Stealing a Nation
8.58
Ratings: 8.58/10 from 534 users.
Hidden from Parliament and the U.S. Congress, the deal was this: the Americans wanted the island, in their words, swept and sanitized. An entire population was declared expendable; all of them were to be deported.
Stealing a Nation (John Pilger, 2004) is an extraordinary film about the plight of people of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean - secretly and brutally expelled from their homeland by British governments in the late 1960s and early 1970s, to make way for an American military base. The base, on the main island of Diego Garcia, was a launch pad for the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
The book, "America's Monetary Mess" outlines the story of how the Federal Reserve became the agent of the Communists to destroy America's currency. Find out how the author didn't file his 1040 for 5 years, ran away to Europe, and when he turned himself in, was given a 1 year work release sentence.
I cried
Your documentary is one such that I haven't seen! Horrible and just unacceptable! These countries should own their mistakes now as it is transparent now! Come on! Don't guide or talk on human rights and humanity anymore. Do what you are doing and done for these people by taking their land or nation! Still time to own and make the decision and apologize and give compensation to the citizens.
Several things are wrong with this documentary.
The islands when first found and adapted for use by the British, as a port of call on the way to Australasia was decades before anyone else arrived on the islands. In fact many of the residents were brought by the British to the islands as laborers to carry out building works on the islands.
These people say they were not compensated....wtf £3000 was a hell of a lot of money in those days, in fact it was over a years wage for my father who was in the British Army.
That would have been plenty of money to get a nice place in England let alone Mauritius.
What was failed to be mentioned was an outbreak or rabies on the island. unfortunately animals at risk in those days would have been put down, to limit the spread of infection.
Finally one thing I noticed through all this was how well dressed and how well equipped the solicitors office was, if he really felt like he says he does then he wold have been taking his money and moving the people out of the squalor.
There seems to be a lot of people around these people with lots of money.
Rating 2.4 Misleading misinformation and lots of exaggeration at little things to prove little or no point. Pointing out that someones had racist opinions in those days is like pointing at slavery and blaming everybody now for their attitude then. Our attitudes have changed and we have become more acceptable of others as we have grown, but the one thing remains unchanged....There are 2 peoples you cannot rely on Journalists and Lawyers.
You work for the gov. Liar.
Recommended.
We didn't know much about this -- this is a serious violation of human rights by my country (the US) and the UK.
Where do we rate it?
My wife gives 9.2, I give it 9.5.
Mr. {proud in us} is why bush and trump are around
First, the title is misleading because it's not a nation. It's part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, and as a territory of the United Kingdom the UK was within its rights to relocate the residents of the islands. Some ignorant people here claiming the UK or US governments did anything wrong need to learns the facts of the situation and the law. And one person brought up Bikini Atoll, the US government has on numerous occasions compensated the former residents of the atoll and also promised to let them move back once it is safe to do so (they have to make sure it's not still radioactive)
An important film to watch. How about another film about the entire South Hemisphere on the planet with very (White) few exceptions, dominated by the Northern hemisphere. South America and Africa bankrupted by the World Bank and financial institutions thinking in "those places" as "inhabited" by "people like them". The film clearly shows an international Apartheid motivated by racism and power. How wonderful would be to "decode power" so the masses wake up from the hypnosis created by ruling kings and the establishment that is never satisfied of greedy and power in this dark and unjust XXI century. The world would be democratic then, and only then.
Like I've always said, Britain is just America's b*tch.And that's coming from a British citizen !!!
Dirty bastards
I guess this confirms what I've always known - the British government sucks as bad as the ruthless, greedy, power-hungry idiots in D.C. POWER TO THE PEOPLE!! COOK THE RICH AND FEED THE POOR!!
At the root, we have a group people (specifically, a European descended people) that employ violence and manipulation in order to acquire (a.k.a. steal, take by force, or "gentrify") the property/skills/talent of another group of people (usually of non-Caucasian descent). Don't me wrong -- the Establishment exists among ALL peoples.. The unfortunate thing is, the main beneficiaries of this behavioral tactic are Caucasian peoples (even the African that does the same to his own is most likely a black face serving as the curtain before a white Oz; chances are the African is operating in the interests of their "former" colonizer). Thing is, too many folks tend to: 1 - have empathy for the colonizer, but not the colonized; AND 2 - discredit the experiences of "certain" target groups (i.e. the descendants of African slaves in the U.S. particular, and Native Americans who are still in a position of dependency upon the U.S. Govt. - the original abuser), simply because their bondage is no longer occurring in full view of the general (white) public. With a few exceptions, the brutality of the treatment is no longer as blatantly physical (i.e. no leg irons, shackles, no public whippings while hanging from the side of a tree, no scalping, not cutting off of noses, and no rape..). "After all, they live next door now...One of them is even President!" (:-l ) America/Europe better get it together.. Remember, at some point "the piper WILL be paid"..
I like that now that we have a black president, the abuses by the U.S. government are still relegated to caucasian citizens. Beautiful logic
Oh, come on now, Kenneth. Black face in seat, White establishment pulling the strings. Welcome to Africa, Kenneth. Welcome to Africa... (lol)
Anyone who has even had the most cursory of glimpses into the west's
imperialistic history can hardly be shocked by the outrage of this
heartless theft. However, one thing this documentary does expose that is
shocking is the sheer open level of hateful contempt by the imperial
powers regarding these poor natives.
The vindictiveness of the
scheming and racist tone of the exchanges between the officials are so
blatant that they sound more like something from several centuries ago,
rather than within this last.
It is clear to see that sometimes
the government do not just 'not care' about ordinary people; we can see
in this doc that on occasions they quite literally hate people and
especially minorities.
They hate even having to think about
them, and the wrinkles of disgust that the interviewed politicians on
here barely conceal speaks volumes; thinking of the Chagosians makes
them feel bad, and they hope most of them will die soon so they won't be
inconvenienced by what they perceive as worthless and irrelevant lives.
they did the same thing when they took Kosovo from Serbia....Albanians got it under one condition...let us have a military base now that Berlin has to go....Democracy in action.
Thank you for ALL your great work on behalf of ALL of us Mr P.. a great Australian.. selfless compassionate and creating consciousness in all your works !
Many more Please!!
Doc
John Pilger is far from a great Australian.. He is a best an reasonable interviewer. He is a part of the press that will withhold or not tell the full story for his own gain. I have seen him actually mislead his viewers on the plight of the Australian Aboriginal in one of his docos, which gives a real insight into the type of reporter he is.
this is the information age, and your hatchet job on Pilger lacks any reference or credibility. S*it talk in comments are not evidence of your conclusion. "The film documents failed health policies and a number of very
suspicious Aboriginal deaths in police custody. Pilger interviews
several government officials to find out what went wrong – none of whom
is willing to take responsibility." in fact, when I look for your evidence, for you, I find the evidence that supports the exact opposite conclusion. Pilger's two films on aboriginal australians are a condemnation of australian government, not " misleading australian viewers" about their plight.
Are you from Australia or have you ever studied Australian history. I will give you a detailed answer after you answer those two questions.
By the way I am born and bred in Australia, and have studied the history of my country basically all my life
how exactly do you think John Pilger has 'misled' viewers over Aborigines?
Have you ever been to the outback? If you have then you'll know the answer to your question yourself. If you haven't then it would pay for you to research the condition all Australian face when living in such a remote harsh land. For him to imply that it is only the Aborigines that are facing these hard conditions and the lack of facilities is nothing more than a lie and that my friend is mis-leading.
There is no International law for poor helpless humans as us all,onlly for the rich,but by the time Intern. law applies for them they have lived65 years of their emberassing life,and as most will pay their way out with the big $$.Most laws dont even apply thwe rich we should know that...
The British inhumane colonial crime continues on -- But there will be more to address these past wrongs -- by way of the development of the Economic Forensics ... doing so globally - Just to address the on going crimes like here of the Chago people.
This is why, folks -- the world outside of the Anglo American world there has to be formed and created the university course to be named Economic Forensics. Besides these victims from the island -- there has to be the courses to study the origin and plan of the planned crimes. Be that of the old colonialism -- as we can start with the Opium Holocaust of China, where 100 million Chinese perished from the Indian grown opium by the Brits. 170,000 tons of silver were extracted from China by all the treaties. That alone, in today's value is over 500 trillions. Then India, then Africa -- How the Oppenheimers and Rhodes had taken all the gold and diamond out of Africa-- All and all, funded by the Rothschild and their in laws -- the opium Sassoons.
The world will not be able to shake these war bankers and their collaborative puppet regimes to have created more wars, bogus wars from Vietnam to Iraq -- why ? Because wars can wipe out all existing accounts -- such as the 4 trillion of the Pentagon debt -- that will never be paid up -- and why ? The presence of the non government war banks called the Federal Reserve with fiat currencies just like the European Central Bank.
War becomes an industry for these two nations -- manipulated by the war bankers and their collaborators of the weapon industry. The victims of Chagos is just one of the many war crimes created by these war thugs. Economic Forensics will allow all nations to re-study of the past crimes - created by false money and their war criminals.
Why somebody/group/nation has to proof his good intention of philanthropy or mettle by building martial bases far away from their own homelands ? Are there no other means to maintain peace, integrity and express solidarity? How could someone from outside understand the citizens born in their own country within a very short period of time and start taking decisions on behalf of them? One has to stay long beside them and become one of them .Some people need very little to live and some love excess and grandeur.These people who were content with their meagre provisions is practically an example how to lead life with satisfaction and is a model for this world how to utilise resources judiciously and remain unaffected by recessions. Some think their means of living is unscientific and they cannot sustain on their own and cannot defend themselves from the disasters.It cannot always be true because they are adapted to this environment. If something happens, others can always assist. In fact with this system of alienation we are loosing valuable wisdom,well nurtured cultures, simple techniques etc.. Isn't their humility and self-restraint a glaring show of mental and cultural advancement which can be cherished by posterity without any disgrace? One should think twice before being condescending.
Poverty is the end result of the failure to adjust to CHANGE. These things happen in most countries the world over leading to suffering and hunger or deprivation. News is modern corporations suffer from market irrelevance and the consequence is bankruptcy and unemployment. There are a lot of similarities or common experiences that these islanders suffer with street people living in American ghettos who fail to adjust or face trials and disappointments in life..
Point is the first few interviews show exactly why the islanders got displaced. They want to lead the idyllic life rather than assimilate by change and progress. How I wish they asked for jobs or work, but no, they would rather turn back time. Maybe it is carelessness or indifference of the authorities to their plight which preserved and permitted the rise of familiar sub-culture within former colonies like Pakistan and India that suffer ignorance, hunger and poverty today despite record breaking economic progress.
Incidentally this is what environmentalism today hopes for too: a return to nature and resistance to technological change. Problem is such lifestyles have become the issue for neo socialism where government is expected to fund for everything without realizing that is the easiest formula for poverty.
Taking care of our planet isnt neosocialism. Whatever that is. You are carelessly excusing away US/UK imperialism. Your opinion is worthless, since you dont even understand what you type.
Hope you are not part of the system of these countries. You are talking about these countries which have approx 1400 million people. Approx 20% of the world's population. It is really complex to run and govern.It is well run by their and only their citizen. What is this subculture? Is this anything to do with monarchy,totalitarianism etc? How do you define ignorance? An entire civilisation thriving and evolving within and with their neighbours seamlessly for 5000 years or more without eyeing upon any other distant places and facing various onslaughts and visits of various tribes,nomads,pirates ,marauders ,explorers etc and still allowing them to mingle with their own as friends. Yes ignorant these countries were which have been duped by a self-righteous nation by imposing some magna-carta and taking full advantage thereafter. Are you there to enlighten these poverty stricken people. Don't you want to know how this happened ? You go some-where and start creating panic, treat them as your inferiors , chain them,beat them, exploit them, give false promises, tyrannise, exercise different taxes, cut the fingers of the weavers, pull their daughters out of their house, shut down the local factories,impose prohibitions and curfews,open fire indiscriminately upon people, just build up institutions where you develop bureaucrats trained in your language and as per your requirement, build railways to move your merchandise and soldiers, etc. for a long 300 years or so and then you can find a feeble ,emaciated, famine suffered bunch of citizens who could barely stand on their feet. You hand over this country to these mal-nourished , broken-heart, frustrated ,disillusioned people who had already paid for their simple trust in humanity and hospitality. Don't you expect them to retaliate? Now here is the richness and wisdom of thousands of years that helped them pull themselves up and build these nations bit by bit without hurting any other with the same belief that these would not happen again and without loosing faith in humanity, which resulted in the largest democracy without a single hint of autocracy.Don't you find sufferers elsewhere in this world? If not.Then these countries have turned out to be the worst places amongst eutopia, where 1400 million foolish people are residing!!!!
Basing from the filmed interviews, the people who were displaced are not even endemic to this island. They are probably refugees or castaways who learned to settle as inhabitants of the small island.
Communities until now failed to focus on their plight. Unlike the other causes of poverty that you enumerated like violent oppression or slavery, these island people were simply displaced. They actually had an idyllic lifestyle until the military bases were setup. But since they were out of touch, they failed to take advantage of new opportunities. FYI, military bases are one of the best sources of employment.
Your post is loaded of what I think is the paradox of the human condition. No pain, no gain. Jesus offers a solution to this problem and I am unable to explain away without leading to your savior. If you believe in the cross, then perhaps there is challenge and optimism; reject it and prepare to be engulf by the self-defeating situation.
BTW, your grievance is no different from what Hitler used to justify violence and wickedness. Whatever he did surpassed the alleged evil actions made by the people he accused. This is the real danger of not understanding your human condition before application of a solution. In the end you become the mirror image of what you fear most. The more you fear, the more wicked you become.
Please note you did'nt grasp the point at all. Did the previous post contained anything which supports violence or occupation?It was against them. It was a sum up of a history and how to behave. It is all about humanity to be sustained through non-violence and proper compassion. Even after adverse situations the citizens of the countries you have referred to do not harbor any negative feeling against any society at large - this is what the previous post meant.Previous post didn't even hint at any religious belief or context . Please read the posts and reply pertinently.
Only you know what you are thinking about. It is not related to the documentary is it?
If you can restructure your sentences and make the paragraph shorter, maybe you can make others agree? Posting only 1 specific question can help obtain 1 clear answer.
What I am saying originally is that displacements happen as a result of change. That condition is real in the big city as well as in this small remote island. It need not happen among minorities but also in the educated mainstream society hit hard by economic depression. Removing change is not going to be the answer.
If you saw the dockumentary you would know that they had been there for a cupple of houndred years. Pretty much as long as the US have excisted. Would you be prepered to use the same argument about US since pretty much the people there are not even endemic to that part of the world? Most of them are just settlers refugees and castaways after all, and the US would be a perfect place for a huge millitary base. I'm sure lots of contries would be interested
WOW too many accusations on US and UK citizens.
Remember one thing "The observance of morals and ethics is secondary to the interest of the ruler."- Chanakya. Every one other than a ruler is a solider and its their job to do what they r told for their country, which actually is not for their country but for 1 mans ambition. I realized it when i read General Dyer's interview He said" I would have killed more Indians if more troops were provided as it was my job to put the fear of government into hearts of people who oppose it". I am an Indian and as much as some1 thinks I hate UK i don't, I love it and their people. Politics and Prostitution are the oldest traits of mankind. The world was never right, nor it is now and it will never be, but one day it will all end may that be by any reason 5th Ice age by magnetic pole reversal, sun burns out of its fuel or anything else ^_^ till then read history, live in the present and thing about the future.
Disgusting behaviour by those that would be quickest to punish you for not paying you're tax.
Just another in a long line of documentaries that exposes just how messed up humanity really is. (nothing else need be said!)
I don't believe in god, I wish i could then it would have been easier to believe that god will punish them. But hey wait if we look at the history we find that every great civilization met its fate, I wish i witness that in my lifetime.
I aswell do not believe in a God. But as you say, eventually there will come a time to pay, and if history is any judge it is usually those who have suffered, or those whose nation made them suffer who bring down the hammer on the deciding power. Either that, or sudden killings of elect officials and politicians by seemingly random Joes of the public. As allways, something that makes me personally rage is the mansions they call an embassy, where one so called man lives, payed by your truly, the taxpayer, when instead the same sum could bring back a horrifically wronged people some semblance of their former existence.
"I aswell(sic) do not believe in a God. But as you say, eventually there will come a time to pay..."
I can only assume you mean while those in power or responsible will pay before they die. There is no other possibility of being punished, correct?
Marcus, I respect your position of not believing in God (or a god) but to whom (or what) will humanity pay. If you don't believe in a god, greater power, higher power, etc then how can any punishment be metered out? Without a belief of a god, I don't understand why you think a punishment awaits by a god who you don't even believe exists. Not trying to be argumentative, just confused. :)
Wow, powerful...definitely NOT in your textbook.
Sad but nothing new in fact. Abuse of power going on and on for thousands of years around the world.
If we really want a change in the way our world is run, we should start to question ANYONE who evince any aspiration to rule over others. Its an obvious sing of a perverted mind looking for compensation for its inferiority complex.
So the problem lies not in who rules the world, but in the very power trip itself. Once understood, cured and consequently transformed it will disappear. No fighting or revolutions wil ever change anything profoundly.
If not for this documentary I would never have known. If it were the other way round. there would be 100 documentaries and about 10 'blockbuster' moves about it...
And we wonder why other peoples don't like us. I'll bet dollars to donuts that it was all over the oil being protected in that region by both countries even though it isn't in their countries they believe it's theirs to have and to hold and to make money with all under the guise of defensive thinking. What with Southeast Asia getting hotter up to present day Mideast goings on no wonder people of that area look on us as a--holes or infidels as they say.
Then again if they moved 'em into subsidized housing and food vouchers it wouldn't be much different than some large cities in country.
Now UK will about to lose Scotland, by Referendum., Its Karma., coz they took Sabah, and Sarawak and included in Malaysia federation illegaly., and other Territories that doesn't belong to UK. more conspiracies to come.
Bravo John Pilger! One seldom sees such sincere passion and dedication for the underdog. Nicely done!
Everyday I learn something knew to be ashamed about as an American Citizen.
Are there any limits to western evil, imperialism and crimes ...?
I wonder ..........
I think the limit is just based on what they think they can get away with or not.
And I think that it isn't just western imperialism that that applies to; it's more just a function of having so much power. Power corrupts. Previous empires were no better and no worse in nature, though modern capacities for damage are certainly greater.
Real patriots want their country to be the best it can be (including its moral integrity). We should be proud of our country's positive accomplishments but we need to be honest about & learn from our mistakes as well. If we mistake self centered nationalism for patriotism then we are acting like a parent who believes his/her child can do no wrong, who defends their child no matter how badly he/she behaves. Parents who really love their children want their children to have a conscience as well as self esteem. Praise the good, correct the bad and never stop looking for ways to improve.
people ask: Are we alone in the universe? I would say that if we are not alone in the universe, watching this documentary has left me to fear that we may have been 'left' alone
What kind of sick people can be proud to be British or US citizen?!
UNNECESSARY, and an obviously rhetorical question that you know is a gross exaggeration. You don't know me, and I'm not going to bend over backwards trying to conform myself to your idea of whatever you think people should be proud of. I'm sure at least one of us is up to your standards. Until you meet enough of us, please try to make some effort at fairness, and reserve your judgment!
I guess you're missing the point here, I'm not judging anyone, I don't want you to bend over or try to conform yourself with nothing, I could say Russia instead Britain, or France instead USA... it doesn't matter, the point is that how in the world someone could be proud of the crimes committed by their nations? How they convince themselves with words like, freedom, progress, democracy, "civilized world"?
Best regards!
Cognitive Dissidence, it's a mental disease amongst many of those living in first world countries.
They lie to themself with slogans like America number, and America best country in the world. Even when every objective measure demonstrates that it is probably somewhere in scandinavia or japan.
leanmv,
There are millions and millions of intelligent people around the world doing everything that they can to get to and live like Americans and Brits. Go figure.
I have totally lost the capacity to be shocked by any level of inhumanity displayed by my country or the West in general.
At least, should I wind up in hell, there won't be a language problem.
America... **** Yeah! The world police is a reality.
you power hungry nations, your full satisfaction will come after you have destroyed the whole world including yourselves. Shame on you.
I'm a US citizen and am ashamed of what our government does, many times hidden from us. We all are not like the typical greedy American and we aren't all in favor of what our government does.
so explain to me how the united states BUYS an island from britain.and the british dumps the people on mauritius in abandoned buildings. does the u.s. not have a conscience to make sure that those 2000 citizens are compensated and resettled property? oh but these are not white citizens of the falklands but black natives.
Oh WiseGapist, how's it going this morning or night? Not even you with your over used mouth is gonna neglect me the sun rise of a Idahoan, clear, frosty morning.
( your and you're)....you got me rollin' on that one.....got...... me.......... .rollin'! (@) (@) boo!
Nothing but the devils doing what devils do. But the devils never sleep because they know the day is coming when the tides will turn. The devils know they will have to account for their injustices and wickedness.
Same thing is happening to Muslims today through Us imperialism...Don't let another 40 years to realize that
Same thing is still going on today...This time Muslims are the victims to US imperialism...Don't let another 40 years to realize that
once Bob dylan was asked in press conference "don't you love america" his answer was " yea I love america, i love america as all the Americans do, but america will be bought to judgement oneday"
This story is but ONE of the THOUSANDS of other tribes.. think Africa, Native Americans, Indonesians and god knows how many others. This I am sorry to say the price we pay for having elected Politians to do the thinking for us. We have only to blame but ourselves.
Corrupted/ing people will allways rule the world, generating and sustaining sorrow, as long as we allow them to. Flags, religions, political systems are used to divide humanity.
Even if we have no power yet to overthrow this status quo, which is built up and transformed through millenia upon millenia, we still can and must raise consciousnes to others and boycott anything that provokes or is a result of injustice and disrespect to any life human or otherwise.
Few people in Power in most Democratic Governments, take decisions that shame most humans and animals.
I am American and embarrassed to confess that. But let me say. as with many countries. its not the people. its our criminal government. most any American citizen would NOT condone this crime. Its our Government, who back in the day, Were Citizens of Britain. One could say the American revolution was just another cover up for Britain to take more land from common people and claim it as theirs. At the British empire’s peak they ruled more than thirty-five separate countries/colonies.
stand up citizens and take our lands and freedoms back. revolt ! before they take control of the world food supply
I am proud to be American. If people get in our way then they must go. When the rest of the world continues to beg us to save them some must suffer.
Bahahaha,
"When the rest of the world continues to beg us to save them some must suffer."
- Have you lost your mind or are you just American?... But seriously, Your country is the laughing stock of the world to every developed country, the public image of your people's stupidity legendary, and known as warmongering despicable c***s to the rest...
What are you actually proud of? Your country's ability to harvest resources by butchering innocent people and destroying cultures? Guess who benefits from that butchery? THEY do, and by THEY I mean the super-rich elite pulling the strings. That's right Mr. US Citizen, you are a worthless piece, as expendable as the foreign natives they erase like garbage.
I am English. I am not 'proud' to be English, I save the nationalist patriotism for the idiotic louts and those blind to the world outside of their own back yard.
@WiseGapist
What's with the insults about the US people? "Were the laughing stock of the world to every developed country?"(well, the US has its moments) Our stupidity is ........legendary??? No offense, but have your looked at your own history?? If your not proud to be English ...move. I'm sure you'd be no great loss. What do you think WineBaptist? You wouldn't be missed would you? But I don't know, with a name like WildGamerapist....who knows!
How would you politely put it to Ottodogman? Or do you agree with him?
az
I'm am extremly gratefull for living in the US. I would say Ottodogman is being a troll(which is what he is)...... or is trying to be as ignorant as all the US bashing commenters are...... What do you think? If people continually bash Your nation for no other reason then playing follow the leader what would you do?, I'm going to dish it back 5 fold (if their way out of line) I don't give a flying rat's a$$ if nobody agrees with me. I no what's right . I'm more then capable of getting my point accross.
Your proud of living in the US? Have you seen the stats on bad education, poverty, gangs, drugs, corrupt police, corrupt government, JFK being assasinated, etc etc?
Well, slicing me with some razor-sharp wit there mr.'ProudinUS'^
Firstly, I HAVE looked at my country's own history, hence me saying I'm not proud of it... Only a d*mbsh*t patriot ignores the REAL state of their country and its actions to wave the flag in misguided arrogance. I despise nationalists and America happens to produce some of the more vocal ones.
Also, I DID move, I haven't lived in England for two years and it was the best thing I ever did... In regard to my being of no great 'loss' to England, that would depend on your opinion of what constitutes societal value. :')
How about acting like a man/lady instead of a spoon fed toddler. My reasons for showing some pride is because I'm seeing my countrymen acting like you and taking their security for granted. Grow the f*ck up and take the good of your nation along with the bad.....your still free!
I see now that this argument is unlikely to progress, but just a note...
Grammar - The difference between knowing your sh*t and knowing you're sh*t. :')
Your embarrassed to be American, huh? Where exactly do you think freedom comes from? Sure the US has done some hidious things along the way to get there. Like rob a nation of thriving indian cultures..the horrible practice of slavery...banned Pete Rose from the Hall of Fame! BUT WERE'RE STILL HERE! Safe and sound. Worry about your own people first. I gaurantee you people in other countries that talk trash about the US do. We need to stand by our nation and show a little gratitude for our lifestyles here....or you can run with the non-Americans on this board and bash it. (You don't ever hear them trash their country do ya?) By the way I do feel for these people in the doc. That isn't right.
"If people continually bash Your nation for no other reason then playing follow the leader what would you do?, I'm going to dish it back 5 fold (if their way out of line) I don't give a flying rat's a$$ if nobody agrees with me. I no what's right . I'm more then capable of getting my point accross."
For a start learn to spell accurately... And to answer your point - Because you're a walking example of what everybody is bashing! "I don't give a flying rat's a$$ if nobody agrees with me. I no what's right". The quote speaks for itself, I don't think I could have concocted a more stereotypically (d*mb)American response if I'd tried. If you want people to stop insulting your country, BE the example; drop the nationalism, agree with the reasons why people have issues if the rational evidence is there and try your best to come across as logical, educated and as worldly as possible :P
EDIT: Just saw your "Where exactly do you think freedom comes from?" remark to davidbzm... Priceless ^^
There isn't a thing wrong with my spelling. You get exactly what I mean the way I'm writing it. I never write something I don't mean.
Foreigners have problems with the US. I don't! I make a decent living here and rarely complain. Drop the nationalism? How about if you quit blaming every evil deed on the US? So why don't YOU tell me where freedom comes from? Is it free? Did your founding fathers accuire a nation with a handshake? Did they sell 1/2 of their natural resourses for a period of time? Did they stain their hands with blood from war?....what?
Why don't you cool it with the comment copying. You look like a little r*tard.
" I no what's right"
You see nothing wrong with that? No wonder America is number 40 in the world for education.
Fair enough to say we can understand you, but why lie in the face of objective evidence that you have spelling errors.
Foreigners dislike America because most evil deeds come from America, and the (white mostly) American populous is grossly ignorant as to why. Why don't you go ask a black or native American why someone might want to attack America. If they are honest it might be an eye opener for you.
Freedom comes from countries whose national governments set up good and decent systems of law and enforce them.
America is the biggest spreader of terrorism and tyranny in the world. Anywhere you invade turns to communism, facism, anarchy, or a radical islamic state. Cuba, Vietnam, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Congo, Cambodia, mexico, angola, korea, china.
Ever heard of US civil rights movement, where your government spent decades beating in the heads of civilians who were suppose to have the same rights and freedoms as white americans?
Ever heard of bonus army, where the us government shot and killed veterans from ww1 just asking for cash for worthless certificates the us government gave them.
Does hundreds of years of slavery of 15% of your population and land theft from native indian land owners sound like freedom to you?
The freest country in the world is not America, you have 5% of the world''s population and 25% of the world's prison population. You have more people in prison right now than China and more people in prison than people in all of many small countries and large cities.
America is the laughing stock of the planet.
The American problem is its people. You are talking a people where the average civilian was more than happy to ethnically cleanse indians, enslave and kidnaps and cultural genocide the blacks then shoot off the mexican american natives and ethnically cleanse them from the southwest and when that wasn't good enough they locked up the japanese into concentration camps which were later renamed internment camps because Americans like to be politically correct.
It was not the us elite or government only to enslave blacks, one in 3 whites in texas was a slaveholder. And the only reason the number wasn't higher is because the women were considered property half the time so could own slaves unless they were a widow. The American people truly are the worst on the planet. At least the Britain has apologized for slavery and other cases of its moral failures. Germany has apologized for holocaust. Japan has apologized for its.
American pigs still won't apologize for none of their war crimes. At this point, I just hope Americans stay in America and don't contaminate the world gene pool.
After going through less than HALF of his 60 some documentaries, he is hands down the most accomplished documentary filmmaker. His work amounts to a course in historical ambiguity as well as how the social complex, geopolitics, interacts with and impacts the human condition.
I would happily convert myself as a terrorist and bombed their *ss.
@jfarnham
sorry mate the Island is not British owned but Colonised. The islanders could not claim full UK & NI rights until they were relocated to the mainland and "offered" those rights. Most refused the "offer" and instead chose to fight a campaign which was largely "ignored" by the press (like they had a choice).
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Anywhere in the world that has not yet been raped by the US.
this is definitely THE most upsetting doc that i have seen, yet. the US is spreading freedom throughout the world, no matter who we have to kill or destroy. Shame …
@Patriot
i am with you 100% on this …
the reality of the world is so depressing... we are all guilty for this. Uk Us & Europe. We either don't look at these tragedy's or worse, fell sorry for these people and then forget about it and continue enjoying the pleasures of modern life that are built up on these evil systems. A revolution is needed at individual level only then the world will change. Mind blowing Doc...
I am with you!!
Lets start the Revolution!
Oh my god. I had never heard about this. I am appalled and saddened. I know US did many bad things but I always believed that they equally have done some decent things but now I am convinced that their evil deeds far outdo their good deeds.
This is the saddest and most infuriating documentary I have watched in a long time. However, something is wrong here. The Chagosians were scared off their islands because they were threatened to have foodstuffs from being imported, yet were able to always feed themselves previously? That part doesn't jive.
I wonder as England crashes financially if they will begin to sell off more pieces of their sovereign territories for more missiles. Maybe from Kim Jung Un.
I suspect it had something to do with the colonisers then telling them what foods/crops they could grow/raise whilst importing other foodstuffs from abroad, usually via the west. They then have control to stop the imports and everyone suffers as they are now no longer in a position of being self sufficient, as was the case in many Caribbean islands. For example, growing bananas was what most farmers were told they had to do, once this was accomplished we then saw an import increase of cheaper bananas from South America. Imagine what that does the now dependent Caribbean banana farmer. Makes his product worthless. What should he do, farm something else? Indeed, but it would take years to prepare the ground to do that. How to survive during this interim when your only means of survival is to keep growing bananas, that must compete with cheaper imports. Catch 22.
"It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong."
"Governments need to have both shepherds and butchers."
Voltaire
You can't embarrass a government when they feel they are right, even when they are proven wrong.
The "power" most seek is humanities own death. True Power is the ability to overcome those deceitful one-way pleasures we have established and practiced upon years.
I was so upset after watching this I can't think straight. Destroying paradise to build a military base. This is absolutely infuriating! Why do the evil people always rise to power while the benign and gentle get trampled. All I can do is cry for the poor people of this island that shares my name.
Join the group, if they have an on line petition( at some point this may well happen) sign it. International condemnation by the people like you and me is a small step. No matter how long it takes, the people of your namesake will appreciate it.
my gawd. it's the same 'ole thing, over and over and over and over and over - the rich, the powerful ... control everything and we are powerless to stop them - i think I will die of sadness. almost every time i watch one of these docs i want to throw up afterwards. i cannot even imagine what we'd have to do to turn it around ? ? ? could it ever be ? ? ? with enlightenment comes great pain it is why most choose to remain in the comfort of darkness - - - -
lol, i never heard this before, 10 out of 10 for this documentry.
Russia should refuse to ratify the treaty. Perhaps Russia can do something compassionate for citizens of the world. Clearly, America does not look out for all beings - although turtles are apparently of the utmost importance.
this was really sad , but its shows the mechanism by which the the world has been ruled until today , Im not pointing to the English or the US goberment ,they are one of the world leaders and if they dont show the example there is little hope this is going to change in the near future.
Shameful stuff.
I'm British and this is the first I've heard of this. I wrote a letter to my MP about the issue asking questions about their postition and for the Chagossian issue to be raised in Parliament. I don't expect anything back as I know our democracy to be a sham.
The fact that the queen still has the power to overrule the high court is amazing! A pampered worthless figurehead who can sign off the lives of over 2000 people without a second thought! The whole system stinks, absolutely stinks.
I can only hope that somehow the Chagossians get their home back before the old generation fades away.
And before anyone starts lecturing, I know it's only the tip of the rotten iceberg!
A lot of good comments. And, yes. There doesn't seem to be a lot of people watching this extrordinary film. I'm an American...or I live in a country that used to be America. Our "professional" polititions no longer stand for the same thing I was taught America stood for. Same in Great Britain I guess. It changed long before I was born in 1951. So what's new in world history? It's been going on since man swung his first weapon. The weapon just keeps getting bigger, faster, and global. Always remember, though... It's the foot-soldier that wins the war. Thank you all for the film. My heart goes out to those deprived people of island of Diego Garcia!
no erik americans cant do nothing
only thing u can do is stop paying taxes and people are afraid to go to jail
so they keep on paying
i cant believe that cocksucker at the end saying he would do the same if it was now or 40 years ago cause he backs his buddys ? lol
thats harsh
where is the human
i hope people homejack his ass so he knows how it feels to get kicked out or be powerless
If americans stopped voting for the same established parties every election maybe it would be a bit better yes?
Diego Sanchez will never be given back to the native inhabitants as long as the United States rules the world through empire. The military base in Diego Sanchez is one of the biggest in the world and situated perfectly for the US to act as "policeman of the world" or should I say "global fascist empire."
This is a tiny problem compared to what the US and UK are doing now and have done in the last 50 years.
So why are these people not home already and compensated ???
Our government stink hypocrisy, selfishness, cruelty, it as no honor, i'm sick of their s*** around the world !!! how can they even pronounce the word GOD ???
5 million $ is a joke !!! Where are the so called philanthropist that like their photo on magazines ??? How much money they gave to jp morgan ???
That island is British owned and is rented to the US. Sounds to me like the Brit's Government wanted more income from the island...
double standards has always been the characteristics of tyrants.
I am part Pacific Islander, and I cannot believe that these people haven't been compensated properly. It's the same situation that happened to the people of Bikini Island in the Marshalls. Wow!! I am out of words witnessing this atrocity.
Im sickened, yet not surprised by the content of this WONDERFUL film.
It is absurd how history repeats itself and no correction or relief of such disrespect of the human condition to avail along the way. We as the careless inhabitants of these nations who are comfortably blinded, mislead, deceived, misinformed and lied to.Yet with no reason!
The information is there for us to learn from and read between the lies written and spoken, although we stumble upon excuses after excuses of unethical and amoral illusions created to reality by intellectually demonic tyrants who quench their thirst for power.
I truly enjoyed this wicked story or trickery,egotism,superiority. I recommend this to all!
You should watch other documentaries by John Pilger... there are more cases like these, including how the USA diliberately makes South American countries poor and keep them that way, as well as how the USA supports South America's regeimes.
How can such injustice be tolerated? And doesn't look like many people have watched this documentary.
Bless the digital age. Such horrendous acts wouldn't have reached the masses if not for the internet.
There is a similar issue that is happening in the US. Gentrification of cities and neighborhoods pushing out the poor to make way for new development and new homes for more affluent people. I think this is really sad and unforgiveable what has happened to these people. I have never heard of this island nor that this happened. This should be brought to the public and the people responsible shoule be held accountable for their actions. The people who were relocated should be given back their land. It hurts me to think in this modern day that this is still going on. Like our true Americans, the Native Americans. I am saddened by this.
Knowing that evil exists in this world is one thing, but to see it is quite another.
All involved need to be brought to justice, including the Queen of England, the Americans be expelled, and any who allowed it either by their silent assent or direct participation imprisoned for life.
Then and only then after this has happened and the people allowed home could justice said to have been done.
A commendable Documentary drawing attention to the plight of a dispossessed people.
"Stealing a Nation (John Pilger, 2004) is an extraordinary film about the plight of people of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean – secretly and brutally expelled from their homeland by British governments in the late 1960s and early 1970s, to make way for an American military base. The base, on the main island of Diego Garcia, was a launch pad for the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq."
I must applaud John Pilger for this extrodinary effort in bringing this important story to the publics attention. so much "wrong" has been done by the British and American governments in the name of what we call today, "national security" or, as one Brit said, 40 years ago times called for certain things to be done...such rational excuses these politicians make without conscience, since they are so locked into their work, position, and the "system" that they lack the courage to take a stand for fair play and justice.
The excuse of the British unable to ber the cost of relocating these people is so ludicrous it defies believability, so common when the establishment is confronted with tough issues they can't in good conscious justify. They lie, misrepresent, fabricate, mislead, and pretend to be doing the best they can for all concerned or insuate they can not do anything more to help...
Anyway, great effort by Pilger and all those who worked on this film and courage and compassion to all those islanders who lost their families, pets and homeland all these years, a true humanitarian disaster...perhaps one that the United Nations might take up, considering the British violated their own court decision to declare the people's exile illegal.