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    January 15, 2006

    American Film Renaissance Conservative Film Festival in Hollywood

    This weekend American Film Renaissance, run by Jim and Ellen Hubbard, is doing a Conservative film festival at the Mann 6 Theaters in Hollywood. I've been to three events there so far this weekend, and they've all been great.

    One thing that's very interesting is that Conservative film is starting to mean, films that show a liking for America. One wouldn't think that would be the particular provenance of one political party over the other. But the unceasing blame-America-first rhetoric from the Left has, very strangely, for this moment in our history, marked such films as belonging to supporters of the Republican view of things. One can't imagine Cindy Sheehan, Al Gore, Howard Dean, or Hillary Clinton finding much to attract them to this festival.

    Friday night the festival opened with The World's Fastest Indian, based on the true story of Burt Munro, who in 1962 came to America from New Zealand and set a land speed record in a motorcycle built in 1920. The great script, by Roger Donaldson (who also directed), maintains suspense and is very entertaining all the way through. On the way, Munro sees America for the first time, to heart-warming effect. I'd recommend this film to anybody. Take the family.

     

    img_1925b_425px_425
     
    Gary Sinise and John Ziegler. 

     

    Saturday afternoon Gary Sinise was interviewed by John Ziegler. Sinise co-founded Operation Iraqi Children, dedicated to bringing school supplies and other essential to Iraqi children. He said a lot of fascinating things, some of which I will quote here from my hand-written notes taken down at the time (not expected to be verbatim):

    John Ziegler: Is there a disconnect between what we're being told about Iraq, and what you've seen going on there?

    Gary Sinise: There's no getting around it that there's tragedy, but unfortunately that's all the media is going to show us. In spite of what we're told on a daily basis there is a lot of optimism over there. We had a convoy go out to schools in Mosul. A CBS camera crew went out and got very happy, positive footage. On the way back the company was attacked. That was national news, but the purpose of the convoy was never reported. The gunfight was reported but not the distribution. So you're not getting a balanced accounting of what's happening over there unless you dig. An electrical plant opening in Iraq is a big deal to Iraqis, but isn't news here. It seems the media is very quick to report the negative, but not the positive.

    I think we're at war. That's my personal opinion. Unfortunately it may take another devastating event in this country for people to realize what we're up against. I believe there is an enemy and they will be there after this president is gone and after the next president is gone. 

    9-11 changed me. It made me want to give back to my country.

    I don't think it helps the troops for people to criticize their mission. Personally I know that there are a whole bunch of them who don't care what those people [who criticize the mission] are saying. 

    We're insulated in this country. We've been under attack for 30 years. And hopefully it won't take another devastating event for us to realize that.

    It's great to see Hollywood actors with Conservative views beginning to feel comfortable expressing them publicly. 

     

    img_1956_425px_425

    David Hunt (in black jacket, in discussion with two festival attendees) and Patricia Heaton, fourth from right. Click for a larger image.

     

    Saturday night I saw a documentary, The Bituminous Coal Queens of Pennsylvania. Produced by Patricia Heaton, and Directed by David Hunt (Heaton's husband), the film was inspired by their friend, actress Sarah Rush, who at 16 had been named the Coal Queen of Carmichael, Pennsylvania, in an annual town event. It was about to be the 50th anniversary of this event, and all former Coal Queens had been invited to Carmichael for the occasion. Hunt builds his film around the selection of the newest Coal Queen, with sequences showing local coal mining -- the first time cameras had ever been permitted underground there to photograph the mining operation -- and the life of the town. I never expected such a film to be heart-warming, uplifting, and entertaining -- all of which this was. Hunt's film is a celebration of the town and really is touching, heart-warming and fun.

    If you're in L.A., stop by Sunday for the third day of the Festival. 


    Replies: 23 comments

    Your comments are welcome. Abusive remarks and trolls may be deleted. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of The Big Picture.

      on  01/16/06  at  09:58 AM   United States  #1

    This sounds like a great idea: sort of comedy film competition or maybe special olympics for cellulloid. However, everytime I hear the phrase "blame-America-first", it brings to mind the "blame-Clinton-first" and "never-blame-Bush" crowds (they seem to be the same folks).



      on  01/16/06  at  12:34 PM   United States  #2

    While I admire Mr. Sinise for what he is doing to help Iraqi children, I'm a bit bewildered by the Film Festival's stand here. If, for instance, Warren Beatty or Barbara Streisand were to make remarks at a Film Festival finding fault with the War in Iraq, I wonder how many of the participants at your Film Festival would be telling them to shut up and act or sing or do whatever they do?

    I am reminded on a daily basis of the hypocrisy of the conservative movement in the US. It has always had a "Do what I say, not what I do!" attitude.



      on  01/16/06  at  12:53 PM   United States  #3

    So the Pentagon wanted CBS to film some school being painted in Iraq, but the convoy came under attack. Seems the propaganda mission backfired. CBS broadcast the attack instead of The Good News About Iraq. For this American and father of a Marine, it is more vital to know when our troops are fired on than watching paint dry.



      on  01/16/06  at  01:49 PM   United States  #4

    "9/11 changed me." What did 9/11 have to do with Iraq? Gary Sinise's eldest child turns 18 this year. Which branch is he encouraging her to enlist in, so she can find WMDs in Iraq or catapult the propaganda? Same branch probably as the Bush twins.

    And John Ziegler, big time war hawk and hater of brown people, is strangely out of uniform. Oh, I forgot, the Marines are looking for a few good men. Ziegler obviously does not qualify.



      on  01/16/06  at  01:54 PM   United States  #5

    Neither Sinise nor his kids serve. What a huge f'ing suprise.



      on  01/16/06  at  10:14 PM   United States  #6

    "Gary Sinise: There's no getting around it that there's tragedy, but unfortunately that's all the media is going to show us. In spite of what we're told on a daily basis there is a lot of optimism over there. We had a convoy go out to schools in Mosul. A CBS camera crew went out and got very happy, positive footage. On the way back the company was attacked. That was national news, but the purpose of the convoy was never reported. The gunfight was reported but not the distribution. So you're not getting a balanced accounting of what's happening over there unless you dig."

    Umm, I think mentioning that the "everything is peaceful & happy" propaganda truck couldn't even make it back to base safely would, you know, further undermine the propaganda.



      on  01/18/06  at  05:59 PM   United States  #7

    A number of the commenters in this thread are expressing Liberal views. Since you happen to be here, I have a question: what would you do to prevent the U.S. from suffering another attack like 9-11?

    No fair saying it was all (fill in the blank's) fault, or doing (fill in the blank) will "only make it worse." What actions would you take to prevent another terrorist attack on U.S. soil that could kill thousands or worse?



      on  03/04/06  at  02:55 AM   Canada  #8

    There are some real #### for brains liberals on here repeating Moore nonsense. Fathers don't send their children to war. It's called a volunteer army braniac. It's not up to Bush or Gary to send their children. That's up to their children. Get it.



      on  03/04/06  at  02:45 PM   United States  #9

    Faramir;

    Why am I not surprised at your reply? Same old conservative ########! Let someone else do the work because while you may cheerlead,you're just another ####### #####! I'm sure the 101st Keyboardists think you're the bomb. You're just another ####### hypocrite!

    Vik;

    I wrote quite a long reply to your question concerning what to do in case of another attack. Why did you see fit to delete it; because someone actually answered your question?

    If you're going to ask for replies, at least have the courtesy to leave them up. Or is it just more important to make your point than to try to actually debate the topic?



      on  03/04/06  at  03:01 PM   United States  #10

    George,

    I didn't delete your post. I do sometimes delete posts that have insults and/or obscenity, or which seem to be trolls. But no long reply from you showed up here. The connection from this page to the server can "time out" after a long time, like hours or days. In that case, when you push the "post" button, the comment doesn't appear. The same thing has happened to me. If you still have this page up, hit the "back" button on your browser -- your text may still be there. If so, reload this page, and repost your comment. I'd like to see it.



      on  03/04/06  at  03:12 PM   United States  #11

    George, you really didn't respond to faramir's point. It's a volunteer army; the parents don't "send" their children to war; the so-called "children" are adults, who make their own decisions for themselves. This is a free country, and they have the right to make that decision if they so choose.



      on  03/04/06  at  03:26 PM   United States  #12

    Faramir is the only one who said anything about parents sending their children to war. John Allward asked whether Sinise and Bush were encouraging their daughters to join the military. I think we can all agree that any parent who supports the war can quite reasonably encourage his child to sign up.

    It appears that Faramir was unable to answer John's actual point, so he resorted to that distortion.



      on  03/04/06  at  10:10 PM   Canada  #13

    And why is it any of John's or any other liberals' business what career path GWB or Gary encourages their children to take? So when liberals talk about the right to privacy they don't think it applies to conservatives. The whole argument here is a red hering. A politician isn't required to encourage their children to enlist just because they make a command decision to engage in war against an enemy of the United States. (although I told my nephew not to listen to liberals who tell him the military is the last resort for "dumb" kids, that it is a commitment and he could possibly be injured or killed, but that it affords many opportunities as well)Just more blather from Moore and his trolls to skirt the real issue that they were born in a nation that doesn't value their statist mindset. Just shows you how far left some Americans have gone if they go after Sinese, who is arguably somewhere in the middle - hardly a conservative. Sorry, but you fellows lost the Cold War. The fact you are still fighting it through Mohammed's children is a tad boring.



      on  03/04/06  at  11:37 PM   United States  #14

    Faramir,

    You resort to the same arguement I made in my first post, in which I stated that it's hypocritical that Gary Sinise's opinion about Iraq counts more than Barbara Streisand's. And again, it's hypocritical of someone like you to resort to that arguement as you seem to believe that only your opinion is worthy of consideration.

    Oh, and just so you know,I served the US for five years and my son is going into the Army. And as you think it's such a great career move, why aren't you signing up?



      on  03/05/06  at  02:09 AM   Canada  #15

    I should kick myself now as it is getting boring replying to simpletons like yourself. I never said it is a good career move. For some it may be. Others possibly not.

    If America was peopled with Barbara Streisands, I would have no desire to die for an America like that one. For Gary Sinese, that would be better.

    If you are telling the truth I am impressed. A raging liberal lunatic in the military. Who'd of thought?



      on  06/26/06  at  05:07 PM   United States  #16

    I am amazed even today at the ignorance of some of these conservative respondents. Conservatives (i.e., Republicans and Christians) "DO NOT send their kids to war" and the "kids are free to join" the military? Excuse me? These poor, foolish, blindly obedient kids are taught to hate open-mindedness, homosexuals, atheists, activists, ethnic groups, the handicapped, the poor, and in general anyone whom they suspect of being "liberal," and often they are all but forced to join the military in wartime by warmongering, God-blkess-America fathers and oh-so-husband-supporting "never question Dad" mothers from the minute they are old enough to understand their parents' voices. I should know. I am the son of that type of father, but I rejected his rhetoric when I developed my own mind. I repeat the above comments: I do not see Bush's twins or Gary Sinese's daughter--or the sons of any high-ranking official in Bush's administration--serving in the U.S. ARned Forces during this so-called wartime.



      on  06/26/06  at  06:37 PM   United States  #17

    Robin, it's not like the majority of people in any age range in America are in the army. Are you saying Gary Sinise would have to force his son against his will to go into the army, before Gary would be permitted to have an opinion on the subject?



      on  10/13/06  at  04:08 AM   United States  #18

    Gary Sinise got his draft notice while in living in Highland Park Il. And, I was with him that week that he got it. He cried, he was depressed and DID NOT WANT TO GO FIGHT IN ANY WAR! Gary was dead set againt the Viet Nam war. He was talking about going to Canada if he had to go. Gary is a cop out! And if he is reading this HE KNOWS WHAT I"M TALKING ABOUT....Don't you Sinise wearing your green army jacket every day in the glass hallway, cutting all your classes. Talking about getting out of serving in the military. You are a nice man, but your past is your truth.



      on  01/24/10  at  09:08 PM   Australia  #19

    part 1. to the citizens of planet earth. again again and again.this is my most precise analysis of the jewish christian messianic jews dilemma. again and again of course.
    Mon, January 25, 2010 9:43:26
    individual religious dogma and thinking is virtually an incurable disease. avatar of cameron shows the way to deprogram this conditioned slavering dog mentality with unconscious mind transforming psychedelic beauty and wonder. there is no other film ever made apart from stanly kubricks 2001 that can penetrate the unconscious mind of the viewer.
    neither fish nor foul
    Thu, January 21, 2010 1:21:57 PM

    Gmail Calendar  ›neither fish nor fowl. the inbetweens the kingdom of
    the messianic jews and jews for jesus the urantia foundation et al.
    InboxX
    Reply |adam rosenblatt to Jigme
    show details 12:18 PM (12 minutes ago)

    to paula thompson director of the urantia foundation and jigme pazo my
    beloved  editor in the himalayan times. this commentary is in the
    nature of a theological discourse it is not simply private
    correspondence. you stand rebuked jigme. . it concerns homo-religioso
    versus homo sapiens and that involves all the religions including
    buddhism animism and hinduism..i bring in that masterpiece avatar to
    deal with the universal problem that most of us are conditioned
    slavering pavlovian dogs incapable of creative thinking and being. as
    the blue squaw exclaimed jake skully you are a baby a moron go away.
    later jake skully is transformed into a magnificent fighting warrior
    like abraham aveinu from ur between the rivers of the tigris and euphrates the first
    jew who smashed his multimillionaires fathers idolatry factory and
    refused to sacrifice his son isaac(human sacrifice). in his time all the members of the royal court had a spike driven into their skulls at the death of a king and infanticide(placing the body into the foundation  was a common practice in the buiding a new home.



      on  01/24/10  at  09:13 PM   Australia  #20

    part 2.

     ancient chinese emperors would use millions of human bodies as mortar for the building of the great wall of china. in china it was the norm to take their most beauteous maiden and sink her orgasmically bedecked and beribboned into the yangtse river. in the human mind how else to make the gods that controlled everything happy"."oh i nearly forgot that amazing image of aztec  priests holding up the bloody beating hearts of their most beautiful youth boys and girls as a holy sacrament to their greedy gods. today most of us in our appalling ignorance do not know what is within us all. in hebrew the yetser hara and yetser tov.  in his time
    abraham was an arch mafioso criminal who had to find safety in a safe
    haven. even his father brothers and sisters and his tribe wanted to
    kill this apostate thinker a master of tikkun olam and pikuach nefesh
    but they also fortunately also loved him. it all happened thousands of
    years ago/ yes abraham is a true son of the infinite eternal
    unknowable unnameable lord of the universe. baruch ata adenoi eloheinu
    melech y olam. baruch kvod malchuto l'olam vaed. adenoi echad ein ein
    ein sof ein sof. these were the words of jesus the jew and rabi to his
    disciples before his crucifixion.



      on  01/24/10  at  09:16 PM   Australia  #21

    to the citizens of this is my epistle to you as the christians slowly but surely move
    back to the actions and teachings of abraham who abhorred human
    sacrifice and the worship of idols.
    since the emperor constantine in 346 ad or is it 386 ad in constantinople on his death
    bed and his generals created the holy roman catholic imperial
    bloodthirsty fascist empire and corrupted the work of abraham and
    jesus the world has never looked back. the satanic disciple martin
    luther the reformationist an ex fanatic roman catholic priest (loathed the
    popes selling of indulgences) was the mentor of adoph hitler as a
    rabid anti-semite he was the spiritual author of the holocaust and the massacre of 6 million jewish
    men women and children came into being. for those in the know 30000
    hughenot reformationists  in holland were massacred overnight in the
    16th century. the holy roman catholics sicerely believe that by incinerating their victims they can be sanctified and purified and enter heaven.
     
    at this point i must tell a joke. a young guilty maiden
    during confession angered her priest confessor. what! he gasped you
    have become a protestant.  no no no i said i have become a prostitute
    she reponded indignantly and so it is and continues even today.
    religious intolerance and murderous behaviour and suicidal terrorism
    is now in fashion. another more ghoulish joke. 3 men meet on the road
    to damascus. a shiite a sunni and an israeli. the shiite stabs the
    sunni, the sunni machine guns the shiite and the israeli runs away and
    saves himself from having his balls thrust down his throat. 
     



      on  01/24/10  at  09:24 PM   Australia  #22

    part 3 
     
    yes indeed
    the christians and nazis got away with the holocaust as pol pot the
    psychotic maxist of the khmer rouge has gotten away with his dream of
    an agrarian utopia in cambodia by massacring almost 2 million
    cambodian citizens. dutch the killing fields expert murderer  now on trial and a
    born again christian will be not convicted in a cambodian  buddhist
    court of justice in spite of the un international court of justice. . this is the picture today in the post modern hi-tech
    consumerist money obsessed societies of planet earth while  dozens of
    money minting mirv tipped nuclear submarines circle under the seas of
    our vulnerable planet earth. so it is paula. as you said you are
    confused by my second note, and rightly so. i have you in my
    telescopic sights as an example of idolatrous neo-christian thinking.
    5 years ago i had a similar discussion with  the author dr brown a
    messianic jew of "our hands are stained with blood".at the ethical cultural institute  in manhattan new york.  i well remember the demented
     scream of a christian from the audience who passionately
    exclaimed the jews deserve to die as they reject my lord jesus christ.
    some jews(fortunately very rarely) are like that too. the friedericher
    rebbe yosele schneersohn a chabadnik stated when he arrived in new
    york after being rescued from the warsaw ghetto from the nazis "that
    hitler was a divine messenger of hashem to punish the jews because
    they did not follow the torah ). the rebbe menachem
    schneersohn his successor was appalled and correctly accused him of
    hillul hashem. unfortunately the mental set of many religionists (they
    can be sincere humanists and educated intellectuals) can be deadly and
    dangerous. today many left wingers have become virulent anti-israel
    biggots. just as you ignorantly quote that the jewish god is revengeful and full of
    hate and that jesus brings love to planet earth. you are totally wrong
    and (of course in self denial or hypocrisy you dont see yourself in this way) speak like an antisemite and christian. .  i presume you have seen
    cameron's avatar hopefully at least 3 or 4



      on  01/24/10  at  09:27 PM   Australia  #23

    part4.to the citizens of planet earth. again again and again.told24

     in hebrew abrahamic terms jesus
    committed only one terrible sin he became a corban a human sacrifice
    on the cross to save mankind. jews toast to life lchaim not to
    thanatos and death. incidentally in biblical times it was not so
    uncommon for  religious zealots to give their life in atonement for
    the sins of others. it is called martyrdom.yes the jewish hashem is
    from heaven hell and paradise cruel and mercillous and a killer  an
    angry revengeful liar and trickster lover and mother and father to the
    specie homo sapiens. he /she /it is all things to all men women and
    children on planet earth. hashem's actions and eternal nature are
    mystical and beyond comprehension as helter skelter we must experience
    everything from tsunamis earthquakes and volcanoes life death wars
    disease pain and ecstasy.electrons quarks black holes and bosons and
    the latest creation of man that large hadron collider in cern.  that
    is the way it is and will also be as long as homo sapiens continues to
    exist. dr adam rosenblatt

     





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