So now they're giving a pederast his own movie? Jesus.

[Rev Dave Man]

With all the rumors swirling about that John Turturro is going to be making a movie based on Jesus Quintana and how he ends up being "framed" as a pederast.  What's a pederast Walter?  Anyway, not sure if this is pure rumor and innuendo or if it's a go, but that's the buzz on the internet.  And as we all know, if it's on the internet then it absolutely must be true!

[BikerDude]

I'm tryna imagine that movie.
I got nothing.
8 year olds Dude.

[thevideoartist]

It could be an interesting allegory on the decline of faith in America... but frankly I would probably skip it until it's on netflix and I'm too baked to know what I'm watching.

[BikerDude]

What decline of faith would that be?
More people might identify as "not of faith" today.
But I'd say that religion plays a bigger role today than any other time in my life.
I'd say that more than any other time that I've ever seen the constitutional protects that separate church and state are in serious danger.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2012/6/2/1096273/-Why-We-Fight-Christian-Dominionists-Are-Dead-Serious-About-Overthrowing-Democracy

This shows the trend in how laws have changed over time. Trump just signed a bill that removes the restriction that tax exempt religious organizations
not engage in politics. It makes it legal for them to contribute to campaign funds and actively promote a candidate or party while still enjoying tax free
status. That's a big change. Evangelical religion play a huge role in politics today. Way more than at any time in my lifetime. There may be fewer people going to church today but the reality is that we really do face the possibility of the removal of protections "from religion". A lot of high profile political figures favor things like Blasphemy laws.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/05/03/trump-prepares-sign-executive-order-heres-history-religious-freedom-laws/101250064/

[Rev Dave Man]

Fuck it dude, let's go bowling. 

[BikerDude]

Our basic freedoms!      
I'm staying. 
Finishing my coffee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx8ioN5rqQY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT0ev7j2CGY

[thevideoartist]

I think by "Decline" i kinda mean what you're pointing out BikerDude.  Faith being used as a tool of exploitation and political posturing instead of enriching lives; taking its message and thrusting it outwards upon people instead of lending itself to inward reflection, humility, and self-improvement.  Corrupt, perverse, and self-serving... hypocritical and hence repugnant to an ever increasing population of agnostics, skeptics, free-thinkers, and what-have-you... more and more looking like the old roman catholic church than like a bastion of hope for the downtrodden.  Taking in them innocent 8-year-olds and diddling with them instead of showing them the way to heaven.

The original TBL did a beautiful job rendering the similar decline of american masculinity, tons of frustrated and confused male characters running around and trying to cope with the irrelevance of machismo, heroism, and even cowboys... the trail lead us west and the result?  Venice beach, hippy bums, goldbrickers, and reactionaries all perpetuating the whole dern human comedy and thinking they have it all figured out when they don't have a clue.  But religion isn't really given specific focus except as a cultural garnish for these characters.  Probably because in the 90s it wasn't as powerful a force as now?

I still have little to no interest in this movie but yeah... that's what I'm blathering about.

[CyPtheEnzyme]

Well I think we can all agree at least that we'd have to be high to watch something like this. Either way, I'd rather have another Jeff Bridges movie than another John Turturro movie.