Clint's Speech / This Might Surprise A Few People, Too

[AGBF]

I almost added this to Holly's thread called, "This might surprise a few people", but decided to let it stand alone in case people wanted to make it into a thread about Clint Eastwood's speech at the Republican National Convention. The speech has been analyzed a great deal in print media. Clint Eastwood's use of an empty chair in which he told the audience President Obama was sitting and his directing comments to President Obama and hearing responses from him made for an interesting "dialogue", one usually seen only on the stage.

I did not see the speech, but I have been reading avidly about it. The first reports called it "long winded" and made only pejorative remarks about Mr. Eastwood when they referred to it. Even Ann Romney merely called it, "unique" the day after it was delivered.

Today I discovered it was only twelve (12) minutes long and I figured I could take anything for twelve minutes, so I watched and listened to it on YouTube. I think it was brilliant. I think Mr. Eastwood did a really fabulous job. Whether I agree with his politics is not germane to the issue of whether his speech was good, and I certainly do not agree with Mr. Eastwood's politics or support his nominee. I think his speech was highly innovative and well delivered, however. For once someone gave an amusing, entertaining presentation at a political convention.

AGBF

 

[Lula]

I watched the speech live and thought it was rambling, unfocused, insulting, and bizarre. And based on the expressions on Ann Romney's and Paul Ryan's faces (which were shown only briefly on national TV), they agreed with me. Someone should have asked if there was a doctor in the house -- Dr. Fritz Perls -- and removed him from the stage.

Jon Stewart's interpretation of the spectacle was spot-on.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/01/jon-stewart-clint-eastwood-romney_n_1848979.html

 

[JewelFreak]

"Spectacle" is a little strong, imho. I saw it live & loved it. Gave me a good laugh. Before the conventions the same talking heads complained mightily about how boring they have become in these over-scripted days. It was pure whimsy & a lot of people don't get that kind of humor. I wish folks would chill! It's not important as far as votes go, and I'm happy to see something unpredictable happen.

--- Laurie

 

[movie zombie]

i like clint.
i disagree with his political views but he's entitled to them.
i like his films.
i found it so difficult to watch his "presentation" that i had to turn it off and come back to it at another time.
he certainly is an interesting man. i do wish he'd not entered the political arena in this fasion.

eta: actually, i found it painful to watch......

 

[HollyS]

It was a moment of levity, that's all. And it was well done. He may look bumbling and fumbling, but he is not. And his "act" was all in fun, much like an SNL skit.

He made fun of the President. Like so many before him made fun of George W. To the pundits, to the outraged, I say, "Get over it."

At least George (and his Daddy) had enough of a sense of humor to actually laugh at his own skewering.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out at the DNC. What will they do to make fun of their opponent? You know they'll have their "moment".

 

[Lula]

It was a moment of levity, that's all. And it was well done. He may look bumbling and fumbling, but he is not. And his "act" was all in fun, much like an SNL skit.

He made fun of the President. Like so many before him made fun of George W. To the pundits, to the outraged, I say, "Get over it."

At least George (and his Daddy) had enough of a sense of humor to actually laugh at his own skewering.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out at the DNC. What will they do to make fun of their opponent? You know they'll have their "moment".

Oh, yes, they will indeed.
#BettyWhiteDNC

 

[AGBF]

It was pure whimsy & a lot of people don't get that kind of humor.

Obviously, this is how I felt, too. The notion that is was "painful to watch" or that Mr. Eastwood seemed, "senile" seems really strange to me. It makes me feel that the person who wrote such comments must have watched a different speech than the one I did. And I think most of the Pricescopers who follow these matters at all know that not only am I no fan of Mr. Eastwood's conservative politics, but that I am considerably to the left of Mr. Obama as well!

AGBF

 

[AGBF]

Jon Stewart's interpretation of the spectacle was spot-on.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/01/jon-stewart-clint-eastwood-romney_n_1848979.html

Thanks for that link, Lula. I laughed outloud. Jon Stewart is great. But I still think Clint did a good job.

Deb

 

[Dancing Fire]

Romney gave a nice speech with out getting into trashing Obama.. he doesn't need to trash the President, it is his race to lose with this terrible economy. the 18-22 yrs old college students voted Obama into office 4 yrs ago,now these college grads (over 50%) are unemployed,so this time around i don't think Obama can get enough support from the younger crowd to get him re elected.


Clint Eastwood is a

 

[diamondseeker2006]

It was pure whimsy & a lot of people don't get that kind of humor.

Obviously, this is how I felt, too. The notion that is was "painful to watch" or that Mr. Eastwood seemed, "senile" seems really strange to me. It makes me feel that the person who wrote such comments must have watched a different speech than the one I did. And I think most of the Pricescopers who follow these matters at all know that not only am I no fan of Mr. Eastwood's conservative politics, but that I am considerably to the left of Mr. Obama as well!

AGBF

You're to the left of Obama? How could that be??????

(Or are you meaning that you fall between the two candidates?)

Have they lifted the ban on political threads? If they have, I am staying on Rocky Talky and Show Me the Bling until about December!

 

[AGBF]

Have they lifted the ban on political threads? If they have, I am staying on Rocky Talky and Show Me the Bling until about December!

As far as I know, the topic of politics is still banned, but discussions of speeches by entertainers like Clint Eastwood, as long as they do not go too far off-topic, are not! Which is why I will not answer your question about whether I am to the left fo President Obama or not. I think that is getting too far into the realm of politics.

By the way, if you remember, when we were allowed to discuss politics, it wasn't here in Hangout...it was in Around The World. If we are ever allowed to resume, I assume that it will be there, so that you will never have to stay away from Hangout!

Hugs,
Deb

 

[Dancing Fire]

[quote="AGBF|1346626176|
As far as I know, the topic of politics is still banned, but discussions of speeches by entertainers like Clint Eastwood, as long as they do not go too far off-topic, are not! Which is why I will not answer your question about whether I am to the left fo President Obama or not. I think that is getting too far into the realm of politics.

By the way, if you remember, when we were allowed to discuss politics, it wasn't here in Hangout...it was in Around The World. If we are ever allowed to resume, I assume that it will be there, so that you will never have to stay away from Hangout!

Hugs,
Deb
[/quote]


i know the answer...

 

[MissStepcut]

The media coverage had me expecting something much worse. That was cute, reasonable, appropriate... theatrical, sure, but he's an actor!

He did seem to forget for a moment, though, that Romney is a lawyer too.

 

[MissStepcut]

Romney gave a nice speech with out getting into trashing Obama.. he doesn't need to trash the President, it is his race to lose with this terrible economy. the 18-22 yrs old college students voted Obama into office 4 yrs ago,now these college grads (over 50%) are unemployed,so this time around i don't think Obama can get enough support from the younger crowd to get him re elected.


Clint Eastwood is a

I think the younger generation blames the Bains of the world for the state of the economy as much or more than a President who was sworn into office in 2009.

 

[ksinger]

I read a piece that I can't find at present, with other show biz people marveling at how he clearly went off-script, commenting that the top rule since before Ed Sullivan, was know and approve the material. (their assessment, not mine - I didn't see it). But the funniest comment I read was by one comedian who said that for the DNC to top that, they'd have to have Tommy Chong on stage talking to a steak.

 

[Lula]

I'm glad you liked Jon Stewart's take on it, AGBF.

I do have to say that I am impressed that Eastwood has not made any public comment -- that I've heard anyway -- about his performance. He is a true professional, in that he let his performance speak for itself. No excuses. That's more than I can say for a certain overpaid football player (whose initials are Brett Favre).

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hugs back to ya, Deb!!! Thanks for the clarification about the topic!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Romney gave a nice speech with out getting into trashing Obama.. he doesn't need to trash the President, it is his race to lose with this terrible economy. the 18-22 yrs old college students voted Obama into office 4 yrs ago,now these college grads (over 50%) are unemployed,so this time around i don't think Obama can get enough support from the younger crowd to get him re elected.


Clint Eastwood is a

I think the younger generation blames the Bains of the world for the state of the economy as much or more than a President who was sworn into office in 2009.

IMO,the US economy goes in cycle no matter which party is in office,but we should be producing a lot more jobs at this point of the cycle. in 1981 when Reagan took office unemployment was over 10%,then in 1984 alone real economic growth boomed by 6.8%, the highest in 50 years. Nearly 20 million new jobs were created during the recovery, increasing U.S. civilian employment by almost 20%. Unemployment fell to 5.3% by 1989.

 

[MissStepcut]

IMO,the US economy goes in cycle no matter which party is in office,but we should be producing a lot more jobs at this point of the cycle. in 1981 when Reagan took office unemployment was over 10%,then in 1984 alone real economic growth boomed by 6.8%, the highest in 50 years. Nearly 20 million new jobs were created during the recovery, increasing U.S. civilian employment by almost 20%. Unemployment fell to 5.3% by 1989.

Perhaps. But even if this were a "normal" economic lull, I would sooner point the finger at private equity culture than any administration.

 

[Lula]

Romney gave a nice speech with out getting into trashing Obama.. he doesn't need to trash the President, it is his race to lose with this terrible economy. the 18-22 yrs old college students voted Obama into office 4 yrs ago,now these college grads (over 50%) are unemployed,so this time around i don't think Obama can get enough support from the younger crowd to get him re elected.


Clint Eastwood is a

I think the younger generation blames the Bains of the world for the state of the economy as much or more than a President who was sworn into office in 2009.

IMO,the US economy goes in cycle no matter which party is in office,but we should be producing a lot more jobs at this point of the cycle. in 1981 when Reagan took office unemployment was over 10%,then in 1984 alone real economic growth boomed by 6.8%, the highest in 50 years. Nearly 20 million new jobs were created during the recovery, increasing U.S. civilian employment by almost 20%. Unemployment fell to 5.3% by 1989.

That was before globalization and unregulated financial markets, DF. Different game today.

 

[wildcat03]

I thought he seemed completely off his rocker.

I also KNOW that if ANYONE spoke as disrespectfully about George W. Bush while HE was in office (and called him Mr. Bush rather than addressing him President Bush) as Eastwood did about Obama, the Republicans would have been calling for that person's head.

 

[MissStepcut]

I thought he seemed completely off his rocker.

I also KNOW that if ANYONE spoke as disrespectfully about George W. Bush while HE was in office (and called him Mr. Bush rather than addressing him President Bush) as Eastwood did about Obama, the Republicans would have been calling for that person's head.

The "Mr." thing actually began with Clinton, during the impeachment process. It's been common since, and always has rather bothered me.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Romney gave a nice speech with out getting into trashing Obama.. he doesn't need to trash the President, it is his race to lose with this terrible economy. the 18-22 yrs old college students voted Obama into office 4 yrs ago,now these college grads (over 50%) are unemployed,so this time around i don't think Obama can get enough support from the younger crowd to get him re elected.


Clint Eastwood is a

I think the younger generation blames the Bains of the world for the state of the economy as much or more than a President who was sworn into office in 2009.

IMO,the US economy goes in cycle no matter which party is in office,but we should be producing a lot more jobs at this point of the cycle. in 1981 when Reagan took office unemployment was over 10%,then in 1984 alone real economic growth boomed by 6.8%, the highest in 50 years. Nearly 20 million new jobs were created during the recovery, increasing U.S. civilian employment by almost 20%. Unemployment fell to 5.3% by 1989.

That was before globalization and unregulated financial markets, DF. Different game today.

i'm not happy about jobs going to China,thus the reason i will always buy American made products when ever i have a choice.i.e..i paid $600 for an American made water pump for my koi pond or i could have paid $250 for a Chinese made crap that would have only lasted 2 yrs max.this water pump is 8 yrs old and still running strong 24/7.American made products are much more superior than Chinese made products.

 

[wildcat03]

Another thought that came to mind while pondering Eastwood's bit. If he were an impoverished homeless man instead of an award-winning actor and he did the same performance on the street corner instead of on stage at a national political convention, he would be brought into the emergency department to be evaluated for his psychosis so fast his head would spin. And I would write his 72-hour hold paper and ship him off to the psych hospital JUST as fast.

 

[CJ2008]

I thought he seemed completely off his rocker.

I also KNOW that if ANYONE spoke as disrespectfully about George W. Bush while HE was in office (and called him Mr. Bush rather than addressing him President Bush) as Eastwood did about Obama, the Republicans would have been calling for that person's head.

The "Mr." thing actually began with Clinton, during the impeachment process. It's been common since, and always has rather bothered me.

I didn't see the whole interview I just saw pieces of it and did hear several times when he used Mr. instead of President and I have to say I didn't like that at all...it just rubbed me the wrong way. That makes it harder for me to keep an open mind and hear the rest of Clint's message, believe it or not. But will look for a link to the full video later. (edited for clarity)

 

[Lula]

Romney gave a nice speech with out getting into trashing Obama.. he doesn't need to trash the President, it is his race to lose with this terrible economy. the 18-22 yrs old college students voted Obama into office 4 yrs ago,now these college grads (over 50%) are unemployed,so this time around i don't think Obama can get enough support from the younger crowd to get him re elected.


Clint Eastwood is a

I think the younger generation blames the Bains of the world for the state of the economy as much or more than a President who was sworn into office in 2009.

IMO,the US economy goes in cycle no matter which party is in office,but we should be producing a lot more jobs at this point of the cycle. in 1981 when Reagan took office unemployment was over 10%,then in 1984 alone real economic growth boomed by 6.8%, the highest in 50 years. Nearly 20 million new jobs were created during the recovery, increasing U.S. civilian employment by almost 20%. Unemployment fell to 5.3% by 1989.

That was before globalization and unregulated financial markets, DF. Different game today.

i'm not happy about jobs going to China,thus the reason i will always buy American made products when ever i have a choice.i.e..i paid $600 for an American made water pump for my koi pond or i could have paid $250 for a Chinese made crap that would have only lasted 2 yrs max.this water pump is 8 yrs old and still running strong 24/7.American made products are much more superior than Chinese made products.

Yeah, I buy American whenever possible, even if I have to pay more. My husband and I spend a lot more on food than many people we know because we buy local and organic food (note: Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are not local!). I think if more people demanded U.S. made products, that would provide a powerful stimulus for the economy. And send a message to the "job creators" that consumers will not support them shipping jobs overseas.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Romney gave a nice speech with out getting into trashing Obama.. he doesn't need to trash the President, it is his race to lose with this terrible economy. the 18-22 yrs old college students voted Obama into office 4 yrs ago,now these college grads (over 50%) are unemployed,so this time around i don't think Obama can get enough support from the younger crowd to get him re elected.


Clint Eastwood is a

I think the younger generation blames the Bains of the world for the state of the economy as much or more than a President who was sworn into office in 2009.

The ghost of Reagan is hanting the Dems... Are you better off now than you were four years ago?

 

[MissStepcut]

The ghost of Reagan is hanting the Dems... Are you better off now than you were four years ago?

Heck yes I am. 4 years ago I was getting laid off from a job that disappeared from the economy because of clever rent-seeking Wall Street derivatives traders. Today both my husband and I have jobs/job offers and relatively bright futures, largely in spite of the private equity funds and financial engineers.

 

[Dancing Fire]

The ghost of Reagan is hanting the Dems... Are you better off now than you were four years ago?

Heck yes I am. 4 years ago I was getting laid off from a job that disappeared from the economy because of clever rent-seeking Wall Street derivatives traders. Today both my husband and I have jobs/job offers and relatively bright futures, largely in spite of the private equity funds and financial engineers.

go ask them young college grads ...why are they at home playing video games instead of working?

 

[MissStepcut]

The ghost of Reagan is hanting the Dems... Are you better off now than you were four years ago?

Heck yes I am. 4 years ago I was getting laid off from a job that disappeared from the economy because of clever rent-seeking Wall Street derivatives traders. Today both my husband and I have jobs/job offers and relatively bright futures, largely in spite of the private equity funds and financial engineers.

go ask them young college grads ...why are they at home playing video games instead of working?

Obviously, because there are more new grads than jobs available. But how did we come to this point? Because of a President who was sworn in in 2009? Or because of a corporate culture of putting private equity management fees and corporate officer bonuses over sustainable growth? I may not agree with the President on everything, but when he says Romney isn't the solution, he's the problem, I am prone to agree.