The Clint Eastwood Speech

A lot has been said of the Clint Eastwood speech last week at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.  A lot was said about his "conversation" with an empty chair with an imaginary President Obama sitting in it.  Personally, I thought it was funny.  Sure, Clint rambled on at times and seemingly failed at making whatever point he was trying to make.  But, he did hit on some red meat one-liners that conservatives love.  One I liked was the idea that Eric Holder (with the approval of his boss, of course) was going to hold civilian trials in New York City.  "OK, I thought maybe it was just because somebody had the stupid idea of trying terrorists in downtown New York City."  Obama eventually decided to cancel that idea due to public pressure.  Probably the line that got the most applause was one that Democrats just shudder at the thought.  "Something that I think is very important. It is that, you, we -- we own this country...We -- we own it. It is not you owning it, and not politicians owning it. Politicians are employees of ours."  That statement right there is what sets Republicans apart from Democrats.  Democrats have this lifelong idea that, we the people, are sort of servants to the all-powerful federal government.  They believe rights are bestowed upon us from the federal government and not that "out-dated U.S. Constitution."  Politicians are supposed to work for us. Democrats deplore this idea. This is but one reason why I can never be a Democrat. 

Basically, Clint Eastwood's conversation with an empty chair is so strangely ironic because there is an empty suit filling the Presidency right now.  Obama is absent in working to establish policy that is beneficial to Americans.  What did he work on so furiously in spite of record unemployment his first two years?  He worked on his pet project, Obamacare, in an effort to put himself in a separate chapter in history books.  Clint Eastwood recognizes this and spoke what many in the Republican Party are afraid to say.  Eastwood made mention that maybe it was time for a businessman to occupy the Oval Office now.  Not a career politician who has never had a private sector job (which is not doing fine, Mr. President) or even a sainted lawyer who frequently don't have a clue.  Mr. Eastwood is not your usual Hollywood type who is a liberal, left-wing nutjob who lives in a surreal world.  Of course, as Clint Eastwood pointed out, there are many conservatives in Hollywood who are fearful to "come out of the closet" so to speak.  It would destroy their career.  Only actors like Clint Eastwood or Jon Voight can come out with their political preferences because of their long careers and age.  It would take a very brave person to come out at the start of their career and state he or she is a conservative.  In fact, it would be career suicide. 

I'm glad "Dirty Harry" gave his speech.  I found it the highlight of a rather boring convention (as all conventions are, regardless of political affiliation).  The Democratic National Convention is no less boring this week.  I'm sure the Democrats will make mention of Clint Eastwood in as derogatory language as only they can.  He poked fun at humorless Democrats.  He made people laugh, smile and momentarily forget the problems this nation faces for a few minutes.  He hit on some red meat issues that conservatives love such as the many broken promises Obama has made during his tenure in office.  I guess the thing that most people enjoyed about the speech is an old, aged hero, many grew up loving as children and on into adulthood, spoke with the same raw language he did in films. It was great to see a powerful Hollywood type agree with us for a change.  It is refreshing to know that everyone living in that elitist society is not totally insane.