Roger Ebert on Ron Paul

[James Madison]

Probably for same reasons Israeli lobby tools in media went after RP right after debates.

Every one now knows RP does not support elective wars and foreign interventions for other countries, US financial and military aid to Israel, dumb fiscal policies , increasing debt etc.

While you're correct, I don't think SBC is part of the Israeli lobby.

 

[MsDoodahs]

Maybe the word "queer" is like the word "nigger?"

Just as whites can't say "nigger," now straights can't say "queer?"

Anyone know?

edited to ask if anyone knows where there is an online list of the favored groups whose members must never be offended?

 

[Liberty Star]

He's too theatrical to be part of the lobby but he has to have reason to setup RP and not any of the hundreds of pro war neocon politicians. His antics are probably a bizzare reaction of highly religious upbringing.

Israel and Judaism

Baron Cohen first acted in theatrical productions featuring the Socialist-Zionist youth movement Habonim Dror.[51]

He spent a year in Israel at Kibbutz Rosh HaNikra and Kibbutz Beit HaEmek as part of the Shnat Habonim Dror, as well as taking part in the programme "Machon l'Madrichei Chutz L'Aretz" for Jewish youth movement leaders.

 

[mstrmac1]

Maybe the word "queer" is like the word "nigger?"

Just as whites can't say "nigger," now straights can't say "queer?"

Anyone know?

Queer is not even close to the word "nigger"

Mmm lets see, Which sound worse?

"Quit being a queer"
OR
"Quit being a nigger"

Come on!

 

[jmdrake]

Maybe the word "queer" is like the word "nigger?"

Just as whites can't say "nigger," now straights can't say "queer?"

Last time I checked Eminem was still white. Of course the word he says (and blacks say) is "nigga". Subtle but distinct difference. I don't use either word and I'm black.

See: YouTube - 50 Cent approves of Eminem saying "nigga"

Anyway, I don't expect the show "N-word eye for the white guy" to be airing anytime soon.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

While you're correct, I don't think SBC is part of the Israeli lobby.

SBC has gone after Pat Buchanan, Bob Barr and Ron Paul. What is the common thread?

 

[James Madison]

SBC has gone after Pat Buchanan, Bob Barr and Ron Paul. What is the common thread?

He also went after Alan Keyes.

 

[chuckp123]

I sent the following e-mail to Roger:

Dear Mr. Ebert,

As an aspiring movie critic, I have long regarded you as one of my heroes. As a libertarian, I feel the same way about Congressman Ron Paul. Naturally, I was thrilled to see one of you acknowledge the other in your "Bruno" review. But as you may suspect, I took issue with the way in which you characterized him.

Ron Paul has held steadfast to the position that marriage should not be interfered with by the state, and supports any free association between two people. He has also been quoted as saying, "we don’t get our rights because we’re gays or women or minorities. We get our rights from our creator as individuals. So every individual should be treated the same way." Although his personal opinion of homosexuality may differ from his political opinion, it is inaccurate to label his statements "intolerant". His position, which is to allow all people equal rights and equal treatment, regardless of how he may about their lifestyles, is the very definition of tolerance.

Thank you for your time. I hope I have helped to clear up this issue. I have really been enjoying your movie reviews; the opportunity to read your work has instilled in me a greater appreciation of both film and writing. I look forward to reading more great reviews throughout the summer movie season!

And please, stop with the immature comments about him. He's not some kind of status-quo-perpetuating political stooge. He reviews movies. And that's all.

Well put. I also sent him an email, but yours is better. Here's hoping he issues an apology in his next answer man column.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

He also went after Alan Keyes.

So let's include Keyes. What is the common denominator?

- Social Conservative?
- So called isolationist (not a global government lover)?
- Fiscal conservative?
- Against US foreign aid?
- Small government?
- Hard money advocate?
- Religious? Christian?
- Not a war monger?
- Against war on Iraq? Iran? Syria?

I don't know enough about Keyes, Barr and Buchanan to know which is common to all of them.

 

[emazur]

Two thumbs down to that queer Ebert.

Just kidding about the 'queer' part, but seriously, 2 thumbs down

 

[James Madison]

So let's include Keyes. What is the common denominator?

- Social Conservative?
- So called isolationist (not a global government lover)?
- Fiscal conservative?
- Against US foreign aid?
- Small government?
- Hard money advocate?
- Religious? Christian?
- Not a war monger?
- Against war on Iraq? Iran? Syria?

I don't know enough about Keyes, Barr and Buchanan to know which is common to all of them.

They're all Republicans; that's about it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think SBC has EVER gone after any main line "liberal" politician, only "conservatives" and I use that term very loosely. Borat, in particular, is really bad about it. The entire point of the movie is to make fun of rural, conservative America. Not that I really agree with most of their beliefs, the film is extremely one-sided. I also really don't like the fact a guy who isn't American singles America out to be mocked while completely ignoring the stupidity of mainstream Europe.

 

[MCockerill08]

"It is no doubt unfair of Cohen to victimize a perfectly nice man like Ron Paul. Watching Paul politely trying to deal with this weirdo made me reflect that as a fringe candidate, he has probably been subjected to a lot of strange questions on strange TV shows and probably is prepared to sit through almost anything for TV exposure. However, he has made a lot of intolerant comments about homosexuals, so by shouting “queer!” as he stalks out along a hotel corridor, he lost his chance of making amends. Helpful rule: If you find you have been the subject of a TV ambush, the camera is probably still rolling"

-Roger Ebert

I usually like Roger Ebert's reviews, but his backhanded bashing of Dr. Paul pissed me off when I read his "bruno" review. This time, Ebert has claimed in his recent review of "bruno" that Ron has made "a lot of intolerant comments towards homosexuals."

This is hogwash; the good doctor may have called Bruno a "queer" (a mild insult, if anything) under circumstances that would get an average joe in jail if he did it to a girl, but he doesn't go around making intolerant comments about ANY group of people. Ebert is saying this on the basis of NO EVIDENCE, apart from the overblown newsletters which we agree Ron Paul certainly didn't know about.

I sent Ebert an email ([email protected]) demanding a correction of this erroneous, defamatory comment. I suggest you do the same:

Dear Mr. Ebert,

I'm a big fan of yours and also have been a Ron Paul volunteer for about 2 years.

I noticed a factual inaccuracy in your film review of "Bruno." Since I have not yet seen the film, I take your account of what transpired in it at face value. But while Ron shouldn't have lost his temper and made an intolerant comment, even while being sexually assaulted in an illegal fashion, (that would have an average gay or straight dude in jail, though Cohen survives because of his fame) it is totally unfair to definitively say that Ron Paul has made anti-gay comments in the past.

Ron Paul both supports gay marriage (based on libertarian principle) (1) and is not a homophobe. (based on personal principle) (2) He's also certainly not as tolerant and aware of this issue as younger libertarians, as one might expect from a Texan in his mid seventies. I assume that you think Ron is a homophobe because he attached his name to a newsletter that, unfortunately, published some ugly screeds about gays and certain ethnic groups. (3) He has taken moral responsibility for this miscue and apologized for over a decade. You may not be surprised to know to that when one is a radical, he often inadvertently comes in contact with less benign fringes through his activism.

Ron Paul has told the press, for over a decade, that he was not aware of the publication's intent. He was paid by people who advocated intolerant positions to place his name on their newsletter; it was a real mistake but no hanging offense, and certainly has nothing to do with the message of libertarianism, which is distinguished from conservativism in its upholding of individual liberty, social tolerance, secular government bereft of attempts to "impose morality,", and peace.

While YOU are not obligated to believe him, and can state such in your column, I don't think it's fair for you to imply Ron Paul has made bigoted, anti-gay statemements or say he has "said" intolerant comments about gays without a clip or credible citation of him SAYING something homophobic, or a disclaimer that you believe he is lying about the newsletters.

I hope you are able to correct this aspect of your review in a satisfactory manner.

Matt

P.S. Thanks for reading my feedback! I know this sounded rant-like, but I am both a regular Ebert reader and HUGE Ron Paul fan, so it was a tough review to swallow. :[


(1) YouTube - John Stossel Interviews Ron Paul 2007.12.07 part 1
(2) YouTube - Ron Paul on Homosexuality
(3) YouTube - RON PAUL FORCEFULLY RESPONDS TO RACIST RUMORS

 

[coyote_sprit]

Maybe the word "queer" is like the word "nigger?"

Just as whites can't say "nigger," now straights can't say "queer?"

Anyone know?

edited to ask if anyone knows where there is an online list of the favored groups whose members must never be offended?

Maybe the MSM is trying to make a controversy out of nothing.

 

[MsDoodahs]

Maybe the MSM is trying to make a controversy out of nothing.

So just business as usual for Pravda....

 

[Blueskies]

I'm really glad SBC put Ron Paul in this movie.

Any press is good press. Millions and millions of people will see this movie. For many, it will be the first time they've ever heard of Ron Paul. Maybe it will inspire them to research him and perhaps join the movement.

 

[Light]

I'm with Ron Paul on this one. It really says something about our culture when people by the millions go to see trash films like Bruno. Ron Paul did nothing wrong by calling Cohen a queer. The PC police need to back off. Most people would have given that punk a whooping if Cohen tried to come onto them.

I am seriously shake my head at those that find these movies funny. Our culture is in serious disrepair, and in open attack. Its no coincidence why Cohen goes after traditional thought and behavior. The best way to subjogate a society is by creating an immoral one, by mocking traditional values and people with traditional values, Cohen is conditioning the youth of this generation into thinking that traditional values are archaic and need to be disgarded. Unfortunately, few people realize that when people have little responsbility in their personal lives, it only moves for the government to usurp the right for yourself to be responsible.

I know I will be flamed for having this opinion since its an unpopular one, however, I believe what makes this movement great is the broad range of perspective we have.

 

[t0rnado]

Man, I can't wait to see this movie today. I'm going to yell out, "Ron Paul 08!" when that scene rolls. Oh and it wouldn't be a bad idea to hand out some C4L info outside the theater.

 

[Light]

Man, I can't wait to see this movie today. I'm going to yell out, "Ron Paul 08!" when that scene rolls. Oh and it wouldn't be a bad idea to hand out some C4L info outside the theater.

It would be best if you didn't see this movie at all, and told your friends not too. This movie is going to make Paul look bad in the eyes of the "enlightened" PC youth.

 

[JoshLowry]

Man, I can't wait to see this movie today. I'm going to yell out, "Ron Paul 08!" when that scene rolls. Oh and it wouldn't be a bad idea to hand out some C4L info outside the theater.

You'd probably be better off and more well received by just handing out materials rather than yelling in a movie theater.

 

[LibertyEagle]

And please, stop with the immature comments about him. He's not some kind of status-quo-perpetuating political stooge. He reviews movies. And that's all.

Apparently not, or he wouldn't have made the comments about Dr. Paul that he did.