Ed Thompson: A Remarkable Man
A review by Jaeson Jrakman
I’ll admit that it’s difficult for me to be completely objective in this review, as I already have a preexisting disdain for Republicrats and a preexisting respect for Ed Thompson. Nevertheless, this film couldn’t help but to provoke more thought in me, some of which I share in this review.
This is an excellent eye-opening documentary that both inspired and angered me all at once. I was inspired by Ed Thompon’s tenacity and integrity, and angered by those who would sabotage his success for less than honorable purposes. Director Dave Hendrickson tells an insightful underdog tale, which documents the life and times of Ed Thompson and secures his place in the same company of great Americans such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry. Men who simply refused to accept the meager lot they were commanded to accept, appropriately ignored those commands, and instead rightfully fought for something much better.
The film starts off by showing a free Thanksgiving Dinner that Ed Thompson organized for the folks of Tomah that was heartwarming. Then moving onto his childhood, and family life growing up with brother Tommy Thompson. It shows how Ed Thompson held numerous different jobs in his lifetime, forging a person who developed a deep understanding of the needs and wants of the common man far better than any hollow polished attorney seeking office could hope to gain. It was also interesting to see some of the various activities Ed Thompson took part in which portrayed his zest for life, including being a boxer, professional poker player, and skydiver.
The film offers many candid interviews with those who have had contact with Ed Thompson at one point or another, including former governor of Wisconsin Tommy Thompson himself. These interviews are especially entertaining and alarming, when concerned with the matter of Mr. Thompson’s dealings with the nickel slot machines he kept in his own establishment. The film clearly illustrates how the Indian Casinos and various special interests wield a stranglehold of financial blackmail (State Tribal Gaming Compacts) over marionette Republicrat politicians. How Ed Thompson was unfairly targeted for doing nothing more than attempting to compete as a business owner with the Indian Casino Monopoly. And how Ed Thompson triumphantly stood up to the injustice that corrupt Wisconsin government wanted to inflict upon him, by outright refusing to pay one dime of an imposed unjust fine in order to have the charges dropped. Equally as revealing were the periodic spots that inform the viewer which cowards refused to be interviewed for the film.
The segment in which the film details the jury selection for the nickel slot machine case against Ed Thompson was especially fascinating. It detailed how they simply could not find anyone who agreed with the law Ed Thompson was accused of breaking, or who would willingly convict Ed Thompson. No one believed in the validity of the case, and many were outspoken about it.
There’s an old saying, that if you keep the people fighting amongst themselves, they won’t fight you (i.e. the ones in power). Which is what the Republicrats have successfully accomplished with the charades of their two-party play-acting. This is no better illustrated than in this film when it touches upon the public sentiments by Wisconsin Governor candidates Doyle and McCallum, that they both wanted third party candidates to be included in the debates. Yet at the same time privately informing media that neither candidate would participate in the debates if third party members were allowed. The film forces you to ask, how can anyone seriously believe the Republicrats to be two separate parties, when they clearly work together towards common goals? Primarily, keeping themselves in power. It also makes one wonder, how journalism in Wisconsin can be thought of as impartial and objective, when they agree to such terms.
The film also chronicles Ed Thompson’s race for Mayor of Tomah and Governor of Wisconsin and shows how the political system in Wisconsin consists of a sort of corrupt Good Ol’ Boy network of Republicrats, who make it nearly impossible for other voices to be heard. After being suffocated with so many plastic automaton Republicrats unfortunately winning elections, it is truly a breath of fresh air to see an actual live human being become involved in politics. The primary concern of career politicians is their own career as is evidenced by their actions. Saying whatever their advisors tell them to say to win votes. The film wonderfully shows that Ed Thompson has no FCC between his brain and his mouth. So when he speaks, they are words that clearly come from his own experience, his own heart, and his own mind, and not sound bytes written by some sleazy political groomer sweating over polls behind the scenes.
The film also painfully illustrates how Ed Thompson has come to the realization that as voters we have unwittingly created our own oppressive royalty in the guise of slick celebrity attorneys who become elected officials, and how we have also unwittingly turned the common man into serfs and peasants to this psuedo royalty. The film shows that it is this realization, which fuels Ed Thompson’s current fire in the political arena.
I can only hope that this fine film serves as a mere prelude to Ed Thompson’s future governorship of Wisconsin. It clearly illustrates that he is the best man for the job.
I walked away from this film with a valuable lesson, and it is this. Most folks would write letters and make phone calls of complaint if presented with only two choices of televisions at their local Best Buy stores, yet they seem to be content with the illusion of only two choices at the ballot box, which in reality is only one choice. Those same folks will tell you that a vote for a third party is a wasted vote. Those folks are wrong. Republicrats are not entitled to votes. Voting is not about rooting for your favorite team, it’s not a sporting event you go to with your hometown colors painted on your face, and it’s not about being on the winning side. Voting is a personal process whereby an individual communes with their government, and sends government their own personal political views. Anything else is a wasted vote. Because even if the Republicrat you vote for successfully wins office, you still lose.
The DVD offers many interesting extras including an audio commentary by Ed Thompson himself, the Director and the Videographer. There’s more interviews with folks talking about Ed, a collection of taped speeches on the subject of Freedom, an update on what Ed is doing now, and clips from Ed’s Common Sense radio show. In addition there’s a trailer, website links, and commercials from Ed Thompson’s Teepee restaurant.
I would encourage those of you who see this film, to contact your local art house theater, and ask them to play this film. Also, contact your local video rental store, and ask them to stock this film. In addition, ask the organizers of your local film festivals to contact the filmmakers to request that they show this film.
Ed Thompson: A Remarkable Man is a must see for every Wisconsinite.
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Eno Yaw, Ltd.: Colorful Ed Thompson Documentary On DVD!
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VIEW THE TRAILER
http://RemarkableMan.com
Ed Thompson Documentary Released on DVD
http://hammeroftruth.com/2006/05/10/...dvd/#more-2279
Ed Thompson
http://EdThompson.com
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