"Sound of Freedom" Detractor in Forbes is Officer in Pro-Pedophile Organization, Country Song "Violence" Controversy, Joaquin Phoenix as Napolean, NEEDTOBREATHE's New Song (The Five for 07/21/23)
Hey, welcome to The Five.
Due to the length of the stories this week (and the max length for Substack), there are only 4 stories.
Let’s dive in.
[one]
Well, two weeks into Sound of Freedom dominating at the box office, there are a lot of hot takes on the controversial film. But since I haven’t seen it (yet), the biggest element of the anti-child trafficking true story is just who is criticizing it.
In Bloomberg, journalist Noah Berlatsky tears the film apart as conspiracy theory nonsense.
The problem with trusting Berlatsky on this one…is that he’s an officer in a pro-pedophile organization.
Protasia isn’t hiding the ball here…they exist to support pedophiles.
A growing body of research indicates that mental health support for minor-attracted people can reduce rates of child sexual abuse perpetration among this group. Additionally, many child protection experts believe that peer support serves as an effective form of help for MAPs who are concerned about their risk of committing a sexual offense.
MAP Support Club provides a safe and reliable space for its members to help each other overcome feelings of shame and distress, while committing to living healthy and productive lives. Dedicated channels allow members to seek immediate support in times of crisis, and relevant resources are made available to anyone who feels they would benefit from other forms of support, such as therapy.
Yes, because the #1 thing we should be concerned about is not the kids being raped, but the feelings of the rapists.
And as to the “conspiracy theory” that sex crimes against children are rampant…these stories that happened within the last week. The call is coming from inside the house on this one…
[two]
Oh boy.
When I saw a string of headlines and social media hot takes on comedy actor Jonah Hill, I assumed something very bad had gone down.
Wouldn’t you, based on these?
I had a very different reaction to the transcript of the texts Brady posted was provided by Newsweek:
Jonah: Plain and simple: If you need: surfing with men, boundaryless inappropriate friendships with men, to model, to post pictures of yourself in a bathing suit, to post sexual pictures, friendships with women who are in unstable places and from your wild recent past beyond getting a lunch or coffee or something respectful. I am not the right partner for you. If these things bring you to a place of happiness I support it and there will be no hard feelings. These are my boundaries for romantic partnership. My boundaries with you based on the ways these actions have hurt our trust.
Jonah: Oh and modeling which is the last profession I would be with as a partner.
Sarah: "Thot pics"
Jonah: But LOL [laugh out loud] must be hard feeling so trapped.
Sarah: Well maybe you should've asked me more about what I do for work before you decided to date me then. A little late now.
Jonah: Keep taking me for granted. Go model! It's a fulfilling lie you'll love it. Real depth and substance and sustainability for relationships. But actually I'm [done] with this convo.
Jonah: It's just constant and doesn't reflect where we're at or where you say you wanna be. I respect your skill and your surfing. I respect how you want to present yourself. I respect that you're hot and beautiful. And I respect however you want to live. But I also respect myself. And what I'm interested in in my own life. And what I let into my heart and inner circle. So celebrate yourself and your life however you please. And shine bright. But I don't want to have to deal.
Thoughts:
A. Wow, Hill is surprisingly level-headed and kind, here. And I say “surprisingly” because most actors don’t do too great at adulting.
The text exchange show a polar opposite of how Hill is being portrayed in the media (which is why this is necessary to cover…I abhor “celebrity gossip” for the most part—but this is a larger issue).
B. If you’re reading this and single/dating, I hope you can conduct yourself in the way Jonah Hill has here. There’s real maturity in being able to calmly explain where your life is going, and give the other person space to decide if their vision fits with yours. Regardless of your gender, this is a valuable skill.
[three]
Controversy ensued this week when CMT pulled country star Jason Aldean’s video “Try That in a Small Town,” which:
A). isn’t a good song.
B). is about rioters and criminals staying away from small towns, because, well, bad things will happen to them.
This caused immediate outcry, like from State-level-Squad-type-guy* Justin Jones of Nashville.
Now, I haven’t been to law school, but I do hold an earned graduate degree in Political Theory, so I think I can step in as an authority on the subject matter here to tell you…commenting on music videos is NOT a function of a state legislature.
Elsewhere, singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow sounded off about being “sick of violence.”
I rarely engage in whatbaoutism…but you know who else was sick of violence? My former neighbors in Kenosha, WI after the state’s governor denied the mayor’s request for National Guard (worth noting the two were from the sam political party) and let Kensoha burn.
I have not seen Ms. Crow speak out about the minority business owners who lost everything…to white, out-of-state rioters.
In light of what I’ve seen hit (quite literally) close to home, it’s possible the song is referencing an elderly man being punched in the back of the head, and breaking his jaw in the fall, during the Kenosha riots.
Sucker punch somebody on a sidewalk
Carjack an old lady at a red light
Pull a gun on the owner of a liquor store
Ya think it's cool, well, act a fool if ya likeCuss out a cop, spit in his face
Stomp on the flag and light it up
Yeah, ya think you're toughWell, try that in a small town
Aldean does tap into a vein of truth here, as I definitely know [name of friend/family withheld] who chased a meth cooker off his farm in [county withheld] Illinois with [2A apparatus] rather than call the police.
Right or wrong, rural folks will sometimes deal with their problems…very locally (like, within the acre). And it’s worth noting, Aldean’s music video does focus on community building, which I appreciate.
But the other side of the coin is that every single song that I’ve heard Aldean do is just garbage. He’s a mediocre-at-best singer with next to no original ideas, who somehow has made it big on country radio.
Crow, on the other hand, is a typical Limousine Liberal who probably only talks to people who make less than seven figures to give house cleaning or hair styling instructions…but dang it, she’s a good artist.
It’s a good reminder that a person can have bad opinions and make good art. Or, that an artist can stumble upon something that resonates, and fumble the writing and delivery so badly that the song becomes little more than watered down propaganda.
*As in, AOC, Corey Bush, etc. That squad.
[four]
As always, let’s head into the weekend with a pop culture roundup:
One thing I hold against my fellow Millennials (and Gen Z, to a lesser extent) is how we have ignored some of Ridley Scott’s best historical epics (Kingdom of Heaven, The Last Duel).
Napoleon doesn’t just anchor to the talents of Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix, but also (allegedly) has one of the largest non-CGI battle scenes ever committed to film.
This is an Apple TV+ project, but it goes to theaters first on 11/22.
Woah! I was so/so on The Wheel of Time season 1…but it looks like the story (and special effects!) are kicking into high gear as the series after a nearly two year break. Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) is one of the most consistent actors working today, and looks to be in top form again in this role.
Recommended if you like the higher fantasy elements of Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones.
On Prime Video in September.
NEW MUSIC:
NEEDTOBREATHE’s new single is a heck of a summer foot stomper, and leans back towards the band’s southern rock origins with a blistering, fuzzed-out guitar solo.
And finally, my favorite band ever has not only re-united, but recorded with Bruce Springsteen. This feels like we’re headed into the golden era of The Gaslight Anthem.
Until the next one,
-sth