he independent film producer Ron Maxwell's great Civil War movies Gettysburg and Gods and Generals have done more than anything else in recent years to keep alive the memory of an heroic era in American history. The latter was a favorite of our greatly missed Sam Francis and was warmly defended here by Paul Gottfried. Now Mr. Maxwell has followed the example of the men he portrayed and risen to the defense of his country:

An open letter to President George Bush - WorldNetDaily.com May 10, 2006

What is happening on the southern border is unprecedented. Not only in our own history, but in the history of the world… A wave of anti-American leftism is sweeping Latin America. A socialist radical may soon be elected as the president of Mexico, a country which officially encourages its emigrants to vote in Mexican elections, urging them to think of themselves as Mexican first and perhaps only.

The eventual outcome is plain for anyone with eyes to see. This is invasion masquerading as immigration... Mr. President, this is a time for candor. Your immigration policy is viewed as captive to the cheap-labor, big-business lobby and inimical to the survival of our country...The failure to recognize this growing and deep disaffection among Republicans, conservatives, independents and indeed many Reagan Democrats, is, in the short run, going to lead to a monumental defeat for your party at the polls in November...

The moment has arrived. The Senate has already begun its bloviations and self-aggrandizing platitudes, its morality play of good and evil wherein they—the noble senators— are cast as the redeemers of the entire world population seeking only to “live the American dream.” ...As a movie director, I can see bad acting a mile away.

Today, there are two Republican parties. One is now seen correctly by most Americans as responsive first and foremost to the demands of multinational corporations, the agro-business and the Chamber of Commerce. The other, best represented by the embattled members of the House, represents grass-roots America.

Dear Mr. President...I implore you to re-think this issue and to change course. Millions of Americans, a great majority of your fellow citizens will be with you. Start speaking and doing the sensible, courageous and right thing. You will see your poll numbers turn dramatically around. You will save your country

Well worth the admission price.