BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Sep 12 - 06:45 AM

Slightly pedantic point - the Channel Islands have never been part of the UK. (Nor of course has the Isle of Man, though that link GUEST 999 gave us does have a map that wrongly implies that it is in the UK.)

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Sep 12 - 08:35 AM

Cornwall..?

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Stringsinger
Date: 03 Sep 12 - 04:47 PM

Clint is a wooden actor in the tradition of Gary Cooper.

As Dorothy Parker said about another actor, "He runs the gamut from A to B."

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: kendall
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 06:35 AM

That was Katherine Hepburn.

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: kendall
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 06:52 AM

Did anyone else see that photo on Facebook of Clint and that Orangutan, Clyde? Clint says to Clyde, "That's the last time you write a speech for me." It's a riot.

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: bobad
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 07:59 AM

"Clint is a wooden actor..."

X2

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 08:23 AM

My guess is that we have seen the last of the phony "nobody" persona.
But the creator of these characters will inevitably return.
Watch for the ubiquitous commas...it's a dead giveaway.

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: pdq
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 09:41 AM

"Katharine Hepburn delivered a striking performance that ran the gamut of emotions, from A to B." ~ Dorothy Parker

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 09:49 AM

So, empty head talks with empty chair and loses to the empty chair...

And the beat goes on...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: GUEST,999
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 10:13 AM

The truly scary aspect of Eastwood's mumblings is that they show American politics have become a weak hybrid of amateur theater and infomercials (a la Don Lapre). Jaysus, you folks are in deep doo-doo, no offense.

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 10:58 AM

We did it our way, 9. We caused it and we could see it coming. No one - no individual, no country - could indefinitely go along the way we have been going and not have the road peter out somewhere. At this point, I doubt there is anyone who knows how to fix us.

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Greg F.
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 12:28 PM

Yup! Those draconian Republican cuts to education funding from Ronnie Reagan to date are bearing fruit, aren't they Bruce?

The ignorant leading the brain dead.

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 12:51 PM

I know how to fix us, Eb...

Fire Congress and appoint a new one by lottery... Kinda like jury duty...

100 people randomly chosen for 4 year terms would fix this country better than any elected body...

Just another detail on how it would work... One year before the end of a legislative term the next legislature would be appointed so they would have a full year of training in Roberts Rules, budgets, the way the government works and various issues facing the country... This way there would be no lag time between legislatures...

And...

...one single 6 year term for presidents so they don't have to waste their first term doing stuff to get re-elected...

This will fix America...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: GUEST,Chongo Chimp
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 01:02 PM

You got some not bad ideas there, Bobertz. It might not work as well as gettin' ME elected...but I think it would still be an improvement over what we got now.

I been doin' the "empty chair" schtick at all my campaign rallies now, mercillessly Eastwoodin' my political opponents. It's workin' great. The audiences love it. To the right of me is an empty chair symbolizin' Obama. Even farther to the right of me is another empty chair symbolizin' Romney. (Get the joke?) The one with Romney is so far to the right that I gotta YELL REALLY LOUD when I talk to it! ;-D Then slightly to the left I got one of them high chairs they use for little kids at restaurants, and it's there to symbolize.....Bobertz!

I crack wise at all 3 of these chairs, makin' witticisms and pretendin' I hear dumbass replies from them. The crowd eats it up.

I really gotta thank Clint for givin' me this great idea, even if he is backin' the Republicans. We been old buddies goin' way back. We do not agree all that much when it comes to politics, but we do agree on guns, liquor, and women...and that has made the basis for a lastin' friendship.

- Chongo

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 04:34 PM

Bobert at 10:51: "Fire Congress and appoint a new one by lottery... Kinda like jury duty...
100 people randomly chosen for 4 year terms would fix this country better than any elected body...
Just another detail on how it would work... One year before the end of a legislative term the next legislature would be appointed so they would have a full year of training in Roberts Rules, budgets, the way the government works and various issues facing the country... This way there would be no lag time between legislatures...
And......one single 6 year term for presidents so they don't have to waste their first term doing stuff to get re-elected...

This will fix America..."

But, see, Beaubear, I am well-and-truly tired of statements like that. They are the kind that Little Hawk makes and ake and god knows who all. I am interested only in what can and may and must happen. Things we may be able to put into practice. And proposals like that are just not going to happen. At least not unless and until a revolution of thought and prospects occurs.

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: gnu
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 05:07 PM

"...one single 6 year term for presidents so they don't have to waste their first term doing stuff to get re-elected..."

Nope. One term, five years and you get reviewed at the end of it by a jury of 12 citizens selected by lottery... if you fucked up bad, you got to "citizen's jail" : pay back yer salary and do five years of community service.

Yes, it's inane but the details could be worked out. Kinda like a reality TV show. Ya gotta admit, the current reality show reeeelly sucks.

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: GUEST,999
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 05:27 PM

In answer to Ebbie, because she's right:

Elect Obama this time and next election elect another party, one that is neither Democrat nor Republican. Those two parties have gutted the USA. Neither deserve your confidence or vote, imo. Start a third and if need be fourth party.

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Don Firth
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 05:32 PM

I gotta go with Ebbie on this.

There are a few people on these threads who chronically keep intoning that Americans have got to do this, that, or the other thing, NONE of which is within the realm of reality. Simply ain't gonna happen!!

Also, they love to tell us that "the fix is in" and it doesn't matter who we vote for.

Well--THAT sure helps a lot!

They apparently like to pontificate and puff themselves up with their "above it all" posture, but in reality, they haven't got a clue!!

TRY to do better than that, guys. There are people who post here, often quite long lectures that they've obviously spent a lot of time writing, that I just skip over, because I already know what they're going to say. Because they've said the same thing over and over and over and over...... None of which is usable in the real world.

(Sigh)

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: gnu
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 05:43 PM

Now... if ya want real drama up to the minute... just ask 9 and Beer what is going on in their neck of the woods at this very moment. Seriously, it could impact everyone in North America.

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 05:50 PM

9? Beer?

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: gnu
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 06:20 PM

La Belle Province is in the very throws of a heated election as I type. It's a three way race and things could "go wrong" which could have far reaching consequences (that FEW Yanks do not understand).

It is a truly heated election... unlike Beer and 9 who haven't had an election in years.

Yeah, do the typo.

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 06:38 PM

Typo: throws? :)

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 06:39 PM

I think some folks take things way too personally.
That Obama doesn't perfectly share their opinions on every issue? If you find someone who does, they're probably going to try to buy your soul. He's not the "lesser of two evils"-- he's not your perfect candidate.

He's gonna be in NH on Friday.

I remember someone criticizing (making fun of) all the starry eyed rock-star worshipers that went 'Obama' last time around. I thought some people were like that, but not that many. It's the ones who were like that here at Mudcat who're now sounding like disillusioned rock star fans. I voted for him, but I never believed he was perfect. I don't think he is now either, but I think his opponent has no business serving the public in any way whatsoever.

My one safe prediction is that Mudcat is going to be one big wad of hatred and scorn up until the election. We just have to figure out how much of that is gonna stick.

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 07:02 PM

Well, Eb... We are in deep poo... For rigtht now our best chance is to re-elect Obama, hold the Senate and cut way deep into the Republican hold on the House of Reps...

I will be working toward that end real soon... Like knocking on doors...

No easy immediate answers... Just hold off the wackos...

I'm looking way down the road and I think by putting out my ideas it is a way of getting people to really think about long term solutions to a systemically broken government... I mean, my ideas may be extreme but sometimes you have to put out some shock-ideas just to move people toward a little bit of sane government...

I am quite serious and think if more people were to write their newspapers with a similar fix then we might, at the very least, get a Constitutional Amendment overturning "Citizens United" and some sanity in campaign financing...

___________________________________________________________________

Yo, Chongz...

I like yer campaign style...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: gnu
Date: 04 Sep 12 - 07:41 PM

Ebbie... an embedded ruse. Whilst that typo you cited was an obvious ruse, I was alluding to the fact that Beer and 9 can't get it up anymore.

Although, your question speaks to... oh dear me! Glasses are required.

Does that make any sense? I have been at a wake and the Irish require a reasonable amount of alcohol to be consumed. Makes no matter if you play and sing... you are still required to toast the dead.

Ahhhh, drink to the dead, even if they are being cremated.

Whatever. I'll be fine tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 05 Sep 12 - 06:00 AM

The whole convention was a pretty depressing spectacle - white, middle-aged, complacent and completely uninterested in the complexities or nuances of either their own society or the wider world.

Eastwood's appearance was very sad. I can't help thinking he seems to have people around him now who don't seem to have his best interests at heart, whether it's persuading to do this or getting him to appear in a dreadful, unwatchable tv show about his ghastly wife and his appalling stepchildren.

Eastwood was always a filmmaker I admired. Politically he was always considered a Conservative but his films were often more layered and interesting than many of the more 'Liberal' films of the 70s, particularly. 'The Outlaw Josey Wales' is still one of the best films about America from the post-Vietnam period. 'Bronco Billy' was an engaging, affectionate satire about the very America that Romney seeks to address. 'Bird' was a noble attempt to make a new generation aware of Charlie Parker.

His Iwo Jima movies weren't entirely successful in my view but I can't think of any other American filmmaker who would even have attempted anything like them. Of all the directors of his generation, only Woody Allen has maintained the same continued work ethic and consistency - as well as both of their legendary efficiency in bringing films in on time and within budget.

He wasn't a great actor but he wasn't afraid of a challenge and he wasn't afraid of subverting his own image or the image people had of him in 'The Beguiled', 'Tightrope', 'White Hunter, Black Heart' and many other films. But someone really needs to tell actors and celebrities to stay away from doing novelty turns at political rallies.

I don't care about what Eastwood or Jane Fonda or Eva Longoria thinks about President Obama. And there's something very wrong with a country where political managers think people do.

But I grew up with Eastwood's work (although I didn't take my politics from any of it) and I'm pissed off with him for spoiling my memories of that work. Do Americans really think this sort of stupidity is funny?

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Greg F.
Date: 05 Sep 12 - 09:48 AM

...there's something very wrong with a country where political managers think people do...

What's considerably worse is a country where a substantial segment of the population actually DO care about what Eastwood or Jane Fonda or Eva Longoria think about President Obama.

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Don Firth
Date: 05 Sep 12 - 02:35 PM

Hmm. . . . .

"Twenty percent of those polled by the Pew Research Center listed Clint Eastwood's ramble as the highlight of the convention: Just 17 percent said it was Romney's speech. Ann Romney came in third at 10 percent, followed by Rep. Paul Ryan at 9 percent."

Once again, "hmm….."

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 05 Sep 12 - 03:50 PM

And now Erick Erickson of CNN has tweeted that the DNC is "the Vagina Monologues".
Why didn't he call the RNC "the Dick Parade"?

https://twitter.com/EWErickson/status/243144183529996288

Subject: RE: BS: Clint Eastwood's Convention Speech
From: Greg F.
Date: 05 Sep 12 - 06:00 PM

Like I said, Don......