come-uppance! Best news since I don’t know what!!!! And by the way, I’ve sent you money for the film. Go get ‘em!!
February 11th, 2007 at 7:31 amCan’t wait to get my copy and see this film!!!!
February 11th, 2007 at 12:26 pmI can not wait for this movie. You have my 100% support
February 12th, 2007 at 4:06 pmI have been perusing your Website and I think you are doing a great thing. It is obvious you are on the right side of this with the guys you were with in Iraq. That says it all.
I can’t wait to see your movie. Do you know if your distributor will have a theater in Raleigh, NC? For some odd reason, I think the local art house won’t show it… they tend toward Michael Moore, Al Gore, etc. for their ‘documentaries’. I hope you show your movie here!
Thanks to our troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and everywhere else. Because of you we are all able to sleep safely. We can’t repay you enough.
February 14th, 2007 at 11:41 amTo emphasize the animal characteristics of war may show the truth of it, but it does not neccessarily do our service men and women the justice you claim. The subtext of all of this reads that they don’t need our respect. I would argue that they do. Damn well better. That is what they took an oath for, are paid for. To serve and protect the United States of America so those kids CAN sit on their asses. Isn’t that the point of all this? Your documentary, from what I have seen is confusing, at best: scattershot agitprop. One quote really stood out: “we would find computer towers from which they would crank out DVDs… they would add original jihad songs, logos, and cheesy graphics.” I would argue that you are doing the EXACT same thing for the exact same purpose, furthering the hatred and the conflict to profit from it. Somehow, I doubt that I will see this posted, but I thought that I should answer your call to respond.
February 14th, 2007 at 2:20 pmI would like to state that I misspoke about soldiers getting paid for what they do-the service is a calling, and a noble one at that. They are vastly undercompensated for the sacrifices they make in protecting us. My apologies to anyone that I offended in that remark.
February 14th, 2007 at 4:17 pmWinifred - They took an oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that [they] will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that [they] will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over [them], according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.”
It isn’t about needing your respect, because they don’t. What they need is your never ending support and UNDERSTANDING (knowing exactly what they face, or as best as you can based on what you hear and see in the film). Regarldless if they have your respect or not, they will continue to their duty.
As for the documentary doing the “EXACT” same thing and for the same purpose as the insurgents. I would have to disagree with you. Mr. Dollard is not only showing what you termed as the “animal characteristics of war” but, a behind the scenes view of our soldiers/marines and the terrors they will have to live with for the rest of their lives; watching their friends and comrades die, being shot at on a daily basis, knowing it could be thier time, etc..,. Did you, or have you ever seen this in an insurgents video? How many times have you actually seen an insurgents face? How aften have you heard a soldier/marine praying for it to be God’s will he kills his enemy? In one of the clips you hear a frightened marine praying, asking God for the mortars to stop. It’s these things and more your supposed to get out of these clips. Oh, and for it being a “scattered agitprop”……… You’ve only seen clips; bits and pieces. Give me a break.
Fight on MARINES, so that you may all come home safely!!
February 14th, 2007 at 9:52 pmThank you for your thoughtful response. You are right. I should have had a more metered response. I was really put off by the intro clip, and I didn’t think that it was fair to the Marines. It did make them look animalistic (especially the scene with the head) and why use that song? Why make it a conservative/liberal thing? I look forward to seeing the whole thing so that I can make a better judgement. I believe in the institution of our military, and in the honor of our servicemen/women. Many of my family members and friends have served and one of our best friends is there now, which is why I feel passionate about this. I question the way that the film is framed. It has the potential to be so powerful, but many elements make it frustratingly affected, like the music, the finger-pointing (at Michael Moore, protestors). If those elements were not part of the film, I would hear the soldier more clearly, more genuinely, if that makes sense.
I think that most Americans want understand, which is why they ask the silly and offensive questions they do. I applaud the attempt to help people understand, I just hope that it does not become a devisive tool. Our troops deserve more. I hope that the profits from this film will be donated to the troops in some way.
February 15th, 2007 at 10:16 amWell, like it or not, that is the face of war. As one who has lived it like those in the clips you have seen, I am for letting everyone who is willing to look into the darkness and face the beast. It brings a new understanding into the human level from our own. Oh, and as for the disjointed and confusing nature of it, maybe the film will be more connected, but War is Hell and the fog of war is hardly ever well connected and understandable.
February 16th, 2007 at 7:31 amwinifred
I agree the film clips are harsh at times and divisive but it does show the great anger that troops have towards liberals in our country who mouth off against them portraying them as murders and such.
A documentary is supposed to show things as they really are without the pomp and glitz that hollywood movies get. I think this will do just that. I think liberals in this country believe in the addage that “big is bad” and they jump to the defense of the little guy even if he is a ruthless dictator like saddam hussein or kim jong il. They dont realize that these dictators and the insurgency in iraq specifically make victims of their neighbors everyday, and that our soldiers along with other MNF’s and iraqis, are seeing to it that the victimization stops and they are risking their lives.
This film if it accomplishes anything will show prominently the humanity of these young americans and all those they serve with.
February 21st, 2007 at 6:38 pmAmen Thor….I’m glad it made the Marines look animalistic. That’s what we want. We want the asshole of the enemy to pucker when they here that the Marines may be involved. The sheepdogs will protect the sheep. We don’t need the sheep commenting on how it is done.
Sadly the people who most need to see this film will probably be too offended, scared, or ignorant, (I don’t know exactly how to describe it) to see it. Press on Mr. Dollard, you are a true patriot and one cool bastard.
Semper Fi
February 21st, 2007 at 6:45 pmSpartanUSMC and Thor are right. Any man, woman or child in the world should hear “The Marines are coming” or as the Somalis called us, “The Black Boots”, and tremble in their sandals, bare feet or boots. The most efficient and successful army on Earth called us, “Devil Dogs”, and not because it sounds cool. If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime. If only our cowardly politicians would crawl back into their holes and take the leash off, this would all be over quickly. And no, I for one don’t believe utter chaos would ensue. We are surgeons on the battlefield. No nation on earth has ever respected non-combatants like we do. If the enemy makes it a fighting position, we will destroy it. If they respect their own sacred ground, so will we.
The sad thing is, the rest of our valiant men and women should invoke the same awe and fear. The Air Force certainly does. We are not police and shouldn’t act like a police force. When their police go into action, it should be known by all that if needed the hounds will be unleashed and insurrections will be dealt will like a cancer without mercy.
Oh yeah, until you pass them on the battlefield, strip their weapons away and flex cuff them, they are combatants.
Semper Fi
February 22nd, 2007 at 6:35 amCan’t wait to see the movie……. Keep it rolling
February 22nd, 2007 at 5:01 pmI really appreciate this conversation, even if it does scare me to death at times.
OK-so the thing that we all agree on here, from what I can tell, is that we want the troops to be heard by the general public. All of this polarization does nothing for the troops, whichever way you see it. Let people make up their own minds, without the music or anti-liberal stuff. It distracts from the real message, and is no longer a documentary (something that Michael Moore is guilty of).
TJ, as a liberal (for many other reasons besides the war), I can say that I have never felt sympathetic towards Saddam Hussein and certainly not Kim Jong Il. But as a liberal, I do feel that our troops are one of our greatest assets and that their service and sacrifice helps protect our right to disagree. They (or you, if this applies) should be respected and their efforts never squandered. We need them alive and well and sane.
To those of you that are there, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
February 23rd, 2007 at 7:20 pmAnd what would you say if the troops being filmed wanted the thematic music and such “propaganda?” Isn’t it part of showing the cold hard facts of how they feel? Many of us who have been there feel the same and we are very politically minded people. This is especially true when our lives are at the mercy of political machines. And what right do we have to express our own feelings politically or otherwise?
When I see what Pat has done, I don’t think he is politicizing as much as he is letting those that are there be heard on multiple levels. And to me, the comments here show the same. I understand that you might find some of it offensive and think that it is probably not in the best interest of troops to be shown in this light, with such “propaganda,” but if it is the voice of those being represented, let it be. Let the truth be known. Let those that fight America’s wars be heard. Let all who dare, venture into the dark and gruesome realm of what is really being done, felt, and spoken. War is not pretty, those that fight it are not nice, and once the blackness and evil has been experienced, you never forget and are changed forever.
Although I am not a marine, I fought in some of the same areas as the marines Pat filmed, around the same times even. The people I was with had the same demeanor, feelings, opinions, and general manner. If you think what Pat has put out has a bad taste in your mouth, maybe you should see what some of the troops I was with put together themselves.
Thanks for your concern. We appreciate your good will. Don’t let your disgust turn you from the truth. Don’t put a pretty face on something that someone is trying to show in it’s true nature.
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:44 pmPat’s work that I’ve seen so far on the web pages here is simply AWESOME. To go out there, even get wounded telling the TRUTH for once, instead of liberal lying is the second greatest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. The first are the young men and women putting their lives on the line.
I spent 26 years in the military and I’ve seen a bit of rough and tumble, but nothing like those Marines are seeing day in and day out. For Pat to bring this home for Americans to see - and understand is a job well done, and deserving of the most that Americans can give back. To Assist him in getting the word out.
Thank you Pat.
One last thing… my own son, Patrick is in Iraq now. We pray for him every day — but I know that the Army trained him well and he had some training from Mom and Dad, and we know he will come home to us some day, after he does the job he went to do.
Again, Pat Dollard, thank you for your work.
February 26th, 2007 at 9:26 amNo problenm with anybody that previewed the Doc. But come on Ann Coulter. I heard she runs from guys with pies.
March 7th, 2007 at 9:58 amPaul - Thats your beef with Ann Coulter? That she ducks pies flying in her general direction?
I figgered it’d have to do with her politics, over whether or not she cares to take a pie to the face in front of an audience.
by the way, i think the fact that those kids missed her at 5 feet is lamer than her choosing to duck them.
March 7th, 2007 at 2:52 pmYour documentary, Young Americans, needs to be in the movies ASAP. This is a side that must also be seen because we can not count on the news and media showing it. God Bless America.
March 24th, 2007 at 7:07 pmIs that the same Brian “Iggy” from Jackson NJ? class 95?
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:40 amto Winifred, I think the ‘metered’ way to respond to that pissass statement you made is “FUCK YOU!” fucking pansy. If anybody doesn’t ‘understand’ Pat’s documentary, fuck them too. I thought the credit scene was pretty clear to that regard. Anyways, keep it rolling Pat, I may be Canadian, but that don’t mean I appreciate the MSM, Hollywood, the polit-bureau expecting me chew on their shit and smile about it too.
May 2nd, 2007 at 9:26 pmSemper Fi, beati pacifici!