CSJ UPDATE Commission for Social Justice

IT’S ONLY A MOVIE . . .

COMPILED BY DONA DE SANCTIS responded, “No” because “Columbus enslaved the Examples of how Italian Americans and their heritage gentle Indians, robbed them of their land and killed 3 are viewed in 21st century American society. Contribu- million Arawaks.” The children expressed gratitude to tors’ names are in parenthesis. teacher Lyons for “opening their eyes” during a two- week period devoted to studying Columbus and other MAFIA ACTION FIGURES “Grow Your Own…,” European explorers. Contact Brookline School Superin- a series of miniature fi gures children collect, includes tendent William Lupini at 617/730 2403. (CSJ) a “Grow Your Own God- father,” “Mobster” and DA VINCI VANDALIZED Was Leonardo da Vinci “Hitman,” each with an a genius artist, scientist and engineer or an unqualifi ed Italian name. Another doll self-promoter with A.D.D., who padded his resume? collection, “The Palermos,” The answer would appear to be the latter, according offers up Italian American to a new History Channel documentary, Da Vinci family members named & the Code He lived By, which aired last December. Frankie the Hammer, Producer-director Robert Gardner stresses da Vinci’s Rocko the Trashman and Nicky No Neck. (Santina illegitimate birth (referring to him as “a bastard” six Haemmerle, NY) times in the two-hour fi lm) and focuses on his failures and unfi nished works.(CSJ) ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT House Arrest, a new HBO “docu-comedy based on reality” stars Christopher SENATOR CROSSES LINE Columbo, an alleged member of the Columbo crime “Having Senator (Rick) Santorum family. Currently out on bail, charged with racketeering talk about [lobbying] reform is and extortion, he visits strip joints, psychotherapy and like having John Gotti talk about confession (!) before returning home to play poker with doing something about organized his friends. (Tom Vitale, NY) crime,” Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) commented on Jan. 18 during the nationally televised CREDIBLE SLUR? In his nationally syndicated PBS news program, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer. column Dec. 12, 2005, Robert Novak noted that Sam Part of the interview dealt with current scandals involv- Alito was portrayed as a “jackbooted thug” by his critics. ing lobbyists bribing members of Congress with gifts, “This characterization might seem more credible for Alito, money and trips. Sen. Reid has ignored CSJ requests the son of an Italian immigrant, than for (Chief Justice to apologize. (Anthony Cagliostro, FL and others) John) Roberts, whose father was a corporate executive,” Novak noted. (CSJ) CHASE AWARDED At least one citizen of New Jersey has no problem with the gangster image of the PIE IN THE FACE “Pizza Pile Up,” a popular board state and its people presented in The Sopranos. Last game for children six and under, features an Italian pizza December then-governor Richard Codey presented maker with a big belly and large handlebar mustache. the series’ creator, David Chase with New Jersey’s Players lose a turn if they land on him. “Aunt Jemima” fi rst fi lmmaking award for his “creative writing and has been relegated to the dustbin of political incorrect- rich character illustration.” (Stella Grillo, NY) ness, but “Mustache Peter” is alive and well in Toyland. (Camille Paglia, PA) Send your contributions to: “It’s Only a Movie”, Ital- ian America Magazine, 219 E Street, NE, Washing- COLUMBUS BASHING When 7th graders in Ja- ton, DC 20002. E-mail: [email protected]. Include mie Lyons’ class at the Pierce School in Brookline, MA name and daytime telephone number. No telephone were asked if Columbus Day should be celebrated, all calls please. Submissions cannot be acknowledged.

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