In the words of Michael Moore, as reported by Drudge, “The primary thrust of the new film is what has happened to the country since Sept. 11, and how the Bush ad- ministration used this tragic event to push its agenda.”

Yes, this is the same Michael Moore who a reporter in Japan asked: “You do not seem to like the U.S.A., do you?” To this question, Michael responded, “I like Amer- ica to some extent.” He added: "The U.S. government started the war with Iraq in order to make it easy for U.S. corporations to do business in other countries. They intend to use cheap labor in those countries, which will make Americans rich. The U.S. government claims to bring democracy to Iraq; however, no country in the world takes such an assertion seriously. It is an illusion.”

Lots of folks have very fond memories of Disney films and theme parks. When you are a parent, it is almost automatic to believe that, if you and your child watch a Dis- ney movie, the two of you will enjoy the movie and you won’t have to worry about having to “explain” certain parts of the movie afterwards.

It was a great feeling knowing that in the jaded, and often disgraceful, land of Tinsel Town, there was a place that stood for solid values, at least as far as their productions were concerned. Disney films and theme parks would only bring a smile on the face of everyone who remembered his or her experiences with Disney.

Times have changed.

While Disney may continue to develop child friendly projects, they seem bound and determined to support a fringe Leftist political agenda. It started small, and as time has gone on , it has become beyond reproach in many instances because of changing attitudes. In 1995, many Conservative and religious groups began a boycott of Disney products because of what was perceived by them to be the Walt Disney Company's abandonment of its stand in favor of solid Judeo-Christian moral values. This position was articulated by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1996: “We watched the world's largest family entertainment company with growing disappointment as Disney Com- pany.'s moral leadership has been eroded by a variety of corporate decisions.” Among the factors cited for their decision to boycott Disney were the hiring by Disney of a director who is a convicted pedophile and promotion a book believed to be “aimed at teenagers” espousing the virtues of being young and gay.

While some may disagree with the “morality” of holding someone accountable be- cause of "immorality" perceived by people whose morality may be different from that of the one they are holding accountable, Americans have a tendency to unite on holding people accountable for their lack of patriotism, especially in a time of war.

Michael Moore is basically the poster boy for the Left in America, the Left that was allowed to run amok without any restraints. Essentially, Mr. Moore has been able to develop, promote, and distribute, with monetary success, "documentaries" that are in fact, according to some, lies--socalled "documentaries" which contain so many lies that the term "documentary" is a misnomer and which, therefore, have spawned movements such as Revoke the Oscar.com, a website declaring: “Michael Moore’s ‘Bowling for Columbine,’ by Academy rules, is not a documentary.”

Under what would be considered ordinary circumstances, a "documentary that is, in fact, a lie would be relegated to some basement somewhere. However, in the hearts and minds of the folks that brought us "Dumb and Dumber," Michael’s film gets an Academy Award, and he gets from Disney several million dollars--several million in addition to the millions of dollars he has already made off the film.

Eleanor Clift is a reporter and self-proclaimed political analyst who, on the political spectrum, is far to the Left of the bell curve. On Fox News recently, she had been debating the fate of the Dixie Chicks and how silly it was to hold them accountable for their political statements. In effect, she was pointing out the hard work it would be to determine who said what when, and decide on the appropriate response. Eleanor simply didn’t believe anyone who enjoyed a celebrity’s performance should withhold their support or patronizing of that person or group in the future on anything as silly as the artist’s political statements.

Then again, there is, albeit in only certain circles, such as most of the United States of America, a notion of integrity, and being true to one’s values. The idea that people should not judge others or hold people accountable is a new one. In fact, it may not be as much an idea as it is a wish of certain persons to get off the hook--persons who need to be held accountable for the deceptive propaganda they spread and for their lack of American loyalty and patriotism, such persons including useful idiots as well as instigators and leading perpetrators.

It occurs to many that, if we are to overlook certain parts of a persons life because the other parts of that person contain attributes we admire, we will be on a dangerous and slippery slope. For instance, can you imagine the trouble a country can get into if its president engaged in illicit affairs, committed perjury, and was then let off the hook because he was otherwise likeable and ostensibly good for the economy?

How far do you keep moving the line of acceptability? How much harm can a person do in one area without being held responsible, if he or she also does good in a differ- ent direction? Must we, as some on the fringe Left would like us to do, greatly broad- en and expand what is considered “acceptable” behavior--i.e., seriously weaken and undermined standards of moral and ethical conduct--in order to avoid having to judge in the first place?

Who would have ever dreamed that our beloved Mickey Mouse would one day grow up, look in the mirror, and see he had become a slightly more hairy Michael Moore?

It will be interesting to see if Americans will want to continue to pay their dollars to a company that takes that money and funnels it into projects damning their own coun- try.

Paul Walfield is a freelance writer and member of the State Bar of California, with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and post-graduate study in behavioral and analytical psychology. He resided for a number of years in the small town of Houl- ton, Maine, and is now a California attorney. His articles appear in numerous peri- odicals and on numerous websites. He has been the featured guest on KTSA News Talk Radio.  CONTACT INFORMATION:  Email:   paul.walfield@cox.net

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