Our President, in his infinite wisdom, has seen fit to look to blame anyone he can for the wildfires. He apparently doesn't understand the word "wild" contained in the compound word wildfires. Instead, he prefers to declare mismanagement and misappropriations as the reason these 'fires' happen.
There have been plenty of people 'liking' this kind of tweet, much the same way they seem to take pleasure when those 'wealthy liberals' in Hollywood face a setback the kind of which few of us ever will so that they can shut up and stay out of politics. Never mind the people often declaring that Hollywood oversteps its bounds probably spend more of their income on their satellite service and big screen televisions. Never mind that so many cultural representations on mass media use lines and phrases from films and television that give us insight on humanity.
I'd like to ask you a question Mister-Television-Watcher in Gadsden, Alabama; if television didn't introduce you to a gay character, would you find one yourself? Would you even consider using the computer at your house or library to research and understand split-personality disorder? Who could have spread the word of compassion regarding the AIDS epidemic after panic was breaking out to such a far-reaching audience besides the government? Would you have tapped into that inner curiosity to bring to light all the P-T-S-D cases for your returning veterans?
How many of you would even consider the kind of person represented in the brilliant series TRANSPARENT? How many of you would take yourself to the theater to discover the messages in brilliant plays like DEATH OF A SALESMAN, or a Pulitzer Prize Winner like WIT?
I'll tell you how many, zero.
While Hollywood is often basking in their riches, (which aren't handed to them by the way --- it is earned through risk, long shooting days and prayers that people react to the work) those that take umbrage in their successes are the same ones often responsible for them.
I'll tell you one thing, not a lot of people come out and laud the television/film industry enough for the good things they do. You may or may not like any titles below, but for me, some of these shows and movies were priceless.
MR. ROGERS - taught me kindness and self worth. That it's OK to be whoever you are.
CAPTAIN KANGAROO - much of the same, along with my first colors, words. And ironically, this show featured Bill Cosby, who at the time did so much for children. His picture pages were hilarious and inspiring.
SESAME STREET -- that creatures come in all shapes and sizes and no matter what their disposition (grouchy, sad, optimistic, silly) they all deserve to be treated well.
MASH - Has there ever been a more fascinating combination of toxic circumstance meeting humanity's coping abilities? Both the movie and the series were truly firsts.
ON GOLDEN POND - Aging is difficult, particularly with regrets.
DEAD POETS SOCIETY - taught me that life is short, and if you have dreams, you should pursue them. Some people don't have that luxury, even if they come from means.
PLATOON - At age 18 scared the crap out of me as I was having to sign up for the selective service and I realized for the first time what hell war is. It made me respect everyone who has ever gone, particularly when the army you serve in starts to lose the high ground morally.
PHILADELPHIA - all people, no matter their situation, deserve compassion and fairness.
BACK TO THE FUTURE SERIES - besides being brilliant in every aspect of continuity and actually predicting the future pretty well, that your actions have consequences.
FORREST GUMP - it is often those that are born with the least that do the most.
SUPERMAN - that a man can fly - whoops, no, that's not true...scratch that. But it did show what an all-compassionate G-d with human emotions might be like.
THE BREAKFAST CLUB - all high schools have cliques, all teenagers face a lot of the same problems, including blind parents with their own agendas.
GLORY - Bravery and courage are about what you stand for in the face of others.
ABOUT A BOY - Besides being wildly entertaining, that it's easy to get lost in the shadows of your family.
THE QUEEN - traditions may be old and may run out of style, but they still deserve respect.
These are just a few of countless titles that provide not just a momentary break from the craziness of the world, but insight into the human condition. These aren't even the tip of the iceberg in terms of great films and television that have inspired or touched, or even changed millions of minds.
Tony Kushner's ANGELS IN AMERICA was a ground-breaking work that I'm ashamed I haven't had the time to see. But I did watch AND THE BAND PLAYED ON... another award-winning picture about the epidemic of AIDS.
Let's not forget about how quick Hollywood can mobilize to raise money for desperate people. How about Live Aid, Farm Aid, the Concert for 9-11..... and the granddaddy of them all for decades, the Jerry Lewis Telethon benefiting the March of Dimes.
Success breeds popularity and popularity often gives those voices a platform. Usually it is deserved. Only in recent years with the advent of online media celebrities (YouTube, Instagram and its ilk) has the trend reversed so that popularity first led to success (I submit Kim Kardashian as Exhibit "A").
Nevertheless, those who ask that Hollywood stay out of politics only do so at their own peril. The Hollywood Community at large is one of the most generous communities in the country, maybe the world. There are countless foundations started by celebrities to empower and improve their own communities and the greater population (40 celebrity foundations).
So the next time you see or hear someone blasting Hollywood for sounding off on an issue, remind them, particularly when lambasting actors and actresses, that most times their on-screen persona doesn't hold a candle to who they really are, and they, as citizens, are often not only entitled to sound off on an issue, but are often more educated about whatever it is they're speaking about than you think.
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