William F. Buckley Jr.: Don't blame Jews if Hollywood is a cesspit

[question everything]

The Daily Breeze

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Don't blame Jews if Hollywood is a cesspit

How to find the right perspectives in the current quarrel.
By William F. Buckley Jr.

An honored friend, charging that there has been anti-Semitism on the air, sends along the offending transcript, and I read through MSNBC's "Scarborough Country" (for Dec. 8) and found some noisy people discussing Hollywood. The question before the house: Will "The Passion of the Christ" win the relevant Oscar, or will it be "Fahrenheit 9/11"? The seven guests of Pat Buchanan included a rabbi (Shmuley Boteach) and the president of the Catholic League (Bill Donohue).

(snip)

On the MSNBC show, the charge was immediately lodged that a failure by Hollywood to vote "Passion" ahead of "Fahrenheit" would constitute, pure and simple, an anti-Christian body blow. I detach from the quarrel to say that I agree that pre-eminence could not be given to "Fahrenheit" because it is a superior dramatic production -- it could only mean antagonism to "Passion." But to vote for a third contestant would be explainable in nondiscriminatory language. Many share the opinion that "Passion" was unnecessarily, and inartistically, bloody.

But to return to the language of the exchange on the television program. Rabbi Boteach led off provocatively: "I hope that Michael Moore actually wins so we can finally confirm what Hollywood is. Hollywood has become an America-hating bastion that always portrays people in uniform in some sinister role."

But for Donohue, charging Hollywood with being anti- American was by no means specific enough: "Who really cares what Hollywood thinks?" The answer to that question is, roughly -- everybody. It is because people care that this question was being raised on TV. "Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular. It's not a secret, OK? And I'm not afraid to say it. (Donohue is not afraid to say anything.) That's why they hate this movie. It's about Jesus Christ, and it's about truth." What Hollywood likes is "anal sex. They like to see the public square without nativity scenes. I like families. I like children. They like abortions."


(snip)


William F. Buckley Jr. is the founder of National Review magazine.

Find this article at:
http://www.dailybreeze.com/opinion/articles/1304806.html

[colonel odis]

1. F9/11 embraces christian principles like fairness, avoiding war,

and pointing out the govt's hypocrisy and lies.

gibson's film embraces the fact that jesus was beaten to a bloody pulp before being crucified. not to minimize christ's suffering, but blood-spewing special effects don't really make a best picture.

but what if "ray" is judged better? or "sideways"? or any of the 150 other movies released this year?

but nooooo, here go the pharisees again, saying it's all or nothing.

mr. donahoe's "anal sex" phrase is an odd choice of words, though, given his constant defense of the perversities of the catholic church.

[Union Thug]

2. And F911 does NOT cast people in uniform in a sinister role..

What a lying sack of shit. Moore sympathizes with the the plight of our soldiers. It's the elite scum sucking bastards like Buckley and co. that he abhors.

[TlalocW]

3. The question is moot

Dodgeball is going to sweep the Oscars.

TlalocW

[pnutchuck]

4. Jon Stewart put that bit on The Daily Show

and it was hilarious. You can see it at www.comedycentral.com and just pull the Daily Show. He corrects Donahue that Hollywood doesn't LIKE anal sex, they LOVE it.

[question everything]

5. Which one? It has several n/t

[pnutchuck]

6. it's either Abstinence of Malice, or Full Medal Racket n/t

[pnutchuck]

7. or could be Mo Money, No Problem