For Mr. Splelberg

Rating: 10/10 (7 July 2005)

Dear Mr. Spielberg:
I and many of my friends have decided to wait until "War of the Worlds" comes into the video stores. I am a psychiatrist and have spent most of the past two weeks repairing the damage done by Mr. Cruise's totally inappropriate remarks that trivialized their severe mental illness problems. Lots of people have been hurt by his boorish behavior.
These are very sick and often tortured souls who bear no more responsibility for the chemical imbalances that made them sick than a diabetic does for his unbalanced blood sugar.
Many people here in Alabama have decided to wait this one out. No reflection on your quality film making but there is a growing desire to make a statement here.
Perhaps if you would make a statement reinforcing the real need for people to accept psychiatric treatment? I am sure you have many friends who have benefited from therapy and medication. You do know Ms. Shields I presume.
Thomas G. Shafer MD