We just got back from seeing Fahrenheit 9/11. It was a powerful movie. I think if an undecided voter saw it, it could well tip them away from re-electing Bush. Of course, technically speaking he wasn't really elected the first time around. But you know what I mean.

This was clearly a movie made by an American, for Americans. There was some focus on the cost of the war for the people of Afghanistan and Iraq, but the primary focus seemed to be on the cost to US soldiers. And it is a terrible cost. But while many of those kids signed up because they didn't really have any other options, nevertheless they did have some element of choice in their decision. Unlike the Iraqi people, who certainly didn't choose to be embroiled in W's business interests.

The part of the movie that shocked me most was when some US soldiers described how they hook up the sound system in their tanks so that they can hear their music playing in their helmets, so they pick out, essentially, music to kill to. Music, they said, that gets them pumped up and ready for action. Like it's a video game, soundtrack and all.

The US news really insulates the public from images of the ugly face of war. Lots of flag-waving and saluting, not much blood or tears. The British press, for instance, does a much better job of showing the reality of war. I was really struck by the difference in coverage these last few weeks when I was in the UK. So a lot of the footage of wounded Iraqi civilians and American soldiers may shock Americans much more than it would people in other parts of the world, becauses the US news is so very sanitised.

I cried throughout a lot of the movie and I wasn't alone. Listening to a mom talking about losing her soldier son, hearing her read his last letter ... seeing US soldiers who'd lost limbs in Iraq ... seeing dead and injured Iraqi children ... it was heartbreaking.

I feel a really strong need to be around peaceful people right now. I'm thinking of asking our Quaker friend to take me to her next meeting. I think it would be restful to be among completely non-violent people. Not that us UU's are at all war-like - but I want to be with people who have a totally clearcut policy on violence and war.