Catching up with some pre-election whining, as James Taranto highlighted Friday in his “Best of the Web Today” compilation, character actor/playwright Wallace Shawn “blames President Bush for wrecking his love life and causing writer's block.” Shawn, a short man with a distinctive voice you'd recognize from his many guest roles on TV shows (IMDb page), from Murphy Brown to Law & Order: CI (screen shot is from a 2006 episode of that NBC drama), complained to the Times of London:
Bush has openly mocked law and proclaimed a certain pleasure in sadism and exulted in holding prisoners and mistreating and torturing them, really. Of course this affects one emotionally: my emotional life has been very strongly affected by the fact that Bush was president and my writing life is affected by my emotional life.
Taranto quipped: “If Wallace Shawn's output increases substantially in the next four years, a lot of people may find they miss George W. Bush.”
In the same collection of quotes, about George W. Bush's legacy, posted November 3 by the Times of London, Roseanne Barr kvetched:
I think the world is about to change for the better. Bush ruined it and now people have no choice but to try to put it back together. He's like Humpty Dumpty.
Shawn's complete reply:
I grew up in a country where my parents thought of Americans as benevolent people who were greeted joyfully by Europeans when they arrived in their jeeps at the end of World War II. Now we live in a time where you have to say that politicians openly proclaim the law of viciousness and trampling over people they didn't like: Bush has openly mocked law and proclaimed a certain pleasure in sadism and exulted in holding prisoners and mistreating and torturing them, really. Of course this affects one emotionally: my emotional life has been very strongly affected by the fact that Bush was president and my writing life is affected by my emotional life.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Can't wait for Obama's inauguration
November 12, 2008 - 01:44 ET by Defector01If, for no other reason, that these freakin leftist loser loons can stop blaming Dubya for every possible thing that goes wrong in their life. Obama aint going to save this fool if he can't publish anything, but i bet he thinks the messiah will just write the article for him.
I have only ever made one prayer to God, a very short one: O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous. And God granted it - Voltaire
Inconceivable!!!
November 12, 2008 - 02:36 ET by pinadpullerInconceivable!!!
Princess Bride?
November 12, 2008 - 03:13 ET by dodecahedronThat guy looks like Wallace Shawn who played Vizzini in The Princess Bride and who kept repeating the word, "Inconceivable."
In the words of Inigo Montoya: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means, what you think it means.
You beat me to it!!!!! LOL
November 12, 2008 - 06:08 ET by motherbeltYou beat me to it!!!!! LOL (well you got here before me)
I do not think it means what you think it means!!!
OK dodecahedron beat me too.(I didn't see that, honest).
But I'm not staying up all night.
My 19-year-old daughter's and my all-time favorite movie!
OT I know, but last year was its 20th anniversary, and for Xmas I got her the collectors' edition pack of book and DVD. It was her favorite gift.
GMTA
November 12, 2008 - 06:20 ET by SarahAnnieThat's the first thing I thought of too: Inconceivable! LOL
Nebraskans for War: Peace through Strength
The word around the village
November 12, 2008 - 08:41 ET by TD in FLThe word around the village is that iocane powder works as a wonderful aphrodisiac. Too bad he didn't build up his immunity like Wesley.
Inconceivable, indeed
November 12, 2008 - 10:07 ET by moderncommentaries83A liberal blaming his problems on Bush? Inconceivable! What else can I blame Bush for?
I have a sore throat today...that must be Bush's fault.
My car didn't start this morning...that must be Bush's fault.
I'm almost out of milk at home...that must be Bush's fault.
Oh, and when we had to put our cat to sleep last year...Bush's fault!
Darn him - for a man who, according to liberals, is so stupid he can barely dress himself in the morning, he's simultaneously crafty enough to make Wallace Shawn's life miserable.
As a writer and grad student, I'm finding I have no trouble, you know, writing.
Being a relatively talentless hack isn't Bush's fault, sir. Perhaps find a new line of work.
I thought he did a great
November 12, 2008 - 10:21 ET by dtaI thought he did a great job it the princess bride.
I do have to wonder how he managed to perform in the princess bride during the Reagan administration if Bush gives him so much trouble.
I don't think it means what you think it means
November 12, 2008 - 03:39 ET by Calypso Joneswell i know what queer means.
What a novel excuse!
November 12, 2008 - 05:43 ET by on-the-rocksOl' Wallace ain't getting laid very often, so it is President Bush's fault. It can't be that he's a dweeb or anything else.
In other words, it is Bush's fault he ain't gettin' no...
The perfect reward for these fools...
November 12, 2008 - 05:51 ET by old crothat bi*** and moan about President Bush would be.....spend eternity attached to a bungee cord jumping over and over again off a burning World Trade Center building.
Civilian National Security Force
November 12, 2008 - 06:05 ET by allanfAt first glance I thought that it was the Civilian National Security Force under President Bush that made Mr. Shawn feel irirational. Then I realized he has some emotional issues - BDS.
How many of those terrorists in Gitmo would slice Mr. Shawns head off with a pocket knife if given the chance? Sorry Wally, the imprisonment of 600 dangerous people captured on the field of battle is not a threat to the United States Constitution.
On the other hand the "censorship doctrine" wit the Orwellian like name "fairness doctrine". is a threat to the open exchange of ideas.
Wally, there are more than 600 completely innocent people locked away in US Prisons. In fact there may be tens of thousand. Want to do some good --- help those folks Wally.
O'Golly Wally
November 12, 2008 - 06:45 ET by Chattychitoit is easier to blame others than to accept responsibility for our own failures.
This guy is a perfect example of not wanting to own up to his own failings. wake up dude. your in a slump get over it and pick up your boot straps and move on. stop blaming someone else for your failure.
Take Heart Wally
November 12, 2008 - 06:08 ET by allanfTake heart Wally. Your lord Obama will soon deal with Gitmo. The prisoners will continue to be held, but it wont' be a threat to the Constitution, because it will have the stamp of your lord Obama.
Now won't that make you feel better Wally?
President Bush
November 12, 2008 - 07:00 ET by ThisnThatThe most powerful man -- ever. Able to re-direct hurricanes. Caused the UN to involuntarily vote unnamously for Iraq sanctions; stole an election; blew up the trade towers and hide the evidence; and now, in the worst case of personal attacks in the history of mankind -- caused writer's block.
Ok, he's leaving office in a couple months. I have a message and warning for Obama, though -- don't look into his eyes, and don't touch his coat-sleeve. Serious harm is the likely result of getting near this superhuman machine.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
I'm going to...
November 12, 2008 - 08:52 ET by HeavyChevysue Newsbusters. No thanks to them I have insult-block! I have used just about every last insult I could think of to describe the ill will I have towards these idiots on the left and now I'm just plum out of harsh words. So I'm giving NB a choice help me come up with new words to express my frustration for liberals or I'll see you in court!!
;-)
Let's see
November 12, 2008 - 19:08 ET by RukusLibroids, those really burn.
Left wing cow slobber.
Fleas. and ticks!
Roach spit.
In this whiners case, a pissed of bulldog with a mouth full of mayonaise.
For a start.
"Nuke 'em 'til they... oh hell, just shoot 'em!"
Yep that will do it.
November 12, 2008 - 21:35 ET by HeavyChevyI can feel the insult-block just melting away!
THANKS!
What a shame
November 12, 2008 - 07:03 ET by NorthCoasterthat a person's life is limited by such things. Obviously they have never been taught personal responsibility or to take charge of their own life. To blow about buffeted by the winds of change is not the way that to live a life.
And just what
November 12, 2008 - 07:28 ET by BobAnthonyHas this idiot done that is of record or note?!
[crickets chirping]
For the record, I am NOT RECOGNIZING BARRACK HUSSEIN OBAMA ODINGA AS
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! I would like to become part of a
secession front!
Who's who on the C-list.
November 12, 2008 - 09:12 ET by CrashThey must have dug under the B-list to find this "actor/playwright."
Crash,
November 12, 2008 - 11:25 ET by Chris NormanHe's that "high brow" actor who can only get work appearing on low brow shows.
Playwright ?
November 12, 2008 - 09:26 ET by MillerTimeWarpWhat the hell has he written ? Maybe another sequel....Butt Pirates of the Carribean.....Forrest Hump.....?
If you look at the picture
November 12, 2008 - 09:32 ET by ahusserhe is trying because he is at a class: Learn Filmaking... (at home and in your spare time for big bucks)
"...no civilization, no matter how rich, no matter how refined, can long survive once it loses the power to meet force with equal or superior force." - Bernard Knox
"Joyfully by Europeans"
November 12, 2008 - 11:36 ET by wolfemanic"Joyfully by Europeans" They should be, we had to take out the trash twice after they let murdering idiots rise to power. Very similar to what their letting the Muslims do in Europe today.
After seeing this goof
November 12, 2008 - 11:39 ET by MrDebaterin the movie "The Princess Bride", I destroyed anything I had that had him in it...
What an actor
November 12, 2008 - 12:01 ET by nkviking75I'm impressed with Shawn's ability to play a Ferengi on Star Trek:Deep Space Nine. For non-Trekkies, Ferengis are a race that are totally motivated by greed above all else. In other words, the Hollywood stereotype of Republicans.
Welcome to the era of unity, you racist!
The liberal mind
November 12, 2008 - 12:22 ET by andersonshipserviceThe lib mind seems to have stopped progressing at about age six.The word "no" sends them in to immediate tantrums of delayed gratification and they seem to have no ability to accept their mistakes,shortcomings,failures or take responsibility for their own actions.When I see these people in action I can't help but think of some screaming kid in the aisles of a supermarket who later blames his actions on anything but himself.
I can't take anything this
November 12, 2008 - 12:34 ET by wiwfI can't take anything this guy SAYS seriously, lol.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
Henry Winkler (Fonzie) Bashes "Joe the Plumber"
November 12, 2008 - 18:12 ET by Rush FanLiberal Hollywood actors not only have "Bush Derangement Syndrome" ("BDS") but "Republican Derangement Syndrome ("RDS").
Henry Winkler, the "Fonze", was on a local Los Angeles Fox station this morning (Good Day L.A.) promoting his Hallmark Channel movie "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," a holiday-themed original movie airing in December.
As liberals often do whenever they get an opportunity, Winkler took the opportunity to bash "Joe the Plumber." Winkler said that he couldn't wait for "Joe the Plumber" to get back underneath the sink. He also said that he would like to see "Joe the Plumbers" library and all the foreign policy books he had. I only caught a small portion of the interview (I switched channels), but if you want to see the full interview here is the video.
Back in October NewsBusters' Kyle Drennen wrote about the pro-Obama video that Winkler and Ron Howard made. But I didn't realize how anti-Republican Henry Winkler was until I came across this short YouTube video.
Among the idiotic things Winkler says in the video is:
(1) "Sarah Palin scares me to death." (2) "I would vote for Barack if one arm was tied behind his back" (3) "I just started lighting incense you know because it's so scary" (4) "John McCain, wouldn't he be great as head of a brewry."
I used to have enjoyable memories watching "Happy Days" and the gang including Fonzie while growing up. Those enjoyable memories have been replaced with memories of Fonzie's asinine comments.
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"They are actively promoting the decline of America." ~ Rush Limbaugh on liberals and Democrats