Though I love as many of his movies (Schindler's List, E.T.) as I think others are over-rated (Saving Private Ryan... but that wan't his fault. I loved his direction and the cinematography. I have a bone to pick with the writer[s] regarding his/her idea of what constitutes character development, but that's a story for another day...), I have been constant in my belief that Steven Spielberg seems like a really genuine, really kind man. This, from The Internet Movie Database, once again confirms my assumptions:

Spielberg Spreads the Word of Tolerance

Steven Spielberg has launched a contest aimed at promoting tolerance through cultural integration in Germany. The Schindler's List director believes the September 11 attacks and problems in the Middle East highlight the need for children to be schooled in understanding other cultures. The contest requires children to put together multi-media presentations that promote understanding between countries, cultures or religions. Spielberg says, "We've been at the brink of many world crises ever since the Holocaust, and this is one more crisis. But the need for tolerance education has always existed." The Catch Me If You Can mastermind was praised by German minister Edelgard Buhlman for his other works through the Shoah Visual History Foundation which has recorded the testimonies of over 50,000 Holocaust survivors. Buhlman says, "It is our common responsibility to make sure that young people experience different cultures. It's one of the most important contributions to our future." Spielberg, who set up the foundation in 1994, adds, "Schindler's List was made for a reason...because the Shoah Foundation had to come into existence."

And on that happy note, I'm going to bed. For real this time.