Video Clips Analysis: A Clip from Flag Day and a Clip from Farmingville - Movie Review Example

VIDEO CLIPS ANALYSIS Video A Clip from "Flag Day" The first video clip is a documentary on the number of the United s’ soldiers who had lost their lives in the war in Iraq. It is believed that close to 1000 soldiers and several civilians lost their dear lives to the war with some remained wounded and maimed for the rest of their lives. Some people lost their lives while others were seriously wounded and are living with permanent scars. The long list of the soldiers is read and a drum beat after the reading of each single name is conducted. The organizers prepared a ground marked with several red flags to symbolize all the people who had lost their lives due to the war. The ground is to serve as a physical remembrance site so that people passing near it will always remember the fallen heroes of the land. The numbers mean differently to various people with some people having to read them allowed each time they pass there. One particular woman who was interviewed admitted that the true happenings in Iraq were far much different from what was being reported by the media as she came to know through her sister who was back from Iraq. The national leaders such as the secretary of defense who are expected to give a real detailed account of the war are not doing so since they are trying not to aggravate the situation. The listing of the specific names of the soldiers and civilians who have lost their lives in Iraq will go ahead to ensure that the people are not forgotten and will always be remembered for many years to come due to their services to the nation. The families of the affected soldiers will always visit the scene to commemorate the lives of their loved ones, some of whom they did not get to view their dead bodies as they were left at the battle fields. Many families have been left in devastating conditions after the loss of their loved ones. Many children have been left without mentors especially fathers to take over the role of bringing up their sons and daughters in a proper way. In the long run, such gaps in the society are likely to impact negatively on the nation with increased cases of crime and illegal activities. The impact of the war in Iraq is not felt only on the battlefields but has reverberated in the homes of the soldiers back in the United States. Soldiers, who do not loose their lives in the war, spend the rest of their lives with both physical and emotional scars which transcends to their families and much worse to the younger generations. It has been reported that children from the army families register high figures of child abuse. Statistical evidence of drug and substance abuse has also been witnessed among the youths with army background. Video 2 A Clip from "Farmingville" The second video clip is mainly concerned about the fate of illegal immigrants in the United States. The Farmingville Latino community members saw the need of engaging in common social activities as a means of promoting their unity as well as addressing their genuine concerns together. It highlights the fate of foreign illegal workers and the need to bring them together. They face a number of challenges such as discrimination and low pay. Several initial attempts to bring them together such as picnics, organized parties and other events did not bear much fruits and it was not until the organizers tried sporting activities such as football that they were able to realize their desire of bringing them together. The group that proved the most challenging to bring together were the men owing to their social beliefs. The community members were to assist in the maintenance of the football pitches so that they could be allowed to take up sporting activities in them. Granting of permission to the illegal immigrants to play soccer as well as maintain the fields did not go well with the local residents who felt that they were loosing their identity to the Latino immigrants. The illegal immigrants are accused of taking up all the available job opportunities, causes massive destruction to the environment and committing rape and murder offences across the United States. The rising cases of illegal aliens have raised a lot of concern and there is an urgent need for the Federal government to address the issue as it has resulted to a lot tension between the local citizens and the illegal aliens. Some countries such as Mexico are deemed to be in support of the movement of its people into the United States illegally since the people invest their resources back home and in the long run make positive contributions towards the economy. The federal government need to locate more funds that can be applied in the prevention measures aimed at reducing illegal immigrants. Illegal immigration causes a big burden to the taxpayers in most states since most of them either avoid or evade paying taxes to the state authorities. Illegal aliens have been reported to be the main contributors to cases of criminal activities in the nation. Thus their continued presence in the United States is a cause to worry especially among those who have already been marked for deportation. Cultural patterns have also been broken down as the illegal immigrants erode the local cultures as they try to assert their own cultural practices in areas where they are dominant such as the Farmingville. The law enforcement authorities need to be on the high alert so as to prevent influx of illegal aliens across the borders of the United States. A crowded housing condition is another negative societal impact that has been caused the continued prevalence of illegal immigrants. Such impacts have been worse felt in the state Pennsylvania in which close to 55,000 households were reported to have been overcrowded in the year 2005. This is due to the fact that illegal immigrants who generally have low pay tend to live together in order to minimize their costs of living leading to very poor living conditions. Video 3 A Clip from "Freeheld" The third video clip portrays the life of Laurel Hester; a police lieutenant who was diagnosed with lung cancer and had limited number of days to live. She wanted her entire pension to be paid to her domestic worker owing to the fact that she had no close family members and that she had been so much attached to her for a long period of time. However, the officials of the Ocean County commonly referred to as Freeholders were of a contrary opinion and denied her the chance to pass over her entire pension to her worker who had become her close friend and partner. In defending her, retired chief of police, Mr. Dick Chinery argued that due to the fact that she had no husband or any close relative meant that she could decide independently on the person to have control over her pension. He further reasoned that her devotion to national service for the past 25 years was enough for the Freeholders to grant her the request. Mr. Chinery recounted the times that they served together with Laurel and how she demonstrated a straight-forward approach in her duties. In an exclusive interview with Laurel, she alluded to the fact that she had devoted her past 25 years to seeking justice for other people hence she also deserved to obtain justice for the woman whom she claimed to have loved very much. In the courtroom many people accompanied her as a sign of solidarity with her which was made evident by the placards that they were carrying as they demanded justice for her. Doug Laverty who is a police officer argued that Laurel was still on the right side of the law which she had vowed to defend and protect hence her plea needed to be granted. William Stemmle supported the lady by reasoning that several years of living together is enough to sanctify a union irrespective of the relationship between the parties. Dane Wells pressed that the matter that was before the court on that day was not different from separate drinking fountains and that the judges were presented with an opportunity to demonstrate equality to all the people. Joseph Vicari who was the director of the freeholder insisted that despite his willingness to always do the right things, his hands in this case were tied up by the state legislation hence he could not grant the request of complainant . The video clip is a portrayal of the strong desire to let go some of the views that have been held by the society for a long period of time. People are willing to stand up for each other when one of their own is faced with a particular challenge. The mounting pressure from the members of the public may compel the freeholders in the long run to re-consider their decision and allow Laurel have her way. The evidence of class struggle arises in the court room by the action of the judges. Despite the fact that they are in a position to rule in favor of Laurel, they proceed to rule against her so that they can protect as well as maintain the status quo. Read More