Molen Culpa

Gerald Molen is a major movie macher, having produced Schindler's List, Jurassic Park and other titles.  Recently, he's been involved in conservative documentaries with Dinesh D'Souza.  Their 2016: Obama's America was the second-biggest political doc of all time, and now its follow-up, America, will be released this July 4th weekend.

But he's not happy.  Apparently his past connection to Hollywood makes him feel ashamed.  So he's written a letter to 866 conservative and Christian leaders, saying:

As a member of the Hollywood community, I have been part of an industry that has unwittingly and yes, even wittingly, caused much damage to America and to the world, and I am well aware of the blight that has too often been the result of such actions.  

Throughout my years in Hollywood, I tried to live my life differently and be a part of projects that I would be proud to have my grandchildren watch.  It hasn't been easy, but I've at least tried to stand against the tide of depravity that has too often flourished there.

Mr. Molen shouldn't feel so bad.  He doesn't have that much power.  No one in Hollywood does.  They fancy themselves influential, but most of America gets along without them just fine, enjoying their product if and when they choose, not because Hollywood has somehow hypnotized them.

The letter goes on:

There is a certain irony in the release date of America. It just happens to fall on the 10th anniversary of the release of the most successful political documentary in history. I do not feel it proper for me to name the film or the filmmaker for a film based on half truths and deliberate obfuscations of facts.

He's referring, of course, the Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11, which grossed three-and-a-half times as much as 2016: Obama's America.  Moore's anti-Bush film was released in the summer of 2004.  That was the year, you'll recall, when George W. Bush was reelected.  2016: Obama's America, an anti-Obama film, was released in the summer of 2012.  That was the year, you'll recall, when Barack Obama was reelected.

Molen continues:

I am asking for your help to let our fellow Americans know about this wonderful film. You will know best how to spread the word, but I am humbly asking for your help to do so. We all know about the election that is to be held in November. But there is a second election, this one starting on July 2nd, which also impacts the political and social culture of our nation. Thank you again for all you do for our country. On the second of July together we will begin to push back against the darkness.

So the letter is actually a promotional tool.  For a guy who's ashamed of his past, that's pretty shameless.