Posted on 10/13/2003 7:07:18 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
When George Ewert , director of the Museum of Mobile, wrote a stinging movie review of the Civil War film "Gods and Generals," he likely did not expect an equally harsh critique from Mayor Mike Dow .
Ewert's review, "Whitewashing the Confederacy (SPLC link)," was not kind to the Ted Turner film.
"'Gods and Generals' is part of a growing movement that seeks to rewrite the history of the American South, downplaying slavery and the economic system that it sustained. In museums, schools and city council chambers, white neo-Confederates are hard at work in an effort to have popular memory trump historical accuracy," the city employee wrote.
And this: "It is cloying and melo dramatic, and its still characters give an endless series of ponderous, stilted speeches about God, man and war."
In turn, Dow was not kind to Ewert, reprimanding the city employee in a Friday letter. The mayor called Ewert's review unnecessarily strongly worded, inflammatory and counterproductive.
"Why, in your very public position with all the local 'Southern Heritage' controversy that city leaders have had to manage and after several years of a hard-fought political calming of this issue, would you inject yourself so strongly and carelessly into this topic in this manner?" the mayor wrote.
"I need for you to use your better judgment and please cease and desist publishing potentially inflammatory articles of this nature without your board chairman's or my awareness and approval. Leave that to others who have less to do."
The city, particularly Dow, has come under fire in the past from Southern heritage groups claiming unfair treatment.
Ewert's review was printed in the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Report. The Montgomery-based organization's Intelligence Project monitors hate groups and extremist activities.
At the end of the movie review, there is a line that notes Ewert's position with the city.
Mobile City Council President Reggie Copeland also scolded Ewert, saying at last week's council meeting that he "would accept nothing less than a public apology. ... I am very displeased with that gentleman, and I want some action taken."
Copeland made the comments after hearing about the review but before reading it. He later told the Mobile Register that the review was "not as strong as I thought it would have been. ... I just wish he would have kept his mouth shut."
Ewert, contacted last week, declined comment except to say that he would be preparing a statement for Dow. In a letter to Dow dated Oct. 9 -- one day before Dow's letter -- Ewert said the review was written in his capacity as a historian and private individual.
"I regret that anyone may have taken my comments in a 'personal' matter," Ewert wrote. "My intent was not to offend but to offer a legitimate criticism and context for the movie in question, a privilege that should by rights be open to anyone. If, again, there were those who were offended by the movie review, I offer my apologies."
Don't shoot ...:
Area veterinarian Ben George , a Confederate Battle Flag and Confederate-heritage advocate, praised Dow for his response to the review. But George said Ewert did not apologize and should resign or be fired.
"He (Ewert) shot somebody; he said he's going to shoot somebody again," George said.
George in the past has made himself something of a thorn in Dow's side, organizing demonstrations in front of Dow's house, plastering posters criticizing the mayor during the last city election and using other tactics to push his Confederate heritage agenda.
George complained to Dow after reading Ewert's article. "My staff and I have had to deal with an unnecessary and increased fallout as a result of your article," Dow stated in his letter to Ewert.
George compared the situation to the firing of a Mobile police officer, accused of using the n-word and expressing a lack of interest in helping evacuate public housing residents in case of flooding.
Ewert, like the police officer, George said, has proven himself intolerant toward part of Mobile's population, namely Confederate heritage proponents like himself.
George said he and several others planned to speak at Tuesday's City Council meeting about Ewert's comments, along with concerns that Dow has not kept his word on settling previous disputes. But, he said, the speakers may reconsider.
I will not pretend to be a moron that cannot tell the difference between a compass point and the Confederacy.
They had slaves in Canada. Is it your intent to except blame, or credit, for that?
What a tool.
"mr spooner is hardly a disinterested observer"
So.....??
Well, didn't you just add substanstial debate and information to the thread...LOL!
"Free speech" as a right means that the U.S. Government or State Government can not knock on your door at 3:00 A.M. and haul you away to prison for expressing a political opinion.
"Free speech" does not protect you in any way from being chewed out by your boss, called an idiot by your next door neighbor, berated by your clients or, in the case of performers such as the Dixie Chicks, boycotted by your fans.
This particular reviewer was so closely associated with City Hall that his views would reflect directly on City Hall.
Certain jobs require a certain degree restraint because of the public image they project. If, for example, you work for U.P.S. and your boss sees you on the Channel 5 Nightly News wearing your UPS uniform at a demonstration carrying a sign that says "No Blood for Oil" or "Pro-Choice is Pro-Death" you would have put UPS right in the middle of a fight it wants no part of. The next day your boss would be giving you either a severe tongue-lashing or giving you your pink slip.
Are you trying to disagree with something I've said?
Are you trying to disagree with something I've said?
Are you struggling to say you didn't like the movie?
This movie?
Gods & Generals?
Is this the movie you didn't like?
Gods & Generals?
The one we have been talking about?
The one in this thread?
This threads movie?
Gods & Generals?
Did you like this movie?
Are you struggling to say you didn't like the movie?
This movie?
Gods & Generals?
Is this the movie you didn't like?
Gods & Generals?
The one we have been talking about?
The one in this thread?
This thread's movie?
Gods & Generals?
Did you like this movie?
Don't hold your breath. I understand 'Gods and Generals' lost a boatload of money, and Ted Turner's lost most of his money in the AOL Time Warner fiasco and is tapped out. I do not forsee 'The Last Full Measure' making it to the screen.
It's a shame. I would have loved to see Stephen Lang be US Grant.
The right to withdraw from the Union, I believe was one.
To look at this in futuristic terms:
Let's say a few years from now when the growing international economy has all but dissolved nationhood, the United Nations votes that all members should abolish the death penalty.
Then let's say America says to heck with that, I'm outta here.
Then the United Nations says, "You can't leave!" and begins assembling a blue-helmeted army to invade America.
What then would you be fighting for: the death penalty or the right to remain a sovereign state?
What an excellent analogy.
My compliments.
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