Oliver Stone: Another celeb who doesn't know what censorship is

The question to ask regarding Stone might be, "Does Stone think Mel Gibson should have absolutely no hassles getting work after his comments?" He indeed may, but that'd only show his complete misunderstanding of not only business economics, but also the freedom of expression that millions of average joes (which Stone isn't) possess.

Stone, while discussion his new film "World Trade Center," said the following:

“If I could go back, would I change it? Good question. At what point am I a filmmaker and at what point am I John Q. Citizen?� He begins quietly, and then rouses his own anger. “I hate that kind of censorship which says celebrities can't speak.� Stone hammers an open palm against his chest with each syllable: “John Q. Citizen — that's my right. I served my country. I've got a host of medals. I paid my taxes. I raised children, went through the whole system. And I can't (expletive) speak, as John Q. Citizen, about the state of the nation?�

Y'know, how many pampered celebrities just don't get it? Who is preventing Stone from speaking? How can't he speak? He's doing it right here in this very interview! What he's actually saying is that he can't speak without getting criticism and possible economic backlash. (We've addressed this previously here, among others.) Sorry, Ollie, but it just doesn't work that way. To disallow such does away with the free expression rights of those not nearly as fortunate as you. If you want to see REAL censorship and REAL oppression against those who voice unfavorable views, go back and view the subject of your film "Comandante." And this "censorship" sure didn't prevent the conspiracy-laden "JFK" from being made and shown in theatres, let alone "Nixon" or the wildly wacky "Wild Palms."

(h/t: Newsbusters.)

Posted by Felix at August 8, 2006 09:15 PM | TrackBack