Comments on: Heroic Hollywood: American Exceptionalism and the Hollywood Hero

By: dcase

dcase — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:12:07 +0000

you're only right… the very values that embodies the cowboy ethos- individual accomplishment, self-reliance, stoicism and grace under pressure- things Bush had in spades- is what really hacked off his foes. We think that it is because he was self-contained, “hired to do a job” as he put it- is exactly why, in today's 'me first' society he was reviled. He didn't want 'to feel their pain' over his policy decisions… same with Europe. Being coddled for the last 50 years has given them a sense of superiority and entitlement that has lured them in to
a false sense of security… which will soon be shattered, much to their chagrin.

By: Robert_E

Robert_E — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:32:59 +0000

Good point. I've often been amused by seeing the photos of Russian military leaders with the billboard size rack of awards. But, don't forget what Napolean said "A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon."

By: Schizoid_Mann

Schizoid_Mann — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:01:12 +0000

Great topic, here. Sure is. I love this kinda stuff. In fact, you've said it here. So who needs the rest of us to write anything? I'd rather just sit back and read your stuff. Plus I won't catch any more flak. Ok, where'd I put my coffee?

By: Schizoid_Mann

Schizoid_Mann — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:58:56 +0000

Dash: But Dad always said our powers were nothing to be ashamed of, our powers made us special.
Helen: Everyone’s special, Dash.
Dash: [muttering] Which is another way of saying no one is.

The Incredibles. I've said it before, I'll say it again. An excellent movie on so many levels. It's really incredible that it got made.

But, if you notice, Pixar consistently stresses these ideals, these very American, wholesome messages, whereas their competition, Dreamworks focus on toilet humour and the obvious joke, not to mention some worrisome messages like inflating animals and tying them up into knots like balloons and letting them float away into the sky.
And that's supposed to be funny?

By: Schizoid_Mann

Schizoid_Mann — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:52:35 +0000

Don't go to Canada. They'll chew your ear off about how they are the cat's meow.

By: Schizoid_Mann

Schizoid_Mann — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:48:53 +0000

Haven't you ever wondered why Communist and Socialist leaders have all those ribbons and medals on their uniforms, so many it looks like they'll fall over. Same thing.

By: Schizoid_Mann

Schizoid_Mann — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:44:25 +0000

It is puzzling isn't it? But then again, I've always contented that the real reason they hated W was not his politics, since we know he did many of the same things Bill C. did.

It was his style of not caring what they thought, i.e. cowboyish. He had his own walk (swagger), they hated that, and they hated when he joked about it.

They hate anyone who can be themselves no matter who is around. Because many on the left are stuck, confined into their self made prisons of behavior monitoring, political correctness in speech, etc. that for someone to come along and not give a hoot about all that stuff, including polls and newspapers such at the gray lady, was something to be reviled and stamped out.

It wasn't the politics. We know that. It was the man. It was what he represented.

Every argument and insult against him falls flat when you examine it.
War monger, rich family, privilege, Yale, avoided war service. C'mon. Leftists admire those 'traits/flaws' in any one else, yet in W they hated them and used them as the basis for ridicule. Utterly ridiculous.

By: Schizoid_Mann

Schizoid_Mann — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:38:46 +0000

Funny, I was just thinking of that Sammy G. quote. I always loved it.

By: Schizoid_Mann

Schizoid_Mann — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:36:40 +0000

Cool!

As a former resident of both NJ and NY, I feel pride. Hooah!

By: Schizoid_Mann

Schizoid_Mann — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:31:09 +0000

"Identification leads to emulation"
That's right. And this is why I don't agree with the argument that media doesn't influence. We see it everyday, in our youth and their choices of clothing, behavior, music style, etc. They emulate what they identify with. They identify with those 'heroes' they see in our media: celebrities.