Pubdate: Tue, 11 Feb 2014
Source: Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
Copyright: 2014 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
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Website: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/339
Author: Sevren Fahr

FLOWERS' HOFFMAN CRITIQUE GETS BOOS

After hearing of the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman, many words came 
to mind, too many to mention. No matter the size or complexity of the 
role, he owned it and it invariably was brilliant, no matter the 
medium. He was also a heroin addict. Not a criminal but a very sick 
man, except to Christine Flowers.

Ms. Flowers, in her usual selfrighteous manner, dispelled the myth of 
sadness for the tragic death of Philip Seymour Hoffman by calling him 
selfish. While shocking, it is certainly not out of character, as it 
pertains to her moral dignity bred by her zealous trust in her 
Catholic teachings. Being indoctrinated into Catholicism is one 
thing, but seeing the 1973 made-for-TV movie "Go Ask Alice" - 
starring a poorly dressed William Shatner and with a dreadfully 
performed script - as being life-changing just seems to be a bit of a stretch.

While being proud of herself for being drug free - and, one would 
assume, sin free - she has decided to call Philip Seymour Hoffman 
selfish. Of all the adjectives for his death, "selfish" just never 
made it, except to Ms. Flowers. Typical of the self-righteous 
Catholicism she always invokes, she has little time or need for 
biological and psychological facts because she has righteous 
indignation and that trumps the facts. I wonder what law class she 
learned that in.

As to her father's fight against lung cancer, are we left to assume 
that as is the case in more than 90 percent of lung cancer deaths, 
smoking was the culprit. One of the most addictive agents available 
is nicotine . . . an integral part of every cigarette. Using her own 
analogy, Ms. Flowers' father was too selfish to realize that 
cigarette smoking would eventually kill him, much like Hoffman's 
relationship with heroin. Sadly, neither were selfish - they were sick.

Ms. Flowers so often in the past felt it necessary to march her 
religious piety, but now we must also endure how a bad movie gave her 
the hubris to stand in judgment of one whose immense talent was taken 
by addiction, and if she had any knowledge of anything outside of her 
limited frame of reference (a TV movie, for God's sake) she would 
know that as an addict, you're always in recovery.

Sevren Fahr Drexel Hill, Pa.
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