Thursday Ranting

The people of America need personal responsibility and freedom, not dependency on the government.

George Allen

Former U.S. Senator, and 67th Governor of Virginia, George Allen, was born on this day in 1952.

You know that I’m endeavoring to stay out of politics these days. You also know that I’ve said I’ve worked for four candidates for whom I’d work again. Two have passed away.

George Allen is one that I’d work for again. In a heart beat.

Mug Shots
(click the pic)

Your politics may vary, but I know from first-hand experience what a privilege it was to be an original member of the A-Team when George Allen became Governor. We moved from the Washington, DC area to work in the Allen Administration. After he left office, I remained with the state where I’ve been now for…gulp…24 years.

I’m not going to address the silliness and the scurrilous attacks. You can do that on your own blog.

I know the truth. I know what happened. I know George Allen.

And that’s your political commentary for the day, for the week, and maybe the year.

Although I must admit, even though the Academy Awards were a few days ago, I’m tempted to go off on a tirade about pretentious Hollywood millionaires lecturing the world on social justice and equality when the films they produce show the exact opposite, and the harsh reality is that they knew…about Harvey Weinstein…about Kevin Spacey…And sure it’s safe to talk about gun control in the presence of 500 armed guards…I could go on…but perhaps I don’t have to, the ratings speak for themselves.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the movies, and I love being entertained. I don’t do boycotts.

Plus, I’m an actor and a director myself.

Just do what’s right and spare me the lectures.

I did think the military tribute was nice, but an odd offering from Hollywood. Were they trying to be fair and balanced?

And, the In Memoriam section was lacking…they left out quite a few who passed in the last year, including Bill Paxton and Powers Boothe. And how could you use Tom Petty’s song in the tribute and not acknowledge Tom Petty?

I’m not going to sit by the phone waiting for them to call me to produce next year’s show.

I do have a number of films to see. But I’m not getting to those any time soon either.

Instead, this weekend I’m wrapping up performances in A Little Piece of Heaven with River City Community Players. You have three more chances to see this show.

Then Sunday and Monday night I’ll be holding auditions for Doublewide, Texas, the show that I’m directing in June for CAT Theatre.

I don’t have time to stress over the pretentiousness of Hollywood.

Or anybody else, for that matter.

I’m not denying anyone’s right to speak up for what they believe.

Just maybe though, when your job is to award outstanding achievement from your collegues, then maybe that’s what you should do.

You can explain away the lower ratings for the Acacdemy Awards and the Super Bowl by the onset of online streaming, and maybe there’s a certain bit of truth it it.

Or maybe, just maybe, America is looking for some entertainment, and some football and would care to get their politics elsewhere…if at all.

I realize there’s a bit of a danger here with me sounding like I’m lecturing Hollywood for lecturing us.

Maybe I am. But, maybe they need it.

Not that any of them will see this or read it or give a rat’s fanny about who I am.

Like many things, I can’t fix Hollywood…or football.

I know that. But I can recognize things for what they are.

I don’t get my views or my news from the Oscars. The ratings would indicate that I’m not alone.

Don’t get me wrong. There were some beautiful films, and some incredible work over the past year.

I’m just not interested in crossing a picket line to see it.


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