One Pissed-Off Dude
by Gary GrahamI’m an American. This has always been my favorite label, but of late even that has seemed to mean less and less. Being called an American used to carry with it a certain pride and esprit de corps that now apparently is dated and passe. How else can one explain the rash of America-haters in our midst who only claim pride in America if a Leftist resides in the White House, and can only back a war effort if the decision to go to war was that of a Democrat.
I’m a Conservative. And I am also an actor who lives and works in Hollywood. Many of my friends advise me to keep that on the down-low, advise me to not speak up lest I scuttle any future employment prospects, so predominantly liberal is the entertainment biz. And yet I persist.
You see, I’m one pissed-off dude.
I’m told I’ll hurt my career if I continually spout off about Liberalism — which I see as a growing cancer in our society. Worldwide, I’ve seen Liberalism metastasize into virulent incarnations of Socialism, and, left unchecked, even into its malignant cousin, Communism. Only the arrogant or the somnambulist would think such a thing could never happen here. It’s a matter of increment. Once a group organizes into a coalition, it’s a short step to claiming the right to the property of another group. All that is necessary is for an individual’s right to personal property to become a secondary concern. The ‘needs’ of the group must supercede, dontcha know. It’s a vicious cycle – wants become needs become rights. The fact that the thievery is done at the behest of a ‘civilized’ government does not sanitize the crime.
“At least the highwayman has the decency to wear a mask.” – Author unknown.
So I’m told I should shut up. I make my living in the Hollywood community, and Hollywood is by and large run by Liberals. I’m told I need to stay quiet when the Left has their way over issues that affect my daily life. I’m told I need to learn how to get along with the Left, learn how to compromise. I need to be more open-minded. I need to be more tolerant.
I say F T S. Ask your 9-yr-old if you have trouble deciphering that. (No, wait, don’t.)
I don’t want to get along with the Left. I want to take them down. I want to expose their idiocy for what it is and reveal it as a harmful, dangerous succession of lies and deceptions. My friends say that that effort, aside from being fruitless, will cost me work. It will cost me my career. And I say Wait-a-minute, Bucko. Those folks who founded this country were willing to risk not only their careers, but their property, their families, their very lives…the least I can do in standing up for our precious freedoms is risk a silly television career. Not to compare myself with the brilliant thinkers who declared themselves independent of England and framed our Constitution…but those were some pretty pissed off dudes too. Compared to that, loss of a little TV or movie work seems pretty inconsequential. So in honor of Pissed Off Americans past and present, I rant.
I’m pissed off that everyone seems okay on having to press one for English. We’re supposed to be tolerant and understanding that maybe some folks who now live here (legally or not) might have trouble understanding what I’m saying to them if I speak in my native tongue, regardless of the extra cost to the rest of us. FTS.
I’m pissed that my sweet well-wishing friends and acquaintances now say “Happy Holidays” instead of Merry Christmas. Oh, we don’t want to offend the non-Christians, they’ll say. Again – FTS. ‘Happy Holidays’…nice and non-specific, soothingly generic. In keeping with the spirit of the season, I try not to show it – but I roll my eyes. Jeez, could you be any more spineless? Everybody walk on eggshells for the rest of your lives, living in perptual fear someone who holds a different religion, or sexual preference, or nationality is going to suffer some little offense if you actually wish them a lovely Christmas. “Oh we don’t celebrate Christmas.” “Oh, I’m so terribly sorry, I don’t mean to offend you. Please enjoy the Holiday of Winter Solstice and Earth Renewal Day or whatever your heart leads to celebrate, if indeed you are even feeling like celebrating anything.” Shut up! Smile and say thanks. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Ramadan, Soulful Kwanzaa…whatever. Smile and say Thanks.
Can we all stop taking ourselves so damn seriously for half a minute? Hey – life ain’t a popularity contest. So grow a pair. Speak your mind and if someone can’t handle it, request that they take a hike. How the hell did we ever survive life before the all-knowing, all-caring ACLU began to run interference for all our tender sensibilities? It’s a wonder any of us grew up without some crippling psychosis that drove us to chop up our grandmother. I’m old enough to remember when Common Sense ruled the day. (*cue the Cranky Old Man music)
It irks me that Democrats are always looking to raise my taxes. I’m patriotic if I take it up the bum and don’t squeal. What’s worse, they don’t even have the integrity to call them taxes. They call them ‘fees’, or even, ‘contributions’. As I learned the word, a contribution is a volitional act. Left to free choice, I say I choose to not contribute more than I already do. Let all those who say we are overtaxed stand up with me. Those who think different can form a line to the left…and we on the right will leave you completely free to contribute more. Raising taxes takes food off my family’s table. I regard people who advocate doing so in the same vein as I would the burglar I confront in the dead of night – an enemy.
I’m pissed that I study the political issues of the day, educate myself, stay informed daily by a multitude of news sources from all slants…and yet, come election day, my informed vote is cancelled by some numbskull who votes for the nicest smile, who doesn’t know who the current vice-president is, or which party controls Congress, and what’s more, doesn’t care. Am I the only one who thinks a basic intelligence and general knowledge test should be a prerequisite for voting for our leaders? No? Too radical a notion? Well, then, why not just make the winner of American Idol president and save all the drama? Everyone can text in their vote. And Paula, Randy, and Simon… the new cabinet. “Tonight the State of the Union speech will be sung by the President, backed up by Rascal Flatts…and special guest duet with Secretary of State David Archuleta…”
I’m pissed off by how soft many in our nation have become. How whimpy the tone, how spineless the resolve. What happened to that brutally real notion that people should be held responsible for his or her actions? Nowadays, it always seems to be someone else’s fault, whatever it is. Got a life of poverty, it’s rich folks doing it to you.
Alcohol addiction, substance abuse, your mother never said she loves you. Having trouble finding work, it’s the white, black, purple guys keeping you down. Your car company is going under, it’s the unfair business practices abroad and an economic downturn. Hey, nimrods – newsflash. LIFE IS HARD. The End. Get used to it, suck it up, get some spine, invent some if you have none, and GET ON WITH IT!!!! I’d like to offer, in utter compassion, and speaking on behalf of at least several like-minded bretheren out there, a class-action BITCH-SLAP to every mamby-pamby, limp-wristed douche-bag of a complainer who has the audacity to hope that we hard-working, God-fearing, America-loving taxpayers should be forced to give you one penny of our income to enable you further in your responsibility-shirking, self-destructive habits. Get your collective shiite together, friends. I am not, nor are my friends, my brother’s keeper. Though my heart is open enough to come to someone’s need should an honest and sincere calamity befall a brother or sister… when did destitution become a virtue? Did my snooze button malfunction causing me to oversleep a couple decades? When did begging become a noble venture? You see them standing there bravely, “God bless”and something about ‘can’t find work’ scrawled on their cardboard. Victims of society, of Bush/Cheney, of Ronald Reagan, of any heartless Republican administration. And worse – hey, I’ve seen the sign people on the offramps, I’ve seen the green flow as we assuage our prosperity guilt – these guys are cleaning up! Am I in the wrong business? When, dear friends, did panhandling become a lucrative industry? FTS!
(Side note: I’ve personally offered several of these beggars who had written “Will work for food” to buy them lunch if they’ll do some yard work and fence painting for me, and the reaction was always the same. Hell no! They just want cash, right now! Hmmm…and yet the sign said… Forget about the begging, whatever happened to truth in advertising?)
Who can identify virtue, when there is no shame?
And speaking of shame…have you on the Left no shame when it comes to calling evil EVIL? What’s in a name — a terrorist by any other name is a ‘Jihadist’. A freedom fighter. A rebel. But when are we going to admit that there is an evil movement out there dedicated to our destruction. And it ain’t Sarah Palin and George Bush. It’s radical Islam and they want to cut your personal head off simply because you’re not throwing in with them.
You’re not on your knees worshiping their boy Allah, so for this you and everyone like you all over the world must die and die now. But wait, it’s a ‘religion of peace’, we’re told. Wow, not the last time I looked. If Islam is a religion of peace, where are all the peace-loving Muslim leaders decrying the radicals’ murderous actions? The beheadings, the suicide bombings, the IED’s, the blowing up innocents on buses? Where are the peaceful Islamists’ protests against Hamas, Hezbollah, Al Queda, et al? You are a frog in a pot, Lefty – being boiled slowly, apparently too slowly for you to notice. Too much Climate Change on your mind to notice that the barbarians are at the gate. When the Nazis stormed into Jewish homes in 1939 I’m sure there were more than a few head-in-the sand myopic residents screaming about the troopers tracking mud on the carpet. If only they had had the ACLU to save the day… Human rights and clean carpets surely would have abound.
Speaking of climate change, while we’re at it…if the argument is over…and the facts are clear…how is it we can predict the climate twenty years hence, when we can’t even predict with much accuracy if my ass is going to get wet attending my friend’s kid’s Bar Mitzvah next weekend. When did we give the title to anyone with a PhD in front of their name the added moniker of ‘Soothsayer’? I read Paul Erhlich’s book, THE POPULATION BOMB in the early ‘70’s and it scared the begeebers out of me. By his prediction, each human being in 2008 would have less than a square meter of space to live in. (William F. Buckley voice: “Ahh…Mr. Erhlich was unavailable for comment, ahhh… but stressed the importance of keeping his line clear, lest the Nobel Prize committee call.”) And Mr. Gore – I do believe in Climate Change. It’s called summer, spring, winter and fall. Happens each year whether I drive my SUV or not. FTS!
Before I came up with the inspired notion of tossing my life away and becoming an actor…I was fully ensconsed in the science department at the University of California, Irvine. I know the way it works. The professors confided in me. You need a problem to study, better yet a crisis, or you don’t get funding for your research. It’s that simple. One professor of botany told me that these very high-tech ultra-violet cameras we were frolicking through the fields looking at flowers through cost the University $200 thousand dollars. Off my open-mouthed gape, he shrugged, “Gotta spend the money, or next year they cut us back.” So yeah, you’re going to find a ton of scientists who swear we’re killing the planet…and we desperately need another three million dollars to study the problem.
I’m confident I could find two hundred accredited scientists to join me in an exhaustive study to find out why belly button lint is demagnetizing the moon leading to global flooding…if only Bill Gates will step up with some coin. FTS!
Lastly…can we finally be done with all the hatred? George Bush is very soon to be out of a job. Time to let up on him a bit, don’t you think? Erase the hate, Lefties. You can stop proclaiming him to be the anti-christ, evil incarnate, the boogeyman, Darth Vader, or the Heartbreak of Psoriasis. The guy did his best. Like him, don’t like him, he kept us from attack for seven-and-a-half years so let it go. Your guy is in now, so relax. Have fun again. Laugh without derision. Smile without the snide. You remember how? Take off your flak jackets, it’s going to be okay. Our brave warriors did some serious ass-kicking in the Middle East, and though there’s no shortage of crazy Islamo-fascist bad guys yet to come, at least they know who they’re f*cking with.
Somehow along the way, so many of you forgot one simple, undeniable tenet: We’re the good guys. We’re not imperialists, or else we would’ve nuked the oil countries into radioactive dust, then moved in and taken the oil. We don’t ‘torture’ prisoners, or lawyers for the Gitmo ‘detainees’ would have CNN photographing the horrid scars and missing limbs. We don’t bully smaller, less developed nations. On the contrary, we expend our more precious asset: the blood of our brave, bright and courageous young men and women – all in committed effort to free them from despotic, brutal dictators. We are not brash. In 1991 we amassed a coalition of 34 nations before we acted to oust Saddam Hussein from Kuwait, and this after months and months of negotiations and U.N. resolutions. Twelve years later after waiting six months and seeing fourteen U.N. resolutions ignored by Hussein, George W. Bush had accrued a multi-national coalition and a majority vote in Congress before sending troops into Iraq. We are the big dog on the block. And yet we ask no penance from lesser countries. Instead we offer aid in the form of cash, medicine, and humanitarian help. When we go after bad guys in war, we don’t carpet bomb, or blow up civilian-filled buses. We have smart bombs that pinpoint targets to limit collateral civilian casualites. We’re the good guys. Only an entrenched self-loathing hatred of America will prevent you from seeing that. If that’s the case, you have my sympathy. But don’t let the door hit you on the way out. And yes, this is our country, whether a Democrat of a Republican occupies the White House.
Yeah, a lot of things piss me off. But I’m a ridiculously happy guy. I’m blessed with a wonderful family, terrific friends (many, many of them Liberals, oh yes), a strong Faith in God and a sweet certainty that this nation is on the side of good in the world…and that that good will overcome the bad.
I was asked by the founder of this site to write an article… an ‘opening salvo’. Considering who might read it, and who in Hollywood might be incensed, the temptation to parse words and couch my opinions was strong. But the guy in the mirror counsels me the loudest. I was always impressed with John Hancock, when, reminded that signing one’s name to that Declaration in Pennsylvania could very well lead to their deaths…solemnly stepped forward and with grand flourish signed his name in huge, legible script. In that grand spirit…
I hereby declare my independence…from the small-minded, America-hating, race-bating, Christian-bashing, class-warfare-waging, politically-correct, collectivist, Liberal Hollywood establishment.
Anybody got a problem with that, I’ll mapquest you directions to my front door, we’ll settle it like men.
Signed,
GARY GRAHAM
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1,188 Comments
Well done sir. Well done! I hope to read more in the future.
It’s a damn shame this man has often played bad guys in movies and television, because he is a “white hat” guy.
Thanks, Mr. Graham—nicely said!
Mr. Graham that was poetry. Pure, wonderful poetry. I bow.
Good article, sir. The world needs more like you.
Well said, Gary!! We/me of the LIberal Hollywood establishment salute you. I had no idea that the Left wielded a hammer of this size, pounding the sense out of the innocent and true. I intend to get me one forthwith.
Also, long time, no see. You still playing softball?
Outstanding post, Gary! I hope you post regularly. This was refreshing to read.
Wow. I have a new man-crush.
Hell Yes!
We need a real conservative film company. Preferably one based outside of Hollywood… it would help the movement if we could reject Hollywood altoghether and start refering to the conservative film industry by another city name. We need Anytown USA films or something like that to brand this initiative. I guess we’ll settle for “Big Hollywood” for now.
I hope more people read this. It is dead on, and relevant.
I have to disagree with CT, that is not a good article. It is an OUTSTANDING ARTICLE. I’m bad with names but, I knew there was a reason I liked Gary Graham.
God bless ya Gary.. I know your face.. seen it on TV.. great to know there are guys like you still left out there in LA LA land.. let ‘er RIP!
i don’t understand why being “liberal” automatically means in your eyes “america hater” or “doesn’t support the troops”.
i’m english, i live in america too. i didn’t like the war, but i respected our president and supported the troops. i was a block away on broadway when the first tower was hit. i get it, i really do.
what i don’t understand about america is the sometimes perceived unwillingness to sacrifice. joe the plumber didn’t want to pay more taxes!! why not? is it not worth paying out a little more every paycheck to ensure the security and stability of one’s country’s infrastructure?
i would posit to you that someone who would rather “keep their own money” and not “pay into the people’s pool” is actually rather MORE unamerican than the so-called “liberals”.
i don’t hate anyone. i’m happy to pay my taxes (whatever they be) in this fine country, and continue to build my life here and continue to help keep america strong, safe and the fine place that it is.
thank you,
Rick Tait
You have acquired a new fan. I praise your unbiased honesty.
Amen, Mr. Graham. Amen. Right there with you!
I agree, this is an outstanding article and I hope to see more by Mr. Graham in the future. Those liberal freaks had better look out, the backlash is finally coming…
Rick – I think youve missed the point about taxes – its not ’sacrifice’ or ‘charity’ if a gun is held to your head to pay out half of what you earn so it can be given to people who did nothing to earn it. That my taxes are used to pay the military and provide them with the resources to do their job: taxes well spent. That my taxes are used to be given to an illegal alien 9 months pregnant and sitting in an emergency room for a hang nail and/or to someone who has the wherewithal to earn his own money: taxes wasted and used against me. But you see, as a Taxpayer, I dont get to decide WHERE my taxes are used. This is not sacrifice, this is slavery. And I thought we got rid of slavery over a century ago?
To Rick Tait:
If you were a block away when the first tower was hit and you didn’t like the war then you don’t get it, you really don’t. Also, you say you “supported” the troops but they’re still over there so when did your support end?
You are likely one of those “mamby-pamby, limp-wristed douche-bag of a complainer” types that Mr. Graham mentioned.
Gary,
If any of those wimps have the guts to follow a mapquest to your house, I’ll be glad to be your backup because more than likely they will arrive as a mob!
Wow. I’m having a ‘Caroline Kennedy’ moment… umm… you know… Dang Gary, it’ almost like you read my mind… That’s okay, Jonah Goldberg reads a friend of mine’s mind all the time… weird…
In all seriousness Gary, that was superlative!
Mr. Tait, you just don’t get it do you. Our country is based on capitalism, not sharing the wealth (i.e., socialism). Get your head out of the sand.
I think this website is GREAT AND IT’S ABOUT TIME! I’m forwarding this on to everyone in my address book.
Bravo! I think I love you.
Wow!
Mr. Graham,
Need another baby? You can have mine? I love you.
Wild invective and pure red meat? Sure. But GOD I needed it.
Mr. Graham, I truly admire you because you have said with grace, humor and sincerity what has been needed to say for the last 25 years in Hollyweird. My best remeberance of your work was in Alien Nation. I watched that show every week and I enjoyed the way you portrayed your role. Keep up the fight and I’ll be there to back you up!
Reminds me, I need to buy the Alien Nation DVD set (bonus that some tiny portion goes to you Gary!)
Wow! I thought the conservative voice in Hollywood was dead after Chuck Heston died. Thank you, thank you Gary Graham! Please keep up the fight, you just made allot more fans out there!
ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING! You must have read my mind, only you wrote it much more eloquently! Keep up the great work!
Rightous indignation!!!! A lost emotion that is badly needed in today’s world. Thanks! Hope more conservatives reclaim it.
I love you.
I knew you rocked when I saw Robot Jox, this just proves it!
I had no idea that Gary Graham was a conservative! Making those last few Alien Nation TV movies must have been an interesting experience for him…
also to mr. tait,
you said you are a Brit and are missing it, just like obama being whatever he is, misses it. taxes are needed only to the extent required to pay for specific things. politicians are always looking for new things to fund requiring the confiscation of more money. it never ends.
and they never solve the problems they say they will. but they could for a few more dollars. they promise. really.
@CR i’m quite sorry that you had to lower the tone and resort to calling me a weak-wristed namby-pamby douchebag, when in fact I was not attacking at all. re-read my words and you might see that i was in fact trying to DISCUSS, to hear different perspectives. you might try it some time.
getting back to intelligent discourse, thank you SHARON for your eloquent reply! i totally, wholeheartedly agree with you, taxes well spent are for things like police, fire, armed forces/DoD/CIA/NSA/etc. and i also DO AGREE with you about illegal immigrants and healthcare.
in fact, i believe (please correct me if i am wrong!) that i lie on the conservative side of immigration policy. as an immigrant myself, i find it quite disgusting that people move to america with no intention AT ALL of learning the language. it makes me sick when i see tiny small kids IN AMERICA that don’t even speak english!
i suppose i might place myself less as “liberal”, and perhaps more as “socially-conscious libertarian”. these “happy holidays” liberals, the politically-correct types, the Air America liberals who just /go too far/ drive me nuts, they give people who care about others less fortunate than themselves a bad name. i don’t identify with these people.
i say, bring back churchillian conservatism. now THAT is something i could vote for.
Rick – I’m going to pile on hear just a bit. I appreciate your honesty and seemingly good nature. But many of the conservatives you question subscribe to the philosophy that the individual can better decide where to allocate their resources than does the government.
National security it a fine endeavor. But government sponsored entitlement programs is a poor way to ensure maximum liberty and maximum prosperity for the citizens.
You see, there should be no ‘people’s pool’. The conservative system of capitalism has shown over many decades now that the people can meet their own needs, apply their capital in a more efficient manner that leaves all people better off; far better than the government can.
I’ve visited socialist countries. I’ve seen how horribly inept government are. We are a wealthy nation full of opportunity BECAUSE we haven’t subscribed to the idea that we would be better off by paying higher taxes.
The vast majority of problems in this country have either been created, or most often only been made worse, by government involvement. Limit their funds to what they do best. Limit the amount of freedom they can take from all of us.
Distribute the power and wealth away from a centrally planned state. It takes very few corrupt individuals to bring a nation down in a centrally planned government. Letting 300 million people made individual decisions with their $3 trillion in taxes protects us from the danger of a few bad men (and women).
Return to Federalism. It’s the only place trial and error, competition, can make us all better.
Thank you! I agree with you and commend you! I am also feeling less and less inclined to be kind to the irrational and stupid leftist. The days of me side-stepping and being diplomatic about my All-American Conservative stance are over and thank you for your words. Excellent!
Awesome! Finally someone in Hollyweird get it.
Rick—I have no problem paying for protect, but when the “infrastructure” grows merely to employ political cronies and pay off political debts, then I agree with no more taxes.
One of the bailout bills includes a funding for a “mob museum” in Nevada; and Madamn (deliberate typo)Speaker wants to remove the transparency that Newt & company added to legislation so that she can pass more stealth taxes, so the mega-rich like her continue to flourish on my, and your, dime.
Rick, you grew up in the midst of and indoctrinated in socialism (England right?) so we don’t expect you to understand that taxation gives government more and eventually the ultimate power over your life. The more you are taxed, the more power you give to the government and the less choice you have. Giving to others is called charity and its in keeping with the power of CHOICE and thereby FREEDOM. Taxation by a government gradually eliminates choice and freedom. I know what to do with my money a helluva lot better than a politician who should probably be sitting behind bars does. Our country gives the most in charitable contributions throughout this great country and throughout the world, simple fact. Our poorest still live better than in any continent. Even the beggars on the street corners have a means of earning cash by essentially doing nothing and have a place to sleep in many locations NOT SUBSIDIZED by the government or the tax payer. The poor in other countries don’t have that luxury. I’ve known poor people give more to charity than the uber-rich leftists, communists and marxists that suck up oxygen in Hollywood and now the White House give. (BTW I think I actually lose brain cells when I hear the Hollywood intellectual lightweight socialists speak…truly.)
Lastly, Only THE ONE gives hope on this earth and it ain’t Barack Hussein Obama or a government, its our Lord and Savior, the Big Man-JC. Come join the winning team if you haven’t already. Warmest regards, Cindy
Thanks for your comments, Mr Tait. You miss the point, America was not founded as a socialist state that requires its citizen’s to pay to a “people pool.” American’s are the most generous people in the world. They give and give freely. There is a huge difference between taxation and donation. All you have to do is research the monies donated to the victims of the Asian 2004 Tsunami or the millions and millions donated to Victims of Katrina. The Helpless deserve a safety net, the clueless don’t. The government seldom helps the helpless, but proliferates the clueless with abundant waste.
Mark Holzmann
Thank you so much for standing strong and proud and shouting words of reason from the rooftops…man you sound like Uncle Ted or Ted Nugent who is ANYTHING but the motor city Madman…..Thanks for your opening salvo on bighollywood.com!!!!
Rick,
If only our taxes went to funding security and infrastructure, that would be fine. Most of our taxes now go to “entitlement programs.” AKA gov’t handouts, welfare, taking money from people who earn it and giving it to people who don’t.
I work in the small business world. Do you know how many small bizos go out of business every day? Not because of bad business practices or bad bookkeeping, but because they are taxed and regulated into submission by do-gooder politicians who think they know better how to spend my hard earned income than I do.
Income redistribution is theft; it is highway robbery no matter how you look at. Why should Joe the Plumber’s taxes go up because his business is successful? His financial success is because of his hard work. Why raise taxes on the business owners once they are successful? Just so a nanny-stater can pat themselves on the back?
No poor person ever gave me a job.
My gosh, Gary, you’ve got me all tingly now. Absolutely supreme writing! Please sir, may I have some more?
Who’s Gary Graham? I’ve never heard of him and couldn’t care less if he was conservative, liberal or anywhere inbetween. I do know that he’s probably an actor… look at the length of his diatribe. Actor’s just have to try and grab the spotlight.
Excellent, Mr Graham. I have made these same complaints for years. I find it almost amusing how the liberals get completely defensive when you start pointing out some simple facts, one being after nearly 90 years of democrat rule, they have not actually delivered on these promises.
The sad thing for the nation is the democrats/liberals/socialists have had 90 or more years to slowly turn this country into a marxist state.
During the debate for the constitution with Madison and Patrick Henry, Henry was concerned about a government of what we have today occurring and Madison’s argument was there were two protections in the constitution to prevent this. One was the Feds having no ability to directly tax the population and Senators being elected by state legislatures. Madison rightly concluded that with no money to become despotic and the people through more accessible state governments could keep Senators in check. The Democrats removed both protections just over 90 years ago and we have today what Patrick Henry feared, a government run by career politicians with no interest in the actual country or its people.
I don’t have a single issue with anything you wrote.. but you can still mapquest me the directions
LOL
Seriously. I was beginning to think I was the only person who thought like this and saw the complete idiocy and victim mentality of the left mindset.
Mr Graham…If the worst comes to pass and your Hollywood career suffers because of your anti-liberal beliefs, I think you’re next job should be political commentator..or better yet RUN FOR OFFICE!!!! Your article was outstanding on all levels. It was very articulate, informative, and stayed on point. I’ve been a fan of yours since ALIEN NATION but I’m an even BIGGER fan now after reading your piece. I look forward to more.
For the few liberals who thing the government has the right to tax every dime you have and we should be paying it without question…
All hail the Prophet Obama and Queen Pelosi
Now that they are in charge you can be assured you will get your chance to pay more taxes.
Wow! John Nolte, as Editor in Chief ’round these parts, thank you thank you thank you for finding room for Mr. Graham!!!
This site gives me alot of hope! Great article Gary!
Rick, as others have said, your unspoken assumption that government deserves more of our taxes to benevolently perform the functions that benefit all citizens is the slightest bit naive, not borne out by historical reality. You sound like you’ve never heard of corruption, oppression, incompetence, inefficiency, cronyism, nepotism, and other abuses and end results of concentrated power.
It smells like “Teen Spirit” in here with all this man-crushing. Oh yeah, Cobain was a CONSERVATIVE.
Amazingly well said! I’m not an American (I’m Canadian). While I largely agree with you Mr. Graham, there are some things said I don’t completely agree with. However, I can certainly agree completely with the spirit in which it was said. Freedom of speech much be defended, and it is indeed brave of you to speak out knowing the possible (probably) repercussions. I hope the repercussions are minor, and that there are still producers and directors in Hollywood who share a love for your constitution and the values it was founded on as you so obviously do. The very best to you, and never give up the fight!
Nice piece. Of course, that’s what I’d say to that young Marine in Afgh. a month ago when 250 Taliban surrounded and moved to wipe out 50 Marines. Problem is these Devil Dogs had radios to call in air support but before they did, their sniper fired 25 rounds, taking out 25 Taliban. I’d tell that young man, “Nice piece and good shooting.”
I don’t do business on the phone or in public if it means dial one for English. I speak Spanish and I wouldn’t mine dialing 1 for Spanish if I was in Mexico, but while I am here in the USA, it’s default to English or I walk out the door. Damn right.
I call guys down who don’t pay respects during the National Anthem (of the USA) and the Star Spangled Banner still makes me well up.
Gary, I have a place for you…. Utopia, Texas. You’ll already find Thomas Hayden-Church down there clearing brush on his ranch or hanging out in my cousin Rusty’s cafe getting picked on by Rusty just like everyone else he respects. It is conservative as hell and the place to go if you want to experience a 1950s style Fourth of July. Check it out, and thank you for some good entertainment.
Semper Fi
To absolutley delightfully steal a phrase from the left, Mr. Graham, you ’speak truth to power’!
Oh dont thank me too early, Rick – I can be quite scathing myself. I just wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Graham – calling taxes ‘contributions’ is an Orwellian New Speak that I will be quite happy to mock and fight against.
GREAT OP/ED, Gary! That was phenomenal!
Well done, Mr. Graham.
This site is just getting better with each post I read. I never thought I would read this coming out of Hollywood. Thank you.
Mr. Graham I agree with you. Liberalism is a dangerous cancer that if gone unchecked will ruin our country. I support you and there are so many of us who want to hear more from conservative Hollywood. Your article reminds me of my favorite quote from Ronald Regan—- Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.
Gary – you’re both a gentleman and now and proven scholar. Glad to see you here!
Good stuff. Have you considered running for office?
I am going to go rent a couple of your movies.
When you rent his movies, check under “T” — for TOUGH!
I always knew there were conservatives in Hollywood. I agree with every word. Liberals want to eleminate the traditions that have made our country great. When we loose those traditions (those of independent thinking, self reliance, hard work and enterprise) we become a third world nation and then sink into oblivion. It is great to see those in Hollywood who are conservative have an outlet to state their own case for not being the ilk of old communist lite libs like Babs, or young ones like Hayden Panettiere (no Hero she). Well done.
Mr. Graham,
You are not alone in thinking that there should be some basic knowledge and intelligence test in order to vote, a position for which I have oft been castigated. However, it is nice to see that there is someone else out there who has come to that conclusion. (It is unlikely to happen in the near future, when you consider the practice in the South in the former part of the twentieth century and the bad taste that leaves in peoples mouths.) I join with you in your beliefs and outrage, and with people like you to visibly stand up, perhaps we can turn things around.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Joyful Epiphany.
The Unlikeliest of Creatures, A Conservative Grad Student,
Horatius
(Please visit my blog: http://www.culturalgadfly.com/)
Mr. Graham, I’ve been a fan of your acting ever since seeing you on the Alien Nation TV show. I had no idea I would be such a fan of your politics or your writing.
Who knew the spirit of Ronald Reagan was still alive in Hollywood?
He may have the spirit of Ronald Reagan, but Mr. Graham has the exoskeleton of “Old Hickory” Andrew Jackson. I’d want Mr. Graham to watch my back if I encountered a posse of Godless punks on the prairie in the twilight.
Mr. Graham – you are spot on in your view of the natural progression of liberalism. Here are the 10 planks of the communist manifesto, look familiar?
1. Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.
2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.
3. Abolition of all right of inheritance.
4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.
5. Centralization of credit in the hands of the State, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly.
6. Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the State.
7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the State; the bringing into cultivation of waste-lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.
8. Equal liability of all to labour. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.
9. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; gradual abolition of the distinction between town and country, by a more equable distribution of the population over the country.
10. Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children’s factory labour in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production.
I also want to thank you for being transparent with your conservatism. The recent success of conservative movies, and the rejection of movies that insult America and its military are proof that Americans have had enough of this garbage.
COMMUNISM is GUFF — of which Mr.Graham does not partake.
Another conservative whiner. No facts, just ego stroking.
Borrrrring.
Mr.Graham needs no facts. Facts are GUFF. All Mr. Graham needs is pure, unadulterated pissed-offedness with a chaser of “tough guy.”
Love your writing Mr. Graham and always thought very high of your acting, esp. on Alien Nation. Look forward to reading more.
One story about panhandlers I know of came from one of the best professor/business persons I have ever had the pleasure to know.
He was on the interstate and saw one of those guys with a sign “will work for food” and he was going really fast and passed him. Anyway, he pulled off at a diner at the next exit. A little bit later, he saw the guy trudge by at a distance and off into some woods. A few minutes later, he pulled on the highway in a very nice and fairly new Caddy.
He was the type of fellow who would offer jobs to these people to work in construction. Most of them were not interested.
Very well said Gary. Perhaps you and Chuck Norris could team up and kick some liberal butts out of Hollywood.
Several good points were made by other posters too. I would love to see a new conservative film company start up somewhere. I would sure support it by watching their films.
As far as the comments by the liberals, best thing to do is ignore them.
“I’m told I’ll hurt my career if I continually spout off about Liberalism.”
No, you’ll hurt your career if you keep talking like an ill informed boob.
Will somebody intelligent please cast this man in a starring role?
Brill!
Are you certain you’re not a mind reader? I thought I was all alone in America.
Gary – Ever notice that the woman who has staked out her panhandling spot at the I-10 offramp at Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica has been “pregnant” for about a decade? I wonder if she’d work for baby formula?
Nice rant.
God Bless, you, Gary! I will now watch all the old Alien Nation TV shows and movies with an even bigger grin on my face.
I don’t want to get along with the Left.
I hear the Republican pundits and pols tell me that it is in my best interest and the best interest of America that Obama is successful, blah blah blah. Nay, I say. I don’t want Obama to succeed in implementing his socialism. I don’t want him to succeed in appointing justices on SCOTUS who reflect his views.
I want him to fail.
I loved your article. I think it should be published in newspapers and magazines all around the country. We need more people to think like you.
Mr. Graham – awesome. Simply awesome. I applaud you, sir.
SPOT and TB aren’t those diseases? ironic
SPOT – January 6th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Another conservative whiner. No facts, just ego stroking.
Borrrrring.
TB – January 6th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
“I’m told I’ll hurt my career if I continually spout off about Liberalism.”
No, you’ll hurt your career if you keep talking like an ill informed boob.
This is great to read. I rarely watch much television anymore, and outside of “An American Carol” do not go to movies. I knew about Gary Sinise, David Mamet, Patricia Heaton and a few other Friends of Abe. This is giving me hope that there are more down there in Hollywood. Maybe the leftwing pedantry of films will meet its demise, though not soon enough. Thanks, Mr. Graham for speaking your mind! And keep up the good work!!!
A couple notes: First off, THANK YOU, ANDREW BREITBART (and John Nolte) for inviting me to be a contributor for this website. You are gentlemen and patriots. And ain’t this fun! Jeez, look at the jabber-jawing this little article stirs up. My heart soars like an eagle.
HARLEY, good to hear from you! Yes, I still play ball, a little slow going to the hole, but hey I’m old as dirt. But Harley, buddy…all we ask is write us a movie now and again where the Christian ain’t nuts, where the cop and the soldier aren’t blood-thirsty murderers, and where a married couple can actually stay together out of a sense of duty and honor. Don’t need a big hammer for that. Movies shape our zeitgeist, and you’re one of the creators. Let’s all work to uplift and inspire. America’s a great place, a ‘Shining City on the Hill’…let’s reflect that in our work.
RICK TAIT – Churchillian Conservatism…I like the sound of that. But…the ‘People’s Pool’…could use a little chlorine. Too many bugs. Listen to USA FAN.
USA FAN- Damn, dude. Eloquence beyond my pay grade. Well said, ma man. When do we kick off your Senatorial campaign? (I heard things are still unsettled in Illinois and Minnesota…)
CHARLES SKINNER – You moved me. Thanks.
GET REAL! – “Actor’s just have to try and grab the spotlight.” And your problem with that is…???
TODD T – Thanks for the history lesson. How soon we forget, eh?
KNOTTIE — Sure, I’ll mapquest directions for our next garage band JAM. I play some mean drums.
TEXAS BILLY RAY – Semper Fi to you brother. I have a bumper sticker, “God bless our troops…especially our snipers”. And Uptopia, Texas sounds like a slice of heaven. Save me some ribs on the 4th.
SHARON – Good articulation of the major problem in the media: liberal journalists’ selective syntax to affect ‘change’…in other words, New Speak.
SCHMOE – Got a daughter who fills my life with joy, but thanks anyway!
TRACY IN NC – Love you too!
JEFF – Dude, the cannons have fired on Sumpter. It’s on!
TO ALL WHO HAVE WRITTEN – THANK YOU! You have inspired me to write more. The notion, however misguided, that rather than barking at the moon, I am instead rallying the troops…intoxicating. But I promise I will neither pilfer the opportunity, nor shirk the responsibility. God Bless America. –GG
For as much as I envy the writings of academics on their blogs, this particular article took it to a whole different level. An alpha male in Hollywood? Love it.
A rant? Maybe–but organized, grammatically correct, cogent, on target, historically accurate.
Methinks this site will be quite fun. Liberal seizures in 3. . .2. . .1. . .
Man the leftists came out enforce. Hey TB you rock. Wow, I am sure we are all in awe of your one liner! I bet it took all day for you to come up with to?
Rick one thing about America that you are forgetting: This nation was founded on a Tax Revolt. The Boston Tea Party, etc. Just a gentle reminder that if you are living here you might want to crack open a few books and learn some history. Everything we have is based on individual achievement. The pursuit of happieness is a play on John Locke’s pursuit of property line. Americans have a right to opportunitys. Nothing should be given to you if you have two hands, two legs and a brain. Know why Bill Gates has so much money? Because he came up with a tool that he knew as a man of vision we would all need. Because of him I am talking to you on one of those tools. The light bulb, the phone…these exist because men had a place to explore and realize their dreams and to work. They had room to unleash their intellect what you see around you is nothingless than the most magnificent place on the planet. But to understand that you have to read our history. Get yourself emersed in it. We Americans have a great story to tell.
People generally write the way they speak (I teach English). You must be a vocal, expressive man. If you are an acquaintance of Breitbart, no wonder he used you right out of the box. Got my attention and my nod. Terrific and inspiring. Conservatives can be edgy, too.
My wife and I are 59 and 57 respectivly so we are able to go to a lot of movies. We saw a movie a day during the CHRISTmas holidays and averate two a week elsewhen.
We are good customers of Hollywood. If they don’t quit this hard slide to the left, we will end up going back to reading a lot of books and the hell with the likes of Sean Penn’s tribe.
Thank you all for your brave efforts here.
I’m posting too often but I’m laid up waiting for a doctor to work on a back injury – and I type I get busier’n two acres of snakes – sorry.
Thank you Mr. Graham…. We need more celebs like you… I look forward to hearing more from you and from this site…
(P.S. Rick Tait: My husband and I don’t mind paying taxes… It’s the way they’re spent (wasted) that is unacceptable… )
Wishing love and laughter…
Thank you for F’ing T S! You said what everyone in my home has been yelling with no ears to hear us!
Your article was brilliant! I couldn’t have said it better myself!
Gary Graham for Congress!
Seriously, if “Outing” yourself as a conservative hurts your acting career, you should consider running for office.
This country definitely needs some reasonable voices these days.
The left thinks we can tax our way to prosperity, while destroying all the traditional values that have made this country great for over 200 years.
I agree with Gary Graham, FTS!!
Kick Ass!
I love this site and will visit every day. Mr. Graham I’ve enjoyed your work since Alien Nation and now I know why. Your conservative values shine thru the Hollyweird fog like the sun. Thank you for your “rant” and I completly agree with you. It’s great to see it coming from the leftward land of fruits and nuts! Gives me hope that someday I might want to go to a movie again.
Mr. Graham…Thank you sir for an outstanding editorial! I’m looking forward to reading more from you.
Dagny Taggart…Would that liberals read (and UNDERSTAND) “Atlas Shrugged”!
Budge Rahe
We support you. Keep talking.
All: I would just like to say that my eyes and ears have been opened today, because of this board and specifically this page!!!! I started out a little angry after reading Gary’s piece, but after reading the very thoughtful commentary, I’m starting to see different perspectives on things, especially (for example) America being started on a Tax Revolt! Of course, so true!!!!!
So anyway, rather than this turning into a long-winded diatribe on nothing in particular, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for not lowering the tone and just attacking me. I *am* very receptive to new perspectives and new thought processes on philosophies, and I gotta tell you, there are some pretty convincing arguments here!!!
THANK YOU ALL! I will definitely be bookmarking this site and hope to continue chatting with you all.
Again, my respect and thanks for letting me into this fine country!
RT
Great, Gary!! Was always a fan of your Sci-Fi work. Now an even bigger fan!! Keep up the work and don’t let the buggers get ya down!!!
Glib, simplistic, hypocritical, grossly uninformed; the quintessential example of everything wrong with the modern “conservative” movement. Thanks for sharing, really.
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