ALF, condemns movie 'bewitched'

Press Release Source: American Liver Foundation

The American Liver Foundation Condemns Motion Picture Bewitched for Tasteless Hepatitis C Joke
Saturday July 2, 3:55 pm ET
Comedy Unfairly Stigmatizes, Stereotypes Millions of Sick People in America
NEW YORK, July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Liver Foundation (ALF) today condemned the Nicole Kidman film Bewitched for an insensitive joke regarding people with hepatitis C. In the film, a woman discourages romantic advances from a character played by Michael Caine, by saying she has hepatitis C. Bewitched was written by Nora Ephron and released by Columbia Pictures.

"Tragically, this remarkably tasteless comment plays into the stigma that many people with hepatitis C have to cope with every single day," said Frederick G. Thompson, President and CEO of the American Liver Foundation. "I can't imagine anyone in Hollywood making a joke about HIV infection, for example. But because the public is so uneducated about hepatitis C, it apparently seems acceptable to trivialize the disease in a comedic context, at the expense of millions of hepatitis sufferers. The American Liver Foundation has received hundreds of calls and e-mails from movie-goers expressing outrage and dismay."
There are over 4 million people who are or have been infected with hepatitis C; 2.7 million of whom are chronically infected. Hepatitis C is the major reason for liver transplantation in this country and about 10,000 people die each year from complications of hepatitis C. It is projected that the death rate will triple over the next 10-to-20 years unless something is done.
The symptoms of hepatitis C are often hidden until severe liver damage occurs, which is often too late for effective treatment. Untreated, chronic hepatitis can lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and liver failure.
The ALF has 26 chapter offices nationwide, with the newest just created in Hawai'i. It provides educational workshops and seminars, runs support groups, works with the media to increase the awareness of hepatitis and other liver diseases, and meets with local, state and federal policy makers to affect positive change. ALF supports research, primarily in two ways: first, by advocating federal policy makers to secure increases in government funding for liver disease; and second, by directly funding young scientists in order to attract them to the lifelong study of liver disease and patient care. ALF sponsors numerous fundraising events and campaigns to support all of these efforts. The toll-free HelpLine, providing information on liver health and disease, is: 1-800-GO LIVER; the Web site is: http://www.liverfoundation.org.
About the American Liver Foundation
The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is the nation's leading nonprofit organization promoting liver health and disease prevention. ALF provides research, education and advocacy on behalf of those affected by hepatitis and other liver-related diseases. The toll-free number is 1-800- GO LIVER, and the Web site is: http://www.liverfoundation.org.

Source: American Liver Foundation

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050702/nysa011.html?.v=15

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Everyone please take time to write your disapproval to Sony or to whoever else you can think of regarding this despicable scene in this movie.

Wys

http://www.march-on-dc.com/Petiton/please_sign.htm

[snook_man]

I copied this from another board.. But the link at the bottom is great. There are many petitions to sign, one for the movie, but a few for veterans and HCV funding also.
HCV is growing because of silence, lets not feed it by contributing ours!!! Follow the link, and if you agree with the petitions, please sign and submit.

[bon_vivant]

I have a Stupid Question For Ya..../Ya'll.. or anyone that possibly knows????

Please Don't Take This Wrong... But I Am Serious & Just Want To Know. I am almost afraid to ask....

The True Legality Of Web Petitions?????

I used to sign every on-line  web e-petitions I could get my hands on when I first got diagnosed...but then I discovered that suppossedly many of these petitions I had been signing were a COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME.....

Please Correct Me IF I Am Wrong....

It is my understanding that in order for these things to actually be legal... that they must contain, & log verifiable valid IP addresses, along with verifiable real full names, addresses, & e-mail addresses... & that a user must not in ANY WAY even be able to relog on under a different fictitious name, or change of an made up e-mail address to resubmit another signature.

I am just curious, because I quit signing stuff like that because what good was it "IF" it is a complete waste of my time, & isn't worth the legal weight of the paper its printed out on???

Does Anybody Know Anything About This, or am I misunderstanding this completely too????

I figure some of ya'll might know because of your political awareness on issues during election time, & I thought I read somewhere that rifleman was a lawyer.

Somebody tell me the legality of these things & how to verify that & I'll sign up for everyone I can find again!

Didn't ya'll ever read all that mombo jombo fictitious petition stuff with the dharma & secret swami???

Again Just Curious...
:) Vicki

[Magnum]

These things should come as no surprise considering the collapse of morals and ethics in the world, and especially in this country. One positive thing about this though, it did bring attention to people that Hepatitis C is still around and needs to be addressed more.

When the Hepatitis C bug bites a senator, governor, state representative or congressman or his family members in the ass, then maybe more will be done to help us.

If our government can spend $6500 of our money for a toilet on Air Force One, they can certainly spend more on Hepatitis C research. We must rattle their senses, shake their memory alive and not let them forget that this epidemic is still around, even in Washington D.C.

Happy 4th...

Magnum

[chellski]

thank you for posting the article and petition info - i saw the movie with my kids and cried after that scene...my kids just said you ok mom?? it was horribly cruel and i was sincerely offended...btw: no one laughed and on the whole the movie sucked big time...i've been boycotting and passing word around myself to anyone who'll listen - DONT GO SEE "BEWITCHED"
as rev says "bravo"
u da man!
<3michelle

[hepcgetlost]

Snook--Big bravo to you and sincere thanks. Passing this along to EVERYONE I know! Judi :-)

[cuteus]

I wondered the same thing also, as I understood that signatures and addresses are needed for them to be valid. They don't even accept P.O. Boxes!
maybe someone can enlighten us.

[Bill1954]

In Magnum

[snook_man]

I too agree that this does give the disease exposure, but very negative. This disgraceful comment, just proves the pure ignorance, and lack of education of society. Proves once again the need for awareness..


Vicki, not sure. I know that you have to fill out alot of info for petition, but I always thought that you needed actual signatures. Hopefully Rifle can give us the legal.

[cuteus]

this is one negative publicity no one needs. I would rather see none. Once an image is formed(1st impressions), it is nearly impossible to shake them off. You can't have a second first impression...

[snook_man]

Whatcha talking about girl? My comment was not directed at you, but at the comment in the movie. The ignorance is with "society" opinion and view of our disease.

You my dear are asked the exact same question I did before signing it. I wasn't sure, but I know "legally" you need signatures, documented and confirmed. But to raise a rukkus and demand some attention, I guess electronic sigs will work.

Hope alls well, and your holiday went well.

[bon_vivant]

Ivette,
I think he was actually referring to Nichole Kidmans comment,
but as I said originally... "I was almost afraid to ask".... So I was paranoid.

I know I am a stinker..... but I wasn't "being" one... LoL,

I only ask, that IF I should EVER offend anybody... Please let me know...  so I can either correct it... or stand behind it.... cause it may not have been intentional! Ha!
:)

[bon_vivant]

Hey Ya'll....
Ahhckkk..
Was My Comment Disgraceful???

If So I am Sorry, it wasn't intended that way....

I did go & sign it yesterday regardless... because I agree with ya'll that is no laughing matter... & I appreciate michelle bringing it to my attention the other day.

I also agree with magnum 244%

& compared to some of those on-line petitions that I have signed in the past... that one actually looked official to me....

I know I am ignorant... but that's why I was asking.....
I just want my VOTE To Count...& I was actually thinking more along the lines of actually protesting, & organizing pickets at the theaters showing it....
That would get some attention, but guess we don't need any of our fellow heppers in jail.

Here is the additional commit I added to my entry...
**************************************************************
This Infuriates Me Beyond Belief! I have, & will continue to boycott this picture!

I have taken it a step further, printed out copies of this, & it is my intent to personally sign each & every one of them, then send them to all parties of necessary parties of my Local & State Government... whatever it takes!
I even indulge in the idea of actually having organized picketing of theaters playing this thoughtless, & insensitive movie.
I ASSURE YOU THIS IS NO LAUGHING MATTER!
**************************************************************

Okay ya'll to prove my ignorance... look what I wrote... How Embarrassing,,,

(to all parties of necessary parties) <~~~~~~ What the heck was that...... It certainly wasn't very brilliant, I hate screwing up wording on stuff... especially when I use my real name & e-mail address for the world to see.....  {{{Blushing}}}

Anyway, I hope my post did not offend anyone... it seriously was not intended that way....  & I did print out copies & sign them.... my now question is, should I send them to at least my state rep???
:(
Sorry  Again Ya'll... but maybe if my post proved ignorance, than surely I can't be the only one on earth that way... so maybe discussing it helped to enlighten others that might have been just as reluctant about signing electronic stuff like that for the same reasons???? Never Know... so maybe something good will come out of that too!!!!
:) Vic

[cuteus]

quit apologizing! it was a valid question and concern, one that I also was pondering.
good job!

[Bill1954]

By the way, kudos to you for putting this info together!

[friole]

Snook - thanks for posting that.  I had read about it from Chellski's earlier post and thought it was totally tastless.  I am so glad to know the ALF has come out with a public statement, and that it is so appropriate.  My personal opinion is that they would have used HIV but knew there would be big time ramifications so they picked HCV which they felt would fly under the radar.

HIV has the backing of Hollywood.  For some stupid reason, that does make a big difference.  If some actors or actresses would get behind HCV, I think there would be more awareness. I read on some earlier post about Willie Nelson making a public announcement about HCV.  What is that all about?  If anyone knows, I would be interested.

I know one thing -- Elizabeth Montomery (the original witch) would not have said such a thing!

[bon_vivant]

friole=
Yea... I agree... I liked her.... which by the way... wonder what ever happened to her, & IF she is still even Alive????

snooks=
Ck This Out:
Haaa, Haa... you're gonna Love this....
It's a video that was captured from the Security Camera From the emergency room at Alaska Reginal Hospital On June 28th..... LoL
<p><a href="http://pleikump.us/private/ARH_ER_Visitor_06-28-2005.asx">Emergency Room Visitor</a></p>

[bon_vivant]

<p><a href="http://www.cinematical.com/2005/07/05/bewitched-has-hepatitis-c-everyone-stay-away/">Read This</a></p>

[rifleman]

Elizabeth Montgomery died of cancer years ago.
DJL

[snook_man]

ROFL!!!!! That moose needed a check up, thats all!!

[Lulu2005]

Aren't you the one who doesn't understand why the bruhaha over Tom Cruise and his incredibly dumb comments regarding post partum depression? If your feelings were hurt over the Bewitched comment, why don't you understand someone being upset about TC saying psychiatry is hogwash and there is no such thing as a chemical inbalance. His comments about Brooke Shields were horrific and his interview with Matt Lauer was embarrassing to watch. Tht man is a moron. But I guess since he wasn't harranguing about hep C, it is no problem. Yes?

[bon_vivant]

Hi... Yes & No.......

Yes I made the comment about Cruise.... but in my rage I guess that got misinterpeted...... or I didn't get it to come out right.....

What I was referring to was two things...

1) Wasn't he married to Nichole Kidman (Humm, they both seem to be pissing alot of people off lately) I think he's a **** myself

2) "I didn't write what was in red... I copied & pasted it from an article".... That remark somebody else made & it pissed me off too! .... so my point was... that THAT Sorry shleeept  does something like that... & somebody else defends his ass & says that it's a pointless waste of time & that we have the option of just not watching the movie.

I say bull hockey.... opinions do count.... I had wondered about the legitability of on line petitions..... but as everyone said.... numbers DO get attention & do matter REGARDLESS of legality's.... Everyone on this board was RIGHT!!!!

Sorry for the confusion... it was me.... that's what happens when I don't explain myself!
Vicki

[Lulu2005]

HI Vicki. I feel better now and understand what you said/did. Thanks.

[bon_vivant]

Trust Me... I UNDERSTAND.... but listen... I don't always explain myself very well.... & have my share of bad days.

This Stuff Is Some Roller Coaster Ride Ehh!

I can be down one day, & up the next, or feel like I am loosing my mind the next!

I'm glad you are feeling better!

I am Too Now!

Hope It Last... LoL

Hang In There!
;)