I find the Warholian phenomenon of her celebrity kind of creepy. It is difficult to think of any Hollywood celebrity more deserving of love, recognition and admiration than this brave mom, and it is safe to say she never had any desire at all for fame on these terms, but still, the whole situation seems fraught. Half of me wanted to hug her, to tell her how her courage and strength is inspirational to me. The other half found it difficult to make eye contact, because I can't begin to imagine how terrible it must be to first have to endure such tragedy, and then to gain such sudden renown for it - like a Faustian bargain that one never signed, but whose consequences must be lived out anyway.

As I left the packed screening, I took note of the people around me - the thoughtful questioners, the impassioned activists, the driven filmmaker - and I realized that my initial assessment was wrong. Despite the occasional crackpot question from the audience, I can't think of many places I'd rather spend a Thursday night than in the company of people with strong opinions who, unlike our ruling punditocracy, put their actions and their energies where there mouths are.

The Ground Truth is provocative and eye-opening. Foulkrod is currently giving away copies to civic groups and soldiers who want to screen it - check the project's web site for more info. She hopes to cut a feature length version to be released next spring - insisting that this is not an issue that will go away after November 2. One can only hope Patricia Foulkrod's passion and DIY ethic are contagious - she offers a hopeful alternative to resignation about the war stories we're not being told.

Further Reading

• The Ground Truth Official Site


• Download and watch Going Upriver


• Operation Truth Official Site


• National Gulf War Resource Center Official Site


• Lila Lipscomb's Mother's Tour of Duty


• Arlington West movie


• More from Matthew Poe