Posted on 11/10/2003 10:01:35 AM PST by knighthawk
It is simply astounding that some people are spinning the Reagan movie controversy as a censorship issue. The usual left-wing suspects are screaming that the conservatives forced CBS to abandon the project. The New York Times editorialized: "It should have come as no surprise that conservatives, protective of Mr. Reagan's image at all times, would launch one of the fierce assaults that have become so familiar whenever the right wants to scare the media." And Barbra Streisand, an increasingly amusing presence, said, "This is censorship pure and simple." One wonders if The Times and La Streisand would react the same way if Bill Clinton, on his deathbed, was mocked in a network docudrama starring Pamela Anderson as Monica Lewinsky.
The truth is that the Reagan movie demeans a dying President and the wife who is caring for him. Ten years from now, this film could run all day long and most of the public wouldn't really care. Certainly the Kennedy family has been worked over by the TV movie czars. But Americans are not big on cruelty when it can be associated with current tragedy. Nancy Reagan herself called the movie cruel, and many Americans see it that way.
CBS, wisely, does not want to be in the cruelty business, as they say in the bistros of Beverly Hills. But there are two questions in play here: First, how could a hokey, over-the-top film like this get greenlighted in the first place, and second what about Dr. Laura?
Let's take Laura Schlessinger first. You'll remember the radio advice-giver tried to launch a syndicated TV program but was picketed by gay rights activists. They objected to her biblical take on the morality of homosexuality. They threatened to boycott sponsors and implored Paramount to cancel Laura. Her show went down in flames.
Maybe I missed The New York Times editorial deploring politically correct censorship in that case. As for Babs, well, the silence was deafening. So could this be a case of selective outrage over perceived right-wing censorship? Or are we dealing with outright hypocrisy here? You make the call.
I have often stated that the media is not looking out for you because it doesn't understand you, nor does it care about you. The "folks" are seen as ratings points, dollar signs.
You might think a movie about the Reagans written by a liberal, produced by two liberals, directed by a left winger and starring the husband of Streisand, might have raised a red flag or two. But not in the hallways of CBS Entertainment.
That kind of roster is common in show business, so why would anyone question it? And even when the film was screened, few at CBS understood the brewing perfect storm. They simply don't know how much of the country thinks.
But there's something else. Do you think CBS would have financed a movie about the Gores written by Rush Limbaugh? Of course not. Anyone pitching that would have been mocked and scorned. But it's okay to carve up the Reagans? More hypocrisy?
In the end, this is another victory for the folks, not for the political ideologues. CBS could not care less if a few million conservative zealots object to a program. But when the wind shifts and the fire of indignation starts taking hold in the minds of everyday Americans who value fairness, then CBS and every other media outfit must care. For if they ignore those alarms, they will surely go down in flames.
*SNICKER* So much for conservative media...
Oh, yes they do.
And they were trying to do something about it.
A. Rosanne looks more like Monica than Pamela does.
2. Bill would ask to play himself.
Let's do it!!!
Oh, yes they do.
And they were trying to do something about it.
Oh, come on. You mean to tell me they're that smart?
Someone sent an e-mail to Bill O'Reilly saying, "They ought to make a movie about the Clintons starring David Limbaugh and Ann Coulter." Just for that, Bill sent him an auto'd copy of Who's Looking Out for You?
Pamela Anderson? Get real! Try Rosie O'Donnel!
Anita Bryant, Florida Sunshine Tree girl WND
In the 1970s, former Miss America Anita Bryant was the official spokesperson for the Florida Citrus Commission, hawking the well-known line: "Breakfast without orange juice is like a day without sunshine."
Expounding family and Christian values, Bryant became embroiled in a battle against homosexual rights in south Florida. She helped repeal a 1977 gay-rights ordinance in Miami-Dade County, but the fight took a toll on her professional career. Her status as spokeswoman for Florida Citrus ended in 1980.
In the 1990s, homosexuals put the squeeze on Florida Citrus after radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh was named as a spokesperson for orange juice. They objected to a staunch conservative as national pitchman for the beverage, leading to a "Flush Rush" campaign. Some restaurants were documented dumping orange juice down toilets in response. While Limbaugh's on-air popularity has skyrocketed, Citrus Commission officials opted for a less controversial figure – actor Burt Reynolds.
It doesn't require much in the way of smarts... Reagan's popularity has increased steadily since he left office despite the relentless efforts of the media leftists to vilify him in passing. Obviously a more direct approach was indicated.
This 'interactive media' stuff keeps providing unpleasant surprises to the old guard.
I doubt they'll figure it out in time...
He forgot his < /sarcasm> tag.
Do you think CBS would have financed a movie about the Gores written by Rush Limbaugh?
Nobody financed my movie about Gore, though I never really thought to ask anybody:
(Click on picture!)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.