We Must Hang Together, Or We Will All Hang Separately

Big Hollywood will likely contain plenty of stories dealing with and (hopefully) overcoming the hardships associated with being a “conservative” in and around Hollywood. I want to commend those who have been able to hold on to their principles and have had the courage to share their true convictions in the face of obvious and insidious prejudice.

However, coming from an area of the “entertainment” world (talk radio and documentary films) where expressing a strong opinion is not only allowed, it is mandatory; I come at this challenge from a different perspective than many of the writers for this site. I believe that a complementary relationship between those who are just now slowly “coming out” and those of us who are already battle scarred and hardened is absolutely vital to our side having any chance in the message/information war which is currently raging, and in which we have been getting creamed, for far too long.

And make no mistake this is a war we are in. One of the many reasons we are losing so badly is that their side gets this, our side does not.

When you are in a battle like this (even one that usually doesn’t involve real bullets, but rather only the verbal variety) you need generals, infantry and diplomats all working in coordination and in the best interest of the team. In my experience, our forces are largely disorganized, discouraged and in disarray. Consequently, our soldiers, through little fault of their own, are forced to act out of their own survival instincts rather than out of what might be good for the cause.

As someone who is at heart a warrior and who has put himself on the firing line with the scars (and lost jobs) to prove it, I want to make it clear that I am honestly not making a negative value judgment about those who choose to take a safer and more moderate route. In fact, I envy the ability to put self preservation in its proper priority and to properly pick and choose one’s spots. I wish my DNA was designed more towards the “diplomat,” but unfortunately this is clearly not the case. So instead, I am simply using what I have.

The point I wish to make is that in order to make efficient use of the division of labor concept, we need to accept that some of us are fighters, some of us are diplomats but we are both needed equally in this battle. All I ask is that we consider this simple deal: the “fighters” won’t disparage the manhood of the “diplomats” if the “diplomats” agree to provide some cover, or at least a little safe refuge every once in a while.

There have been numerous times in my own career when I wish such an understanding had already been in place, but the most dramatic example of which I am aware became the subject of my first film.

In 2006, ABC ran a two-night, five-hour-plus mini-series called “The Path to 9/11.” The writer/producer of this amazing film was Cyrus Nowrasteh. During the pre-broadcast controversy Nowrasteh was smeared by the mainstream media and threatened by the far left all because he had the audacity to publicly express opinions that were not “liberal.” While the left-wing blogs went on an almost literal search and destroy mission aimed at him and his family, the counter attack from the right (outside of talk radio) was, at best, anemic.

Consequently, even though the facts were almost 100% on Nowrasteh’s side (as proven in my film “Blocking the Path to 9/11“), Disney caved to the political pressure, severely edited the film, has never allowed it to be broadcast again, and even prevented the customary DVD release. If ever there was an event that personifies everything conservatives know about the plight we face in Hollywood, this is it, and yet our side has largely allowed this continuing outrage to go on without even the slightest push back.

We all know that if the exact same circumstance occurred with a liberal filmmaker (even if the facts were 100% against them) that this offense would not be allowed to stand, even when perpetrated by a giant like Disney, and that today Nowrasteh would be a household name with the ability command enormous attention for anything he does. While Nowrasteh’s career is still strong, it is hard to imagine him ever getting another “mainstream” opportunity like “Path,” which given his vast talents, is a grave injustice.

Now to be fair, thanks to the media being almost completely controlled by the left, there are ample resources to go around to fuel a fight from that side, while those on our side, lucky enough to get a seat at the table, are often understandably more concerned with keeping it than risking any of their precious capital.

But just because circumstances are far more difficult for us doesn’t excuse at least making even a symbolic effort. After all, if we are willing to lay down without a fight on issues as clear cut as the censoring of “The Path to 9/11” or the outrageous media coverage of the 2008 campaign (the subject of my next film, “Media Malpractice” www.HowObamaGotElected.com ) then there is nothing to stop the forces from the left from feeling confident they can win any victory they choose, no matter what the facts are.

Big Hollywood will likely contain plenty of stories dealing with and (hopefully) overcoming the hardships associated with being a “conservative” in and around Hollywood. I want to commend those who have been able to hold on to their principles and have had the courage to share their true convictions in the face of obvious and insidious prejudice.

Again, I honor those who come to this battle with different vulnerabilities and sensibilities than some others. Such diversity is healthy and necessary. Just please keep in mind that if our side does not support the “fighters” once in a while, then soon there won’t be any of us left standing.

UPDATE: This post has been edited due to a technical glitch that caused paragraphs to repeat. Thank you to the readers for the heads up — JN