Several events held at Iraqi film festival
Jennifer Cox
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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"Our overall mission was to train the Iraqi forces, provide security, and target anti-Iraqi forces," he said, but added that, "our job really was just to protect each other and make sure everyone came home." Everyone seemed to have different reasons for being there, one commander went as far as citing oil as the sole reason for their presence. "While we were securing the oil, we weren't able to secure the military. We just don't have enough troops over there to do that."
In general, Cornell du Houx found their efforts in Iraq to be futile. The situation was stagnant, and it was hard to make any improvements in the conditions that exist. On a more microscopic level, he said they were able to help some individual families with health problems, birth defects, and change the lives of some residents. The greater picture was not as hopeful. If they built an apartment building, it would be blown up shortly after. Anti-American forces would also blow up buildings such as the communication center and then blame it on American troops. "We're losing the hearts and minds battle," Cornell du Houx said, and he expressed the frustration of the Iraqi people.
After learning minimal Arabic, Cornell du Houx could interact with the interesting people he visited in their homes. "It's not that they don't like Americans. It's just that we haven't helped them and they're frustrated," he said. He expressed the tension between the people and the soldiers and the problems they encountered with the population. "It's difficult," he said, "you have to act like you are there to protect the civilians, but you have to look at everyone you see as a potential threat. After a while we couldn't even give candy to the kids anymore because there were children throwing hand grenades."
Probably due in large part to this paranoia and futility, the U.S. troops are losing strength. Cornell du Houx said that out of the 1100 men in his department, only 2 were returning to Iraq. He said also that it was hard for the troops to keep up their enthusiasm when they weren't fighting for something to unite the country. Even if he was not completely proud of what he had accomplished in the nation, Cornell du Houx is a man Bowdoin should be proud of. He spoke with heart and genuineness, and brought a face to the thousands of men fighting in the war today.
This event made the seemingly far off events in Iraq seem more tangible and accessible for discussion and critique. The festival was successful and necessary, and all of the people involved should be proud and praised. Rudolph would like to mention the students and people who made it possible: Shirmila Cooray '09, Jack Drury '07, Justine Ludwig '08, Sarah Kurien '09, Tarini Manchan '09, Ned Warner '09, Felicia Teach '07, Lindsay Tolle '08, Ken Eisner of the Railroad Square Cinema, and Shadow Distribution.
In general, Cornell du Houx found their efforts in Iraq to be futile. The situation was stagnant, and it was hard to make any improvements in the conditions that exist. On a more microscopic level, he said they were able to help some individual families with health problems, birth defects, and change the lives of some residents. The greater picture was not as hopeful. If they built an apartment building, it would be blown up shortly after. Anti-American forces would also blow up buildings such as the communication center and then blame it on American troops. "We're losing the hearts and minds battle," Cornell du Houx said, and he expressed the frustration of the Iraqi people.
After learning minimal Arabic, Cornell du Houx could interact with the interesting people he visited in their homes. "It's not that they don't like Americans. It's just that we haven't helped them and they're frustrated," he said. He expressed the tension between the people and the soldiers and the problems they encountered with the population. "It's difficult," he said, "you have to act like you are there to protect the civilians, but you have to look at everyone you see as a potential threat. After a while we couldn't even give candy to the kids anymore because there were children throwing hand grenades."
Probably due in large part to this paranoia and futility, the U.S. troops are losing strength. Cornell du Houx said that out of the 1100 men in his department, only 2 were returning to Iraq. He said also that it was hard for the troops to keep up their enthusiasm when they weren't fighting for something to unite the country. Even if he was not completely proud of what he had accomplished in the nation, Cornell du Houx is a man Bowdoin should be proud of. He spoke with heart and genuineness, and brought a face to the thousands of men fighting in the war today.
This event made the seemingly far off events in Iraq seem more tangible and accessible for discussion and critique. The festival was successful and necessary, and all of the people involved should be proud and praised. Rudolph would like to mention the students and people who made it possible: Shirmila Cooray '09, Jack Drury '07, Justine Ludwig '08, Sarah Kurien '09, Tarini Manchan '09, Ned Warner '09, Felicia Teach '07, Lindsay Tolle '08, Ken Eisner of the Railroad Square Cinema, and Shadow Distribution.
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