Does CNN think raising awareness about child sex trafficking is a right-wing conspiracy?
The hit movie ‘Sound of Freedom’ continues to do big box office numbers, and for those who’ve seen it, it’s easy to understand why. In a world where wondering about cocaine on the White House lawn and using correct gender pronouns are top concerns, some folks have instead decided to use the power of film to highlight the very real and tragic problem of child sex trafficking.
In many ways, ‘Sound of Freedom’ is not an easy watch. But it is a must watch.
‘The Passion of the Christ’ actor Jim Caviezel plays Tim Ballard, a former Department of Homeland Security agent who in real life, really did work with Colombian authorities to rescue children from an organized sex trafficking ring. The story is true. The children are victims. Ballard is a hero for saving them. Caviezel does an excellent job playing him.
There is no conspiracy theory nonsense. There’s nothing wacky or intentionally politically partisan. Though ‘god’ is mentioned, the movie isn’t even really a faith-based film, a genre its production company, Angel Studios, is known for.
It’s about saving kids. Which is now apparently… right-wing?
https://twitter.com/TheRightMelissa/status/1678182827907592193
I know the QAnon conspiracy theory exists and has warped some people’s brains. But the reaction to this movie by many establishment elites now has me wondering just what, exactly, do they consider QAnon?
The fact that child sex trafficking exists? That some of it is organized?
Does wanting to help these kids make you a crank?
That’s exactly the message delivered on CNN recently by author Mike Rothschild in response to the movie. Host Abby Phillips said to the touted QAnon expert, “The star of this film, Jim Caviezel, is coming under a lot of scrutiny for his embrace of QAnon conspiracy theories. And you seem pretty familiar with him because he doesn't really hide his association with this real wild plot that involves, you know, drinking the blood of children and things like that.”
For the record, there was no blood drinking in the movie.
Rothschild replied that Caviezel “is openly embracing and he's openly using its catchphrases and its concepts. He's speaking at QAnon conventions.”
Do I have to endorse everything Cavievel believes or espouses to like this movie? Did he write the script? If I go see the new ‘Mission Impossible’ movie this weekend starring Tom Cruise, does it mean I’m embracing Scientology?
Rothschild went on, “And this film is being marketed to either specific QAnon believers or to people who believe all of the same tenets as QAnon, but claim they don't know what it is.”
Apparently, I don’t know what QAnon is. This rescue story and the heroic man who successfully completed the mission were celebrated by CBS News in 2014.
Is CBS News part of QAnon?
Rothschild continued to educate us on why his concern about QAnon is seemingly more important than raising awareness about legal child slavery, “The most durable and the most believable conspiracy theories are not entirely false. There's something in them that is true and the rest of it is false, but the believers point to the one true thing and they say, oh, you don't believe that this particular thing is true.”
“In terms of child trafficking, we know trafficking is real,” he admits.
BUT…
“These films are created out of moral panics,” he continued. “They're created out of bogus statistics. They're created out of fear.”
I’m not in favor of moral panics. From the Patriot Act to denying January 6 protesters due process rights, we’ve all seen what liberties can be lost when people whip up public fear.
But if I was going to endorse a moral panic over something, rampant child rape might top the list.
There is no disingenuousness to ‘Sound of Freedom.’ There is, however, plenty of disingenuousness from the critics desperately trying to find QAnon where it doesn't exist.
https://twitter.com/jackhunter74/status/1678202912156024832
Mainstream entertainment magazine Variety refreshingly got this movie right, “You needn’t hold extreme beliefs to experience ‘Sound of Freedom’ as a compelling movie that shines an authentic light on one of the crucial criminal horrors of our time, one that Hollywood has mostly shied away from.”
As for ‘bogus statistics,’ Variety continued, “A closing title states — accurately — that there are more people enslaved now, by sex trafficking, than there were when slavery was legal.”
Rothschild would add in his CNN interview, “And with something like Sound of Freedom, it specifically is looking at QAnon concepts of these child trafficking rings that are run by the high-level elites and only people like Tim Ballard and only people like Jim Caviezel, and by extension, only people like the ticket buyer can help bring these trafficking rings down. So, there's a very participatory element. You're not just going to see a movie, you're not just killing two hours on a hot day. You are helping bring down these pedophile rings and save children. Now, it's not true, but it's a very comforting and it's a very warm feeling to have.”
What in the hell is wrong with this guy?
One, am I QAnon to wonder how Jeffrey Epstein got away with his many sex crimes, for many years, and was seemingly connected to the most famous elites imaginable? I don’t think I’m the only person to wonder.
Two, saving kids in deep danger and distress should give anyone a “warm” feeling. Tim Ballard should be very proud of what he’s accomplished. Jim Caviezel and Angel Studios should feel good about bringing more attention to this issue.
And CNN’s ‘expert’ should be ashamed for attempting to diminish the horror of child sex trafficking by making it about something else.
Like this article? Check out the latest BASEDPolitics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or below: