HBO: Baghdad ER (Documentry)

[Herb]

This is film of my unit while I was deployed in 2005. It is about an hour long and shows both the hospital (my unit - 86th Combat Support Hospital) and some patrols with the units we treated.

I have yet to watch this, but read the director and producer interviews (www.hbo.com search Baghdad ER), and much of the horrific injuries were left out. After I get to watch it I'll answer any questions to the best of my ability, so feel free to ask.

Herb

[george graves]

That is so awesome man! I saw a short bit of it on abc news.

I can't wait to watch it. Unreal from what I saw.

I also got the impression that it was a "anti-war" film. I hope it stays true to a doc, and just records and documents the great work that you all do.

I think we would all would be interested in hearing a short recount from you for those that don't see the film....

God Bless...

[Herb]

I just watched it this morning after work, had a friend record it for me. It was very nuetral IMO, there are a couple of comments that seem anti war, in a sense they are, but it is more directed toward the bombing of who ever the bombers can get, military or not.

I am not in the film that I can see, just incase anyone is wondering.

I am an X-ray tech, so we come in right after the trauma team and get a chest x-ray and any films needed for the OR, then move on to the next patient and come back around after a thurough second assessment and do the rest of our films and CT.

Those were minor injuries to moderate injuries, in terms of "to look at", I saw a couple of missing faces, multiple traumatic amputations (think pulling a turkey leg staight off the turkey and you can get an idea), and more open head wounds than I care to see ever agian.

I know that there are more soldier and Vets that are on this sight and could tell you that an IED or VBIED is no joke.

There is a part in the film where they are on patrol and the squad leader comments that they can "do their job without fear" because they know that we are there to do everything we can to save them when the shit hits the fan. All I can say is that means so much to us as a Unit (86th CSH), and there isn't anyone in the whole theater of operations that has more respect for the ground troops than a combat hospital.

Herb

[DEV0 E30]

It's a good show, very real, but since it is very real I think I can only watch so much before amputeed limbs begin to make my appetite go away.

[marakka]

From what I've read, this show is very very accurate. I've talked to some of the Dr's that were involved in making it happen. Some of the film that was taken was just too graphic to be aired and some of the families involved wouldn't allow it. Its a touchy subject, which I can understand. And I'll give yall props Herb..... You guys keep us guys goin. Without you, on my tour down there I'd have lost a few more good men than what we did. Thanks for all you medics do.

That said....

It makes me want to vomit to think that the government allows private corporations to go in and film something like this in an attempt to make money off it. I'm sure not a whole bunch of people are going to sign up for HBO just because of this one show..... but you get the drift.

Just like Toby Kieth. He is a piece of trash in my book. He came here a few days ago and played a "free" concert. In all actuallity he was paid $10,000 to come. Granted, thats probably a much smaller amount than normal, but I'm sure its more than enough to compensate him. He makes MILLIONS off the fact that the country is in a patriotic frenzy. Ugh.....

[Herb]

Max,

Thank you and I agree about the sourcing out of media, isn't that what AFN (Armed Forces Network - for those that don't know) is in place for and what our own media corps (under signal I think) are payed to do. Good point Max.

Herb

Are you deployed or in Germany, either way stay safe.