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July 17, 2005Letters to the EditorAt Issue: Traverse City Film FestivalIt's not too late!Just you wait, Traverse City, just you wait! Michael "The Mocumentarist" Moore is coming to town. And we invited him! "Not political, no controversy?" You must be joking! What do zebra mussels and Michael Moore have in common? Once they're here, you can't get rid of them. But it's not too late. Does Traverse City really want this type of exposure? Think about it. It's not too late! Patrick Murphy Traverse City Show love, compassion As a movie critic, Christian and author, I'd like to offer a positive Christian perspective to the Traverse City Film Festival. First, I think we should commend Michael Moore and the planning committee for bringing in great and beautiful films, especially ones that celebrate life, family and good storytelling, like "Mad Hot Ballroom." Even the more controversial ones can spur discussion on our purpose under heaven. Christianity addresses such questions. Secondly, I encourage the Christian community to start and offer discussion groups to wrestle with some of the issues raised in the films shown. Thirdly, we should pray for Michael Moore that God would bless him and draw him unto himself. Doesn't Jesus say to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you? Fourth, the Christian community should see the Traverse City Film Festival as an opportunity to show love and compassion to visitors of our city. In years to come, churches and Christian individuals could do all kinds of great things in Jesus' name, like offer free water and/or housing to attendees. I'm no fan of Michael Moore movies, but Jesus loves him, too. Matthew Kinne Traverse City Happy with film lineup Regarding the right-wing backlash to the Traverse City Film Festival, have I missed something? Have any of the people "lashing back" even read the schedule? I guess they are showing "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room," but c'mon - there can't be anyone left in the whole country crazy enough to want to defend those guys (besides their attorneys). Oh, yeah, and "Jaws," a glaring example of the liberal media's bias against, um, humongous man-eating sharks if ever I've seen one. I'm kinda happy I get to see Herzog's "Grizzly Man" (among many notable others) on the big screen instead of just reading about it online, feeling deprived, then having my video store-owning friend in LA loan me the DVD through the mail. If you don't want to see any of the films, then don't see them. Just rent the "Terminator" box set, lock your doors, shut up, and let someone else try to have a good time (at, by the way, no one else's expense) for a change. Christopher Carlson Grawn Festival will be political So much for the upcoming film festival not be political. Ben and Jerry's, a company well known for supporting extreme left-wing political causes, has paid $15,000 as a sponsor. Their spokesperson was quoted in the Record-Eagle as supporting Michael Moore's politics. So, too, will anyone who participates. Larry Lawrence Honor 'Nonpolitical' event? It is truly unfortunate that Jim Hubbard, Genie Aldrich and their conservative group feel it necessary to hold a film festival on the same day to directly compete with Michael Moore's nonpolitical, nonpartisan film festival. Mr. Hubbard states the event will be "mainstream and non-political," and is "doing it for the same reason Michael Moore is doing it." Can "In the Face of Evil," a pro-Ronald Reagan documentary, "Confronting Iraq," a pro-Iraq War documentary; and a film entitled "Michael Moore Hates America" truly be considered nonpolitical? Karla Smith Cadillac Freedom Fest a cover? I was present at the June 6 city commission meeting, the session when Michael Moore's group presented their proposal for the film festival. Following his presentation, Genie Aldrich spoke, virulently condemning the event on grounds that Traverse City residents did not want a film festival - she stridently asserted that people are sick of the crowds after the Cherry Festival. She chided that his roster of films could be rented at Blockbuster. Her over five-minute diatribe is public record and was televised. Spurned, now Ms. Aldrich is "co-founding" a film festival? What films will her group show? Blockbuster films - oops, with an anti-Michael Moore propaganda film slipped in. Ms. Aldrich is filled with contradictions. Her so-called Traverse Bay Freedom Festival looks like a cover for her neo-conservative politics, and divisiveness guised as art. Jackie Freeman Long Lake Township Your viewsFinish the job at ThirlbyIt's time for Traverse City Area Public Schools to spend some bond money to complete the renovation of Thirlby Field. The next time they spend $40 million of voter-approved bond money they should include about $5 million for Thirlby. Voters have approved over $100 million for school construction since Central High was built in the late 1950s. What's another $5 million? Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools should contribute, too, as long as St. Francis continues to use the field. Get Thirlby finished before I die - and I'm only 48 years old! Greg Doornbos Traverse City An "habitual" donor I just bled a little, and I feel pumped, so I'd like to share my easy way to get "high." If the Michigan Community Blood Center's program (which supplies our hospitals up north) had any idea what an "upper" I'm experiencing as I walk out their door after giving blood, they would probably charge me instead of thanking me. But we need many more donors, especially younger ones, so if you are healthy and appreciative of your good health, I'll tell you about it. First you call my friends at 935-3030 to make a convenient appointment. They'll check you over, give you a little poke, draw an easy pint, entertain you and even feed you juice and goodies. The best part is that you'll be walking on air, having, in less than an hour, given life to one of your neighbors. What a high! As I said, I'm pumped. (I'm 70 years old, and they still take my blood - amazing!) Call today. It can be the start of a lifelong "habit." Jim McCormick Traverse City
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