[SocialMeltdown]

How else could an objective observer interpret the idea that the armed forces turn first to millionaire screenwriters to understand the thought processes of mass-murdering terrorists?

Hatred for America comes easily for the Hollywood crowd. They are the obvious choice to turn to to reveal a deep revulsion for America.They probably fall asleep at night imagining scenarios to destroy the United States. Their movies certainly reflect their hatred.

[livius]

Good post. I think the folks in Hollywood are certainly contaminated with that mystifying hatred of the system and country that has made them all rich, but I also think a lot of it is simple stupidity. They seriously believe that they are "artists," and of course art, as defined by contemporary intellectual society, has to reject all values and exalt the "transgressive." Strangely enough, though, this is something one can afford to do only in a decent, stable society: it's a luxury. I think that the threat to this society may actually make some of them - the handful with brains, at any rate - reconsider some of the "artistic" stupidity that has become practically like the air they breathe in their Hollywood circle.

[TKEman]

I expect the craven people in Hollywood to flip right on over at the first sign of Anthrax. Watch it happen. Then, for the next 10 years, we'll see movies lauding the FBI, CIA, etc.

[summer]

Thanks for posting this. He makes some very good points, IMO.

[uncbob]

He forgot to mention Holywood's anti-military, anti-Christian extreme bias

[Moonmad27]

Good article. I disagree on only one point - when the Islamic extremists see the battle as being between "faith and atheism", it doesn't matter that the US is the most churchgoing western nation; the extremists call us atheists because we're not Allah-worshipping.

[ELS]

Mr. Medved's main idea is related to the idea that what one watches does affect their behavior. The Hollyweird people say that a 30- or 60-second commercial can affect one's behavior, but a 90-minute movie cannot. Uh-huh. Maybe some of them will get a clue...

[FITZ]

It's interesting, because even though Hollywood celebrities are very hateful of the USA and would love to be on the side of anyone attacking us, this enemy we have now despises Hollywood. They see it as part of "zionism", they believe Jews control Hollywood, plus movie stars --especially the women are bad influences on their culture. Conservative Americans believe the same but this enemy believes it even more. Hollywood will be attacked --I'm quite sure.

[FITZ]

It's interesting, because even though Hollywood celebrities are very hateful of the USA and would love to be on the side of anyone attacking us, this enemy we have now despises Hollywood. They see it as part of "zionism", they believe Jews control Hollywood, plus movie stars --especially the women are bad influences on their culture. Conservative Americans believe the same but this enemy believes it even more. Hollywood will be attacked --I'm quite sure.

[Irene Adler]

"Most people — particularly those in developing nations — will get no closer to the real America or its citizens than the movie or TV images aggressively marketed in their homelands. If you make your home in Seattle or Cincinnati, you probably understand that lurid media fantasies — with their emphasis on violence, sexual adventurism and anti-social behavior — don't represent everyday reality for you or your neighbors. If you live in Indonesia or Nigeria, however, you'll get little chance to balance the negative impressions you draw from The X-Files, Hannibal or Natural Born Killers with any firsthand experience with America or Americans. No wonder so many Islamic extremists (and so many others) now look upon the USA as a cruel, godless, brutal and vulgar society — a "Great Satan," indeed."

This is SO SO TRUE! It makes us look AWFUL to people all around the world. Michael, I believe you may be a Freeper. I hope you are, and I would like to THANK YOU so much for this article. Also thanks to Oldeconomybuyer for posting it.

[LS]

Well, his question is answered in part by TWO new television series, "24," in which Kiefer Sutherland plays a CIA agent trying to thwart a terrorist attack, and "The Agnency." While including a few backhanded comments about previous activities, the one segment of "The Agency" I saw generally portrayed the CIA agents as heroes. That is a BIG change.

[Irene Adler]

" In recent weeks, it has become fashionable to ask, "Why do so many people in other countries hate us?" Part of any honest response involves the movies, TV shows and popular music we export around the globe. It certainly didn't come as a complete surprise when anti-American rioters in Quetta, Pakistan, recently targeted five movie theaters showing U.S. imports. "Look what they did!" <p.Couldn't resist copying another great quotation from the article. Why do they hate us, indeed.

[BlackJack]

Recently in Canada I saw The Mexican. It made mexicans look like idiots.......one scene Brad Pitt shoots a guy "because its the american way"! I also saw Snatch......gross out. A lot of pigs eating human flesh. Hannibal was an upscale Natural Born Killers with a dash of cannabilism. I thought I'd found a goodie 2 weeks ago.......Rat Race.....more garbage. Lovitz is driving hitlers car....girls going to the bathroom out car windows and shit hits officer in face....gross movie. American movies are ghastly. Haven't seen a good movie in years. Hollywood is sick.

[Piquaboy]

With people the likes of hose nose Barbara Striesand there is no way they will change their stripes. Also like a previous comment made, they have made all my favorite movies.

[SerpentDove]

I and most of us have a visceral disgust reserved for all the arrogant, ignorant idiots in the Hollyweird crowd.

[Memphis Schmuel]

"Hollywood has failed miserably in broadcasting to the rest of the world the truth about America's fundamental kindness, decency, generosity, patriotism and deep religious faith — all traits abundantly displayed in the days since Sept. 11.
The emphasis on darkness, deviance and dysfunction has produced important consequences."

And I believe these "consequences" have been desired by those who control the industry.
Medved himself showed in his book, "Hollywood vs America" that the response of, "We only give the audiences what they want" was B.S.
"Family" movies and positive themes were always big money-makers. The twisted stuff almost always lost money, yet the sick, degrading and culture destroying crap was still pumped out to pollute our society.
I recommend reading Medved's book. The facts are there that it is true, it is "Hollywood vs America."
I hope that this crisis we are in will cause more discussion on the effects of this poison on American life.

[MoJo2001]

The people in Hollywood have lived for many years in a "box" to which they were "untouchable" to the rest of us because their make believe life on screen was better than our own realities. Well, reality has set in for all of us. America is no longer invincible. America is finally awake. While many of our fellow citizens have perished, the focal point isn't on Hollywood. It isn't on the pyscho babble stars who forgot that we pay them to act and make believe..not tell us what they think about political issues. We watch them for mindless and useless reminders of why movies are escapism for many in the society. Today, we need these people to get back to work making movies we can complain about. No moral authority, equivocations, or anything from them. They never had it nor do I want to see or hear them profess it. So? More Jim Carrey making those hilarious facial expressions. More Julia Roberts being a confused and complicated woman. Just don't expect us to think that the world revolves around you. You aren't that worthy!

[Reagan's_Mom]

Excellent post. One commentator over the weekend was pointing out that among the arab people we still aren't making our case. When all these people have ever know of us are the Hollywood garbage flicks, why should we expect to be believed when we drop a load of food and say "Hey, we're the nice guys."

[McGavin999]

This not only influences how we are seen abroad, it influences how we see ourselves. I've said this for a long time. If Joe Camel is supposed to influence kids to smoke, why wouldn't all the sex and violence portrayed on the TV and movie screens influence them to sex and violence.

I love old movies. They were fun, imaginative, and always carried the message that in the end, the good guy wins. Hollywood will tell you that they still do that, trouble is, the good guy usually isn't really a good guy. He's just the hero of the story.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

Above all, the entertainment industry should strive for greater balance in its presentation of American life

Don't put all the blame on Hollywood. Hollywood produces what sells. The American audience is just as responsible for the filth and garbage being churned out.