War Propaganda: Disneyland goes to war-torn Iraq
Michel Chossudovsky | 29.04.2008 21:12 | Anti-militarism | Anti-racism | Iraq | World
The Baghdad Disneyland-style project has all the essential features of a
PsyOp. It is intended to instill American values and destroy Iraqi
identity.
PsyOp. It is intended to instill American values and destroy Iraqi
identity.
Disneyland goes to war-torn Iraq, with a multi-million dollar entertainment
complex, to be built on a 50 acre lot adjacent to the Green Zone.
The American-style amusement park will feature a skateboard park, rides, a
concert theatre and a museum.
The occupation forces are of the opinion that Baghdad is "lacking in
entertainment". General David Petraeus, is said to be a 'big supporter'' of
bringing Disneyland to Baghdad.
Supported by the Pentagon, an unknown Los Angeles based holding company C3
of private equity investors, will be developing the "Baghdad Zoo and
Entertainment Experience". The park will be designed by Ride and Show
Engineering (RSE), [1]
RSE founders Eduard Feuer and William Watkins pioneered Walt Disney's
"Imagineering", the design and engineering division of the Walt Disney
Company, before setting up RSE as a separate corporate entity.
RSE has developed numerous large scale entertainment complexes around the
world including a project at the Anaheim California Disney Complex.
[Image {1}]
[2]
Ride and Show Engineering Projects [1]
[Image {2}]
FloorRide
[Image {3}]
Animated Bridge
[Image {4}]
Large Scale
Source RSE website
The American Dream
The entertainment park is an integral part of war propaganda.
Establishing an American cultural outpost in an occupied land serves to
uphold the legitimacy of the invaders and their Worldwide "cultural
values".
Most of the country's cultural and educational infrastructure including
museums, schools, universities, parks, theaters, cinemas have been
destroyed and now the invaders are "helping to rebuild".
Under this reconstruction effort, America is to donate 200,000 skateboards
to Iraqi children.
Through Hollywood imagery, the Baghdad style Disneyland is intended to
nurture Iraqi public opinion, to mould a pro-American view of the World.
[Image {5}]
[Image {6}]
[Image {7}]
Designs of the Baghdad Park
Copyright John March
Through the use of motion based simulations and sophisticated entertainment
equipment, the harsh daily realities of poverty and military occupation are
replaced by a World of fiction and fantasy.
The concept underlying Disney's Imagineering (developed by RSE) is to
"overcome the barriers between reality and dreams".
The objective is to replace reality by a dream world.
Iraq's daily realities of death, destruction and torture are replaced by a
"Dream World Made in America".
The imagery and motion simulations intended for Iraqi children and
adolescents provide a "human face" to the American invaders.
The project constitutes a despicable form of war propaganda. It is a
cover-up of the extensive war crimes committed against the Iraqi people in
the name of an illusory "American Dream".
The project will take possession of the existing Al Zawra park and Baghdad
Zoo, which was ransacked when US troops entered Baghdad in April 2003.
[Image {8}]
Al Zawra park
Also in April 2003, Iraq's archeological treasures were looted with the
support of American invaders. The pillaging of Iraq's cultural heritage was
a premeditated act. The looters were protected by the invaders.
And now the looters return to Baghdad with a new museum
Psychological Warfare
The Baghdad Disneyland-style project has all the essential features of a
PsyOp. It is intended to instill American values and destroy Iraqi
identity.
"The people [of Iraq] need this kind of positive influence. Its going to
have a huge psychological impact," said Mr. Werner of C3.
In a cruel irony the PsyOp target group are Iraqi Children:
"There are all sorts of investment opportunities all over Iraq. But it's
not just hydrocarbons. Half the Iraqi population is under the age of 15.
These kids really need something to do," (Mr. Brinkley, quoted in The
Times, April 24, 2008)
Iraq's cultural heritage is destroyed.
The historical memory of Mesopotamia is wiped out.
US investors are to "bring badly needed fun" to the war theater.
The sponsor of project Mr. Llewellyn Werner says the time is ripe for a
"fun park":
"I think people will embrace it. They'll see it as an opportunity for their
children regardless if they're Shia or Sunni. They'll say their kids
deserve a place to play and they'll leave it alone."
According to a spokesman for the US installed Iraqi regime:
'There is a shortage of entertainment in the city. Cinemas can't open.
Playgrounds can't open. The fun park is badly needed for Baghdad. Children
don't have any opportunities to enjoy their childhood.'' Mr al-Dabbagh
added that entry to the park would be strictly controlled." (Times, April
23, 2008)
Children don't have any opportunities to enjoy their childhood?
What kind of childhood can be "enjoyed" in a land where public
infrastructure, including schools and hospitals have been transformed into
rubble?
Imagine the road-blocks and military check points that impoverished Iraqi
children will have to go through to see Mickey Mouse...
The US investment company will essentially take possession of municipal
lands in an undisclosed deal reached with the Mayor of Baghdad.
At the moment the site is occupied by the Al-Zawra park and zoo, where
Baghdad residents gather on weekends. The park is typically Iraqi with
ponds, fountains, sculptures, and children's playgrounds.
"Everything Here is for Profit"
The site is a functioning national park, which is slated for privatization.
It is prime real estate for the US investors. The California holding
company C3 plans to use the land for lucrative investments in hotels and
upscale housing: 'I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't making money'':
Mr Werner will retain exclusive rights to housing and hotel developments,
which he says will be both culturally sensitive and enormously
profitable... I also have this wonderful sense that we're doing the right
thing - we're going to employ thousands of Iraqis. But mostly everything
here is for profit.''
[Image {9}]
Iraqi youth attend a concert in Al-Zawra amusement park during Eid al-Fitr,
a national holiday to celebrate the end of the Muslim holy month of
Ramadan, in Baghdad October 14, 2007.
[Image {10}]
An Iraqi soldier talks to youths as they
queue outside al-Zawra park in central
Baghdad during the Eid al-Adha festivities
in December 2007. (Photo: Khalil al-Murshidi
/ AFP-Getty Images)
video of Al Zawra Park in 1971 [3]
[1] http://www.rideshow.com/aboutus_index.html
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Walt_Disney_Imagineering.png
[3] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLrQu_WJ3TA
complex, to be built on a 50 acre lot adjacent to the Green Zone.
The American-style amusement park will feature a skateboard park, rides, a
concert theatre and a museum.
The occupation forces are of the opinion that Baghdad is "lacking in
entertainment". General David Petraeus, is said to be a 'big supporter'' of
bringing Disneyland to Baghdad.
Supported by the Pentagon, an unknown Los Angeles based holding company C3
of private equity investors, will be developing the "Baghdad Zoo and
Entertainment Experience". The park will be designed by Ride and Show
Engineering (RSE), [1]
RSE founders Eduard Feuer and William Watkins pioneered Walt Disney's
"Imagineering", the design and engineering division of the Walt Disney
Company, before setting up RSE as a separate corporate entity.
RSE has developed numerous large scale entertainment complexes around the
world including a project at the Anaheim California Disney Complex.
[Image {1}]
[2]
Ride and Show Engineering Projects [1]
[Image {2}]
FloorRide
[Image {3}]
Animated Bridge
[Image {4}]
Large Scale
Source RSE website
The American Dream
The entertainment park is an integral part of war propaganda.
Establishing an American cultural outpost in an occupied land serves to
uphold the legitimacy of the invaders and their Worldwide "cultural
values".
Most of the country's cultural and educational infrastructure including
museums, schools, universities, parks, theaters, cinemas have been
destroyed and now the invaders are "helping to rebuild".
Under this reconstruction effort, America is to donate 200,000 skateboards
to Iraqi children.
Through Hollywood imagery, the Baghdad style Disneyland is intended to
nurture Iraqi public opinion, to mould a pro-American view of the World.
[Image {5}]
[Image {6}]
[Image {7}]
Designs of the Baghdad Park
Copyright John March
Through the use of motion based simulations and sophisticated entertainment
equipment, the harsh daily realities of poverty and military occupation are
replaced by a World of fiction and fantasy.
The concept underlying Disney's Imagineering (developed by RSE) is to
"overcome the barriers between reality and dreams".
The objective is to replace reality by a dream world.
Iraq's daily realities of death, destruction and torture are replaced by a
"Dream World Made in America".
The imagery and motion simulations intended for Iraqi children and
adolescents provide a "human face" to the American invaders.
The project constitutes a despicable form of war propaganda. It is a
cover-up of the extensive war crimes committed against the Iraqi people in
the name of an illusory "American Dream".
The project will take possession of the existing Al Zawra park and Baghdad
Zoo, which was ransacked when US troops entered Baghdad in April 2003.
[Image {8}]
Al Zawra park
Also in April 2003, Iraq's archeological treasures were looted with the
support of American invaders. The pillaging of Iraq's cultural heritage was
a premeditated act. The looters were protected by the invaders.
And now the looters return to Baghdad with a new museum
Psychological Warfare
The Baghdad Disneyland-style project has all the essential features of a
PsyOp. It is intended to instill American values and destroy Iraqi
identity.
"The people [of Iraq] need this kind of positive influence. Its going to
have a huge psychological impact," said Mr. Werner of C3.
In a cruel irony the PsyOp target group are Iraqi Children:
"There are all sorts of investment opportunities all over Iraq. But it's
not just hydrocarbons. Half the Iraqi population is under the age of 15.
These kids really need something to do," (Mr. Brinkley, quoted in The
Times, April 24, 2008)
Iraq's cultural heritage is destroyed.
The historical memory of Mesopotamia is wiped out.
US investors are to "bring badly needed fun" to the war theater.
The sponsor of project Mr. Llewellyn Werner says the time is ripe for a
"fun park":
"I think people will embrace it. They'll see it as an opportunity for their
children regardless if they're Shia or Sunni. They'll say their kids
deserve a place to play and they'll leave it alone."
According to a spokesman for the US installed Iraqi regime:
'There is a shortage of entertainment in the city. Cinemas can't open.
Playgrounds can't open. The fun park is badly needed for Baghdad. Children
don't have any opportunities to enjoy their childhood.'' Mr al-Dabbagh
added that entry to the park would be strictly controlled." (Times, April
23, 2008)
Children don't have any opportunities to enjoy their childhood?
What kind of childhood can be "enjoyed" in a land where public
infrastructure, including schools and hospitals have been transformed into
rubble?
Imagine the road-blocks and military check points that impoverished Iraqi
children will have to go through to see Mickey Mouse...
The US investment company will essentially take possession of municipal
lands in an undisclosed deal reached with the Mayor of Baghdad.
At the moment the site is occupied by the Al-Zawra park and zoo, where
Baghdad residents gather on weekends. The park is typically Iraqi with
ponds, fountains, sculptures, and children's playgrounds.
"Everything Here is for Profit"
The site is a functioning national park, which is slated for privatization.
It is prime real estate for the US investors. The California holding
company C3 plans to use the land for lucrative investments in hotels and
upscale housing: 'I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't making money'':
Mr Werner will retain exclusive rights to housing and hotel developments,
which he says will be both culturally sensitive and enormously
profitable... I also have this wonderful sense that we're doing the right
thing - we're going to employ thousands of Iraqis. But mostly everything
here is for profit.''
[Image {9}]
Iraqi youth attend a concert in Al-Zawra amusement park during Eid al-Fitr,
a national holiday to celebrate the end of the Muslim holy month of
Ramadan, in Baghdad October 14, 2007.
[Image {10}]
An Iraqi soldier talks to youths as they
queue outside al-Zawra park in central
Baghdad during the Eid al-Adha festivities
in December 2007. (Photo: Khalil al-Murshidi
/ AFP-Getty Images)
video of Al Zawra Park in 1971 [3]
[1] http://www.rideshow.com/aboutus_index.html
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Walt_Disney_Imagineering.png
[3] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLrQu_WJ3TA
Michel Chossudovsky
Homepage:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=8837