Jingoistic claptrap or Moral Masterpiece (very mild spoilers)

Rating: 7/10 (7 June 2002)

I'm concerned both about the people who love this movie as well as the people who hate it. Either way I think Friedkin should be satisfied because ultimately he achieves his stated goal (DVD commentary); he gets us talking about the issues and moral questions the film touches upon. His intention is not to meld our views to his. Some of the more interesting issues follow:

Does the U.S. have a moral obligation to sacrifice its military members when not to do so would mean war for the U.S. and more killing? (Utilitarian dilemma)
What is the nature of the obligation that our nation's politicians have toward our military members? Should we underwrite their mistakes or hang them out to dry? Abandon them, like we did subsequent to Viet Nam? Underwrite their questionable deeds the way we did in Somalia?

What is the nature of men in arm's moral responsibility when under fire? Can we civilians hold military men morally culpable for crimes committed, with the best of intentions, in the heat of battle? Is there something here that military men understand, yet civilians do not? Is it always as simple as establishing a set of rules?
Why does Islamic world seem to hate the U.S.? Are there radical factions that plot against us? Who would take advantage of an incident to turn a friendly country into one that hates the U.S. by plotting to 1) Stage a peaceful demonstration 2) Make sure the security cameras record a peaceful situation, then blow out the cameras and provoke the Americans to kill a crowd that is firing against them? This seems far fetched, but it's the standard terrorist modus operandi, e.g., Shining Path in Peru.
Finally, many have criticized plot holes that simply are not there if one thinks the situations through. The politicians motive, the engagement of the crowd, the importance of the flag, the lack of witnesses, the Viet Namese Colonel's salute, why Jackson's character chooses Lee to defend him, the friends at the farewell, Jackson's character standing up while warning the rest of snipers: all have plausible explanations. See the movie with some friends and discuss.