Customer Reviews

The Panama Deception

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

It's unfortunate that this film was so over zealous to make its point, but it is equally unfortunate to see those who would deny what is clearly factual.

Just hours before I read the reviews here I happened to be reading "You Back the Attack! We'll Bomb Who We Want" by Micah Ian Wright who served in the US Army Rangers and participated in the invasion of Panama. Wright states quite clearly what many try to deny. He stood on the roof of a building overlooking a civilian neighborhood that had been bombed by the US and had burned for two days unchecked. And Wright is not the only military witness to confirm that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of civilians were killed by US weapons. Just because the producers of Panama Deception failed to interview these soldiers does not mean they don't exist.

It is also equally harmful to make the debate about this film about Bush or the Republican Party. The issue at hand is post Vietnam War foreign policies which clearly ignore moral principles for unknown ulterior motives. These policies have been carried out by Democrats and Republicans alike. Clinton, for example, had his own fiasco with his support of the sanctions against Iraqi civilians which ultimately strengthened Saddam Hussein's domestic power.

I make these observations as a former US Army Intelligence Analyst who saw the lies under Bush I. But the same lies could have been stated under Clinton. It doesn't matter.

The issue is not so simplistic that films like Panama Deception are "anti-military" or even "anti-American." As Teddy Roosevelt said at one time, "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President . . . or that we must stand by the President right or wrong . . . is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."

Ultimately, that's what this is all about - that we send our troops into harms way and they, as soldiers in combat, invariably end up killing innocents in accomplishing their mission. This is a fact of life. To criticize those who would send them into combat is not an attack on the soldiers, but on the leaders who would abuse them and then refuse to acknowledge what they've done.

When it comes to Panama, I'm not aware of any American leader ever admitting what happened. Furthermore, it is false to say that other nations did not protest. The UN General Assembly did in fact condemn the attack. But the US is the world's superpower and the condemnation ultimately resulted in nothing. This has been the case for well more than a decade, most notably in regards to Iraq.

And just like in so many other military actions, the media, as shown in the video, did indeed play an integral role in creating the perception that US soldiers did not kill civilians and/or that our motives were entirely pure. They used terms like "our attack" or "we captured Noriega" as if all of us were in on the plan from the very beginning. There was no effort made to even create the image that the media were somehow separate from the invasion.

Which brings me to my last observation about this film and its critics. It is often the mistake of those who disbelieve those who challenge US foreign policy to say that these individuals must therefore support the opposing side. Against the invasion? Then you must support Noriega. Against Gulf War II? Then you must support Saddam Hussein. This is childish thinking. It's not about the goal, it's about HOW the goal is acheived. Only a fool would support either of those dictators. What most critics have a problem with is the method by which these men were removed from power - a method that, as the film shows, kills innocents and at least creates the image in the minds of those living outside the US that we have ulterior motives.

Given these random thoughts, some portions of "Panama Deception" have stood the test of time while others fall flat. Watch it and see for yourself. If you can get beyond the strident tone, perhaps this will be the seed that will help you see that not all the military actions of the United States are something we should be proud of.

Manuel Noriega is no hero, and this film does not in any way try to apologize for him. It is, however, a well documented indictment of U.S. foreign policy in the region leading up to the 1989 invasion. As I was stationed in Panama during the time of the invasion and several months afterward, I can vouch that the allegations made in this film of which I have personal knowledge are accurate. By all means, you owe it to yourself to see this and then make up your own mind.

A courageous look to yet another US invasion of a Latin American country: like Nicargua in the 20's, Dominican Republic in the 60's, and dozens more. The film clearly reflects the reality of a country led by Manuel Noriega, proud graduate of the US School of the Americas, in Ft. Benning, Ga, alma mater of dictators, torturers, murderers wearing uniforms from all over Latin America. In addition, the film uncovers the permanent collusion between the US mainstream media and the political and economic establishment. How come the decimation of Panamanian slums was not on the front pages of The Washington Post, The NY Times, etc.? You will certainly get a hint through this movie. If an invasion of a sovereign country is not outrageous enough, the massacre of countless dispossessed civilians at the hands of a brutal intervention force, certainly is. Get ready to get a shot of reality finely exposed.

I don't know what that person from Miami(below) is talking about? NO credible sources that can validate the high death toll in Panama?? MY FAMILY IS FROM PANAMA and they were there, they lived it along with all of the other PANAMANIANS and you know what else?... There are dozens upon dozens of people in the neighborhood of Chorillo with missing limbs. They are not faking it!! But it seems some people just can't fathom that just because the US has not OFFICIALLY reported it, it doesn't mean it didn't happen! OPEN YOUR EYES PEOPLE! This is not "Anti-American propaganda" It is the truth plain and simple, and if seeking the truth makes us ANTI AMERICAN then we are a truely sad lot indeed!!!

I first saw this film in an ethics college class - I never forgot it - as a former member of the US Armed Forces, I am ashamed of the USA. We went into Panama with the 'idea' of capturing a villain, but instead, we obliterated a city, killing thousands of civilians. This film takes you through the history of the involvement of the USA in Panama, from Theodore Roosevelt to George Bush. I recommend this film to all interested in political meddling and warfare. Spread the word.

I went to Panama right after the US turned over the canal in January, 2000 thanks to our recent great president. I saw the neighborhoods that the US decimated. All I can say is the least we could have done was let them have the Canal after the atrocities that George Bush committed there. There must have been a lot of unhappiness in Panama the day Bush's son took over our government here in the US. No wonder the world is terrified of the US creating Star Wars. See this film of the horrible crimes Bush is responsible for in Panama. It's absolutely disgusting what was done there. I cried.

Its a shame to say this but after watching this video I totally agree on the corporate-run US government terrorizing the poor countries in benefit of the wealthy people. The excuse for US to invade a country is vague and incidents like that can be seen in first world countries and US does not invade them, maybe they only invade the countries they know they can control.
I thing the low rank US military were doing their job, but most high rank military and government personnel knew that the invasion was more about keeping the control of the canal to let those TV's and stereos produced in china get faster and cheaper to the east coast and Europe without paying taxes.
Lets face it people, it's all about money. What a coincidence that every time you see an invasion or a military action of the US against another country you see that there's some US companies or interests established in those countries and US always says that there trying to "protect" democracy and the American people.

The invasion of Panama is one of many military operations in Central America that result from business deals going bad. The business in this case was drug smuggling. Noriega was found out for what he was, a CIA operative that was following orders to facilitate CIA drug running to the US. US criminal boss ,Poppi Bush, had him taken out to rid the world of this drug kingpin who was also head of state. "Panama Deception" shows in grisley detail the results of "Operation Just Cause".

A courageous look to yet another US invasion of a Latin American country: like Nicargua in the 20's, Dominican Republic in the 60's, and dozens more. The film reflects clearly the reality of a country led by Manuel Noriega, proud graduate of the US School of the Americas, in Ft. Benning, Georgia, the alma mater of dictators, torturers, murderers wearing uniforms from all over Latin America. In addition, the film uncovers the permanent collusion between the US mainstream media and the political and economic powers.

Amazing Video... Documentary. I knew something was going on when the local radio station did not announce a Tornado in the area.

The news used to be the news and they would do public announcements, it is a business and when the government jumps into the mix, we the people are left out.

The Panama deception sounds a lot like the guantanamo Bay of the Iraq War. It is shocking and eye opening. Everyone should see it.