Maggie Gyllenhaal criticized for 9/11 comments

posted by Jeff | Wednesday, April 27, 2005, 12:42 AM | comments: 7

Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal is apparently being criticized for saying that the United States bares some responsibility for the 9/11 attacks.

I thought that by now we'd be far enough along in the stages of mourning to start to ask tough questions about that, but given the war in Iraq (which still has nothing to do with domestic terrorism) and the general political split of the nation, perhaps not.

Let's state the obvious... she isn't saying that the attacks were justified, and I doubt anyone with a shred of common sense would say they were. But the focus since then has been all wrong. The questions raised always have to do with how it happened and not why it happened.

Some aspects of U.S. foreign policy goes a long way in pissing people off. Just look at the mess in Iraq. We more or less destroyed half of the country with zero justification because we could. The only thing that did pan out was Saddam's brutality, but that was more than a decade ago, and not any different from what has been going on in Northern Africa and the former Yugoslavia. Odd how we've not instituted "regime change" in those places.

That's just one example, and there are plenty more. We are the greatest power in the world, but with that power comes a great deal of responsibility. The bullshit cop out from Bush about "they hate freedom" is weak. "They" don't hate freedom, "they" see a country that does what it pleases, stomping out cultures, races and religions because it can. I'm sure as Americans we don't see our actions that way, but how many things in your daily life show that perception is reality? Put yourself in someone else's shoes just for a minute.

Hard questions lead to difficult discussions. It doesn't mean we shouldn't have them.


Comments

freeze

April 27, 2005, 5:58 PM #

I see your point.

I think the thing that pisses people off about Gyllenhaal's comment is her occupation.
Does she make a point? Most definitely. That being said, what makes her comments more poignant than yours and mine?
Unfortunately, that is the way some people look at it and are extremely offended this "hollywood type" speaking his or her mind.

Some see this country as a nation fighting terrorism in Iraq, others see it as a bully enforcing its will. We all have opinions, no matter how stupid and spirited.

It's only been less than four years since the greatest attack on American soil. Unless, we can put on the shoes of those affected, let's not put a time table on the mourning or any other stages.


Anyway, people think: when celebs, especially actors/actresses, speak on political subjects, it just becomes a sore spot. Those people are living a very previliged lifestyle. Now, they're experts on foreign policy. And why should we listen?

Jeff

April 27, 2005, 9:05 PM #

Well no one gives a shit what you or I think, but I still think famous people have just as much a right to speak their mind.

freeze

April 27, 2005, 9:22 PM #

We all have a right to speak our minds. But it gets silly — no matter if I agree or disagree — when an actress makes statements like that.

I have a right to talk about coasters, but if I rode a coaster for the first time at Cedar Point and started yapping about some insane crap about it, you and the other coasterbuzzer would tell me to shut the hell up because I have no idea what I'm talking about.
Would I have more cred if I was famous? No, I'd be a famous guy who had idea what I'm talking about, but more people would hear me.

But again...SHE does make a good point, but it's an opinion and she got slammed for it.

That was my point.

Jeff

April 28, 2005, 12:15 AM #

So actresses aren't qualified to have political opinions? I don't follow your logic.

freeze

April 28, 2005, 1:49 PM #

Well, honestly, No.

She's an actress. She entertains me. My logic is who cares what see thinks actually. It comes out as hippie-talk and it rubs people the wrong way.

Right or wrong, I really could give a crap that the broad who was in Donnie Darko has a thought about foreign policy.

Jeff

April 28, 2005, 2:27 PM #

You're just a trade magazine writer that writes about auto parts and lives in Canton, Ohio. Why should I care what you think? You're a working-class stiff with a mortgage. What do you know about foreign policy?

freeze

April 28, 2005, 6:24 PM #

I write to my audience. Just like you write to yours. I don't go off topic and spit about foreign policy to that audience, and neither do you.
This chick spoke her mind, to her movie going audience, and got stomped...on her own site, why are you so surprised? That someone had a different opinion other than the movie star? Who cares?
Here's why you (and why I should for you) should care what I think, we live in the real world.
If you want to talk politics in the media, there 's a few places to do that. Don't speak then hide in your web site because most people disagree with you.
And as much as you would like to think, Jeff, you're not most people.


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