tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post8517339362610917820..comments2023-08-20T06:16:15.362-05:00Comments on Getafilm: Taking It Home: 9500 LibertyDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-1885430635934158082010-07-19T20:43:08.673-05:002010-07-19T20:43:08.673-05:00I think I knew that about Stewart/Colbert, and sho...I think I knew that about Stewart/Colbert, and should have originally used Stewart anyway...<br /><br />Well we can agree that it's an old issue in the sense that the U.S. has always had an open-door policy for immigrants, and maybe this will pass just as the flurry of paranoia and hatred did about other ethnic groups (a woman at one of the board meetings in the film uses an old newspaper clipping to make a sharp comparison to Italians in New York). But, not having been alive for those migrations, something just seems...different about this new wave. Maybe it's the border violence near Mexico, or maybe it's actual prejudices that a number of Americans have, or maybe it's just a lot of media hype (doubtful). I still contend that a tipping point may have been reached in terms of population density (ethnic enclaves are running out of room in the cities and begin to bleed into suburbs and exurbs), and the post-9/11 paranoia still lingers over the issue of border security and global migration.<br /><br />Thanks for giving this some thought, by the way. I know Ebert gave a very positive review to 9500 Liberty when it opened in Chicago a couple weeks ago; not sure if it's still playing down there.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-73255847073055014192010-07-19T18:36:43.589-05:002010-07-19T18:36:43.589-05:00I do watch Colbert, and he uses the news like John...I do watch Colbert, and he uses the news like Johnny Carson or Jay Leno did. Jon Stewart is the "news" show.<br /><br />Large-scale migrations to the United States have happened in the 19th and 20th centuries, and after every overseas war. This is an old issue.Marilynhttp://www.ferdyonfilms.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-57163003248335768672010-07-19T17:19:29.239-05:002010-07-19T17:19:29.239-05:00I have to admit I don't watch Colbert (or Jon ...I have to admit I don't watch Colbert (or Jon "ALL I DO IS SHOUT AT THE CAMERA" Stewart), but I have to stand by my position that, at least among a younger group of eligible voters, he is truly seen as a source for reputable political news. I've heard a lot of people say they only get their daily news fix from Stewart or Colbert, and even then I have to consider that comedy (if that can be considered an "emotion"), not fact, is the primary way they connect with viewers. But that's mostly beside the point, and you raise an interesting theory about people moving away from TV news in general. <br /><br />The real point is that, as you say, we are entering what is essentially unchartered territory not just in the U.S. but across most of the West, where immigrants continue to arrive as second and third generations before them take root in society. My limited knowledge of world history tells me that global migration has happened many times before, but often (as was the case when this country was settled), territories and “countries” essentially existed in silos, save for a war here and there. The last hundred years has obviously brought a huge change as economies have sent people and people groups to all corners of the world for good (and in peace), and coupled with the overall rise in the global population, you can see that this Arizona law is about a lot more than just Arizona, even if people don’t realize it. In other words, it has nothing to do with Americans and Mexicans in 2010.<br /><br />We’ll just have to see how long it takes people to recognize that. And even then, the real work comes <i>after</i> recognizing that.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-11407267635583399902010-07-19T11:01:19.947-05:002010-07-19T11:01:19.947-05:00Daniel - A minor point, but I don't think Colb...Daniel - A minor point, but I don't think Colbert can be classified as anything but a comedy show. You're right on the others, though.<br /><br />I personally think this is just going to have to play out. Dominant groups never give up their prerogatives without a fight, but sheer numbers are dooming the dominance of white America. And that's neither good nor bad, but reality, which the people who dream up these laws refuse to face. Many people are facing this new reality and trying to change their civil, social, and business practices to reach harmony with a new population, but some are hardheaded and let their racial fears get in the way of common sense. <br /><br />Ratings may be plummeting on CNN, but it may not be because Fox News is stealing viewers. There are other places for viewers to go now, including the Internet. I think if we take a bigger-picture look at this, we'll find attrition from TV in general.Marilynhttp://www.ferdyonfilms.comnoreply@blogger.com