'Boys from Baghdad High' is a riveting HBO documentary worth sitting down to watch

The other night, I had little to do. So, as I do every time I'm bored, I searched my digital cable lineup for something to watch. Though it wasn't on when I'd be awake, I saw something called "The Boys from Baghdad High." It was a documentary about four teenagers — all living in the war zone of Iraq, and all of whom were entering their senior year of high school — who were given video cameras to document their school year.

All four of the teens knew each other, though some were better friends with others. They weren't a traveling group of friends, so to speak.

Three were Muslim and one was Christian. They Muslims were from different sects. And yet, all four went to school with each other, and without issues — hardly the way things were in their very surroundings.

When all was said and done, the producers of the show took some 300 hours worth of footage and packed it into a 90-minute documentary that was some of the most riveting television that I've ever seen outside of "24" and "ER." 

Perhaps it was the sheer reality that what was on the screen was as real as it gets. Perhaps it's the notion that I can relate to the lives of teenagers having spent years as a teacher. Perhaps it's the shocking value of seeing these kids struggle as teens do with teen issues — girls, academics, family, growing up — all as guns were being used, as explosions were happening, as buildings burned, right in their very own neighborhoods.

The documentary brought to life the War in Iraq — a war we often only see in 30-second sound bites on the news or on cable. It brought to life the harsh reality that kids, just like the kids we know in this country, struggle with day-to-day issues. But unlike their American counterparts, they've got to deal with the horrors of war. They've got to worry about getting shot at and killed as they drive from their homes to school. They've got to worry about whether they'll be able to keep the electricity running through the night with their power generators, since electricity is staggered throughout Iraq.

Yes, the Iraqi teens are a lot like American teens. They wear ripped Abercrombie jeans. They listen to hip-hop. They like to use the Internet. They worry about whether they'll do well enough to go on to university. But seeing the side shows they deal with — seeing their incredible struggle to survive — demonstrates just how difficult this war is ... how difficult life in Iraq is ... how different things are for the teens of the United States of America.

"Boys from Baghdad High" is absolutely worth a watch. If you have onDemand and HBO, you can watch the program anytime through August. Check listings for other air times. 

If you watch the documentary, be forewarned: some of the scenes are hard to fathom. One thing's for sure though — if you don't come away after watching the show with a better appreciation for what we have here in America, then nothing, I repeat, nothing, will ever affect you in any way.

Rothman votes againt further Iraq War spending

U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman, D-Fairlawn, a vocal member of the Out of Iraq Caucus, opposed further funding for the war in Iraq if it is not linked to the safe redeployment of U.S. troops out of Iraq. The congressman issued the following statement about his vote:

“Tonight, I voted against a $165.4 billion funding bill for the war in Iraq. At a time when Americans are facing rising food costs, higher prices at the pump, home foreclosures and failing roads, sewers and bridges, it is irresponsible to continue to misuse our military forces, and misspend our finite U.S. tax dollars to continue to police the Iraq civil war. With no clear end in sight, estimates show that the war in Iraq could ultimately cost the United States up to $3 trillion. The Department of Defense is spending an estimated $10.3 billion a month on operating costs in Iraq — while here at home our economic resources are exhausted.

“I will only support funding for the Iraq war if it is linked to beginning the immediate redeployment of U.S. troop from there. Our failed Iraq policy has resulted in the deaths of over 4,000 American troops and left nearly 30,000 of our soldiers wounded. It has stretched our military to the breaking point and strained military families with repeated and lengthy deployments.

“I have and will continue to fight efforts to provide federal funds for the war in Iraq unless that money is used to bring our brave young men and women home. It is long past time for the U.S. to redeploy all servicemen and women out of Iraq, maintaining a rapid action force in neighboring countries, just over the Iraqi horizon. Democrats and Republicans alike must work together to develop a foreign policy strategy that focuses on real threats to America’s security, not on policing civil wars half a world away.”

Read more about Rothman's views on the Iraq War at: http://rothman.house.gov/topic_iraqwar.htm.

Rothman votes against further Bush War funding

U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman, D-Fairlawn, a vocal member of the Out of Iraq Caucus, voted against providing the Bush Administration with any new funding to prosecute its failed war in Iraq. Rothman has pledged to only support new funding for Iraq that is linked to the safe redeployment of U.S. troops out of Iraq. Rothman issued the following statement about his vote:

"I remain resolute in my opposition to any new funding for the Bush Administration's failed policy in Iraq unless the money is for the protection and safe redeployment of our troops out of Iraq. Over 42,000 New Jerseyans in the Armed Forces and Reserves have been sent to Iraq since the Iraq War began. All of these men and women are courageous and have earned their country's deepest gratitude and respect. It is the American government's responsibility to bring our troops home. Our country must have a foreign policy that makes more sense than policing an Iraqi civil war for the next 100 years."

Read more about Congressman Rothman's views on the Iraq War by clicking here.