Thursday, July 01, 2004

Richard Cohen, Abject Object of My Ire



Dear Richard,

I watched the film last Sunday with my family and we left the theatre in tears. Most of the other people I know who have seen the film also found it compelling, emotional, and posing important questions. Apparently military and 9/11 families have endorsed the film and have asked the president to respond to the issues raised.

[LINK]

Re-reading your column, I'm struck by how forcefully you criticize the film without responding to it. In fact, you don't say anything meaningful about the film at all; you simply reiterate how much you didn't like it, and then talk at length about anything else.

Assuming you did watch the film, perhaps I can remind you of its central themes: the potential conflict of interest between our heads of state and regimes that support terror; the erosion of our civil liberties under the Patriot Act; and the idea that while one class declares wars, another class fights them. I think these are the things Americans are concerned about, thanks to this film.

Thanks,

Ryan

10 comments:

Sheryl said...
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Anonymous said...

RYAN!!!
Is this 'Sheryl' identity an invention of your own? If it's some sort of joke I don't get it. Unless it's some sort of self-mockery designed to look like a fictional stand-in's reaction to your ideas. Jeepers, if you want someone to actually respond, I will! I don't mean to embarass you, but it's so unconvincing- no one would ever write a reply to every single posting, unless it's a wife or parasitic siamese twin. (difference?)
XOXOXO
Margie

Sheryl said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sheryl said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sheryl said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sheryl said...

Ryan,

You should have have defended me on this, especially considering you have told me more than once that you valued my comments in your blog.

I will remove them when I have time.

Sheryl

Anonymous said...

Sheryl!

Don't freak out! Ryan's on vay-cay!

Yours,
Maggie

Sheryl said...

Maggie,

OK, thanks. So I am guessing you are the "college sweetheart" Ryan mentioned? He said he had a great relationship with someone who just graduated from midwivery school in San Francisco. With all those Xs and Os in your post, I am assuming you must be she.

I guess I should not have gotten so defensive. Maybe I do post too much, but I am unemployed. It's either do things that I enjoy or look for work. And there's nothing I hate more than looking for work.

Sheryl

Anonymous said...

This seems to be a tremendous Ms. Understanding. I am no paramour of Mr. Boyd's, thought I can dream. Ryan is taken with another. But this controversy is quite troubling. I'm not even sure of my own name.

OXOX
Markie

Sheryl said...

I don't know, but I too am having Ms. Givings about your identity. (Actually I'm having Mr. Givings too, but don't let Ms. Givings know!) They are such a Giving family.

Now look what you've started!! You're bringing out my weird humor. :(