To Clarify My Personal Politics

I have never missed an election, and I never ever 'vote the party line'. I also don't believe in remaining passive when I see something I perceive as horrible coming to pass. Sure, I can't change it, but I'll be damned if I won't be able to say I gave my all.

I am a very strong independent when it comes to the voting booth. I know, some of you will find that hard to believe, but it is true. I voted for George Bush Sr and not M.D. with my first vote because I felt ol Michael didn't have the qualifications to become President, while George Bush Sr was loaded with them.

In the current election, I do believe I have never seen a more unqualified man being suggested to serve the highest office in the United States. George W Bush is a failed businessman and an ineffective Governor that has not ONE qualification for the office of Presidency besides money. Jr's entire life has been molded by others... poised by his father and propped up by his party.

Now, is Al Gore a perfect candidate? Oh God No. But at the very least Gore understands the events that are happening in the world around us. At least Gore knows and understands the office of the Presidency. At the very least Gore seems to be able to answer a question when asked.

As I watched the Televised Debates, I saw two things. First, that while Al easily outpaced and defeated Bush on every question, he was having trouble defining his own personality... often coming across as a bit schizo over the course of the multiple debates. This was because he knew that his personality was his major flaw... When he smiles, he has a bit of a serpentine look, and the public picks up on that and reads it as being shifty and criminal. And Secondly, George W Bush gained so much out of the debates by saying nothing and responding with 'sayings'... He sat there and played like some West Texas Good Ol Boy, and everytime Al would score a point by illustrating a shortcoming in George... it made Al look like a bully and George out to be the underdog.

As for the question... How can I support Gore/Lieberman, when they have come out as being pro-censorship? Because right now Gore/Lieberman are talking about Hollywood having a responsibility in the way they market films, and pleading with them to raise the quality and frequency of family films. And the Republicans are mirroring the exact same tact, but to an even harder degree. Right now in Hollywood, it is an election year... there is a lot of rhetoric and both parties will hurl stones at filmmakers because they are easy and simple targets.

Sure I would prefer it if Al Gore was running on the platform of phasing out the internal combustion engine or bringing about a strong national education program based on teaching kids to look at media with a critical eye... I would like to hear more about the future of an internet world... more money spent on Internet Defense against hackers and viruses... enemies of the state potentially more dangerous to the U.S. domestics than just about any other form of terrorism.

I have lived in Texas with George W Bush as Governor... Has my state gone to hell? No. No it hasn't. It also hasn't become the land of milk and honey. But I will tell you this, George has advocated no great policies, made no advances and made no progress in the two terms he has been governor.

As for THIRD PARTY candidates... Look, I would love a strong alternative 3rd Party, but right now.... those of us that Support Nader and Support Browne... well, your vote is going to elect George W Bush Jr and that is just a crime. Now I understand, many of you feel... why does this belong on AICN? What does this have to do with film? Harry get off your soapbox. You are right... I am on my soapbox. I built it so I could speak and sound off. When Columbine took place we talked about that.

Sure, the primary focus of AICN is film and television entertainment. But as many of you have come to learn... I am extremely opinionated. I sound off about that which motivates me to write. I spend a great deal of time with you folks, talking movies, geek things... mutual loves and fears about our cherished passion.... Cinema.

Over the nearly 5 years that some of you have been reading me you have learned a great deal about me. What makes me tick. You see the frivolous goofy kid side of me (animations, Cameron Diaz's Swirling Ass and pwesents) and then you have seen the serious adult side when talking about artist's rights, destruction of beloved creative properties and the marketing of films. Through it all, I try to give you an idea of who I am... What it is that makes me the person that I am.

I have written about the most personal of issues, the death of my mother, unrequited loves, broken hearts, the marriage of my sister and the birth of my nephew. I know some of you do not agree with me on Politics... just as you don't agree with me on film, and as I'm sure you wouldn't agree with my take on religion (a bag of worms to be opened later I'm sure). But that's fine. What is great about the internet and this country and what it is I do is that I can express myself... you can choose to read or not. Below this headline will be one on Phil Tippett's RINGWORLD film and above will most likely be a pair of reports on Spielberg's A.I.

There is one overall message that I want to get across in this rather long meandering diatribe of mine, and that is this. VOTE. Get out there, give a shit. It is easy to just disappear into this world we share... live in chatrooms and talkbacks, but when push comes to shove... alot of people just fall short in the real world. They don't vote. They don't care. We see this when there is a great independent film and it doesn't succeed... we pull our collective hair out and scream, "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?" Well... that same problem takes place with voting. You sit back in your dorm... sit back in your apartment or house.... You grab a beer, a mixed drink, pull out a reefer or gnaw on a bar of chocolate, and ya might just veg out. DON'T BE THAT PERSON. I have already voted. I have my little I VOTED sticker... and once again on my ballot I voted with just about every party. Hell I even supported the Republican Senator from Texas, because the Democrat and the Green party person just didn't have the strengths.

Between now and Tuesday... dedicate the same amount of time you would to film... to reading transcripts of the debates, articles in great metropolitan papers.... educate yourself about what your candidates stand for (or claim to stand for). Be your own thinker... and VOTE. It is important.

And if I've offended your fragile sensibilites and political stances... If I've made you angry and pissed... Well get out there and vote to back up your opinions. Stop pissing and moaning... file that opinion where it counts... in the voting booth.