*All photos courtesy of AP Images.
FoxNews.com is reporting some rather interesting words from Tom Hanks, Executive Producer for HBO's snickering, self-satisfied poke at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called "Big Love" (albeit by hitting them with a stick fashioned from a polygamist group unassociated with the Church itself, sometimes called the LDS Church or Mormon faith). Granted, the subject matter of the show is fascinating--all those love triangles. . .or is it pentagons? One can never be sure as this is entertainment in its highest form. But really?
In either case, Hanks apparently has branded Mormons "un-American" for supporting Prop-8 in California. Now, far be it from me to be overly critical here--I generally love his work, and I do mean real work as he has tirelessly promoted reverence and gratitude for our WWII veterans--but I do initially doubt most viewpoints centered around the overly privileged, social-remedy-seeking, Hollywood lifestyle. I guess I'm just funny like that.
Bigotry? I think Hanks is getting dangerously close. I can appreciate that there is another viewpoint involved here, but this just seems over the top and unnecessary. As has been noted recently, even tax-paying, voting, responsible citizens of this faith do have a right to participate fully in the political process.
Other big losers today as far as bigotry is concerned? Hamas. And the Palestinian people for not giving them the boot long ago. Moderate voices such as Abbas's still exist, and they should take what he has to offer. Would we tolerate several months of rocket attacks on American citizens? I would give that sort of abuse about five minutes tops.
The real issue here is that Israel has a right to exist. They are a good ally, especially with our increasingly complex role in the Middle East. We ought to be voicing our support for this overdue action, especially as Hamas leaders have themselves described the organization as a terrorist group unwilling to negotiate with Israel. These are bloody cowards hiding behind the gossamer-thin veil of illegitimate victimhood (or just as likely schoolhouses, hospitals, and other civic centers), and they should be treated as such.
Importantly, it should also be stressed that Palestinian civilian casualties are regrettable and even horrific. They should be minimized and completely reduced at every opportunity. But we should not assume that Israel is simply brutalizing the Gaza Strip.
In either case, Hanks apparently has branded Mormons "un-American" for supporting Prop-8 in California. Now, far be it from me to be overly critical here--I generally love his work, and I do mean real work as he has tirelessly promoted reverence and gratitude for our WWII veterans--but I do initially doubt most viewpoints centered around the overly privileged, social-remedy-seeking, Hollywood lifestyle. I guess I'm just funny like that.
Bigotry? I think Hanks is getting dangerously close. I can appreciate that there is another viewpoint involved here, but this just seems over the top and unnecessary. As has been noted recently, even tax-paying, voting, responsible citizens of this faith do have a right to participate fully in the political process.
Other big losers today as far as bigotry is concerned? Hamas. And the Palestinian people for not giving them the boot long ago. Moderate voices such as Abbas's still exist, and they should take what he has to offer. Would we tolerate several months of rocket attacks on American citizens? I would give that sort of abuse about five minutes tops.
The real issue here is that Israel has a right to exist. They are a good ally, especially with our increasingly complex role in the Middle East. We ought to be voicing our support for this overdue action, especially as Hamas leaders have themselves described the organization as a terrorist group unwilling to negotiate with Israel. These are bloody cowards hiding behind the gossamer-thin veil of illegitimate victimhood (or just as likely schoolhouses, hospitals, and other civic centers), and they should be treated as such.
Importantly, it should also be stressed that Palestinian civilian casualties are regrettable and even horrific. They should be minimized and completely reduced at every opportunity. But we should not assume that Israel is simply brutalizing the Gaza Strip.
Case in point, while dramatic pictures of bloodied or dead children and women will always grab headlines and front page photos, Mona Charen on National Review Online is reporting that Israeli military forces in at least a few instances have actually called targets on their cell phones to give their families time to escape an impending strike.
Horrible of them, I know.
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