Proposal to Tax Violence in Films

Peter Navarro’s proposed “violence” tax seems so simple (Commentary, June 11). That’s its flaw. All (filmed) violence is not created equal. Consider the titillating carnage in “Starship Troopers” versus the horrifying bloodshed in “Saving Private Ryan.” A violence tax would discourage studios from making films such as “Schindler’s List.” It’d be too expensive. Unless you want to gloss over Nazi atrocities.

Yes, a tax would have TV producers moving violence off-screen. But soften “The Sopranos” and you make the Mafia look glamorous. As a working screenwriter, I share Navarro’s concern, but I don’t think simple solutions ever solve complex problems.

T.C. SMITH

Sherman Oaks

*

Regarding Navarro’s plan for a violence tax to be borne by the entertainment industry, I think he might be onto something, albeit an absurd something. If his economic model holds true, then William Shakespeare owes our country billions, if not trillions, in unpaid taxes (heck, we could make a mint on various productions of “Macbeth” and “Hamlet” alone). We should also be hitting up the Greeks for untold sums on such violent gems as “Oedipus Rex,” “Medea” and a host of other ancient plays.

What a fantastic concept from yet another reactionary mind.

CHRISTIAN HOKENSON

Burbank

*

You have to give the NRA credit! For such a small group of dedicated gun lovers to have such overwhelming political power is astounding. Their instant propaganda campaign of blaming the media (again) for recent gun killings is brilliant. So much so, Chameleon Clinton has “bought” it.

I don’t pretend to comprehend the rantings of the NRA. I do understand the political correctness of Clinton’s fabricated media investigation.

I was thinking how different the slaughter in Littleton could have been if the two murderers had attacked their classmates with “violent” videotapes or DVDs.

PRESTON B. BIRENBAUM

Woodland Hills