Obama's Silence on "Bruno" Outrages Activists

In what many have perceived as a reversal, president Obama upheld the controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy by refusing to state his opinion of the film "Bruno." The President, who attended a screening in Dupont Circle on Saturday night, was asked his opinion of the film this morning by former presidential correspondent and current member of the White House Press Corps Helen Thomas.

"Don't ask me that, Helen," stated an uncharacteristically flustered Obama. "Look, I'm committed to opening up the dialogue about this and, yes, changing my current policy, but now is not the time to address this."

Obama has been criticized for flip-flopping on statements he made during the campaign, most notably during the third presidential debate when commentator Bob Schieffer asked: "Tell us, without equivocation, what is your opinion of the film "Borat?"

"Very nice! Very nice! High five!" said Obama mimicking Borat's catchphrase, in what has since become an iconic moment of the the 2008 campaign.

"I can't speak for Senator McCain," Obama told Schieffer who was visibly impressed with the impersonation, "But I'm a supporter of Borat, Ali G, Bruno and all members of the Sacha Baron Cohen community."

Many activists contend that given the success of "Bruno," the time is now for the president to speak out in support of non-traditional films such as the ones made by Cohen.

"Obama has no problem admitting that he enjoyed traditional family films like 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2' and 'Transformers,'" said frequent White House critic and activist Glenn Stevens.

"He was a supporter of Sacha Baron Cohen's humor during the campaign, so what happened?" asks Stevens. "His silence on this issue is a betrayal."

Others insist that Obama's silence is merely another example of the president's signature pragmatism.

"He's smart enough to know that he can't force his opinion of the film down peoples' throats," said Andrea Shrum on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Still, with polls suggesting that the president's approval ratings have begun to drop slightly, there are indications that he's begun to listen to his critics. Just hours after the president's response to the film began to stir controversy, Obama issued a statement about "Bruno" from the White House Rose Garden.

"I know that many believe my analysis of this film has not come fast enough, and I understand that. It's not for me to tell you to be patient, any more than it was for others to counsel patience to heroes from another era who fought to defy the consensus that 'Forrest Gump' was a good movie," said Obama.

Throughout the address, Obama empathized with proponents of Sacha Baron Cohen while reassuring those Americans who are more comfortable with traditional family fare.

"I'm not willing to go on the record giving the film a yay or nay," stated the president, "But I will say this: there were some flaws that deeply troubled me, but other aspects of the film certainly worked. Still, when you use the lens of history and compare it to films that came out just months ago, films like 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop' and 'The Pink Panther 2', I think we've shown a lot of progress."

Comments

[skylights]

This movie isn't homophobic, it's anti-homophobic. Bruno is portrayed as a flamboyant, conceited idiot because that's funny, not because it's trying to give gays a bad name. What the movie does do is show the rampant homophobia in America.

This movie isn't going to turn people into homophobes who aren't already.

BTW, this article is satire, people. If Obama sees it, it will be in private.

[TurnToTheLeft]

"This movie isn't going to turn people into homophobes who aren't already."

However, it may incite them to gay-bash without any conscience.

Ask Holocaust survivors about the homophobic and racial slurs used in cartoons and movies of the pre-war era. Did it swell the masses of people who hated them? The cartoons and movies dehumanized the subjects and incited violence against them.

[TurnToTheLeft]

This movie is a giant step backwards for tolerance of real diversity. Bruno is a homophobic movie which clownishly derides gay men by using worn out old stereotypes of gay men by an actor who is not gay. This movie is a feel good movie for those who want to laugh at gay men - not with them. I am afraid this movie will hurt gay causes and whip up a rash of new gay-bashings by misguided insecure teens. Would this movie be so easily tolerated if it were a portrayal of any other minority by an actor who is not part of the community being mocked?

[becky16]

I thought silly season was over. Are you kidding me?! The first Cohen movie didnt deal with homosexuality. If it had, dont think Obama wouldve been so vocal about licking it. Part of being a poilitician is watching what you say, as your opinion will be dissected and scrutinised. Even if he suddenly doesnt like the new movie, everyone is entitled to their own taste. I liked the first one, but not sure if i even want to see Bruno.

[quornflour]

Frankly what Obama has to say about a movie isn't going to make me see it.
As far as "activists" being "outraged" about it, I think it is just another non-issue for some people to get worked up about.

Unconventional or not, maybe he did not like the movie enough to go on the record as saying anything at all, I cannot blame him for that.
I personally do not think that Cohen has anything new or interesting to say, sure he may push the envelope a little, but mostly I him kind of rude

and less funny. I would even go so far as to say Cohen and Sponge Bob are on the same page for me. Just because you make a bunch of dirty

jokes, or dress up like a gay man does not mean you are funny. I can almost see this movie on the likeness of "black face" which at the time was considered funny, but now people know better.

[TurnToTheLeft]

"I can almost see this movie on the likeness of "black face" which at the time was considered funny" - Funny to whom? At the time, "black face" was funny to white oppressors - not to African Americans. The same is true now. It is demeaning to Gay people and funny to those who would oppress and stereotype gays.

As for Obama, he was wise to stay silent. Healthcare for ALL first. I am gay and I trust that he will sign into law a reversal of DODT once it works its' way though Congress. Obama will not screw up like Bubba. He needs to spend his political capital on Healthcare and the Economy.

[JimmyD]

Really? This is journalism??

[averygard]

C'mon, y'all (older comments). The movie was meant to get people talking, and it succeeded. It's beginning to seem like one of the main arguments of people who hate it is that gay people shouldn't be portrayed on screen if they have major character flaws. Why? Straight people sure do. Stupid doesn't discriminate. Until the general easily-freaked-out populace can't see that we're all just humans, we're never going to get any further in progressing equal rights for everybody.

[Matt Carter]

No, I get that. I liked the movie. Did you not catch that this "article" was a poorly-executed attempt at humor? I couldn't blame you if you didn't. It's a "satirical" riff on the fact that the LGBT community was angry at Obama for "being silent" on DOMA and DADT. (Actually, we were angry about him actively promoting those policies, but how can we expect these people to remember so trivial a detail as that?)

So, get it, we were mad at him for not supporting OUR movie. Get it? GET IT? Yuk, yuk, yuk. This is a laff riot!!!

[Matt Carter]

Wow. That sure was smarmy and offensive. Are you trying to be a journalist or a comedian?

And just for the record, having seen both the movie and Obama numerous ridiculous statement on gay rights, I am sad to report that the satire of this particular film goes much farther than Obama ever has in confronting and properly dealing with prejudice. And that is a sad, sad statement indeed.

Why not go make fun of someone who can fight back?

[Nommo]

Has anyone asked his opinion of the movie "Birth of A Nation"?