Watch War Made Easy: How Presidents & Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death

War Made Easy: How Presidents & Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death from 2007 is a documentary film directed by Loretta Alper and Jeremy Earp. The movie, which is based on a book by Norman Solomon, delves deep into the art of propaganda used by the government and the media, with a particular emphasis on the influence of the mainstream media on public opinion during times of war.

The movie features Spiro Agnew, Christiane Amanpour, and Peter Arnett, who provide a comprehensive analysis of how the government and the media work together to manipulate public opinion and support for wars. Through an examination of historical events, news clips, interviews, and public speeches, the film explores how the US government and its allies have used propaganda to create a pro-war sentiment and promote their military agenda.

The film starts by examining the Vietnam War and the way in which the US government and the media employed propaganda to justify the war and portray it in a positive light. The movie features clips of government officials and military leaders speaking positively about the war, while footage of the actual devastation and atrocities committed during the war are shown in parallel.

The filmmakers then move on to the Gulf War, which was the first major conflict of the 90s. Through interviews with journalists and analysts, the movie exposes the various ways in which the US government and the media shaped the narrative surrounding the Gulf War, portraying it as a just and necessary conflict. The film also delves into the use of public relations firms hired by the government to create a pro-war sentiment and how journalists who questioned the conflict were silenced.

The third part of the film examines the events leading up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The filmmakers explore how the US government used a series of misleading arguments to convince the public that Iraq posed a threat to national security. The film highlights the media's role in supporting the government's narrative and creating a climate of fear among the American public.

Throughout the movie, the filmmakers emphasize the way in which the government and the media have used propaganda to create a jingoistic atmosphere in the US during times of war. The movie highlights the use of euphemisms, such as "collateral damage," to obscure the true nature of war and the negative impact it has on civilians. It also exposes the way in which the media has been complicit in shaping public opinion in favor of the government's military interventions.

Overall, War Made Easy: How Presidents & Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death is a thought-provoking and powerful critique of the role of the media during times of war. The movie exposes the way in which the media has been used to facilitate and perpetuate military interventions, and highlights the need for a truly free and independent press that can hold the government accountable. This film is essential viewing for anyone interested in the history of US foreign policy and the influence of the media on public opinion.