Has Hollywood Abandoned America?
By Jon Alvarez (12/03/03)
Where has Hollywood gone? Has Hollywood abandoned America? During the events leading up to Operation Iraqi Freedom, we heard the collective cries of the anti-war celebrities as their patriotism and loyalty was called into question. However, at a time when they have had ample opportunity to prove their critics wrong, Hollywood remains conspicuously absent.
Hollywood has once again failed to support America in her time of need. This despite the fact that many celebrities enjoy the lifestyle afforded them due to the patronage of the American public. It's our money spent on movie tickets and DVDs that pays for that lifestyle.
Hollywood initially failed America by emboldening our enemies abroad. Unless you have forgotten, many of the anti-American celebrities in question chose to express their criticism and disdain of America on foreign soil, something that Hollywood of old would have never done. Jessica Lange chose to voice her criticism while in Spain, Johnny Depp and Michael Moore both shared their opinion of "dumb" Americans with the German press, and of course, the Dixie Chicks chose to express their feelings about our president while in concert in England. We cannot discount the fact that Hollywood has traditionally represented American ideals and values to the world. Their words and deeds carry great weight amongst their foreign fans.
While maintaining that they supported the troops, but not the war, the actions of these anti-American celebrities continue to contradict this. Hollywood as a whole has not embraced the spirit of supporting the troops by participating with the USO. How many fundraisers has George Clooney organized to support the families of those killed in action? Certain patriotic actors like Gary Sinise have had to carry the load, just recently returning from his second tour to Iraq. Wayne Newton, Bruce Willis, Drew Carey, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Brian Dennehy are other stars of note who have done their part for the troops. Even the Food Network's famous chef Emeril has gotten in on the act by paying tribute to our military when he aired his Thanksgiving show from McGuire Air Force Base. So where is the rest of Hollywood?
Those celebrities who have been heard from, particularly the ones whose prior words and deeds have earned them a spot on several boycott lists, continue to flaunt their anti-American attitude. Just this week we've come to learn of Tim Robbin's new play titled "Embedded", in which American soldiers in Iraq are portrayed as thieves and killers. The Dixie Chicks have been busy promoting a new CD, so their shameful self-promotion has included renewed criticisms of American policy. Rather than being a force for unity versus a common enemy, rather than showing support for our brave troops in the field, these celebrities continue to speak and act in a selfish and irresponsible manner. Why on earth should Americans buy Johnny Depp's latest DVD release, "Pirates of the Caribbean"? Does he, and those who feel as he does, deserve our money?
P.A.B.A.A.H. (Patriotic Americans Boycotting Anti-American Hollywood) was formed during the spring of 2003 to protest and promote consumer awareness with regards to those in Hollywood who had chosen to speak out in opposition to American interests and the War on Terror. Realizing that hard working Americans provide the very platform from which these entertainers have been able to condemn our great country, P.A.B.A.A.H. has worked diligently with other conservative groups to take away that platform. By failing to support our country in her time of need, we have chosen to no longer support their careers.
P.A.B.A.A.H. not only maintains a detailed list of Hollywood celebrities to be boycotted, but one that also lists patriotic celebrities who do deserve our support. We should not lose sight of the fact that not a single one of the approximately 140 anti-American celebrities on our boycott list have participated in a USO Tour. We find it ironic that as entertainers, they have not felt the urge to entertain the same troops they professed to support during their participation in the anti-war protests. We find that the actions of these celebrities speak volumes concerning their feelings about our great country.
Perhaps Hollywood is starting to take notice with regards to the public's reaction towards anti-Americanism in Hollywood. They certainly did not miss the message behind the outcry over the CBS mini-series "The Reagans". Distributors have downplayed appearances by anti-American actors Ed Asner and Alec Baldwin in "Elf" and "Cat In The Hat". Miramax has been mum with regards to the next film project of the anti-American director Michael Moore. Public outcry over this profane film will be huge, and Hollywood knows it.
Is it possible that Hollywood is learning an important lesson? Is it possible that we might be treated to more pro-USA movies in the future such as Kurt Russell's "Miracle", depicting the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team's triumph at the Olympics? Ultimately, it's all about the bottom line. We are a capitalistic society in which profit motivates most business decisions. If Hollywood persists in abandoning America, then America might have to abandon Hollywood. We giveth, and we can taketh away.
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