Perhaps Liam should disown Hollywood?
LIAM Neeson’s comments about his primal urge for revenge (Mail) has made many feel uncomfortable. Forty years after his original response to his friend’s rape, the actor says he would react very differently today.
There is no point pretending some people don’t have knee-jerk reactions and a way of life driven by bigotry, hatred and revenge.
The unfortunate fact about human nature is not that we have such basic instincts, but that some believe it is all right to abide by them rather than question and overcome them.
This is not simply about racism, but also explains the bigotry behind thinking that leads to bullying, gang violence, vendettas and wars.
The use of stereotypes, perceived undesirable differences and the glorification of violence are rife in films and on TV. Yet those are the areas where change would have a most positive influence.
It is ironic that Hollywood is threatening to disown Liam Neeson. Perhaps he should turn his back on the film industry with its double standards and obsession with violence, and spend time in schools challenging primal instincts. Mrs EFROSYNI HOBBS,
London SE9.
From fame to shame
LIAM Neeson’s tale of going after a random man 40 years ago to kill him is a crock of whatever it is you’re having yourself obviously.
Liam is so caught up in the world of make-believe that he feels it is all right to embellish his own existence with fanciful notions but he may not have realised they can become liable to backfire on the odd occasion.
This latest and impossible to prove misplaced ‘heroism’ he tags himself with is typical of someone who is a bit detached from his own reality of the world about him. Too long on set?
To defend the honour of a woman is exactly the type of character he has been playing for decades, and when the line becomes blurred in pursuit of portraying himself as ‘The Equaliser’ it is but a short fall from there to the realm of the ridiculous.
Showbusiness always suspends credulity, say, when Liam played Michael Collins, and went on chat shows to imply how well he ‘knew’ Mick probably more than most and he had wonderful misplaced praise for a very flawed and controversial subject of Irish history. It was harmless and it allowed promotion of his film – that’s par for the course.
In the long term, his hard man image will not be too damaged, and his fame could paradoxically be further enhanced.
Avenging angels tend to have long careers. ROBERT SULLIVAN,
Bantry, Co. Cork.
Human bile
SOCIAL media giants should be forced to do something about the content on their websites.
Anonymity allows any moron to vent their bile with impunity. Trolls are cowards who wouldn’t dream of saying to your face what they write about you.
If their shield of anonymity were taken away by strong legislation, their foulness would go unwritten.
Yes, there is the issue of freedom of speech, but why should anyone have the right to insult, threaten or abuse you anonymously without fear of repercussions?
RICHARD BROOKES, Dorset.
Tusk tusk!
AS one who voted for the UK to get out of the European Union, I was disgusted at Donald Tusk’s comment, saying there is a special place in hell for people like me.
As for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, apparently endorsing Mr Tusk’s rant with a smile and a broad grin does little to gain support towards EU/Britain relationship never mind the hard-earned, on-going peaceful relationship between the people of these 32 counties of my homeland.
Can I say to these two people that it is not they who will suffer if a ‘cursed’ border dividing my country reappears. It is all the citizens of Ireland who will suffer. The European Union should go all out to unite the people of Britain and Ireland. HARRY STEPHENSON, Kircubbin, Co. Down.