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Something about me? I have been a nerdy cinephile for as long as I can remember. Putting the two together is living my best life. That notwithstanding, I was born to express, not to impress, so I blog because I don't have friends. In other news, I like hashtags because they look like waffles, prefer my puns intended, and I always give 100% unless I'm donating blood. Thanks for reading.
Why can’t Alec Baldwin take a break from the gunplay?
In a civil lawsuit imbroglio over his movie Rust that accidentally caused the death of Ukrainian cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, the misanthropic actor has set his eyes on his latest project–the historically tragic student protest at Kent State University.
Only there’s one massive catch. Alec Baldwin doesn’t want guns on the set.
Wait, what?!
Alec Baldwin’s Uphill Climb at Kent State
(Credit: CSU Archives/Everett Collection)
Let that image sink in. Deep.
Visuals like this are regretfully and heinously commonplace today with the widespread endemic of mass shootings across America. As of early May, there have been 202 mass shootings. As of the time of this article, there have only been 147 days in the year!
People are numb to images like the one above, and it is downright awful. In the ’70s, that apathy and acceptance did not happen. Those grisly pictures are synonymous with war stories. So, when twelve students were shot, killing four and paralyzing one on the campus of Kent State University on May 4, 1970, the entire nation paused, wiped their tears, and could not fathom what happened.
If you don’t know the story, the Ohio National Guard fired those guns.
Let’s be clear: This is an important story for today’s generation. The power of voices should never be silenced (unless they are spouting incredulous crap against unsuspecting and innocent people, then, in that case, find a muzzle). So, give Alec Baldwin his kudos. This is not an easy tale to tell.
Entertainment Tonight recently learned that no guns will be available on set, causing historians and biopic fans to scratch their heads like a battle of Head & Shoulders shampoo wasn’t doing its job.
How do you create an authentic and historically accurate film without guns? Is the plan using CGI weapons for actors holding hands as pistols shouting “Pew Pew” to each other?!
Even George Lucas thought that was a dumb idea.
Read the Room, Dude
(Credit: Associated Press via Getty Images/Everett Collection)
The Kent State Shooting is steeped in controversy, somewhat because of the tone-deaf ineptitude of the US government. Some say the lack of action by then-Kent State president Robert I. White did not help.
There was no control when more than 2,000 students and some faculty and supporters gathered on campus protesting the U.S. invasion of Cambodia. In comes the Ohio National Guard to scatter the unruly crowds with tear gas. Only that didn’t deter the protestor’s zeal. Two days later, bayonets were placed on rifles preparing for a riot. Students threw rocks at the Guard.
Without a warning shot and without reservation, sixty-seven rounds were fired by twenty-eight National Guardsmen. The firing lasted only thirteen seconds.
(Credit: White House Archives)
Following a shell-shocked time in Alec Baldwin’s life, you would think the guy would be a little more aware of his surroundings. You know? Taking precautions for safety, being kind to others, and perhaps, not being involved in a film depicting the shooting of students with respect to their 1st Amendment rights?!
But this is Captain Hubris Alec Baldwin, it seems.
While he does have a striking resemblance to former Kent State University president Robert I. White, why now? It’s been more than half a century, Alec. The historical account can wait a few more months.
It is not like White is the 13th U.S. President Millard Fillmore (pictured here). That’s a doppelganger. Do that story, dude. The guy was the last Independent to hold that office. How controversial could that be? But, what do we know? We are just the court of public opinion.
Something about me? I have been a nerdy cinephile for as long as I can remember. Putting the two together is living my best life. That notwithstanding, I was born to express, not to impress, so I blog because I don't have friends. In other news, I like hashtags because they look like waffles, prefer my puns intended, and I always give 100% unless I'm donating blood. Thanks for reading.
