Actors, directors and producers in Hollywood tend to lean more towards the extreme liberal left on the political spectrum. From endorsing radical liberal candidates to worshiping at the feet of Planned Parenthood, Hollywood has enjoyed using its notoriety and public influence to push a decidedly liberal political agenda. Usually, their influence is limited to the likes of California and New York, both well-established liberal political alcoves, but the rising film industry in Georgia has given Hollywood a new target.
Recently, actress Alyssa Milano sent a letter to Georgia’s Governor and Speaker of the House about H.B. 481, Georgia’s version of the popular “heartbeat bill” that’s been passed in several states. In the letter, Milano and 49 other Hollywood actors threaten to hold Georgia’s economy hostage by refusing to film future roles in the state if the bill passes, which it did late Friday afternoon.
The letter itself is rather juvenile and states that the actors enjoyed the “hotels in which we stay and the restaurants in which we dine while filming down there to be comfortable and of high quality.” Then, it moves on down to say that if the bill is enacted, they imagine politicians struggling to explain to their constituents how they, “…enacted a law that was so evil, it chased billions of dollars out of our state’s economy.” Additionally, they threaten, “It’s not the most effective campaign slogan, but rest assured we’ll make it yours should it come to pass.” It reads like a mafia style shakedown, and it could have worked.
Georgia’s film industry brought $9.5 billion dollars to the state last year and is now considered the “Hollywood of the South.” The threats of Milano and her merry band could result in the loss of television shows and movies being filmed in the state, which would be a huge blow to the economy. Many Marvel films, including Avengers: Endgame, Captain America: Civil War, Spiderman: Homecoming, have all been filmed in the state.
Despite this blatant manipulation, the politicians and citizens of Georgia have made the brave decision to stand strong for life and not fall for such a disgraceful stunt. The actors and actresses who signed with Milano, including Christina Applegate, Don Cheadle, Debra Messing, Alec Baldwin, Sean Penn and Ben Stiller, should apologize to the people of Georgia.
Hollywood does not have the right to dictate the policy of other states, especially on something as important as the life of a preborn child. While they might be self-important in their own minds, policy should be made by the people of the state not a transient group of actors who only come to the state when there is a million-dollar paycheck to make. They don’t have to live with the law and should have no say in what happens in a state where they are not a resident. (Especially since this piece of legislation is likely unenforceable under Roe v. Wade.) If they want to make self-righteous political statements, Los Angeles and New York City would happily hear their rantings.
Also, how is saving the life of a preborn child through a piece of legislation that limits abortion to six weeks of pregnancy “evil?”
It feels like over the last several years that the use of “evil” has become casual. Instead of evil representing repressive regimes like Nazi Germany and Pol Pot in Cambodia, it is now defined as being anti-abortion or (gasp) having a biblical view on marriage. If wanting to protect the life of a preborn child is “evil,” then what would these individuals define as good?
This weekend, the feature film Unplanned will arrive in theatres. It tells the true story of Abby Johnson, the youngest Planned Parenthood clinical director in the history of the organization who became pro-life after witnessing an abortion. Ashley Bratcher, the actress who portrays Abby, wrote an open letter in response to Alyssa Milano:
“Mother to mother, actress to actress, and as a proud Georgian, I’ve got some things to say to you… I can’t help but think how you would feel in my shoes. Having just learned months ago that my life was spared on an abortion table, it definitely put a few things in perspective for me. You had the privilege of being born in 1972. My generation was not so lucky. Over 61 million lives never reached their full potential. How many doctors, scientists, philosophers, and even actors like you and me, never had the chance to leave their beautiful marks on the world?”
Voting for this bill makes a strong statement, and there could be some real economic consequences. Pray that Georgia’s politicians will continue stand strong, and that many would be encouraged to see Ashely Bratcher’s film, Unplanned. She said that Abby’s testimony and the film helped change her mind on abortion, hopefully it will change the minds of others as well.
