While we may not have held the same views as Geraldine Ferraro when it comes to politics, we recognize her as a pioneer in the quest to open up more opportunities for women. She was also a decent individual whose measured responses contributed greatly to the civil discourse in our country. Finally, Ferraro was a survivor who inspired many others with her courage in facing a deadly disease.
As the Democratic candidate for Vice President of the United States running with Walter Mondale in 1984, she was the first woman in U.S. history to run on a national ticket for a major party. Although Ronald Reagan was re-elected carrying 49 of the 50 states during that election, Ferraro took down a long standing barrier and secured a place for herself in the history books.
In subsequent years, Ferraro distanced herself from other liberals by eschewing their strident tone and their obvious distain for anyone who disagreed with them. She was often willing to appear on conservative programs, engaging those who held opposing views with charm, respect and well reasoned explanations for her own beliefs. Always comporting herself with aplomb and dignity, Geraldine Ferraro was an outstanding representative of the opposition point of view that is essential to a democratic government, confirming that it really does take two wings for the American eagle to fly.
Ferraro was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1998 and lived many years beyond the usual survival time for this incurable blood cancer. The courage she demonstrated by living life to the fullest in spite of this should be an inspiration to all. Our country is a better place because of Geraldine Ferraro and we salute her many contributions to What Makes US Great. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family.
I guess we should have recognized an early clue when one of Obama’s first acts as president was to authorize the shooting of three black teenagers in the head, to end the standoff between the Somali pirates and the Maersk Alabama back in April 2009, just two months after his inauguration. Now, Mr. Obama has committed American troops to a third simultaneous war in a Muslim nation by entering the fray in Libya. For the man who as a senator voted against the troop surge in Iraq and then denied that it worked, it was a surprise when Obama implemented his own troop surge in Afghanistan, albeit after much dithering and indecisiveness. Since dithering and indecisiveness seem to be his modus operandi, it is not surprising that our entry into the War in Libya came after two weeks of vacillation (see WOW) and conflicting statements and then only under the leadership of the ‘new leader of the free world’, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France.
Nobel Peace Prize Winner?
What really is surprising is the fact that Obama, the evermore dubious winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, committed the United States to a war, which does not directly impact the security of our nation, without seeking authorization from Congress. Both George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush sought and received authorization from Congress each time they committed American troops to battle. Where are the war protesters who closed down bridges and marched on federal office buildings after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were initiated? Where is the mainstream news media condemning the president for interfering in a civil war without authorization? Where are the left wing nuts claiming Obama’s motive for going to war in Libya is for oil? I guess regime change and nation building are ok now.
Speaking at Cross Purposes
Obama’s foreign policy does not seem to have any cohesive or consistent structure, making it difficult to figure out what his next step will be. The top level of leaders(?) are all speaking at cross purposes. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says a ‘no fly zone’ won’t work. Obama says a ‘no fly zone’ will work. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen* says Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi can stay. Obama says Gaddafi must go (after he said he could stay). Perhaps this is all part of Mr. Obama’s strategy to keep our enemies guessing, but I doubt it. Instead, it seems downright scary to me!
He’s No George Bush!
Obama’s apology tour undercutting American exceptionalism, his refusal to lend even moral support to dissidents in Iran, while encouraging protestors against our long term ally in Egypt, and his willingness to share troop withdrawal deadlines with the enemy all point to an inexperienced man who is way out of his league…a man who has no long term goals other than to diminish America’s role in world affairs. It appears that even Hillary Clinton has finally realized that it was a mistake to become involved with this bunch of amateurs. So, to answer our query as to whether Obama has become Bush III…I don’t think so! Not even close. Bush 41 and Bush 43 were real leaders…leaders, who made tough and correct decisions without regard to opinion polls.
*The same Admiral Mike Mullen who, along with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, championed sodomy in the military barracks with his support of repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
See our recent article: ‘Pentagon Failures Require Immediate Fix’
There are a surprising number of Hollywood stars who have made their conservative views known. Many are now actively challenging the liberals who have wormed their way into tinsel town and tightened their grip on many aspects of hiring, production and financing. The slow, agonizing death of Hollywood over the past several decades has almost certainly been hastened by these liberals who criticize the United States and attack everything it stands for, never mind the many personal benefits they have reaped from the opportunities made available to them by this great country. One cannot help but have pity for these and the many other unfortunate individuals suffering from that strange malady known as ‘liberal guilt syndrome’.
With the help of our readers we are compiling a list of Hollywood stars, past and present, who love America and courageously speak out about its greatness. For the purposes of this listing we will use a loose interpretation of ‘Hollywood stars’ to include entertainers of the stage, movies and television. Please help us add to this list by submitting the names of conservative stars directly as a comment on this posting. We salute the following Hollywood stars from the past and the present who unabashedly love this country and contribute to What Makes US Great.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the actual year that the Golden Age of Hollywood ended. Nonetheless, most astute observers today would agree that there are but a few remaining signs of the halcyon days of this uniquely American institution, other than perhaps the Hollywood sign itself. At one time there were hundreds and hundreds of stars of the stage and screen, each a unique personality with their own special talents. Sadly, the movie industry in Los Angeles today has been reduced to a second-rate summer stock theatrical team of about twenty mediocre players who seem to be recycled through every movie that is being cranked out.
The Iconic Hollywood Sign
In recent years it has been painful to see who has been dubbed as the greatest actor or actress (we still prefer to make this gender distinction) or the most beautiful woman or the best looking man (Julia Roberts and George Clooney? Give me a break!). The new players suffer greatly when being compared to those from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Who is the Bette Davis of today? Or the Jimmy Stewart or the Ethel Merman, Red Skelton or Donald Meek of today? We could go on and on!
Thankfully, there are yet a few of the greats still living and we are privileged to share the air with these towering icons of entertainment. With the help of our readers, we are compiling a list of these stars to which we will add as more are brought to our attention. For the purposes of this listing we will use a loose interpretation of ‘Hollywood star’ to include all entertainers of the stage, movies and television.
Please help us add to this list by submitting the names of living stars directly as a comment on this posting. Sadly, we lost one of the great entertainers of the 40’s and 50’s, Jane Russell, as we were preparing this initial list. Now there was a real beauty! Her performance as Calamity Jane with Bob Hope in Paleface will live on as a classic forever. We salute the following Living Stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood (golden stars of Hollywood indicated accordingly) and thank them for the years of great entertainment they have provided us. They are truly part of What Makes US Great!
