BBC called it "short, simple and powerful." I agree.
It's also, at 11,000,000,000 hits and growing, the most-viewed election video on YouTube. I think you'll see why:
"Dear Mr. Obama"
YouTube (August 27, 2008)
video (1:55)
By some standards, it's pretty schmaltzy. These excerpts show what I mean:
"Dear Mr Obama having spent 12 months in Iraq theater I can promise you it's not a mistake..."
"...Iraqi people are just like us. They want a chance to live in a secure world, free from tyranny, free from terrorism, free to prosper, free to raise their children: pass on a future. Are they better off today, than they were in 2002? You bet..."
"...Do rescue a fireman just as he's about to save a child? When you call the Iraqi war a mistake you disrespect the service and the sacrifice of everyone who has died promoting freedom..."
"...Because you do not understand or appreciate these principles Sir, I am supporting Senator John McCain for president..."
"...Freedom is always worth the price."
All that stuff about freedom, and people being better off today than they were living under Saddam Hussein: As I said, in some circles it would be considered laughable.
Freedom: People Want it. Bad
About thirty years ago, I worked with people who had escaped some of the less pleasant corners of southeast Asia. One of them described how he had escaped, tucked into the bow of a boat, where the ropes usually go.I learned from his, and others in his position, how much unpleasantness people will put up with to be free.
One more thing: the Iraq vet who made this video walks away from the camera after he's said his say. After a few paces, we see that he's missing something like half his left leg.
When he says, "Freedom is always worth the price" - I'm inclined to believe him.
In the news:
- "Top hits of the YouTube election"
BBC (October 30, 2008)
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