Platoon: Weed Vs. Beer

[BigVTDave]

So, the movie Platoon.

One of the best Vietnam war movies IMO, and most people (at least a lot of them on imdb.com, and I kinda agree) think it's about Good versus Evil with Sgt. Elias representing the Good and Sgt. Barnes representing the Evil. And the whole movie is really all about the grunts in the platoon choosing which to follow.

But something that's always made me think: Elias and the "good" group definitely smoked up constantly, and Barnes at least appeared to prefer alcohol, like in that one scene where he comes into the smokeout tent, and talks about "I don't need that shit to escape from reality, I AM reality", he's got a fifth of Jack Daniels he's chugging from.

So that makes me curious. Think about yourself and your friends. Everybody I know at least is either definitely defined as mostly a Stoner or mostly a Drinker - though of course plenty do both, but you know what I mean. Was Oliver North trying to support weed and say it was inherently "good"? Or maybe that the inherent philosophies that go along with pot smoking (Peace, relaxation, sitting on the couch, killing doritos) naturally leads to a moralely superior lifestyle then drinking and it's effects (Violence, driving drunk, hitting on skanky chicks at the bar)?

I thought it was a pretty interesting idea, dunno, what do the rest of you think?

imdb link [ here ]

BigVTDave Reviewed by BigVTDave on 05-07-2007. Platoon: Weed Vs. Beer So, the movie Platoon. One of the best Vietnam war movies IMO, and most people (at least a lot of them on imdb.com, and I kinda agree) think it's about Good versus Evil with Sgt. Elias representing the Good and Sgt. Barnes representing the Evil. And the whole movie is really all about the grunts in the platoon choosing which to follow. But something that's always made me think: Elias and the "good" group definitely smoked up constantly, and Barnes at least appeared to prefer alcohol, like Rating: 5

[FreeVenice]

All that movie showed about weed is that it's a good time plain and simple, it doesn't matter where you are.

[Bodom Children Of]

yes, weed brings people together so yes probably the movie showed support of the drug. but the ironic twist, when he takes the hit from the shotgun is it showing drugs are deadly?

[Eazy]

i think showed a somthign else, my dad told me that when eh was in vietnam that the black us troops had a tendency to stay away from the white guys and it was only in the guy who had been there a while who would be with them, he said he thinks it was becos that alot of the guys where rednecks, dunno if he was right or not or wat eva

weed reduces racial segregation,

on dat note i 1st toke wit another white guy after that i hung and still do with people from al lraces more its kidna a social bridge

[geonagual]

I think it showing that people that partake are more understanding to thier surroundings and tend to make a decision based on heart, not on feelings.
Drunks are just friggin stupid. IMO

[FreeVenice]

yes, weed brings people together so yes probably the movie showed support of the drug. but the ironic twist, when he takes the hit from the shotgun is it showing drugs are deadly?

There is actual footage of people smoking out a shotgun, it was a reenactment. . .

[Oneironaut]

Yeah, they used to do that shit all the time in 'Nam. That's where the word "shotgun" comes from, referring to a hit blown from one person's mouth into another.

Soldiers Ride Shotgun In Vietnam - Google Video

[Dutch Pimp]

i think showed a somthign else, my dad told me that when eh was in vietnam that the black us troops had a tendency to stay away from the white guys and it was only in the guy who had been there a while who would be with them, he said he thinks it was becos that alot of the guys where rednecks, dunno if he was right or not or wat eva

weed reduces racial segregation,

on dat note i 1st toke wit another white guy after that i hung and still do with people from al lraces more its kidna a social bridge

...you nailed it..Dude....:thumbsup: ....

[Eazy]

thanks D Pimp rep plus

[Dutch Pimp]

So, the movie Platoon.

One of the best Vietnam war movies IMO, and most people (at least a lot of them on imdb.com, and I kinda agree) think it's about Good versus Evil with Sgt. Elias representing the Good and Sgt. Barnes representing the Evil. And the whole movie is really all about the grunts in the platoon choosing which to follow.

But something that's always made me think: Elias and the "good" group definitely smoked up constantly, and Barnes at least appeared to prefer alcohol, like in that one scene where he comes into the smokeout tent, and talks about "I don't need that shit to escape from reality, I AM reality", he's got a fifth of Jack Daniels he's chugging from.

So that makes me curious. Think about yourself and your friends. Everybody I know at least is either definitely defined as mostly a Stoner or mostly a Drinker - though of course plenty do both, but you know what I mean. Was Oliver North trying to support weed and say it was inherently "good"? Or maybe that the inherent philosophies that go along with pot smoking (Peace, relaxation, sitting on the couch, killing doritos) naturally leads to a moralely superior lifestyle then drinking and it's effects (Violence, driving drunk, hitting on skanky chicks at the bar)?

I thought it was a pretty interesting idea, dunno, what do the rest of you think?

imdb link [ here ]

...it's the classic struggle...good verses evil....both Barnes and Elias were "lifers"..long time soldiers...as opposed to "short timers"...(draftees)...like myself....