Guy Stephenson (Guido Sarducci)

As a historian with deep interest in American politics, I watched this movie with fascination. The intrigue, the drama, the script and acting were all superb. Unfortunately, they got it all wrong. The director and writer know this of course, but that's beside the point. And the only reason this movie originally released in 2010 gained any traction recently is because of it's final parting shot at the current arch enemy of the Left in the White House, Donald Trump. In plain white letters against a black background in stunning silence we're told that Trump gave Libby a full pardon in 2018. Like any viewer would be, I was incredulous. How could Trump stoop so low as to give Libby a full pardon? Why would he? When the entire world seems hell-bent to remove Trump from office for any possible offense, why would Trump make such a politically suicidal move? The answer lies in the truth, not in conspiracies or cover-ups. While Libby was found guilty of obstruction of justice, neither he nor Cheney were guilty of leaking the name of Valerie Plame Wilson to the press as a cover operative for the CIA out of revenge for an op-ed written by her husband Joe Wilson discrediting the findings of the Bush Administration of WMD's in Iraq. They may have their faults, but they're not that stupid. No, the real Leaker admitted to doing so in 2006. His name? Former Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage. Look it up. Do your own research. The truth is so easy to find even a caveman could do it. Anyone who honestly wants the truth versus an emotional, politically driven drama that blatantly and purposefully misleads the public is going to find the truth outside of this film. The cast lacked credibility. Sean Penn has long been vocal opponent against Republican politicians. In fact, his personal political views are so dubious and misguided that he stood shoulder to shoulder with Hugo Chavez, the Socialist Dictator that destroyed Venezuela during the Bush Era. Due to his lack of credibility in the political arena, I watched this film with eyes open and a caution flag waving in my mind. It's easy to jump to conclusions over the film. It outs Bush and Trump so it must be true, right? Let's not forget that Hollywood is in the entertainment business, not the truth business. No movie every made in Hollywood can be considered factual. Even those movies claiming to be "based" on factual events are filled with artist license, with a script written that will appeal to audiences even when it fully disregards reality. It's also common theme and well known fact that the Hollywood Elite and studios are, by and large, very Liberal. They hated Reagan. They hated Bush, Sr. They became rabid haters of George W. Bush. And they have lost their minds over Trump, filled with irrational hatred of a man they once adored. While I'm not surprised by the final unwarranted jab at Trump, I'm disappointed that once again, the real victim, aside from the Wilson's, is the Truth. Here's the real irony and dare I say hypocrisy of the film. Recent edits included the final jabs against Trump because he gave Libby a full pardon. But it wasn't Libby being pardoned that was the final nail in the story. It was the fact that Trump pardoned him that makes is so compelling. Which is completely unforgivable in their minds and deserving of impeachment. Never mind Libby didn't lead Valerie Wilson's name but his career as an attorney was destroyed. So he probably lied to the Grand Jury. So did Bill Clinton, and yet he remained in the White House with a year supply of Lewinsky Cigars hidden in the Oval Office. You can decide to hate Trump and Bush without knowing or even caring about the truth. Or you can appreciate the fact that it's a great piece entertainment, and perhaps some vindication for the Wilson's, who certainly deserve an apology for the hell they were put through by a thoughtless dimwit in the State Department, while remembering the fictional tale of Libby's, or Cheney's involvement in leaking Valerie Wilson's name to the press.