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Audacity of Truth
"Change" You Can Believe In:
"Nixon didn’t try to do that. They couldn't control (the media). They didn’t try. [...] What the hell do they think we are, puppets?"
- Liberal opinion writer Helen Thomas, describing the Obama admin's penchant for heavily scripting public appearances & press conferences - 7/1/09
George Clooney: liberal and proud of it
Superstar and liberal activist George Clooney writes in the HuffPo today:
I am a liberal. And I make no apologies for it. Hell, I’m proud of it.
Too many people run away from the label. They whisper it like you’d whisper “I’m a Nazi.” Like it’s dirty word. But turn away from saying “I’m a liberal” and it’s like you’re turning away from saying that blacks should be allowed to sit in the front of the bus, that women should be able to vote and get paid the same as a man, that McCarthy was wrong, that Vietnam was a mistake. And that Saddam Hussein had no ties to al-Qaeda and had nothing to do with 9/11.
This is an incredibly polarized time (wonder how that happened?). But I find that, more and more, people are trying to find things we can agree on. And, for me, one of the things we absolutely need to agree on is the idea that we’re all allowed to question authority. We have to agree that it’s not unpatriotic to hold our leaders accountable and to speak out.
That’s one of the things that drew me to making a film about Murrow. When you hear Murrow say, “We mustn’t confuse dissent with disloyalty” and “We can’t defend freedom at home by deserting it at home,” it’s like he’s commenting on today’s headlines.
The fear of been criticized can be paralyzing. Just look at the way so many Democrats caved in the run up to the war. In 2003, a lot of us were saying, where is the link between Saddam and bin Laden? What does Iraq have to do with 9/11? We knew it was bullshit. Which is why it drives me crazy to hear all these Democrats saying, “We were misled.” It makes me want to shout, “F*** [edited for language - ST] you, you weren’t misled. You were afraid of being called unpatriotic.”
Bottom line: it’s not merely our right to question our government, it’s our duty. Whatever the consequences. We can’t demand freedom of speech then turn around and say, But please don’t say bad things about us. You gotta be a grown up and take your hits.
While I take issue with some of his supposed ‘factual’ statements (most noteably surrounding Iraq and their ties to Al Qaeda) I agree with the overall sentiment behind what he’s saying: don’t be afraid to say who you are and what’s on your mind simply because you’re worried you’ll be judged/criticized unfairly and/or unjustly. At the same time, though, if you’re someone like, say, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), you might want to carefully consider what you’re thinking about saying before you actually say it because it may justifiably backfire on you, as is what happened with him when he made the following comments regarding our troops at Gitmo based on the unverfied statements of one FBI agent:
If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime–Pol Pot or others–that had no concern for human beings. Sadly, that is not the case. This was the action of Americans in the treatment of their prisoners.
Questioning the President (any president), as well as our Congresspeople is indeed our patriotic duty and obligation as citizens. Even in a time of war. While the yummy-to-the-eyes Clooney’s rhetorical rallying cry to liberals is sure to stir the masses, what Clooney and others like him don’t seem to get is that anytime but especially in a time of war – which we are in fact in – words have meanings and certain things said reverberate around the world and serve only to make the speaker of those words look foolish and, if said in a time of war, give aid to the enemy (see Durbin’s comments above as an example of that). Legitimate concerns are one thing but crossing the line into lying about your position on issues related to the war on terror and manufacturing scandals just to score cheap political points against a wartime president is not good nor should it be encouraged or praised – it only serves to weaken support here at home and embolden our enemies abroad.
Sidenote: I should point out that I don’t share the fond adoration that so many other females I know have for Clooney. I read an article recently in People magazine about how Clooney supposedly defended the honor of Prince Charles’ wife Camilla Parker Bowles after someone he knew made a disparaging remark about her. Such a piece a few years ago I probably would have found swoon-worthy, but I can’t get beyond what he said about Charlton Heston back in 2003:
In receiving a special filmmaking achievement award from the National Board of Reviews, actor George Clooney joked that “Charlton Heston announced again today that he is suffering from Alzheimer’s.”
Clooney still had a chance to apologize for the bad humor day. When questioned about the remark by New York Newsday, Clooney sputtered: “I don’t care. Charlton Heston is the head of the National Rifle Association. He deserves whatever anyone says about him.”
To Clooney, saying someone was ugly was a huge no-no but making fun of the Alzheimer’s suffering of an actor he disagreed with on gun issues was ok.
Yes, Mr. Clooney, the right to speak your mind in this country is a wonderful thing, but with that freedom comes responsibility. Be more responsible with what you say. Some things shouldn’t be said, some things are better left unsaid, while other things could be better said. As I’ve written before: it’s not about the right to say something but instead whether or not that something is right to say. Think about it.
Read more via Outside the Beltway, All Things Beautiful, Noel Sheppard at Newsbusters
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22 Responses to “George Clooney: liberal and proud of it”
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Amen ST! Great Post. Nobody questions the RIGHT of people to say what they want to say. What ST points out and what I believe is we are allowed to point out that Durbin and Clooney’s rhetoric is irresponsible and not based on facts.
Unfortunately for liberals their control of information is no longer and they hear a response now to their irresponsible remarks. Before 1990 it was just CBS, NBC, CNN, Usa Today, Washington Post, LA Times. Since that time their market share has plummetted as talk radio and the Internet have skyrocketed with influence. It’s because centrist common sense conservativism is attractive and based on knowledge of human nature.
For example: If the evidence shows that raising tax rates doesn’t actually raise revenue to the government and lowering tax rates helps the economy and results in higher revenues to the government… why hasn’t the legacy press pointed this out and why does the legacy press refer to tax rate cuts as if it’ll lower revenue? On issue after issue there IS a worthy debate about the facts and history and common sense and liberals will consistently instead of engaging in debate treat conservatives and or Republicans with condescencion. How is that helpful?
Clooney and Durbin get carried away and then instead of admitting that they were irresponsible turn it into a characterization that people don’t recognize their right to speak.
Hey. Insert foot in mouth all you wish guys. It’ll only CONTINUE to help conservatives….
There is a reason that liberals/Democrats had a 54 year ruling period basically and then in 1994 Republicans took the majority of state governorships, state legislatures and the Senate and House of Representatives and followed up after Clinton with a Republican in the White House. It’s because of the substance of what liberals believe and what they continue to say.
While conservatives still don’t have a governing or legislative majority (because there are too many liberal republicans), the trend will continue over the next decade or two because conservativism makes sense. It’s about personal responsibility and smaller government and understanding economics and a strong defense.
- The Liberals continue to run the scam of wrapping themselves in the respectibility of “patriotic dessent”, but look at what they’re calling “loyal opposition”. Its a damn excuse to say the most outreageous nonsense and smears againt the Pres. and administration on the one hand, and cover their real agenda which has nothing to do with dessent, but rather pushes their hidden agenda of changing America into another France-like Zombie Socialism.
- Calling the President “Hitler”, and a “Liar”, and accusing everyone in the Administration of being Oil hungry lackies for Halliburton, Calling the same Administration and our President a terrorist, is not dessent. Doing everything they can to undermine the WOT, diss our troops, is not dessent.
- Its the same old tired Socialist anti-Representative Republic, anti-majority rule, anti-American BS they’ve been squacking and screeching for 6 long years now, ever since their party got kicked to the curb by a fed up electorate, disgusted with their “moral relativism”, “historic revisionism”, and “identity politics”, all of which are illogical rationalisations aimed at turning all the issues and debates on their heads to give them wiggle room and make it seem like they have any real convictions. They do not. Its all about me, me, me, evading personal responsibilities and the “blame game”.
- Mainstream America has rejected it twice already, and until they change the “hate Bush” excuses for any sort of comprehensive party plan, they’re going to keep getting beat like a drum at the ballot box….
Bang, Bak I agree with both of your sentiments. To paraphrase a certain dixie chick I heard once, “I am ashamed of my state because of Senator Durbin”. I hope and pray that one day the Republican Party in Illinois will get it’s act together, clean house and start kicking. Both parties are too corrupt in IL, and it makes me ill. Osama Obama is nothing more than an empty suit, that tows the party line like it was a life preserver. I had high hopes that he perhaps would change the Democratic party to what it once was, but alas no.
Also I always laugh when Libs tell me how much a liar GW is. I always have to bring up the fact that Bill Clinton is the only President I know that was convicted of lying. Which, of course, usually gets me scorned or some other blah blah blah about being a conservative.
I like George Clooney as an actor. He is one of the few actors I haven’t boycotted, mostly cause I haven’t heard anything that was childish or not fairly well thought out. I will give the man the strength of his convictions. But apparently I have been wrong about him. I didn’t know about him ripping into Charlton Heston, who’s films in my mind will still be watched long after George Clooney has assumed room temperture. I doubt if anyone will be able to say that about George Clooney, even tho I loved 3 Kings and Ocean’s 11, and Oh Brother where art tho. I don’t know, maybe I am being too harsh on GC’s work. But let’s face it, how many people have watched The 10 Commandments, and loved it even tho it was made almost 60 years ago. I still hope that one day these folks will see the error of their ways and either change the Dem party to a party of proper opposition or come on down the the dark side.
– Lorica
Its cheapshots like the jab at Charlton Heston that takes the class and credibility away from liberals. I love Clooney’s liberalism and the way he usually puts it across through his work and interviews and I couldn’t care less about the bible-thumping Heston. But that remark was uncalled for and everything will be set straight if he apologizes for that remark.
George Clooney’s liberalism (if his ideas were enacted) would cause more pain, suffering, misery, poor, death, etc.
What do you like about his liberalism exactly?
Just give me one solution and I’ll show you what I mean.
Calling the President a Hitler is as metaphoric as calling as calling any democrat evil. Its just hyper-emotional words that should be ignored and the sentiment is the bigger issue here. Bush is nothing like Hitler – the word Hitler is now used very liberally everywhere to allude to strict dictatorial attitude of the head of the state, which the president has shown, rightfully AND wrongfully for the last 6 yrs.
Clooney’s liberalism is very narrow and his idea to question the president even during the time of war is what I admire. And I repeat it is not true liberalism – it is conservatism because he wants to the public to play by the rules and perks of a true democratic society. His broader goal is something that is not parochial or patriotic per se – he wants to see the bigger picture of what the root causes of the problems are and that can very easily point back to the US admins of the past. That’s the liberal part of his philosophy and I think that’s a very enlightened posturing.
Classic line from Clooney: “F*** [edited-language. --ST] you, you weren’t misled. You were afraid of being called unpatriotic.”
Amen.
Nicely said.
Raj wrote, “question the president even during the time of war
Yes. Questioning the president is fine but with inaccurate and false allegations/accusations? What’s the point? It’s only hurtful. Definitely not accurate with his words.
Is no one here going to condemn the “cartoons”, under the heading that “sometimes, some things, should not be said”? I hate to be the house radical again, but in a time of war it is absolutely required that every citizen express whatever is on their mind because we may all be dead in the next minute. Peace
The point is Steve with the “sometimes, some things, should not be said”?” is that if they are untrue then, why say them?
There was an element of truth with the artists who drew the cartoons.
In a time of war it is absolutely required that you do the due diligence to find out if what you are “spouting” is even truthful. Unfortunately Steve, you are negligent and do not do the due diligence. You speak recklessly and irresponsibly.
George C. Looney. He can say whatever he wants.
One day that pie will back up and choke his own pie-hole. Kinda’ like Alec (where-did-those-cameras-go?) Baldwin.
- All you have to do is attend one Liberal party rally, and you know all you need to about where these people are coming from. “Hear the message, Feel the message, Be the message”. I swear its like going to a bible belt tent service, with all the animated agonizing, screeching, and bible thumping. More like a “cult” than a political meeting.
- One of the gals sitting next to me shouted….”Yeh…Bush is the Deeeeeeviiillll…..arrrrggggghhhhh” (ala DeanBobblehead). I said to her….”Do you realize you look and sound like a crazed baptist holy roller?”… She looked confused for a moment and then said….”I hate those fundies, they’re idiots….”
- It is indeed Bush Derangement Syndrome….
- Bang
Bang, She just said that she hates herself and thinks she’s an idiot.
I am a Dem., and I voted for Bush for protection and security issues. I still do not regret that vote. Even after his god awful past week! I do not think it could have been worse, if he actually planned it! I see these nice actors and actresses that open their fat American cake holes, spewing their beliefs, and the first thing I am looking for is the EXIT sign. If you are gonna act – act. If you are going to run for a Government job – well, do that. DO NOT BE LIKE BALDWIN, CLOONEY, or ROBBINS. I can’t watch a one of them on TV without brewin’ for over 2 hours… about why I think they’re flaming pack of butt-weasels. … and this is what I’m thinkin’
What is truth? We can all agree on what facts are, but what truth is, is a very different matter. The fact is that there were no WMD’s in Iraq. Now, whether bush thought he was saying the truth when he told the world there were WMD’s, we may never know. Peace
- Nice evasion Steve-oh. *chuckle*. Apparently you heard the news also about the AP article thats put the kiss of death to the “Bush lied about WMD’s” meme. So you say now “we’ll never know”.
- What you really mean but won’t say, is one of your pet screeds has gone away, and you and all your “progessive” tin-hats owe Bush an apology.
- Of course it will never come, because aside from being always ready to float any lie, any time night or day, if it seems to support you’re Bush hating fantasies, the left is just to perfidious and void of character to ever just simply admit when they were wrong.
- As usual you always act according to type….
- Bang
Steve asked, “What is truth?”
I’m sorry you don’t know Steve. I wish you did. A MAN of your age should know some truth. Along with 80% of the politicians elected to power, Bush said as well as politicians before Bush like Albright and Gore and Clinton said that there were WMD’s in Iraq. Now Steve comes along and acts like:
a) That was the only reason to remove Saddam
b) That nobody else said Iraq had WMD’s except Bush
c) That Steve knows the truth about WMD’s in Iraq.
One thing I can say is…. I pray you will stop undermining our efforts WHILE we are there. I know you will continue instead though. You will continue to give aid and comfort to the enemy causing more blood and death. Steve’s solution is more blood and death. Why Steve?
steve your moronic ignorance on daily display becomes even more moronic when you write things like “We can all agree on what the facts are……” When! Where! Have you ever recognized facts let alone AGREED with there existence. Then did you even notice your next folly. I won’t repeat the same lie that you clowns love to spill.
He is Liberal and proud of it.
He is proud of being an idiot, clueless propaganda mouthpiece. Please georgey put out some more stinkers for movies using your own money so you keep wasting it and go broke.
Getting by on your looks georgy? They aren’t going to last forever, then what will you have left?
This says it all about the liberals, we care, just not about you. If you do something we don’t like then you get what you deserve.
Where else have I heard that mantra before…do what we don’t like and you will get what you deserve…
It escapes me..where have I heard that before….