July 5, 2006 6:25 AM

So the normal rules don't apply to Christians?

Christian film’s PG rating troubles Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Christian-themed movie about a football coach’s faith in God is finding an audience in Congress — not so much for its inspirational message, but for the PG rating it received…. A PG rating means parental guidance is suggested because the MPAA believes some material may not be suitable for children. A G rating means the MPAA has found the movie acceptable for all audiences.

I know nothing about the movie Facing the Giants, and I care even less. My concern is not with the movie’s contents or it’s artistic merit. I’ve never heard of the movie, and I will likely see it about the same time I’m chosen as the next Dalai Lama. I. Just. Don’t. Care.

What I do care about is the not-even-barely-concealed pandering being engaged in by two renowned Right-wing loons. Neither House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO), or Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), have ever passed up an opportunity to suck up to the Religious Right.

I suppose it would be easier for me to understand their concerns IF they were doing the job they were elected to do. While Republicans are implicitly responsible for the clusterf—k in Iraq, and while some of their brethren are treating government as their personal playpen and coin purse, too many Congressional Republicans are willing to do whatever it takes to secure the support of the Religious Right. This makes sense, I suppose; the Religious Right is organized, well-financed, and they vote. They’re also not hesistant to assert their “right” to force their narrow agenda upon the country as a whole, most of whom don’t think, live, or believe as they do. Of course, when you’re anointed by God, does anyone else’s opinions or sensibilities really matter?

So when the “issue” of Facing the Giants comes up, you had to know that there would be Republicans willing to savage the “Liberal” MPAA for their godless elevation of sex and violence over fine, wholesome Christian themes. Yeah, right….

“This incident raises the disquieting possibility that the MPAA considers exposure to Christian themes more dangerous for children than exposure to gratuitous sex and violence,” Blunt said in a letter to MPAA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dan Glickman.

After meeting with MPAA officials, Blunt and a handful of other House members said they remain concerned about the subjective nature of the ratings process.

“I’m not satisfied,” said Rep. Marsha Blackburn, who attended the meeting with Blunt. “We probably will want to revisit this ratings process to have some commonality in the standards that exist for movies, videos and video games.”

Blackburn said she wants the House Energy and Commerce Committee to hold hearings on the issue later this year.

Blunt also brought up a recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health that found that the MPAA standards on sex and violence in movies have been getting weaker.

OK, perhaps Blunt and Blackburn have a gripe…or could it be that they’re pandering to Conservative Christians in an election year (they’d do that??). Having apparently resolved all the other pressing problems (terrorism, the war in Iraq, the deficit, etc., ad infinitum, and nauseum) facing this great nation, Blunt and Blackburn are now taking on the godless Liberals that run the MPAA. And next I suppose they’ll be appearing on the floor of the House in sackcloth and ashes….

Wouldn’t it be nice if these two loons devoted the same attention and energy to REAL issues as they are to this politically-motivated opportunity to pander to well-heeled onservative Christians? Our sons and daughters are dying in Iraq for no discernible reason…and Blunt and Blackburn are trying to score political points by going postal over movie ratings. Bartender, can we get a dose of perspective down here? And make it a double!

Man, the road to Hell really IS paved with Republicans….

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on July 5, 2006 6:25 AM.

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