Another Extreme Solution

Three Hong Kong reporters were beaten and arrested for dubious reasons in Xinjiang two weeks ago. The mistreatment and false accusations triggered protests and demands for clarification. Though I was angry and saddened by this incident, the first thing that came to mind was how to fight back.

As two of the detained reporters were getting beat up, the third reporter was able to record the incident with his camera. Unfortunately, the tape was confiscated during his detention. What to do?

Maybe the awesome TV show The Unit was still fresh in my mind, so I thought of covert operations. When reporters are in a sensitive area such as China, they should bring along a "covert reporter". This covert reporter will be outfitted with sophisticated spy glasses with a built in camera and microphone. If trouble arises, the covert reporter will spring into action and casually record the whole incident.

Regular TV stations can't officially release footage? I agree. The covert operation should stay secret. This covert operation must remain a secret for the sake of future missions. So instead of the TV station admitting it was their footage. First release it anonymously on a Chinese YouTube-esque website, then broadcast the video on the local news, claiming it was taken and uploaded by a random person on the scene. Let those violent keystone cops know that there's always someone watching.

Again, it's one of my bizzaro solutions to one of the world's troubles that will never happen. When you get beaten up and falsely accused of "inciting public disorder".

The Unit

Recently picked up a new TV series called The Unit. It is an action drama based on Eric L. Haney's book, Inside Delta Force. The TV series tells stories of the US Army's most elite special forces units. It involves their missions, their lives at home. One constant background story is the problematic task of keeping the unit and it's operators' identities secret.

I first discovered The Unit after watching David Mamet's Spartan, starring Val Kilmer. That film had Val Kilmer playing a Black Ops operator, and it was done in the typical Mamet style that I very much enjoy. The authenticity of the film came from Haney, who was the technical consultant for Spartan. The Unit was created by Mamet, and heavily influenced by Haney and his book.

I like The Unit for its authenticity and the extremely high level at which these unit members operate. They are very competent and versatile. Not only are their strength and skill top notch, but they also display an extremely high level of intelligence. They are the most elite soldiers in the world, and you can totally imagine them being successful in whatever profession they may have otherwise chosen. Actually, they aren't just elite soldiers, they are elite human beings.

These guys are the real Jack Bauers, but without all the bullshit that comes with 24. I'm sick and tired of Bauer's unlimted strength, unlimited luck, and his endless stupid yelling and screaming. However, if you did indeed like 24, then perhaps you'll be delighted to find out that Dennis Haysbert plays the extremely cool main character in The Unit.

I don't suppose The Unit is for everyone, but if you liked Black Hawk Down and/or books about the most elite soldiers in the world, check it out.