But as a disturbing ``Frontline`` details, Moon and his Unification movement are very much at play in U.S. politics, business and media. Their activities flirt with illegalities and might have a dangerous impact on U.S. politics.
In ``The Resurrection of Reverend Moon`` (9 p.m. Tuesday, PBS-Ch. 11) reporter Eric Nadler and producer Rory O`Connor show us how Moon`s fingers are messing with the media, through his ownership of the Washington Times; with politics, through the American Freedom Coalition, a well-funded conservative group; and with business, through various real-estate, commercial-fishing, video and auto-parts ventures.
It details the lengths to which Moon has gone to gain a presidential pardon for his misdeeds, trying to spin his conviction into religious-racial persecution. It shows us some of his unsavory pals, making a strong case that his main financial backer is Japan`s Ryoichi Sasakawa, a billionaire whose right-wing associations started with Mussolini.
The program offers a thumbnail sketch of Moon`s early years, and that won`t be enough for most viewers. I excuse this, given what the show does provide: the well-documented portrait of a man and an organization (not so much cult as conglomerate) determined to have a big influence on the American way. There`s little wonder why the Unification Church is threatening ``Frontline`` with legal action over the show`s airing.