But Actor Ron Silver Stands Up for American Values & Bush

MRC ^ | 11:35am EST, Tuesday February 11, 2003 | Brent Baker

[dfwgator]

I think Silver saw what happened to Alec Baldwin's career after shooting off his mouth, and saw the writing on the wall.

[americles]

Silver has always identified himself as a liberal, but he's never followed the "party line." He was one of Giuliani's earliest and most outspoken supporters (I know -- some people might say that makes him even more "liberal"), and has always stood up for what HE thinks is right. If only more Hollywood lefties were as independent-minded as him.

I also have to say a kind word about Sheen. As much as I disagree with his views, years ago I saw him walking in midtown Manhattan. I'd just seen the miniseries JFK, where I thought he did a great job portraying Pres. Kennedy. (Wonder what JFK would think of the Iraq appeasers.) Being a bit starstruck (and interested in a showbiz career at the time), I approached him and asked him about the obstacles he faced in his own career. To my surprise, he spent about 10 minutes talking to me in a very avuncular fashion.

His main point was, if you're going to enter show biz (or I guess any career where the odds are difficult), you have to thoroughly believe in and love what you're doing, and not think about the money at that beginning stage. Platitudes, perhaps, but the sincerity and generosity with which he conveyed them really struck me. Thus no matter how dopey his political activism gets, I still have a soft-spot for him.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

One month later, I just saw Ron Silver decimate Bill Maher on CNN with Wolf Blitzer.

It was poetry. Maher stammered and sputtered, stunned that the seemingly-liberal Ron Silver was actually a patriot first.

Silver quoted Robert Frost that "the definition of a liberal is someone who is so broad-minded he can't even support his OWN side in a debate."

[my right]

You know, as much appreciation as we conservitives show to the few hollywood types that agree with us, you would think that some of the smart ones that do lean conservitive would realize what a gold mine of opportunities they have in defying the status quo and come out of the closet.

Hell I thought that these artistic types strove to be individual thinkers.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Would that were true. Heavy penalties abound for conservatives in Hollywood.

The look of disgust on Maher's face when Silver spoke up is mirrored by 85% of "creative types" who actually believe what they're doing is of any consequence whatsoever. Most of Hollywood thinks "Six Feet Under" is ground-breaking drama, instead of the putrid necrophilia-chic it really is.

[dennisw]

Ron Silver was just on Hannity Colmes tonite and did good! No HollyWeird for him. He supports GW on Iraq.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Thanks. It's about to be replayed just now.

[MHT]

Is he the guy who Rush said watched the planes flying overhead during the Clinton Inauguration and booed, then quit, and said, "Oh, those are OUR planes now."?

[dstarr]

"Monte Walsh" was wonderful. We watched the show several times. My husband worked as a cowboy on a ranch in SD back in the 50s. There were some things about the movie that I think reminded him of those times back in SD. The scenery was gorgeous!

[seanc623]

"Monte Walsh" was wonderful. We watched the show several times.

Yes it was and it puts the lie to the claim that quality shows won't attract an audience.