Here's To You, Maggie Gyllenhaal

(from cnn.com)

Maggie Gyllenhaal has waded into sensitive political waters by raising questions about September 11 and American foreign policy.

The 27-year-old actress, who stars in a new film about the 2001 terror attacks on the World Trade Center, said in an interview last week that the United States "is responsible in some way" for the attacks.

A fan Web site devoted to Gyllenhaal was overwhelmed with criticism, forcing the site's editor to remove the ability to post messages "because it's gotten too outta hand."

In a statement issued Monday by her publicist, Gyllenhaal said September 11 was "an occasion to be brave enough to ask some serious questions about America's role in the world. Because it is always useful as individuals or nations to ask how we may have knowingly or unknowingly contributed to this conflict.

"Not to have the courage to ask these questions of ourselves is to betray the victims of 9/11."

She also expressed her grief for "everyone who suffered and everyone who died in the catastrophe."

Gyllenhall stars in "The Great New Wonderful," which features stories about people living in New York in the aftermath of the terror attacks. The movie is being shown at the Tribeca Film Festival, which was founded by Robert De Niro to help revitalize downtown Manhattan after September 11.

Her screen credits also include "Secretary," "Mona Lisa Smile" and "Donnie Darko." She is the older sister of actor Jake Gyllenhaal. She lives in Manhattan.

Blogger's Note: It drives me crazy that some people still think we need to tip-toe around the events of 9/11. Celebrities are still people; they are citizens of this country and they have every much a right to have an opinion on something as the rest of us. Awhile back Johnny Depp took some heat for making a comment that the United States was like an untrained puppy with big teeth. I think Ms. Gyllenhaal was absolutely correct in saying that we are betraying the victims of September 11 by not asking questions as to why those terrorist attacks happened. Anyone who thinks that we didn't have something like 9/11 coming to us has blinders on to the world. I always hate to use a sports-related analogy, but do you know why so many people hate the New York Yankees? Because they have money and power and they aren't afraid to flaunt it. But how could anyone hate America?