Amitai Etzioni and Mel Gibson's *Passion*

I don't quite know where "communitarian" Amitai Etzioni fits on the conventional political spectrum. Though as I've mentioned before, he seems to fall more on the conservative side.

But maybe that hard-to-classify element is a side that he actually thinks some original thoughts. A difficult concept for party hacks of all persuasions. But I find some of his comments very thought-provoking, however you classify them.

He has posted several comments at his blog (here and here) on Mel Gibson's Passion film that are worth checking out if you're following this particular controversy. Whatever the merits of the film, it attracted some rather dubious admirers. Like our friend Chuckie.

In one post, Etzioni takes Robert Novak (of the Valerie Plame exposure scandal) to task for careless commentary on the controversy over the film. Etzioni is careful to say he's not suggesting banning the film, as in this comment:

I am not in favor of insulting other people's religions, but there is a big difference between presenting
offensive characterizations of Jesus and inciting anti-Semitism, which Gibson's film is likely to do. Moreover, I have not called for banning the movie or not distributing it, but rather, for those of good heart to treat it the way it deserves to be treated - as way beyond the pale.

Given the way ole Chuckie processed the film (see link above), I would say the film's critics have good reason to be concerned that it could become a vehicle used to promote some very old-fashioned Christian anti-Semitism.

With a former national chairman of the Republican Party willing to associate his successful candidacy for Mississippi Governor with an anti-Semitic group like the Council of Conservative Citizens - and without drawing a breath of criticism from the national leaders of his party for doing so - such things are more than sectarian concerns.