Charlie Wilson's War - movie

Thank you, Tom Hanks and friends... saw Charlie Wilson's War on Christmas Day with family.
For once, no one got into criticizing the plot, acting, or cinematography.

The story is so recent (and current), I am absorbing the messy processes of government and international deal-making, the scenes of airplanes and helicopters hunting people from the air in the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, small bands of fighters shooting back with heat-seeking missiles fired from the ground, and the odd alliance of right-wing Texans and middle eastern rival states, as well as scenes of decadence from the 80's.

The bottom line, the point made at the very end of the movie, the sad truth, that we couldn't muster the resources to help rebuild, advance or provide humanitarian assistance to people caught in conflict, made me grateful to Tom Hanks for choosing this vehicle while the middle east continues to struggle. I breathed a sigh and said quietly, "We have a lot of work to do."

Arriving home I saw the article in the newspaper about our difficulties allocating and administering $750 million over five years to a mountainous region in the tribal areas of Pakistan. Characters from the movie went through my mind as I read about an area so dangerous that US officials, contractors, and international NGO's don't have access. No one has the power or stability to monitor the funding or the projects which have been put out to bid. Most funds don't make it through the corrupt local governments and are as likely to be used for more toy mines that will maim and kill children as for schools or roads.

None of it is simple or clear. The bigger ideal, a world where peace prevails while people can air their differences openly,
educate and care for children and elders, and appreciate culture and nature, must be actively recalled and visioned so we can avoid falling into the angry divisiveness that still holds sway in so many minds.

"One love, one heart. Let's get together and feel all right." --Bob Marley

Wishing a happy and safe 2008 to all beings.