• faking numbers of Iraqi security forces
• hiring inexperienced personnel, or personnel with experience and qualifications completely unrelated to the job they were hired to do (National Security and Tennis, anyone?)
• decision making that was often carried out on the go, or by only few individuals without consultation of further expert opinions (Big Decisions, Little Debate)

The whole report can be accessed and searched via the New York Times website, where you can read all the outrageous information for yourself.

The report concludes with a part on “Lessons Learned”, and one can only hope that those lessons will be absorbed by the people in charge of the USA’s other war, as the article points out:

“The United States could soon have reason to consult this cautionary tale of deception, waste and poor planning, as both troop levels and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan are likely to be stepped up under the new administration.”

It’s basically the story of a desperate superhero indulging in alcoholic beverages. So this guy hates his job – but keeps doing it anyway – to the point that the people of Los Angeles wish him to New York City because he usually leaves a big mess every time he’s on a mission. Finally he meets this publicist played by Jason Bateman who wants to help him gain popularity by (among other things) talking him into voluntarily going to jail .

So much for the neat idea and fun part of the movie. I’ll leave out the part in which they find out that the publicist’s wife is actually also a superhero and they both get mortal because of their physical closeness and all that crap.

So the reason for this blog entry is the funny but plausible question that Colbert poses:

The movie is opening shortly before the 4th of July. Is this possibly a metaphor for the USA using their superpowers but messing up so everyone gets mad at them?

Good point! Will Smith wouldn’t approve, though… what a sissy!

Both Mr. Smith and the American government should probably sit down with Joan Jett and take on a little of her attitude – or better yet: do a good job!
(This goes for both summer movies and foreign policy.)

By Semir (double post)

The generous people of the Skizum Studios will not only show the movie for free, but have also dug out an actual Vietnam veteran, who will deliver introductory notes and answer questions after the film. Still need another reason to go? If I understand this correctly, you are also eligible to enter some kind of free sticker drawing, and there will be a party following the screening.

Here’s the trailer, see you Friday!