The other thing is to make sure the powers that be in Hollywood don’t force you to turn it into some Marxist screed on socialism, when Heinlein was a Libertarian and it’s about free-market capitalism.

Umm right, because the powers that own and run the billion dollar corporations in Hollywood are dedicated Marxists who want the workers to take over the means of production. Tim has said stuff like this before. I've never objected to his political conservatism - in fact I emphasized to him, speaking as someone coming from a very different political place than he does that I thought libertarian ideology is an important part of MIAHM. But I am irritated when a conservative complains about liberal oppression at this historical moment. Mind you I'm sure there will be an attempt to cut the liberatarianism out of MIAHM - not out of ideological bias, but out of the desire of execs to have more sex, loud noises, and flashing lights. That is not liberal or conservative or intentionally political; it is a desire to make money, and a belief that complex ideas as part of world building don't make money.

t edited to remove intemperate phraseology

it is about misshapen Manny making a connection to Wyoh. It is about Mike being existentially bereft, and his being willing to make any change to reality to suit those people who "get" him.

Certainly Gus - it is a novel of ideas, not a propaganda piece. But take out the libertarianism and you lose what shapes the world the characters are reacting to, and a great deal of what makes the characters what they are.

Maybe HAVE SPACESUIT AND TRAVEL, which is really about that one guy, maybe that would be easier, but this is about a revolution.

I would live to see a feature or TV version of Have Spacesuit, Will Travel, btw.

Door into Summer, what what.

Amen, Gris.

I'm anticipating the reaction of Andi's cats to a Minnesota Winter. I fear they will be looking...

I have lots of doors.

I really don't want to get into a political fight around here, but I'll say a couple of things about TMIAHM project. Even though I shouldn't since I'm working on it now and, well, madness that way lies. Also, I don't really like to spout politics in a forum like this 'cause it only ever ends in tears. And I think people like me, in my line that is, who tend to do that end up pissing off at least half of their audience, and hurting, sometimes deeply, people who matter. It strikes me as an uninvited abuse of power. If there is any power in having a name for something as trivial as screenwriting.

TypoBoy: Umm right, because the powers that own and run the billion dollar corporations in Hollywood are dedicated Marxists who want the workers to take over the means of production.

I never said that and I don't think it. But the first suggestion that was made to me was if I could make the bad guys an evil corporation. Also, I never get story notes from people who run billion dollar corporations.

Typoboy: Tim has said stuff like this before. I've never objected to his political conservatism - in fact I emphasized to him, speaking as someone coming from a very different political place than he does that I thought libertarian ideology is an important part of MIAHM. But I am irritated when a conservative complains about liberal oppression at this historical moment.

I'm not being oppressed. Help, I'm not being oppressed! And while it's true that the evil neocons are in power in Washington, not on my coast and certainly not in my biz. To be center right in Hollywood is to be in the minority. If you don't believe me, I hear there are fun and easy ways to dig up political contributions people have made.

And I'm still not oppressed.

And Gus, c'mon. "Moon" is at least a little about libertarian ideas, ain't it?

Wait! I will talk about politics! I'm reading Ron Chernow's "Alexander Hamilton." Hamilton was such a marvel. What a cracking great story. My agency tells me there's no market for American history in entertainment. So I guess it's back to my revolution on the Moon.

I think I heard a review of that book. It sounds interesting.

My agency tells me there's no market for American history in entertainment.

That's too bad, 'cause I'll bet something interesting could be made of "Devil In The White City."

Wait! I will talk about politics! I'm reading Ron Chernow's "Alexander Hamilton." Hamilton was such a marvel. What a cracking great story. My agency tells me there's no market for American history in entertainment.

Well darn it, that's what's wrong with America, then--that, and our failure to fully embrace the serial comma, but I probably shouldn't get that political, here.

Maybe you need to make a market, or approach PBS or one of the cable History channels. Wasn't Hamilton born out of wedlock, in the West Indies? He was a military man, a politician, an early abolitionist, a strong influence in our move to a more solid form of federal government. The supporting cast would include figures like Washington, Jefferson, Monroe, and Aaron Burr. There's even an affair and blackmail. Maybe it's time to resurrect the mini-series. Heck, the story would end with a fatal duel. How is that not great TV?

*cough* Sorry, my high school U.S. History teacher had a thing for Hamilton and Aaron Burr. They're all I can remember of his class, and as it was 20 years ago, the above is all I can remember about that. Shutting up, now.

There's even an affair and blackmail. Maybe it's time to resurrect the mini-series.

I can see it now. It can be a thirteen episode arc.

Aaron Buff

Although you'll probably have to sell it to a cable channel.