Snap Judgment: Dear Steven Spielberg

The Jerusalem Post ^ | December 1, 2005 | Calev Ben-David

[Mike10542]

As a conservative Jew, I used to tell my conservative friends that although liberal Jews hurt our cause here, at least they support Israel. But now I'm starting to even doubt that. Why in the world would Steven Spielberg risk his whole career on making a movie like this? If this movie winds up being what this author says it is, then I wish Spielberg good riddance and hope his career goes down in flames.

[Jeff Chandler]

I'm afraid the minds of liberal Jews are no different than those of other liberals, filled with the incessant chant: "I hate Bush, I hate Bush, I hate Bush..."

[msnimje]

Don't forget "United States Bad, United States Bad, United States Bad...."

[SteveMcKing]

People find ways to believe what they want. I'm sure that left, right, pro-, and anti-Israel ... they will all have their own narrow view of Munich.

Spielberg lost my respect with his treatment of AI, a film that was Stanley Kubrick's child until Steven showed up. It was speculated to be a commentary on Judaism - one that Steven didn't agree with.

[montag813]

As a conservative Jew, I used to tell my conservative friends that although liberal Jews hurt our cause here, at least they support Israel

As a conservative Jew, I can tell you now: liberal Jews are the enemy. The Castro-loving Spielberg is a disgrace. The Christian-bigot Abe Foxman is a despicable cockroach. They hate Israel. They hate America. They seem to hate above all their own Jewishness.

[Brandi in AZ]

I'm not Jewish, so I suppose that I don't really have a dog in this fight, except as a person who wants history reflected accurately, even in films. I'm just really disappointed because I'm a big fan of Australian actor Eric Bana, who has the starring role in this film. I'm probably not going to be able to see this film, though I've been looking forward to it. It might sour me on all subsequent Bana films, which would be truly regrettable. I'm just get so sick of this same template being played out over and over again. Would it really have been so hard to portray the Israeli commandos as righteous defenders of their country? Is it really impossible for anyone in Hollywood to make a film about the Islam's war against the West without it being an automatic indictment against America. I don't mind liberals having their say; it's just sickening that there is never an alternative viewpoint. It appears that the powers that be in Hollywood are the biggest hypocrites around, beating their breasts about their love for diversity while shutting out any alternative viewpoint.

[Hildy]

Something tells me that this is just pre-release hooplah and has nothing to do with the movie. Spielberg is Jewish and is a practicing Jew. He made his wife convert before marrying her. I can't imagine him doing this. I'll wait to see this all for myself.

[wardaddy]

When folks say that because liberal Jews support Israel that it sort of excuses what they do domestically...I just don;t buy it.

Their votes, and cultural and political influence are not offset by supporting Israel no matter how noble that might be if it were accurate.

And while they may claim to support Israel, they sure don't support destroying Israel's enemies like they ought to.

[LibFreeOrDie]

"Munich" movie Web site, with trailer:

http://www.munichmovie.com

(The story link includes the line: "...the personal toll this mission of revenge takes on the team and the man who led it." Looks like a real downer...)

[wardaddy]

My wife and I are having an ornaments party at a Jewish home with both Jewish and Christian guests tommorow night (I'm in the South obviously).

I think I'll print your post and read it at dinner if things get too boring.
;>)

[Nipplemancer]

ooooh snap! Steven Speilberg, you've been served.

[wardaddy]

Speilberg should be celebrating how many of those Pali dogs Mossad whacked and extolling the USA to cowboy up against Islaminazis.

[Mike10542]

I wasn't saying it was an excuse,just that it could be worse. You could have liberal Jews that even hate Israel and I think that is now the case with many of them.

[snarks_when_bored]

Spielberg's got enough money to survive anything short of a nuclear attack, but he doesn't have enough to buy back the honor and respect he appears about to sacrifice on the altar of political correctness. The foolish aren't usually rich, but the rich are often foolish.

[wardaddy]

I think many Jews here send money to Israel out of guilt maybe or a sense of obligation...

I think politically that Israel benefits most from the influence of Conservative Jews and Conservative Christians who give both money and political capital to the effort..as well they should.

I don't think liberal American Jews much care for the Likuud or Sharon or Bibi....and they never liked Begin either or Shamir.

Their vision of Israel is the old romantic socialist Ben-Gurion not the rightwing warriors

[Daaave]

I want to recommend "Sword Of Gideon" [DVD] (1986), again.
"Plot Outline: Chronicles a Mossad team hand picked to hunt down the terrorists involved in the 1972 Munich Olympic massacre of Israeli athletes."

Starred:
Steven Bauer
Michael York
Rod Steiger
amazon.com/

[montag813]

I think I'll print your post and read it at dinner if things get too boring.

Or play the "Baptism" episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Something hilarious for both crowds.

[carton253]

From the previews that I have seen, the article is pretty accurate... but, that's only from the previews...

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

This anti-Israeli movie will indeed turn out to be Spielberg's downfall, which is pretty amazing, considering Spielberg told people his (now ex-) wife Amy (Irving) was carrying "the next Messiah" while pregnant with their child.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

And let's not forget Henry Waxman.