River Valley Blogs

Mary Levine wrote on Sep 8, 2008 5:13 PM:

" Jimmy,

The Daily Show is very clever! As for the Newman piece...wonderful. Talk about a Maverick!
Thanks for sharing. "

Michael Welch Acting Presidents... wrote on Sep 7, 2008 4:19 PM:

" By the way how 'fantastic' was Ronald Reagan -- an actor AND president? Gee how quickly they forget -- that the first PROFESSIONAL motion picture actor who was indeed the 40th president of the United States was none other than conservative Repub icon Ronald Wilson Reagan hmm. So: was he a 'bad' president because he was an actor? An inadequate president? A president for fantasists only? (Careful now what you reply -- you MIGHT be right!) By the way in the 1940s Orson Welles once cracked that he, Welles, was the best actor in the country and after him the second best was Franklin D. Roosevelt. When queried about an actor as prez, Reagan himself said that HE didn't know HOW anyone could BE president without being an 'actor'... "

Michael Welch Conspiracy Theory ... wrote on Sep 7, 2008 3:01 PM:

" I have a friend who believes the 1992 Bush pere campaign was 'thrown' essentially, so a Democratic president could (especially) endorse NAFTA and GATT as well as I guess those terrible UN-US sanctions on Iraq that killed and crippled several hundred thousand Iraqis -- mostly elderly and children. I don't know if I FULLY agree with THAT 'conspiracy theory' BUT I wonder about '08 -- i. e. could it be that 'the system' now needs Obama, another Democrat of 'liberal' tendency, to endorse and carry on its oil wars, concentrating initially on Afghanistan? If so I think we may see the McCain-Palin team begin to slump and O and Joe start a steady albeit slow 'rise' -- remember: the system always understands the necessity for a 'change,' in appearance that is, that MASKS for 'change' in policies... "

Michael Welch Macintosh Man Macaroni Man Macadamia Nuts... wrote on Sep 7, 2008 2:51 PM:

" We're in the weekend netherland between Jim blogs so I'll just shpiel a bit on the 'current campaign': NOW EVERYBODY wants to 'change' the uh 'greatest country in the world' eh -- ESPECIALLY McCain. It's difficult to 'change' it when practically every ISSUE he emphasizes retains its Bushite resonance. Obama has become re: the Palin scandals (that's entertainment! I grant you) a virtual Mr Sobersides with a policy wonk veeper; HE seems the 'steady hand at the tiller' while McCain uncomfortably suggests the W 'crusader rabbit' attitude of Save the World (for OUR oil). The Trib Sunday editorial went the (yawn!) route of 'exciting' candidates when they are actually beginning to settle into 'same old' -- McCain as 'W Redux' and Obama as 'Bill Clinton Jr,' the ex-prez' brainy 'love child.' Obama before Mac sure -- but then choose your warS eh... "

Michael Welch Mendacity As Opposed To Audacity... wrote on Sep 7, 2008 2:26 PM:

" I haven't seen 'Hud' in years; I'm not sure why not; I should see it again. I seem to like the Newman 'westerns' best though not 'Butch Cassidy' because of its overly coy aspect perhaps -- too much an effort at 'crowd pleasing'? Newman is also excellent as 'Brick Pollitt' in the 1958 Richard Brook adaptation of Tennessee Williams' 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' but the film is ALMOST stolen by the rough gruff flamboyance of the great (in every way!) Burl Ives as 'Big Daddy.' Brick, the errant son, rather wryly and drily puts it: 'What makes him so "big"? His "big heart"? His big belly? Or his big money?' It's a low keyed, coolish, right on target delivery as per Newman as his cynical best. And when the two 'greats' growl at each other over the term 'mendacity' I ALWAYS think of the righties on this blog... "

harsch wrote on Sep 7, 2008 11:53 AM:

" I can't believe this Paul Newman post could possibly pass without mention of 'Hud', one of his finest. But I am happy to see 'Hombre' mentioned--it has the best gun butt to the head scene I have ever seen on film, amongst other fine moments. "

Harsch wrote on Sep 7, 2008 6:17 AM:

" They calls it satire. "

Nestor wrote on Sep 6, 2008 10:36 PM:

" When are we going to read an alternative view to your printed garp? "

To Harsch wrote on Sep 6, 2008 7:35 PM:

" Are you really dumb enough to take that video at face value?!! Anyone with a brain knows that they just took various pictures and presented them in a way that fit with their own theme. It would have been no problem to find pictures of silly or stupid looking people at the dems' convention, either. And if you think a lot of people vote by what they see on John Stewart, you are really nuts. At least the folks at the republican convention didn't throw their flags in the trash when the convention was over. "

Michael Welch Tough Guys Dont Dance... wrote on Sep 6, 2008 11:14 AM:

" I don't quite get which 'girls' at what dance want what 'guy.' Do they all want to dance with McCain(?!) -- or 'Cagefighter'? I mean, besides 'Fabin'... "

Hmmm wrote on Sep 6, 2008 8:20 AM:

" Paul Newman is an entertaining actor. Barack Hussein Obama is also an actor. I can see why Jimmy has an interest in actors and Barack Hussein Obama, it takes a love of fantasy to enjoy both. "

harsch wrote on Sep 6, 2008 3:45 AM:

" The Jon Stewart at the RNC during the tropical storm was classic satire, and right on target, too. If all US citizens saw and understood it, 95% or more would vote Obama. "

To Charlie Dierkup wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:33 PM:

" Just picked up one of your trading cards. Glad to see your still around and I hope all is well! -- Richard Cranium. "

I checked out your link wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:49 PM:

" above; John Stewart is usually funny, but that was one stooooopid video. "

Eddie wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:27 PM:

" The best quote I ever read from Paul Newman had to do with why he no longer signed autographs. It seemed that he was in the men's room once, and some guy came right up to him - right by the urinal! - and asked him for his autograph. After that outrageous encounter, Newman said NO MORE. I can only imagine what superstars like Newman have to endure from us dimwit fans..... "

Charlie Dierkop wrote on Sep 5, 2008 4:39 PM:

" I have had the honor to have worked as an actor with Paul Newman in three films. "The Hustler","Butch Cassidy"and "The Sting." He is not only a great actor on film and the stage, but more importantly a caring human being, who is interested in the health and well being of our country. His actions are a credit to the human Spirit. "

Cagefighter wrote on Sep 5, 2008 4:05 PM:

" I must admit, that was a good one Michael. It is good to see you do have a sense of humor. Well done. "

You guys remind me wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:33 PM:

" of the group of girls at the dance sitting on the sidelines ripping everything about another girl as she dances in the arms of the guy they all wanted to get. "

Michael Welch Obamas WarS... wrote on Sep 5, 2008 2:44 PM:

" Let me just add that I still am repelled by the just reiterated (on O'Reilly, appropriately) 'pledge' by Barack Obama to intensify the Afghan war. The focus on the botched Iraq war had relieved the political stress re: Afghanistan but the present 'quietus' revives it. PLUS -- don't ignore that the US has already invaded Pakistan and struck villages there, JUST as Obama advocated last year by the way. Currently the Iraqi sunnis 'allied' with US troops in militias of their own (under the nomme of 'Sons of Iraq') are being attacked by the shi'ite government -- individual by individual; local gov is arresting sunni leaders unless accompanied by US soldiers who often bodyguard them. The warS are NOT 'over' -- in Afghanistan OR Iraq... "

Michael Welch No Hypocrisy Okay... wrote on Sep 5, 2008 1:23 PM:

" By the way 'Fabin' you can fall in love with 'Cagefighter' if you want to but just remember that if you get him pregnant you have to marry him... "

Big Spender wrote on Sep 5, 2008 12:54 PM:

" re: "WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AT THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION"

Did you notice the delegate, that when asked if she wanted W Bush to appear at the convention, froze up like a popsicle?

The video is vintage Borat, thanks for sharing it! "

Michael Welch Palins Hypocrisies... wrote on Sep 5, 2008 12:24 PM:

" The to-do about Palin's 'hypocrisy' by the way is well documented. Put aside the 'family way' -- I mean I don't CARE about her daughter's 'trouble' as we used to say, yet the usual rightie Repub moralizing re: 'abstinence' has yeah a distinctly hypocritical odor. But the REAL stuff is the 'reformer' legend; Sarah was just fine with the 'good ol' boys' Stevens, Murkowski and Young as long as they weren't making Alaska unpopular and marring the Republican 'brand' but THEN THEY NEEDED HER -- to play the reform game so to spread balm over the roiled waters. EVERYTHING THEY WERE FOR, SHE WAS FOR -- UNTIL it was politically expedient (and necessary) for A Republican not to be. She's THEIR 'beard' is what she is... "

Michael Welch McCain And The NEXT War... wrote on Sep 5, 2008 12:11 PM:

" McCain as many do speaks of fighting this proverbial 'last war' so to prevent the 'next' one; however there is ALWAYS the next one, NEVER 'prevented' but served up with the same garnish of platitudes. World War II (McCain's 'father's war') was supposed to 'end' wars as per WWI but ONLY FIVE YEARS LATER some of the same vets were called back into a terrible and botched quagmire in Korea. The NEXT generation got vacuumed into Vietnam after the president who TRIED to stop it was murdered in an 'executive action.' The oil wars began in 1990 and have essentially continued for nearly two decades. McCain's 'next war'? Iran -- as well as Afghanistan II?... "

Michael Welch McCain And The Last War... wrote on Sep 5, 2008 12:04 PM:

" McCain spoke last evening of service to 'country' over and over but I find that a euphemism for service to the REAL powers that control. The 'country' demands 'sacrifices' that somehow never are exacted from its elite of wealth and privilege but ALWAYS from the vast minions. Six per cent plus unemployment means nine million out of work -- how 'bout some 'service' FROM your uh 'country' eh? McCain iterates (over and over) that he has suffered for his 'country' and has since served its 'higher' interests and he has -- in fact he serves the high ups' oily empire and his talk reminds of FDR snarling in 1940 'I HATE WAR!' while calculating just how to suck the folks into 'just one more'... "

Cagefighter wrote on Sep 5, 2008 12:02 PM:

" Why thank you, Izzy! As I always say, who is the coolest guy on the blogs and why am I? "

Michael Welch Parsing McCain... wrote on Sep 5, 2008 11:53 AM:

" Okay I guess Jimmy has appended a McCain convention story here so we can start rediscussing all that too -- besides the other blogs seem overly 'crowded' at the moment. What has struck me recently re: Big Mac (and Sarah too) is that 'ringer' quality. Mac is hardly the 'great reformer'; he was before and leading to the Reagan era S&L scandal ('America's most expensive bail out' at the time) an assiduous favor dispenser to the wealthy. Since then I really can't think that even Mac's much vaunted 'campaign reform' has accomplished much -- ARE elections 'cleaner'? Really? CAN you actually 'tell'? I can't... "

Michael Welch Two Obscure Pauls... wrote on Sep 5, 2008 11:45 AM:

" I'd also like to add a couple of Newman films not usually mentioned but which I've found quite uh 'arresting.' The lesser of the two is the John Huston directed and John Milius authored 'The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean,' yet another '70s (small) gem of western revisionism -- and as in Altman's 'McCabe and Mrs Miller' corporatism triumphs over old fashioned eccentric individualism in a chronicle of the death of the 'libertarian' west. And Newman played for Altman the lead in 'Buffalo Bill and the Indians,' a marvelously quirky cipher about westerns as 'show' and political propaganda with a wonderfully cynical cameo by the always magnificent Burt Lancaster. Pics about loss and being cheated -- with which libertarians AND lefties can (sigh!) BOTH 'identify'... "

Michael Welch Yet Another GREAT American Film Actor... wrote on Sep 5, 2008 11:33 AM:

" Paul Newman is one of the great company of American film actors; and that is a veritable 'army' of accomplished, realistic yet individual achievement. American film and its creators are truly a part of our culture of which we can take the most satisfaction. Personally I've liked Newman in any of his pics but I might cite Arthur Penn's 'The Left Handed Gun' wherein 'PL' is a 'walking contradiction,' an appealing, sometimes cruel but suffering from 'father hunger' Billy the Kid. Robert Rossen's 'The Hustler' is an overall work of genius with Newman matching his acting 'professionalism' with that of the 'haute amateur,' Jackie Gleason, both ironically playing parts that are their 'mirror opposites.' And Newman as the stoic, fatalistic Apache raised 'Hombre' arraigned against Richard Boone's burly anglo cruelty also is memorable... "

Izzy Fabin wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:09 AM:

" I have never met the man, but I bet Cagefighter would be a pretty cool guy. He dealt with BGS on these blogs firmly but fairly. The whole deal with how he astounded his wifes friends at their dinner party was classic. He is like Paul Newman-with an "edge". "

Comments »

Post a comment (150 word limit) »