A Real Live Neo-Con

When the invite came in to fly to New York and participate in an Intelligence Squared debate about whether or not Hollywood has fueled anti-Americanism abroad I was interested, but not jumping up and down. While I love a good debate, argument, even a fight (I am from New York after all) the topic at hand seemed relatively mindless. So, at first I hesitated, but the thought of a few days in New York was very appealing in June, when I was in the midst of making Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers. With the emotion, pain and rage I felt after months of focusing on the war profiteers the thought of nice civil debate about something so innocuous was appealing.

When the date of the debate approached the people at IQ2 sent me the list of the people who be arguing with me and my group. Lo and behold, a real live neo-con Joshua Muravchik was among the opposition. Muravchik was one of the neo-cons who actively advocated for this horrific war of choice and even worse, is now advocating bombing Iran. My anger rose at the thought of encountering one of the so called 'thinkers' responsible for this terrible tragedy, and one not wise enough or moral enough to disown it or change his opinion!

So while the subject was Hollywood, I decided I would focus on the real reason for anti-Americanism, the real reason for the tragedy in Iraq, the real reason for our delusions of empire, the neo-cons and their horrific efforts! And each opportunity I had, I turned to address Muravchik and blast him for his reprehensible and anti-American political actions which have hurt our country and Iraq so deeply. I argued against the motion speaking to the audacity and criminality of those responsible for this war and their nerve and dishonesty in then trying to blame Hollywood for fueling anti-Americanism.

At the start of the debate 40 percent of the audience agreed with the statement "Hollywood has fueled anti-Americanism abroad," 35 percent of the audience disagreed with it, and 25 percent of the audience was undecided. By the end of the debate only 35 percent of the audience agreed with the statement, 59 percent of the audience disagreed with statement "Hollywood has fueled anti-Americanism abroad" and only 6 percent of the audience was left undecided. I think the living presence of someone who so actively supported and participated and helped create this horrific tragedy affected everyone in the audience....

Give a listen here.