Another Iraq War Movie Bombs

Another bomb over Iraq, a Hollywood bomb that is. That is the subject of this evening's "Talking Points Memo."

The film "Stop-Loss" starring Ryan Phillippe is a flop, earning less than $5 million in its opening weekend. So once again, a negative movie about Iraq bombs, pardon the pun.

"Stop-Loss" joins "Rendition," "Redacted," "Lions for Lambs" and "In the Valley of Elah" in the valley of failure, proving Americans simply do not, I repeat, do not want to see their country bashed. Memo to Hollywood.

The worst failure in this area was Mark Cuban's "Redacted," which has grossed an amazing $65,000. The vile movie cost millions to make, so the billionaire Cuban got what he deserved.

The question is: Why are Americans turning away from this stuff? Well, "Talking Points" believes that most Americans are extremely disappointed with the Iraq war because the good guys, us, have not won decisively. There is great distress over all the blood and treasure the USA has spent.

But, and I strongly believe this, most Americans don't feel the USA is evil for removing Saddam and trying to bring democracy to the troubled Middle East. The intent was noble, but the execution of the war troubled. So when Hollywood opens up its artillery on America and puts forth that we are not a noble nation, the folks walk away. It's as simple as that.

Consider the change in the entertainment industry since World War II. Now we have a bunch of anti-American garbage coming almost nonstop out of the studios. Sixty years ago, patriotism was celebrated. Actor James Stewart flew dangerous missions over Germany, winning a slew of medals. Clark Gable also flew B-17s over Europe. Charles Durning was an Army Ranger, winning the Silver Star at Normandy and a Purple Heart as well. Charles Bronson was a tail gunner in the Army Air Corps fighting in the Saipan campaign. Lee Marvin, a Marine, was wounded on Saipan. The list goes on and on. Quite a contrast to now, when the USO has trouble getting selfish movie stars to even visit our troops in the war zones.

No question we are a far different country today. We're more selfish, far more eager to find fault with the United States, and polarized along ideological lines, liberals vs. conservatives. But the basic nature of America hasn't changed. Despite the Reverend Wrights, the Hollywood pinheads, and the far-left press, we are basically a noble nation. We do make mistakes and some of us are not noble people, but generally the USA still stands for liberty and justice. We are willing to sacrifice for those goals. The poor people in Afghanistan have a chance to live free because of us. And if the Iraqis would ever wake up, they could have the same opportunity. And all the Hollywood propaganda in the world will not change that.

And that's "The Memo."

Pinheads & Patriots

Last night John McCain and David Letterman had a little back and forth.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, "LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": You know who I like is that John McCain. Do you folks like John McCain? He looks like the guy at the hardware store who makes the keys.

JOHN MCCAIN, GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Hey, Letterman.

LETTERMAN: Hi. How are you doing?

MCCAIN: You think that stuff is pretty funny, don't you? Well, you look like a guy whose laptop would be seized by the authorities.

LETTERMAN: What?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

For giving McCain a nice forum, the very liberal Letterman is a patriot this evening.

On the pinhead front, say hello to our little friend Ted Turner, who is crazed about global warming.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TED TURNER, MEDIA MOGUL: It will be 8 degrees hotter in 10 — not 10 but in 30 or 40 years, and basically none of the crops will grow. Most of the people will have died, and the rest of us will be cannibals. Civilization will have broken down. The few people left will be living in a failed state like Somalia or Sudan.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Does Al Gore know there's going to be cannibalism? Turner is a pinhead. Love that.