Pol demands actress apologize for 9/11 remarks

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://www.newsday.com:/entertainment/nyc-gyll0426,0,7942473.story?vote17294341=1

Pol demands actress apologize for 9/11 remarks

By Lauren Johnston
NYNewsday.com

April 25, 2005


A city councilman today demanded a public apology from actress Maggie Gyllenhaal for remarks she made suggesting the U.S. bears some responsibility for the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on the World Trade Center.

"I think it's awful what she said, that somehow we as Americans are responsible for the attacks," said Councilman Tony Avella, who represents District 19 in Queens.

Gyllenhaal, 27, a native of the Lower East Side, stars in the new film "The Great New Wonderful," which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and centers on New York City life in the aftermath of the attacks.

"I think what's good about the movie is that it deals with 9/11 in such a subtle, open way that I think it allows it to be more complicated than just, 'Oh, look at these poor New Yorkers and how hard it was for them,'" Gyllenhaal said in red carpet comments Friday to cable channel NY1.
"Because I think America has done reprehensible things and is responsible in some way and so I think the delicacy with which it's dealt allows that to sort of creep in," she said.

POLL:

What do you think?


Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal is being criticized for remarks suggesting the U.S. bears some responsibility for the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. What do you think?

39.1%
I disagree and think she should apologize for the remarks. (277 responses)

25.3%
I agree with her position. (179 responses)

19.9%
I disagree but think she has a right to voice her opinion. (141 responses)

1.8%
I don't have an opinion either way. (13 responses)

13.8%
I think this incident has been blown out of proportion. (98 responses)

708 total responses

<</SNIP>>

[mutus_frutex]

1. A majority of americans have a very superficial understanding of history.

They barely know about incidents that make the US very similar to a banana republic. So it's understandable that they will try to silence those that refer to the facts.

Cheers.

[katty]

25. Many Americans just don't care about U.S. history

or any world history--'cause and effect' is not something Americans are inclined to ponder at any length.

[mutus_frutex]

53. What is worst:

They have a distorted image of the history of the US. The awakening that happened in the 60's and 70's (which were probably a reaction to the 40's and 50's) seem to have waned. I think that a majority of americans have this "America can do no wrong" kind of mentality. Even in this thread you can witness that.

Cheers.

[whistle]

2. That looks to me like 60.5% either agree with her or her..

...her right to express her opinion.

<snip>

Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal is being criticized for remarks suggesting the U.S. bears some responsibility for the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. What do you think?

39.5% I disagree and think she should apologize for the remarks. (312 responses)

25.2% I agree with her position. (199 responses)

19.6% I disagree but think she has a right to voice her opinion. (155 responses)

1.9% I don't have an opinion either way. (15 responses)

13.7% I think this incident has been blown out of proportion. (108 responses)

789 total responses

[sabra]

3. Don't you love how they word these polls?

[erichzann]

4. I think someone should apologize if:

-- they personally slander (in the legal sense) somonone else.
-- they use inappropriately offensive rhetoric such as extreme racial slurs which are totally unnecessary to making their point
-- they can be demonstratively show to be outright lieing with their remarks, or make a claim that is discredited.

Otherwise, I don't care what the opinion is - no matter how wrong I think it is - I don't believe people should ever apologize for exercising their first ammendment right to speak an opinion.

In this case, I agree with her opinion. But I don't agree with the opinions of Bill O'reilly. But when he's not lying, I don't think he should ever be asked to apologize for giving them. I think we need to be very careful when we demand that people apologize for speaking their opinion just because we don't like it. When Jerry Fallwell (or someone) said that 9/11 was God's punishment for sin, that statement infuriated me. But at the same time, that's the price I pay in a free society.

I would rather protect his right to free speech, becuase its my right too. And I would rather that there were scores of people responding to his comments and totally discrediting them - which is exactly what happened. Scores of religious leaders and activists critiqued his statement into total irrelevance. And it became yet one more thing he said that totally backfired and underscore to many americans just how insane he actually is....

That said, he shouldn't apologize for saying it. I'm worried about a society in which we demand people apologize for giving their opinion, no matter how messed up it is. And of course likewise, in this case there should be no apology.

[suegeo]

54. I think Jerry is scary.

Falwell is a jackass, and he should have said "Sorry" for his statement on Robertson's show and he should have retracted his ugly words.

He blamed the attack on feminists and gays, and other scapegoats. Emotions were running high and revenge was on everyone's mind. Through his statement, the bad reverend Jackass could have fomented violence against these groups.

Yeah, I guess you have a right to an opinion, but his opinion could have gotten some innocent people hurt. So, keep your yap shut, Jerry, until the FACTS are in.

[MrModerate]

5. I think she phrased it clumsily -- remember that most actors . . .

Don't write their own lines.

But the plain truth of the matter is that something motivated 19 people and their handlers to visit death on New York and Washington on that day.

Did they do it because they "hated our freedom?"

Pul-eeze.

They did it (to simplify hugely) because they believed: that we were a legitimate target; that American and the West had done them such wrongs that we had to pay; that America was a threat to their way of life and their faith.

Did that give them a "right" to kill 3,000 people? Of course not, any more than our suffering the horror of 9/11 gave us the right to murder tens of thousands of Iraqis.

But did they do it in response to our behaviors? Of course they did. What behaviors did they consider so evil? Well, impiety and the dangerous freedom exercised by Western women; mass production of soul-destroying popular entertainment; our alliances with the wicked despots all around the Middle East; and our foolish and wicked support of Israel.

Maybe the word Maggie should have used was not "responsible" -- but to pretend to complete innocence is a pure lie. They hate us not for our freedom, but because we're rich bullies who fling our way of life in their face and tell them to like it.

And we're surprised when some of them go over the edge and attempt to hurt us?

[Barrett808]

6. Considering that we largely created the Islamic insurgency in Afghanistan

Then allowed it to take over the country, I would say, "Yes, the US bears some responsibility."

And if you start looking into how these pilots appeared at a mobbed-up pilot training company in Florida (http://madcowprod.com/), you have to start wondering about US complicity.

[AlCzervik]

7. wow, what a small poll and 431 either agree or agree she has freedom of

speech and 277 think she should say i'm sorry, freedom of speech wins here. The title of is misleading.

[MADem]

8. See what happens when you read too quickly???? A cautionary tale!

I glance at the post, and I say to myself, why is this woman saying that BEARS had something to do with 911? And why is a politician dignifying such silliness with outrage? Then, I'm thinking, does she mean the Chicago Bears? Was Refrigerator Perry somehow involved????

Fortunately, I focused, and carefully read the whole thing.

Amazing how people who claim to represent freedom are so eager to deny freedom of speech to those with whom they disagree!!!

[slor]

9. When is the chimp going to apologize...

for his catastrophic ignorance?

[AlCzervik]

10. silly!

[mcscajun]

11. New Headline: Pol Demands Media Attention by Attacking Free Speech

The actress in question may or may not be an airhead, I don't know; but she's entitled to an opinion, even if clumsily stated. Nobody was directly attacked, and she shouldn't have to apologize.

But the local pol does get a chance to polish the apple, and bask in its reflection for a while.

[Demit]

12. Does anyone know if "demanding apologies" is in the Repub handbook?

As a way to avoid saying "I disagree"? It's a way to be confrontational, and act aggrieved, and to take the attention off of the sense--the meaning-- of what was actually said. It's so fucking Rovian. Actually I think it's getting old, too, this trumped-up outrage, and I hope the poll results reflect that people are finally getting hip to it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. I think, when you read, "Confessions of an Economic Hitman"

it makes you wonder why it didn't happen sooner.

Mind you, it's not "America's" fault. It's the fault of a very select group of corporate-militariest who probably were the first American globalist.

I have every bit of confidence that once middle America learns of the shenanigans that have been committed in their name, that they will do the right thing to bring integrity back to our country.

[donheld]

14. Let her voice be heard

American's can't handle the truth.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bearfan454]

17. Bush LIHOP

Plain and simple.

[sandnsea]

18. Deserve isn't the same thing as partially responsible

Nobody deserves bad things happening to them. But when bad things happen, most normal people look at their own behavior to see what mistakes they might have made that set the bad thing in motion. Sometimes there is absolutely nothing. Sometimes a kid really does get jumped by a bully in the schoolyard for no reason whatsoever. As often, previous actions contributed to violence. Looking at one's own actions is the only real way to change course in the future. It isn't blaming America first, it's personal responsibility.

The fact is, we created bin laden and his militants to fight Russia. We then abandoned Afghanistan. We then tried to work with the Taliban because of an oil pipeline. Power games and self-interest took precedence over the needs of other people. That's our side of the street.

I was taught that my behavior is not contingent on the behavior of anybody else. If I am wrong, I have to clean up my wrongs. Only then can I go to someone else in full faith to work out differences.

You can call that me blaming myself first, you can call that personal responsibility. Whichever, America needs to do it.

[TahitiNut]

36. Hear, hear! Well said.

It's a GOPhascist trait to blame others for their own behavior.

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Toucano]

37. This one's going to get taken down too.

You have to direct questions about board policy to the administrators via the "Ask the Administrators" forum.

You can find it here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=120

Neither Churchhill nor Maggie want the US to get hit again. That's why they're speaking out.

[Toucano]

16. Why is this simple concept so objectionable to people?

I don't understand what is so hard about having a civil discussion about this.

It just drives some people wild.

[Lorien]

21. Because there are a shocking number of Americans

who can only respond to questions with knee jerk reactions. Simplistic, black and white opinions formed without all the facts are popular these days because they require so little thought to begin with. Facts may lead to moral conflict, which leads to discomfort for many Americans. We can't have that now, can we?

[Toucano]

23. I guess you're right

but it just seems like understanding what happened is so important and enough time has passed that we could start to consider all the possibilities.

But once they've latched on to "they hate us for our freedom", I guess they think there's no need to truly understand.

[Lorien]

33. What's amazing to me

is that so many people seem to not WANT to understand how it happened. As if by understanding, they'll have even more to fear. One tries to start a discussion-even with some fellow liberals-and one often is faced with the equivalent of "lalalalala...I can't HEAR you"! the topic is still too frightening to them. It's easier for them to believe that there are just inherently evil people out there that have all been sucked out of the US and into Iraq for us to kill. The problem, as you know, is that NOT understanding how and why 9/11 happened puts us all in far greater danger for future attacks.

[TahitiNut]

41. It's a regressively infantile response.

Once they get their atrophied egos attached to a throwaway opinion, they clutch it firmly and throw tantrums and hissy-fits when someone offers a better one.

[Lorien]

44. Add to that their idea that a criticism

of America or our government (unless it's a dem controlled government) is an attack on them personally.

I've always said that repugs love their country like infants love their mothers; blindly and instinctively. While democrats love their country like an adult loves another adult; they acknowledge that she can do wrong and they seek to guide her back to a truer path when she's gone off on a corrupt or unhealthy one.

[TahitiNut]

47. It's the delusion that there're some glasses that're only half-full.

:evilgrin:

[Jade Fox]

50. 9/11 allowed Americans....

to completely externalize evil and badness in a foriegn enemy. It also
allowed us to feel like the uncomplicated good guy/victims again.

Many people will cling to that to the bitter end, because they lack other
ways to feel good about themselves.

It has little to do with the actual facts of the situation/

[Lorien]

19. So, we shouldn't care what actors think

but we should "demand" that they apologize for remarks we disagree with? I guess first amendment rights only apply to those who oppose abortion or want prayer in schools. :eyes:

I see nothing wrong with Gyllenhaal's comments. The attacks WERE enabled in part through LIHOP, MIHOP and/or reckless foreign policy... saying that the terrorists killed and were killed because they "hate us for our freedoms" is simplistic to the point of complete absurdity.

[d.l.Green]

55. Anymore, the only attention our infotainment "press" gives to alternative

viewpoints is from entertainers. This is a pol using that attention, acknowledging it at the same time.

And those poor firefighters still standing on their pedestals begging for more idolatry- how dare anyone disagree with them! No one can deny their valiant role in their rescue efforts, but it's part of their job. They act like any hint that the US might have had a hand in 9/11 belittles their heroic stature. It's been a great negotiating tool for their contracts though...:patriot:

[TahitiNut]

20. Anything Maggie Gyllenhaal says is fine with me!

The part she played in 'Secretary' was awesome!
I enjoyed her in 'Mona Lisa Smile' too.

[neuvocat]

22. That man isn't entitled to jack shit!

Not when she gave people something they've needed for years: the truth.

[brentspeak]

24. What a stupid thing for her to say

How exactly were we responsible for what happened on 9/11?

The wacko left-wingers are just as bad as the wacko Freepers. She sounds more like a Ralph Nader supporter than a true Democrat.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lindacooks]

28. And has this politician demanded apologies from Falwell et al??

For blaming 9/11 on God punishing the US for 'leftists and abortionists'??

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lindacooks]

32. Right. Find a link for that.

Sorry, but 'I am sure he did' doesn't cut it.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TahitiNut]

40. "deserve" and "bear some responsibility" are NOT synonymous.

This has been pointed out to you repeatedly. Try to fucking READ!!!

[Hatalles]

45. Apparently you like putting words in people's mouths.

Maggie Gyllenhaal never said the USA deserved 9/11. Your pathetic attempt to paint DU with that right-wing lie doesn't work.

Yes, Osama is a murderer and so were all those terrorists responsible for 9/11 and all who played a part in it deserve to be brought to justice -- but it is completely stupid to ignore the symptoms of 9/11. Unless they have mental problems, every criminal has a motive. It is irresponsible and more damaging in the long run to wage a war against terror without looking at our own role in creating it.

To solve a problem, you must analyze the problem and repair it -- not go at it with a bulldozer.

[Lindacooks]

27. Read your history. Of course the US was partially responsible

for 9/11 - we have a history of oppressing people and supporting brutal dictatorships (i.e. the Saudis). That kind of oppression breeds terrorism. And that's not even taking into account chimpy's criminal lack of action in the months leading up to 9/11.

[JohnyCanuck]

30. Will they ask FBI whistle blower Sibel Edmonds to apologize?

In an exclusive interview on Saturday, we asked Edmonds if she would deny that laundered drug money linked to the 911 attacks found its way into recent House, Senate and Presidential campaign war-chests, according to what she heard in intelligence intercepts she was asked to translate.

"I will not deny that statement; but I cannot comment further on it," she told TomFlocco.com, in a non-denial denial.

<snip>

Criminal evidence in Edmonds’ explosive case is apparently getting too close to Washington officials, since the former contract linguist also told us she would not deny that "once this issue gets to be...investigated, you will be seeing certain people that we know from this country standing trial; and they will be prosecuted criminally," revealing the content of the FBI intercepts she heard indicates that recognizable, very high-profile American citizens are linked to the 911 attacks.

<snip>

So the Bush administration’s Department of Justice enlisted its taxpayer-funded lawyers to petition a Republican U.S. Appeals Court to suppress Sibel Edmonds’ criminal evidence allegations--linked to a 3,000 death mass murder--in the name of "state secrets."

When we asked how many Americans were named in the intercepts, Edmonds said "There is direct evidence involving no more than ten American names that I recognized," further revealing that "some are heads of government agencies or politicians--but I don’t want to go any further than that," as we listened in stunned silence.

http://tomflocco.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=109

[kskiska]

31. Where do these idiot politicians get these stupid ass ideas?

How long did he sit and ponder whether he should go public and demand an apology from this actress who benignly expressed her opinion? Just who is she supposed to apologize to?

[Smarmie Doofus]

48. In this particular idiot's case, probably from...

a campaign manager or chief of staff. Or from his wife. Or mother.

From his POV, not such a bad idea. No one ever heard of him before ( including me and I live in NYC) and we're discussing him right now on DU.

I'm hoping he's not a Democrat but I have the same feeling in my stomach I get when I watch Joe Lieberman speak.

[TahitiNut]

38. 41.2% agree with her position. (726 responses)

30.8% disagree and think she should apologize for the remarks. (543 responses)

15.9% disagree but think she has a right to voice her opinion. (280 responses)

[hippiegranny]

39. the latest results

What do you think?

30.8%
I disagree and think she should apologize for the remarks. (544 responses)

41.3%
I agree with her position. (730 responses)

15.8%
I disagree but think she has a right to voice her opinion. (280 responses)

1.2%
I don't have an opinion either way. (21 responses)

10.9%
I think this incident has been blown out of proportion. (193 responses)

1768 total responses

[rocktivity]

42. What she said IS awful.

But what makes it awful is the possibility that it's true.

There's too much evidence that the Bush regime didn't do enough to prevent 9/11, and even worse, that it may have been a pre-emptive strike.

:headbang:
rocknation

[rocktivity]

43. As of 6PM EST

30.9%
I disagree and think she should apologize for the remarks. (562 responses)

41.4%
I agree with her position. (753 responses)

15.9%
I disagree but think she has a right to voice her opinion. (289 responses)

1.2%
I don't have an opinion either way. (21 responses)

10.7%
I think this incident has been blown out of proportion. (194 responses)

Wow, they're almost neck and neck--that's DEVASTATING for the Bush empire! I'm going to keep my eye on this poll!

:headbang:
rocknation

[Smarmie Doofus]

46. Gyllenhaal is right and Avella is wrong.

NYC imposed term limits a few years ago and the results have been bad in terms of the quality of elected representatives, esp. in the council.

Avella, of whom I've never heard, is likely demagoguing the issue for what it's worth.

The US has been heavily involved in all manner of disputes in the middle east and to pretend that someone who points this out is guilty of "irresponsibility" is itself irresponsible.

But it will grab him (Avella) a headline, which is the idea.

[xchrom]

49. americans hate history.

that's why americans think that america is ''exceptional''.

i would say that people who don't know their history especially regarding america, the middle east and 9-11 hate america.

some of the postings on this thread amplify my thoughts.

consider -- these lopsided thinkers are your fellow citizens.

sad -- sad and frightening.

[dansolo]

51. Osama was our creation

We funded and trained him to fight the Soviets. And his wrath was turned on us as a result of the first Gulf War. Maggie is completely correct. 9/11 was a classic example of "you reap what you sow".

[sabra]

52. As of 12:30 PM Central

Look like the numbers have shifted:

<<SNIP>>
26.5%
I disagree and think she should apologize for the remarks. (1635 responses)

38.4%
I agree with her position. (2368 responses)

14.8%
I disagree but think she has a right to voice her opinion. (915 responses)

3.3%
I don't have an opinion either way. (204 responses)

16.9%
I think this incident has been blown out of proportion. (1040 responses)

6162 total responses

<</SNIP>>

[RetroLounge]

56. New Headline

"Gyllenhaal refuses apology about 9/11 comment"

Good for her...

RL