Article Category: Activism

Extensive, in-depth interview focuses on political change, from Iraq, Cindy Sheehan and Katrina to Viggo's call for impeachment of Bush and Cheney. Mortensen also talks about the role of a hero and the his recent film work. A brief excerpt: "I think most Americans will look back on this period since 1980 as a morally bleak, intellectually fraudulent period of history. There will be a certain amount of shame, a feeling we were part of something wrong. People standing outside of this country can see this because it's very obvious. It's like looking at a spoiled brat, a kid who’s totally out of control, but because the parents are really rich and because they own the school, you have to put up with it. America is an empire in decay. But we don't have to lash out and do damage on the way down. We can reverse some of the damage we’ve done. It's possible."

Call to action from Viggo Mortensen, published on the Perceval Press home page and widely copied throughout the net. He begins, "In the often and rightly quoted words of Bill Clinton, 'There's nothing wrong with America that can't be fixed by what's right with America.' and concludes, "Please call or write your government representatives and help get the scoundrels out of government and in prison where they belong. Do not allow the subject to be changed, do not be distracted. The time to act is now. Take back your country."

This interview mentions Miyelo and then moves into a discussion of the mission of Perceval Press and aspects of American and international politics. Viggo explains the main reason he decided to visit Cuba: "If you don't think of Cubans or Iraqis as actual human beings with jobs and day-to-day lives, if you don't see them or hear their voices, then it's easier to be against them. They're faceless." Follow the Along With the Ride link on the page for the full text of "Back to Babylon."

Michael Medved criticizes Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davies, and other actors who make political statements, saying that "controversial off-screen pronouncements color our on-screen perceptions of Aragorn or Gimli, and threaten the perceived—and heroic—unity of the Fellowship of the Ring." If you read this, we suggest you might also find Pastor Greg Wright's response to be of interest.