"Hollywood Anti-war Set Needs Some New Lines"

Many thanks to Margaret for notice of this great column by Richard Roeper in today's Chicago Sun-Times:

.... Dear Celebrity Anti-War Activist: Over the last several weeks and months, you have used your status as a person of fame to tell the world you're against the war with Iraq, which you believe to be unwarranted, unethical, unconstitutional and un-American. Some of you have said you "hate" President George W. Bush (hello, Jessica Lange!), while others have expressed mere contempt for the president and his policies.

Even though you are among the luckiest and best-rewarded human beings in the history of civilization, you have moaned long and loud about life in the oppressive United States of America. And you have complained that free speech is practically an endangered species -- though it's not as if you've been kidnapped, bound and gagged for expressing your views....

Fine. You've made your point. And if you want to keep on with the the marching and the protesting and the grandstanding and the speech-making, well God bless America, that's your right.

But I'm just wondering: If you're such a crusader for kindness and decency and the rules of fair play, when are you going to say something about the atrocities committed by Iraqis since this war broke out?

Stop right there. I can already hear you launching into your well-practiced diatribe about how none of these things would be happening in the first place if not for that warmonger Bush -- but that doesn't answer my question. My question is, why are you not condemning the unconscionable acts of terrorism committed by Iraqis?...

I'm not asking you to march in the streets of Baghdad to protest these atrocities. You can make your point from the comfort and safety of your home turf -- the same launching point for all your verbal missiles against the American government.

It won't mean you're against the war. It'll just mean you have a sense of perspective and honor, and that your hatred and contempt isn't reserved exclusively for the president of the United States.

War criminals need loathing, too. Don't be afraid to say it.

Bravo!

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Tue. 04/08/03 12:01:52 PM
Categorized as Political.