Posted on 06/07/2004 11:45:32 AM PDT by Wolfstar
Los Angeles, CA (June 5, 2004) – Screen Actors Guild (SAG) President Melissa Gilbert issued the following statement on the death of former President Ronald Reagan, who served as president of SAG from 1947 to 1952 and again from 1959 to 1960:
"Ronald Reagan presided over Screen Actors Guild at one of the most challenging moments in our union's history, as the rise of television significantly impacted the compensation and working conditions for the nation's screen actors. Under his tenure, SAG grew significantly in size and influence as the Guild tackled issues ranging from runaway production, to fair compensation, to unity in an increasingly complex industry – all issues that remain timely to working actors today.
"It can be said that Ronald Reagan got his start in politics at Screen Actors Guild. He served as president of the union twice, from 1947 to 1952 and again from 1959 to 1960. While President Reagan's politics grew conservative over the years and, at times, at odds with the nation's labor movement, there can be no question that he devoted years of his life to advancing the wages, benefits and working conditions of his fellow actors. He leaves behind an enduring legacy to this industry, as he does to the country as a whole. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today."
This is a message from SAG. SAG is a union. This young woman is president of a union. She is attempting to serve as the leader of union members who are liberal and conservative. She is telling the liberal members that a conservative union president can work to benefit union members.
There is enough actually pathetic slamming of the President out that we need not focus attention on this. So many are looking for insults, when it does not seem as though any insult was even intended.
I'm still so new to FR...have there even been any full-on FReeps there? Everyone I know is disgusted. We have so many creative folks around here, surely able to garner some good media attention.
Let's bring it on!
B eautiful idea...
U nderstandable...
M ajorly respectful &
P rincipled
Ronald Reagan was much more than a conservative. He was a warm, loving soul. Rather than devoting energy to tearing apart those that hated him, he laughed at them and with them. Conservatives have more important work to do than trying to read the riot act to an actor's union that no one pays attention to anyway. Reagan had an optimistic view of history and how he would be remembered. I would encourage you and others to be similarly optimistic and let this silly thing go.
But if it were up to me, I would put the political differences in a biographical piece to accompany my official statement.
In the statement, I'd write about the fact that Ronald Wilson Reagan was the first, and so far only, member of the entertainment industry to rise to the presidency. In other words, I'd try to give some historical context to RWR's acting and SAG legacies vis a vis the acting profession. I would remark on the profound honor and legitimacy his success brought to entertainers everywhere, and perhaps say something gracious about RWR leading the way for people like the current governor of California.
I would remind the public that there was a time in history when actors were considered to be unfit for polite company. Indeed, only 46 years before RWR was born, another actor committed what many consider the most heinous political act in American history when John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln.
I would say something along lines that RWR's achievements not only helped erase that stain, but made it acceptable for actors to participate in civic affairs.
Drawing on RWR's example, I would try to work in an anecdote as the tie-in to SAG, to illustrate the man's contribution to journeyman actors during his tenure as president of the union.
Perhaps, in closing, as a way of offering specific condolences to Mrs. Reagan and the family, I would announce some form of memorial fund in RWR's honor; the fund to benefit actors diagnosed with Alzheimers. Something like that.
The best statement on Reagan's tenure that I've read is in Charlton Heston's photo-book biography, where he talks about how the two of them spent late nights together strategizing ways to advance the union's cause. He writes something to the effect that he was immediately impressed by Reagan as tough, smart, quick - - a natural leader.
Wow...that was fast!
Are you ever prolific! Not to mention eloquent, entertaining, inspiring, intelligent and downright soulful.
What a beautiful tribute that would make, tying in actors to politics, from John Wilkes Booth to Arnold Schwarzenegger!
You certainly do the Gipper proud.
Thanks, Churchillbuff. I'm glad you see the statement for what it is.
Doodlelady, you make me smile. You have my most profound thanks. The difference between that quick synopsis and what SAG actually did is heart.
Rush was just talking about that today...how it helped him through a tough spot when a mens' room attendant told him of his encounter with Reagan, and that Reagan "never got mad." The mens' room attendant became a minister!
Your profile says you're from the UK?
It's frustrating here in CA, dealing with militant modern Hollywood. This thread has triggered a lot of deep seated feelings that will probably be put to bed for a bit.
But the focus on President Reagan sure does inspire endless hope and possibilities. And thank you for the admonition to proceed with good cheer!
:'-)
I disagree, her statement was simply a statement of fact, and I doubt that President Regan would have any complaint with it.
Over the years, President Regan did become more conservative, and many of his actions were detrimental to organized labor. President Regan did not hold alegence to unions above the good of the country. His firing of the air traffic controllers while they were on strike sent an important message to the unions.
Mark
I disagree, her statement was simply a statement of fact, and I doubt that President Reagan would have any complaint with it.
Over the years, President Reagan did become more conservative, and many of his actions were detrimental to organized labor. President Reagan did not hold alegence to unions above the good of the country. His firing of the air traffic controllers while they were on strike sent an important message to the unions.
Mark
Rats!!!
And you have this 'control' thing on good authority, eh?
While President Reagan's politics grew conservative over the years and, at times, at odds with the nation's labor movement, there can be no question that he devoted years of his life to advancing the wages, benefits and working conditions of his fellow actors. He leaves behind an enduring legacy to this industry, as he does to the country as a whole. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today."
I see nothing disrespectful at all here. She may have tried to word it as "politically correct" as possible (consider the audience), but it sounds more like praise to me than anything damning or demeaning. I have a bad feeling that some of us on the right might be sounding like that which we most hate. Let's not go there.
Here is the slap: "While President Reagan's politics grew conservative over the years and, at times, at odds with the nation's labor movement
How is that a "slap"? So he became conservative, but still respected. Please don't fall into the trap of that which you despise. The late President would not have done so.
modern-day Hollywood has never embraced Ronald Reagan as one of their own.
He is NOT one of their own, but he has a respectable history in "not so modern day" hollywood. He was a member of the "greatest generation". Many actors of the era did their part in WWII. Even the most liberal in Hollywood acknowledge that.
It's a tough time right now. Take a breath, keep a prayer on your lips, and PLEASE don't become that which you most despise. Not in word or deed.
More JINOs...do they ever end?
Methinks you are a little sensitive. It's certainly natural to assume a union president would be liberal, and Reagan was in his earlier years.
He was a Democrat, but not what we now call a "liberal". He was a Democrat when the party cared more about America than it did about itself. When he saw that trend, he became a Republican.
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