Is Hollywood’s Hard Left Lost in Victory?
by John Scott Lewinski
Politically speaking, it’s quiet in Hollywood. Too quiet.
It’s not a foreboding kind of stillness like the sunrise on a battlefield before the ranks are formed. It’s not an anticipatory breed of shush as “jocund day stands tiptoe” before a big game or the opening of Christmas gifts.
It’s a boring silence — a befuddled, anti-climactic, sighing void that took hold of this town not long after Barack Obama stormed into the White House. With George W. Bush retired to Texas and the most enlightened leader in the history of bipedal evolution taking his place, all problems are fixed, all debates are over, and the supremacy of everything hippie is assured forever. What fun is that?
With Obama as supreme leader, there’s just nothing remaining for Hollywood’s hard left to complain about now. And, you get the feeling they miss the old days.
For a short while after Obama’s win, the self-righteous activist types had gay marriage to keep them occupied. They possessed a cause to keep them chanting and picketing. But, as such causes go, the Prop 8 hooting and hollering lacked a certain clarity.
First, libertarian-leaning types like this commentator also opposed Prop 8 — hoping to keep the government and courts out of marriage issues. And nothing makes a cause less satisfying for progressives than sharing the position with non-liberals.
Then, the Prop 8 protestors started clashing with minority groups — presenting a brand of crippling irony certain to drain all of the tingly, pretentious thrill out of stomping around with a sign and a chant. Just imagine it: You’re on the hard left and you reside in the international multimedia capital of everything warm, fuzzy and superior. Then you realize the minority groups you’re sworn to protect — but don’t want living anywhere near you (Right, Santa Monica and West Hollywood?) — oppose your cause of the month.
The coalition that keeps California in the hands of Democrats broke down as those two-timing minority groups voted against gay marriage in keeping with their cultural and religious views. Hollywood’s enlightened types must’ve been disgusted: You give those folks jobs as your pool cleaners and groundskeepers, and they don’t have the courtesy to obey and follow the progressive agenda.
So, Prop 8 goes off the boil, and Bush is still gone. All Hollywood’s most dedicated complainers have to show for it is some faded “I Voted!” stickers and a squadron of Prius(es) covered in “Endless This War!” bumper stickers. Perhaps you would argue that they have their savior in the command chair, but that same silence spoke of whispers of a little buyer’s remorse.
Taking the oldest trick out of the tyrant’s manual, Obama ran on “Hope” to seize power. Then once he had it, he changed the message to “Fear” to keep expectations low and the masses in line. Maybe that strategy was necessary, since between the unpaid taxes, failed cabinet appointments, the Blago scandal, raging debate over the “spend-u-lous” package and the continued decline of the markets, World War I had a more inspiring first 100 days.
Obama will decisively close Guantanamo (maybe — in a year or so). He’ll promptly get the troops out of Iraq (right around the time they were scheduled to leave anyway — except for the 50,000 he’ll keep there to train combat units). And, he’ll up the ante with more boots on the ground in Afghanistan. It’s enough to transform the Obama-forged screams of adulation to a collective sense of “hm.”
In the end, it’s becoming clear that Hollywood’s progressive crowd had more fun criticizing authority figures than owning authority. Maybe it just felt sexier to attack the old administration free of responsibility than to lead and face the consequences of failure. After all, what’s the point of being smarter, more sensitive and more sophisticated than those crude Republicans if you actually have to submit to performance standards?
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Got a Tip?
43 Comments
The Hollywood Left is quiet because they're busy. Busy wrting and preparing the patriotic Iraq War films that present the victory as having been made possible only by the Dems acension to power in 2006 which scared the Islamo-Nazis into good behavior. Busy concoting the arguments they'll be making in a few months when the Dow hits 4,000 to show that it's still all Bush's fault. And busy converting their financial assets into gold before the currency devalues.
I'm sure the Hollywood left realizes that their work is just starting, they have to look forward to 4 years of nonstop defending the undefendable, excusing the inexcusable, praising the unworthy, poo-poohing the unconstitutional and ignoring the glaringly obvious. That's a lot of work to do for one of the lowest educated segments of society in America.
Spot on! These people have no idea what they are talking about, but still they keep talking. It's awfully difficult for them to form cohesive sentences without writers.
The left can't be done. America isn't destroyed yet. Heck, Obama has a way to go to even get down to Carter's level.
I heard the left is pushing the Ocotomoron mom to run for Governor. She is all that the left stands for!
reminds me of the old joke about the dog chasing the car, what would he do with it if he caught it?
You know these idiots are feeling the point of their own sword. As the Stock Market falls and the wealth of the nation is depleted Hollywood budgets are will be getting tighter as well. I believe it’s our patriotic duty to help them out of the door. Vote with our dollars, read a book.
I vote for Richard Dreyfuss as Scooter Libby – he would tackle that role with tremendous emotion and factual flexibility as usual – LOL!
reminds me of the onion news story about the obama supporters realizing how empty their lives are
They've spent thier whole lives learning how to play checkers only to find out that the rest of the world is playing chess.
JLP
It's quiet in Hollywood because they're all visiting Iran as part of a "cultural exchange" that apparently involves photo ops in head scarves and apologizing for themselves every few minutes.
just like my daddy and his daddy before? best Steve Earle song ever- 'Copperhead Road'… nyuk, nyuk nyuk…
Just not any books by liberals, because then they'll want to make it into a movie.
I saw that too. The liberals I know didn't find it very funny.
When I was a kid we had a dog that loved to chase cars. One time he finally caught one and bit the taillight. Not a satisfying conclusion – kinda like Hollywood these days.
But their focus on Bush was out of hate, whereas their focus on Limbaugh is more out of fear. And the more they complain about him the more thay validate him. When was the last time a President was so terrified about what a radio personality said? I'm not even a Limbaugh fan, but the fact that liberals and the government keep talking about the (un)Fairness Doctrine and hang on every word Limbaugh says is a sign that the government still fears its citizens and the press, as they should.
Great points.
Paul Mooney is a very under appreciated, very funny man.
It's not that the government fears "the press" but rather that the government (actually bureaucrats and life long politicians) fear that portion of the media that won't toe the line. I think as presently constituted, SCOTUS would have a hard time with the Fairness Doctrine. Let's hope they try it quick so it can get before the Supremes before one of the four originalists departs.
John – Scintillating analysis…you're like the Gossip Girl of Hollywood. But less substantive.
Who could forget Herve'? In fact is famous line is perfect for this movie: "The Plame, the Plame". There's a vintage Nick Nack for ya!
Interesting point!
As to the "Fairness Doctrine", the term is a joke. It is no more than a thinly veiled attempt to styfle freedom of speach when the other side fails to get anyone to listem to them
Krebstar,
"The Plame, the Plame?" Now that was d@mn funny.
I have a slight "in" with the Limbaugh crowd, and his listening audience has gone through the roof since Jan. when they started vilifying him. Uh, yeah. Good plan. The dumb@ss libs believe everything that the Olbermans and Matthews types tell them. Rush is great because he is sarcastic, and parodies, and they actually believe that he is genuinely arrogant and a blowhard. I do know him personally, and he is so not like that. I have seen his personal generosity in my own family, so I am a loyal friend.
I wonder if the next step for BHO is to reinstitute the DRAFT.
It won't be called that. It will, in the typical Orwellian fashion, be mandatory community servitude sold as "volunteerism".
I get that sense. He's always struck me as a decent person first and foremost. Olberman strikes me as a guy who would step on your face to increase his audience share.
I think Vern Troyer is available to "out" Plame
Definition: allegory al.le.gory [al-uh-gawr-ee] a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another.
Definition: Alegorey Al.e.Gore.y [ Al.e.Gore.y] a representation of a complete b.s.artist that preaches fantasy as fact; a scam perpetrated on unwitting tax payers to enrich Al e Gorey and his filthy rich lefty friends and the expense of the "little people". ex. The fat, rich ex-politician is the darling of Hollywood, he preaches about "saving the earth" and reducing your "carbon footprint" all the while flying in private jets and riding in gas-guzzling limos, floating on his 110' houseboat and heating/colling his mansion with a big, giant, "carbon bigfoot".
Definition: allegory al.le.gory [al-uh-gawr-ee] a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another.
Definition: Alegorey Al.e.Gore.y [ Al.e.Gore.y] a representation of a complete b.s.artist that preaches fantasy as fact; a scam perpetrated on unwitting tax payers to enrich Al e Gorey and his filthy rich lefty friends and the expense of the "little people". ex. "The fat, rich ex-politician is the darling of Hollywood, he preaches about "saving the earth" and reducing your "carbon footprint" all the while flying in private jets and riding in gas-guzzling limos, floating on his 110' houseboat and heating/colling his mansion with a big, giant, "carbon bigfoot".
I'm going to be a general in the 'Bammy's "Civilian Army"! ……yea, got my uniform and everything….hat, gun, well water pistol….Super Soaker baby!
PK said it best – "The Tolorent LEFT – making excuses and defending the Victimizers for decades"
I also think many are figuring out how to update resumes and look for under the table work with the inevitable upcoming SAG Strike and increased revenue losses due to the distain from movie and TV fans to the uneducated elites who speak down to us fly over folk…..I never used to condone theft or the old "NAPSTER" lack of respect of copyrights……But I have learned to watch movies and TV shows for free on pirate sites just so I don't spend my money on these peoples products.
I've even watched many latest releases where a person stands up in front of the hand held "Kramer Recorded" movie when the credits roll – LOL! Sad? perhaps – but my options are few – strike back in anyway I can……keeping my $'s out of their pockets is the best I have at my disposal right now. If I refuse to spend (let's say) $200 a year on Hollywood products….and there are ONLY 2 million others like me…….me thinks that adds up.
They are just taking a breath, as it were. Doug Limon( the first, and only watchable 'Bourne') is lensing the Valerie Plame thing, with Naomi Watts (who should know better) and of course, Sean Penn (who proudly doesn't) and this is guaranteed to be seen by @117 people… wonder who will play Scooter Libby? They would love to cast Herve' Villechaize, but he has passed on… listen, Hollywood as currently constituted, doesn't give a rat's rear end about the US market. They have gone international,as 'Slumdog' will attest. Us yahoos who would love to see 'Felix Leiter CIA' and other really cool things are SOL…
I find it funny that some of the "cultural exchange" actors are making nice with a country (Iran) that opposes their pet causes: gay marriage, free speech, radical feminism, "free love," etc.
The commentary, "AMPAS Iran Visit Spits In The Face of Gays, Women, Jews and Film," explores this further:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/268391
John,
Do not hold back. Tell us what you really think about Hollywood.
BTW, the photo looks more like Rodeo Drive that Hollywood. After all Hollywood Blvd is trashy. Beverly Hills does look nicer.
They might put the bumper stickers on their Prius and new Honds Hydrogen cars, but you will never see those stickers on the Bentleys, Rolls, Ferraris, Maseratis, Lamborginis and all of the other FOREIGN made luxury cars that they really drive. They save the Prius for the photo ops.
Just imagine that Woopie won't have cause to grab her crotch and proclain that "This is my Bush". I feel so empty.
I wonder if the next step for BHO is to reinstitute the DRAFT.
However, they will now focus un Limbaugh ISO Bush. This is going to be interesting.
Nice commentary on the racial segregation on SoCal. I was watching Paul Mooney and even he was making fun of how California thinks of themselves as "progressive" while southern Cal is the most racially segregated area in the US.
As they say in Hollywood "every knock is a boost." Rush Limbaugh, better than anyone, really annoys the lefties. And the more they attack him, the better he gets. I'm not even a dittohead, and I can figure that out. Now if we can just figure out why women seem to dislike him so much. It probably doesn't matter, since he has secured the male vote and thrown the bigshot lefties into hysteria, we can concentrate on getting an actual candidate that women will like. Bobby Jindal looks like he needs some mothering.
It just gets worse all the time. I wish somebody would produce a movie entitled "GI Joe Kills Just About Everybody."
Hollywood is quiet because they are lost for the moment. If you have a kid, you've probably seen it when they ask a question expecting a 'no' answer, but you give them a 'yes.' They're temporarily dumbfounded. Hollywood never really expected a socialist to be elected president, but one was, so now they need to regroup. They've all heard the old adage, 'be careful what you wish for, you just might get it,' and now they've learned that it's true. They're watching Wall Street take a drubbing and wondering who the Government will go after next. Maybe they got a call from their CPA letting them know that they are in the top 2% of taxpayers and they need to start tax planning now. That's enough to keep anyone from being loud.
Hey, my best friend is my Mexican gardener.
Are they really going down this dead end road? Seriously? Who's producing? I got a script about my grass growing and growing and…..these twits are making a folk "hero" out of a garden variety CIA analyst? Really? As I've said many times, me, you and anybody can park near the entrance to the CIA in Langley, there's a right turn lane / light that feeds in to the parking lot, and we can all "OUT" an analyst. WooHoo, fun! File it in the "Stop Loss" "Syriana" bin, as leftist propaganda/money sponge. I'd look for a propaganda shift to one extolling the exploits of one bitchin' Pres. Mr. Obammy!
Our family dog loved to bark at the garbage truck when it would drive down the alley behind our house. One day, when the truck was back there, our dog ran out the front door and headed for the alley. As the one who was responsible for him getting out, I was chasing after him as fast as I could.
The alley curved so the dog couldn't actually see the truck until he was within about 20 feet of it. Once he did, he hit the brakes, took one long look at the truck and immediately ran home.
I live in the mountains of Colorado and love it's pristine beauty..and peace, but hundreds of us used to travel to LA for vacation, seminars, etc. We shopped in the stores, drove around and saw where all the 'Hollywood' types lived, etc.
Since I've not heard it mentioned, the election of the mayor of LA (tainted, at best), Antonio Villar, will keep all of us away for good. He is an ex-gang member who appeared on stage with President Obama the night after the November election. In Colorado, we have no doubt that Mr. V's election was aided by President Obama's right hand…ACORN. Regardless, wwe feel we'd be safer traveling to Bagdad. Apparently, not a lot of folks are to concerned about his election, but he has quite a reputation everywhere else. Please be careful, you brave souls. Your tax money is going to fund illegal gang member inmates for work projects Mr. V has set up for them. He was one of them, after all.
It will be called The Obama Youth Corps. When there are enough of them, they will have a candlelight march in the L.A. Coliseum, forming a magnificent rotating "O." Then they'll march over to Fairfax, burn down a couple of delis and beat up a Jew or two. Then back to the Coliseum to get the real guns and rifles.
You must be logged in to post a comment.