Ioan Gruffudd stars as abolitionist William Wilberforce, seen here on the deck of a slave ship. Bristol Bay Productions
Isn’t it ironic, that on the eve of Oscar weekend, where every form of perversion and the most lewd and vile and the most outrageous lies (i.e., Charlatan and possible preposterous Nobel Peace Prize winning Algore’s “A Convenient Lie” crockumentary) will be accorded all kinds of honors, that a truly great movie, with a truthful and really powerful and pertinent message premiers?
According to Kenneth Turan, LA Times movie reviewer, which I heard on NPR of all places) this morning on the Morning Edition show commented, “Amazing Grace is a story of idealism and speaking truth to power. It understands there is something deeply dramatic about a man who stands up for what is right and makes a difference in this life. The man in question is William Wilberforce, who for decades was Parliament’s prime mover in the battle to abolish the save trade in Britain. . . . it is risky in this cynical age, to make a traditional biopic, to construct a narrative that focuses on the good men do . . . Amazing Grace introduces us to Wilberforce at a crucial midpoint in his career. It’s a moment in 1797, a decade after he became an abolitionist, when physically exhausted and in despair, he feels like all his work has been for naught. . . Though looking in history as the work of great men may be out of favor [ i.e. George Washington, for one, see gregjaye’s recent article ], Amazing Grace embraces this point of view and makes it its own.” [My emphasis added]
Such a movie is rare today. Now we have nonsense like a Michael Moore comedy or an Al Gore "horror" flix. I am looking forward to seeing the Amazing Grace movie. I will not be watching Ellen DeGeneres hosted decadence glorifying Oscar show this year, however.
In an internet article, “Amazing Grace Movie: Lessons for Today’s Politicians” by Rusty Wright, he begins by asking two pertinent questions, “Can God and politics mix? Is blending them a recipe for suppressing freedoms, grabbing votes, or promoting the public good?”
Wright continues, “God-talk has become popular among US politicians. Leaders contemplating faith-in-action would do well to look back two centuries to William Wilberforce, the famous British parliamentarian who led a grueling but bipartisan twenty-year struggle to outlaw the trading of slaves. The film, Amazing Grace (US premier February 23) tells his inspiring story.
“. . . Wilberforce and the Abolitionists repeatedly introduced legislation. Apathy, hostility and parliamentary chicanery dragged out the battle. Twice West Indian sea captains threatened Wilberforce’s life. His health faltered. [My emphasis added – doesn’t this sound like the current crop of Democrat and “Moderate” GOP representatives in Congress today in America? ]
“Buoyed by friends and faith, Wilberforce persisted. He believed God viewed all humans as equal, citing Acts 17:26, “[God] has made from one blood every nation of men.” . . Finally, in 1807, twenty years after beginning, Wilberforce prevailed. Parliament erupted in cheering as the slave-trade-abolition law passed.”
Where are the Wiberforces in the United States Congress today? Senator Sam Brownbeck of Kansas, though not perfect seems to champion the right to life issue and seems closest to a Wilberforce that we have today. He seems to persist despite the ridicule and the attempt by the press to marginalize and discount or flat out ignore him.
Someone like Sen. Brownbeck or Rep. Tancredo seem to be principled men who respect life and the truly important issues facing America, as did Wilberforce. To me, the two primary issues facing America today are abortion, which in my estimation is the modern day slave trade, only it is worse, and the seeming glorification and indoctrination of homosexuality in education, academia, the activist judiciary, the main stream media and in the entertainment industry.
What I am looking for are representatives, including Presidential candidates that will stand up against the powers that want to enslave and have America succumb to complete acceptance of the dual evils of abortion and homosexuality. By no means are these the only issues. The other issues are of lesser import by comparison. These include the war on terror, immigration, the deficit, trade imbalance; excessive government spending and bureaucracy all need to be addressed in a principled manner by principled men or women as well.
According to Kenneth Turan, LA Times movie reviewer, which I heard on NPR of all places) this morning on the Morning Edition show commented, “Amazing Grace is a story of idealism and speaking truth to power. It understands there is something deeply dramatic about a man who stands up for what is right and makes a difference in this life. The man in question is William Wilberforce, who for decades was Parliament’s prime mover in the battle to abolish the save trade in Britain. . . . it is risky in this cynical age, to make a traditional biopic, to construct a narrative that focuses on the good men do . . . Amazing Grace introduces us to Wilberforce at a crucial midpoint in his career. It’s a moment in 1797, a decade after he became an abolitionist, when physically exhausted and in despair, he feels like all his work has been for naught. . . Though looking in history as the work of great men may be out of favor [ i.e. George Washington, for one, see gregjaye’s recent article ], Amazing Grace embraces this point of view and makes it its own.” [My emphasis added]
Such a movie is rare today. Now we have nonsense like a Michael Moore comedy or an Al Gore "horror" flix. I am looking forward to seeing the Amazing Grace movie. I will not be watching Ellen DeGeneres hosted decadence glorifying Oscar show this year, however.
In an internet article, “Amazing Grace Movie: Lessons for Today’s Politicians” by Rusty Wright, he begins by asking two pertinent questions, “Can God and politics mix? Is blending them a recipe for suppressing freedoms, grabbing votes, or promoting the public good?”
Wright continues, “God-talk has become popular among US politicians. Leaders contemplating faith-in-action would do well to look back two centuries to William Wilberforce, the famous British parliamentarian who led a grueling but bipartisan twenty-year struggle to outlaw the trading of slaves. The film, Amazing Grace (US premier February 23) tells his inspiring story.
“. . . Wilberforce and the Abolitionists repeatedly introduced legislation. Apathy, hostility and parliamentary chicanery dragged out the battle. Twice West Indian sea captains threatened Wilberforce’s life. His health faltered. [My emphasis added – doesn’t this sound like the current crop of Democrat and “Moderate” GOP representatives in Congress today in America? ]
“Buoyed by friends and faith, Wilberforce persisted. He believed God viewed all humans as equal, citing Acts 17:26, “[God] has made from one blood every nation of men.” . . Finally, in 1807, twenty years after beginning, Wilberforce prevailed. Parliament erupted in cheering as the slave-trade-abolition law passed.”
Where are the Wiberforces in the United States Congress today? Senator Sam Brownbeck of Kansas, though not perfect seems to champion the right to life issue and seems closest to a Wilberforce that we have today. He seems to persist despite the ridicule and the attempt by the press to marginalize and discount or flat out ignore him.
Someone like Sen. Brownbeck or Rep. Tancredo seem to be principled men who respect life and the truly important issues facing America, as did Wilberforce. To me, the two primary issues facing America today are abortion, which in my estimation is the modern day slave trade, only it is worse, and the seeming glorification and indoctrination of homosexuality in education, academia, the activist judiciary, the main stream media and in the entertainment industry.
What I am looking for are representatives, including Presidential candidates that will stand up against the powers that want to enslave and have America succumb to complete acceptance of the dual evils of abortion and homosexuality. By no means are these the only issues. The other issues are of lesser import by comparison. These include the war on terror, immigration, the deficit, trade imbalance; excessive government spending and bureaucracy all need to be addressed in a principled manner by principled men or women as well.
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