I guess what's riling people is it's Eastwood? If this had been some other smuck would we have just said, "typical Hollyweird"?
Perhaps I'm a fool to believe it, but I think something like what is implied here would be beneath Clint Eastwood.
Yes, you're right, a big part of this is the idea of the Reagan-era mayor of Carmel would sink as low as insinuated herein.
When Clint produced that little showpiece for Tim Robbins and Sean Penn , he lost points in my book. After John Wayne died, there were those who said Clint would take his place as Hollywood's symbol of heroic manhood.
Not.