Senator Brad Sherman, Democrat of California, has extended a rather special invitation to the CEO of Sony Pictures: Come on down to the US Capitol and show your controversial assassination comedy here.
Sherman, a first-termer, said in a letter to CEO Michael Lynton that such a screening would send a powerful message to America’s North Korean enemies, as well as educate members of Congress. His reasoning is perhaps a bit tenuous on the latter point; here’s the Shermster in his own words:
I am extending an offer to screen The Interview in the U.S. Capitol facilities. As Chairman of the Entertainment Industries Caucus, I believe we should stand in solidarity with Sony Pictures and the American film industry. Threats from a dictator in North Korea should not stop Americans from seeing any movie. We have a responsibility to stand up against these attempts at intimidation. This is also about educating Members of Congress. Everyone is talking about The Interview. I think it’s important for Congress to know, and see, what we are talking about. Screening The Interview will demonstrate the U.S. Congress’s support of the freedom of speech. This is about our right to live without fear, and knowing that our values will not be compromised by the idle threats of a despotic regime. Good or bad, Americans should not be deprived of the opportunity to see this movie. It is now the responsibility of the U.S. government to allocate the necessary resources to ensure moviegoers’ safety. We must help Sony Pictures, movie theater owners, and moviegoers regain the confidence to go see The Interview.
It seems a bit of a stretch to think that the government should (or can) have any real effect on either the release of the movie or the public’s reaction to it. It’s also more than a little silly to see any member of Congress try to strike a blow in the name of free speech when that esteemed body has done so much to restrict expression over the past couple of decades. But: it’s Christmastime; The Interview is a hot topic right now; no self-respecting elected official has ever passed up an opportunity to score some cheap political points.
In related news, Senator David Vitter, Republican of Louisiana, sent a similar letter to President Obama, in which he urged Obama to screen The Interview at the White House when Congress returns from its holiday break. After asking Obama to “host a screening” of what Vitter calls a “comedy film,” the Senator goes on to give the President a little constructive criticism: “Such strong action is particularly needed because the United States is seeing the effects in this scenario of your Administration’s past weak policies, which have irreversible outcomes.” Followed by just two examples of said weak policies. In related news, the Senate recently voted D-Vit “Most Tactful Senator Whose Last Name Begins With the Letter V.”
(US Capitol photo credit: Martin Falbisoner)
