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November Commentary from George Spiro Dibie Patriotism is More Than a Symbolic Flag The symbol of patriotism is everywhere you look. It seems like every other car on our freeways and other roads is either flying an American flag or displaying one in its window. Many of our neighbors are displaying flags outside of their homes. It seems like every store I visit has a flag on prominent display. Hollywood studios are displaying huge American flags even as they tighten security for the duration of the terrorist threat to our lives and freedom. The terrorists have succeeded in temporarily causing us to alter our way of life. We have become more wary of strangers and more diligent about security. At the same time, we are wearing our hearts on our sleeves. We are making a statement by proudly flying the American flag. Many years ago, the 19th century French philosopher Alex de Tocqueville toured the United States in an attempt to understand our national character. Among his observations, "Americans rightly believe their patriotism is sort of a religion." These are terrible times. It is almost impossible for people in the United States to understand the hatred that inspired the vicious attacks on September 11 that claimed the lives of so many innocent men, women and children. But, Americans have been tested before, and they have also risen to the task. There was a time during the early days of the revolutionary war, when defeat seemed likely and imminent, and pundits counseled that compromise was the solution. Thomas Paine, a patriot, responded by writing, "these are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of men and women. What we obtain too cheap we esteem too lightly." The attack on our freedom on September 11 killed some 6,000 people, and forever altered the lives of the tens of thousands of widows, widowers and orphans they left behind. By the latest count, more than 300,000 people have lost their jobs in the wake of the events following the attack. Millions of other Americans are paying the price exacted by the terrorists. Countless numbers of our members and those in other Guilds have been idled as production of many films, TV programs and commercials have been postponed or cancelled while others are being produced overseas. Many TV commercials are urging Americans to show our patriotism by buying their products and keeping the economy vibrant. Unfortunately, too many of their commercials were produced overseas in order to trim costs. Now is the time for TV commercial sponsors, ad agencies, studio managers, and other production companies to show their patriotism in practical rather than just symbolic ways. Filmmaking is an integral part of our economy and culture. The studios and other producers can show their patriotism by putting Americans back to work during this time of crisis. It is time for all of us to make a statement about the future of our industry by working together and finding ways to put a "Made in USA" label on U.S. films and commercials. SHOOT IN THE USA. As always, I look forward
to your comments and suggestions. Please
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them to me. George Spiro Dibie, ASC For Other Guild News, Click Here |