Hella Nation - Evan Wright [168]
Breitbart, who expresses his views in less genocidal terms, says simply, “Liberals have a vested interest in defeat since a loss in Iraq will put their favorite politicians back in power.” With unruly blond hair and a tattered button-down shirt, Breitbart resembles an overgrown prep school stoner. He nods toward Dollard. “There’s nobody else like him on the conservative side. This is the birth of a new voice. It’s like a star is born. Pat’s story with all of its glorious imperfection needs to be told. What I want is for Pat to be known by every kid on the street and them to go, ‘That guy is gnarly.’”
The screening—a series of interviews Pat conducted with Marines complaining about the liberal bias of the media—concludes with polite applause.
Back in the kitchen, Ann Coulter resumes her assault on the guacamole and chips. A Marine whom Dollard invited to the viewing stands in a loud yet somehow tasteful plaid sport coat, describing to Coulter the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by insurgents in Iraq. The Marine explains that insurgent groups now operate civil affairs groups that go into villages and instruct the locals on how to fool the Americans. “Like they tell Iraqis to just smile when we come to their houses and say, ‘We love America,’ even if they support the insurgency,” the Marine says.
“You’re kidding,” Coulter says. “And we just can’t kill all those villagers?”
The Marine shoots her a quizzical look.
“No wonder we’re losing the war.”
A male guest approaches, slips Coulter his number and delivers what must be the ultimate pick-up line at a conservative party. “I’m having dinner tomorrow night with Richard Perle. Would you like to join us?”
I find Dollard on the balcony conferring with a producer. The producer tells him he could help him walk into a major studio and get a deal. Dollard listens attentively. The producer says, “My problem is the title. Young Americans—I don’t like it.”
One thing you can’t criticize is Dollard’s title. He believes it is not only one of the best things he’s ever come up with but that it’s been plagiarized at the highest levels. He believes that last summer President Bush himself checked out his website, saw the trailer, and began slipping the phrase “young Americans” into speeches as a not-so-subtle nod to his film. Dollard turns from the producer and pulls the last cigarette from a pack of Marlboro Lights. “Fuck, I’m out.”
The producer slinks back into the living room. Dollard lights his last cigarette and looks up at the twinkling lights on the hills. I point out that he is now essentially back at a Hollywood party.
“It’s like I never left,” he says.
I remind him of his e-mail arguing that Los Angeles needs to be wiped off the face of the planet.
“After I get my deal.” Dollard shrugs. “Fuck that. I just want to get back to Ramadi this spring. I’m supposed to die there.”
He turns to me. “Dude, drive down to a gas station and buy me some cigarettes.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to make grateful acknowledgment to: the publishers who gave me the opportunity to work, Larry Flynt, Sue Horton, Jann Wenner and Graydon Carter. Without the madness of Dana Brown at Vanity Fair, Pat Dollard’s War would never have been chronicled. Ari Emanuel, Richard Abate, Greg Hodes, Tom Wellington, Jason Spitz and Susan Solomon are warriors all. Kate Lee, Robert Lazar and Josh Hornstock have earned undying recognition for their dedication to the grand struggle. Alex Kohner, Amy Chai, Eric Blank and Dan Prinz deserve that special circle of perdition for good-hearted attorneys whose wise counsel I intend to follow someday. Some of the teachers who helped with this project are Martha Brown, Clyde Henry, Peter Scott, Robert Hawkes, Bruce Carr, Everett