Educational Media Reviews Online

Nationally syndicated columnist Norman Soloman systematically makes side by side comparisons of recurring politically manufactured wartime media themes throughout American history. That is, he demonstrates how American politicians have used a near formulaic approach to packaging war to the American media and citizenry. He dramatically exhibits recurring wartime messages from the White House and Capitol Hill, such as the United States’ unwillingness to go to war, the need to save the helpless, topple dictators, and uphold American values. Sound bites and film clips with alarming similarities from the Viet Nam War, Grenada invasion, and the first and second Gulf Wars. Similarly, he demonstrates how wartime buzz words and expressions, such as “quagmire” and “cut and run,” have been used time and time again by American politicians. Though there are a few snippets of examples of media coverage of the incursion into Mogadishu, it should be noted that Bill Clinton is largely and conspicuously spared from Soloman’s pointed analysis.

War Made Easy is exceptionally well edited visually. In one instance, the audience witnesses a visually provocative comparison of color-level terrorist threat graphic next to anti-socialist propaganda of the 1940s and 1950s. In much the same way, the viewer gains examples of demonization the America’s enemies during various military campaigns. One of this work’s recurring tactics is the relentless stream of congruent, if not identical, pieces of rhetoric used by government officials.

Soloman lays a great deal of the blame for this cyclical, habitual reuse at the feet of the media. He concludes his work with a thoughtful examination of the isolated dissenters in Congress during times of war, and calls for dedication to searching for truth in such an information rich age.

War Made Easy is an excellent, but boldly partisan work. The evidence is compelling and well researched. This film is recommended to anyone wishing to examine the relationship between media and politics, or the American media culture in general.