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