President Obama Introduces 'To Kill A Mockingbird'
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the movie classic "To Kill A Mockingbird," the USA Network on Saturday featured a special, limited-commercial presentation of the film.
President Obama was given the privilege of introducing it (video follows with transcript and commentary):
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: 50 years ago, a film came along that instantly captivated the nation. Based on the timeless novel by Harper Lee, “To Kill A Mockingbird” brought to life an unforgettable tale of courage and conviction, of doing what was right no matter what the cost, and it gave us one of the great heroes of American cinema – Atticus Finch played so memorably by the late Gregory Peck.
Half a century later, the power of this extraordinary film endures. It still speaks to us. It still tells us something about who we are as a people, and the common values that we all share. So I hope you enjoy the film, and if you haven’t already, I hope you get a chance to read the book. It’s an American classic, and it’s one of my family’s favorites. Now, “To Kill A Mockingbird.”
Let's be clear: there's absolutely nothing I disagree with concerning the content of the President's introduction.
"To Kill A Mockingbird" is my favorite film. Gregory Peck should win an Oscar every year for his remarkable performance, as should Horton Foote for writing a screenplay adaptation that is actually far better than the book. That's a very rare feat.
Beyond this, despite the concern of many conservatives, there was absolutely nothing provocative in this introduction. Thankfully, there was no mention of how the film somehow relates to the Trayvon Martin shooting.
But did the USA Network have to give the President more free face time in front of the public during an election year?
We saw the President before the Super Bowl. Just last week he appeared during the NCAA college basketball Final Four, and got a lot of airtime prior giving his bracket selection.
With the Olympics coming up this summer, it seems a metaphysical certitude we'll be seeing a lot of Mr. Obama during those Games. Likely the World Series just before the elections as well.
If Obama were a Republican, one envisions liberals shouting from the rooftops about such free face time, especially before a classic film revered by the Left for its treatment of racial prejudice.
With tongue in cheek, I daresay that for the 46 percent of the nation that doesn't approve of the job he's doing, having Obama introduce this film was "sort of like shooting a mockingbird."
But that's just one man's opinion.
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Comments
Obama should introduce this
Submitted by jkwtrading on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 9:21am.
Obama should introduce this movie.
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/04/06/crowd-beats-strips-robs-tourist...
Dude,
Submitted by falcon on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 10:19am.
She's not a Wookiee. That's an insult to Wookiees everywhere.
She's a Klingon. Big difference.
“I will not stand by and watch this great country destroy itself under mediocre leadership, that drifts from one crisis to the next, eroding our national will and purpose.” – Ronald Reagan, July 17, 1980.
One of his family's favorites. Yup.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 10:21am.
"See, as I told you, kids, most white people are racist bastards."
SOL
Submitted by Radical1979 on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 8:46pm.
I borrowed BO's book from my library so I must correct you. In BO's world, ALL white people are racist. He never suffered from racism, but he sure carries the chip on his shoulder.
Ms. Luvly Rad, did you wear a
Submitted by killa37 on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 9:29pm.
Ms. Luvly Rad, did you wear a mask or a bag over your head, so that no one would recognizing you checking out Baraka's phony books????
Wanted to watch this movie
Submitted by MOONSTRUCK on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 11:16am.
DVR'd it and was able to skip right past this racist pinhead. Hat tip for the inventer of the DVR.
I am so completely sick and tired of this race-baiter.
I am white. Have never been a "racist". But I do believe race relations have been sent back several decades ABSOLUTELY because of barry and his ilk. RACISM is the only thing left for them. I truly hope blacks rise above it all......But I have my doubts.
Heh
Submitted by panzerakc on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 4:11pm.
I bought myself a copy a few years back.
Don't have to skip anything!
You did see that CBS had an
Submitted by TE on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 11:25am.
You did see that CBS had an "interview" (an "interview"!) of Obama during halftime of the NCAA basketball championship, didn't you? Obama was also "interviewed" during halftime of the freakin' Super Bowl this year! Will CBS "interview" Obama during the Masters golf tournament today?
Interviewing Obama on Easter
Submitted by Radical1979 on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 11:46am.
Will not violate his Muslim, err, Christian, faith in any way.
I saw some little clip of Boy
Submitted by killa37 on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 1:52pm.
I saw some little clip of Boy Baraka telling all of us ignorant followers about Easter..............in his typically boring, tedious, and condascending manner. I think he was 'not taking credit' for helping 'coach' some girls basketball team during a half-time interview that he managed to worm his way into. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if he said he actually WATCHED 'To Kill A Mockingbird' when it came out..............and nobody would question it!!!
Speaking of Gregory Peck, why don't they get Boy Baraka to do an introduction for that great classic 'Moby Dick'???? Oh yeah, I forgot.......................that was a WHITE whale!!!
Two Words Stand Out In This Description - Novel & Fiction
Submitted by HardRightTurn on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 11:52am.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee published in 1960. It was immediately successful, winning the Pulitzer Prize, and has become a classic of modern American literature. The plot and characters are loosely based on the author's observations of her family and neighbors, as well as on an event that occurred near her hometown in 1936, when she was 10 years old.
The novel is renowned for its warmth and humor, despite dealing with the serious issues of rape and racial inequality. The narrator's father, Atticus Finch, has served as a moral hero for many readers and as a model of integrity for lawyers. One critic explains the novel's impact by writing, "In the twentieth century, To Kill a Mockingbird is probably the most widely read book dealing with race in America, and its protagonist, Atticus Finch, the most enduring fictional image of racial heroism."
From Wikipedia
To more fully comprehend the Left, one must read “Leftism As Psychopathy” by John Ray, M.A., Ph.D. Caution, it might scare you a little bit.
http://jonjayray.tripod.com/psycho.html
The Crime Of Silencing The Song
Submitted by ledurchi on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 12:28pm.
How ironic that a 50 year old film portraying the conviction of someone against the face of available evidence, wholly on the part of racist sentiment, should air in the midst of the Zimmerman lynching. Being blinded by hypocrisy, the leftist media will of course miss the lesson. They've killed the bird and eaten it too.
Msnbc used it to compare to Trayvon
Submitted by Texndoc on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 12:51pm.
I was watching the early Saturday news on MSNBC and "Alex" the blonde most certainly have a big piece on Trayvon and To Kill A Mockingbird where it was pretty obvious what their intent was.
Him
Submitted by Unsane on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 1:35pm.
There is no escaping Him, is there?
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Submitted by liberalsarefunny on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 9:18pm.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Stop it--my sides hurt...
Unfortunately, Obama is dangerous, the country is about 65% stupid, and he will be reelected.
Get ready...
Obama was just paying tribute to his favorite person....
Submitted by syvyn11 on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 6:21pm.
HIMSELF!
Thanks for ruining the movie.
Submitted by Al Gored on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 7:27pm.
Throughout the whole movie, I kept wondering if this was what Obama wanted people to pay attention to.
Thanks for ruining the movie.
delete
Submitted by motherbelt on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 7:43pm.
delete
At least he didn't say If I
Submitted by motherbelt on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 7:45pm.
At least he didn't say If I had a brother-oh, wait!- I DO have a brother....well if I had another brother, he'd look like Tom Robinson.
Is there NOTHING this narcissist won't inject himself into?
Obama
Submitted by djwolf12 on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 9:23pm.
Is there any race baiting topic this president doesn't like? Apparently not.
1960's PC idiocy
Submitted by Dr. Ron on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 10:49pm.
I remember Gregory Peck getting the academy award for best actor for a fair-to-midling performance (Atticus etc.) in a fair-to-middling film (To Killl etc.) but a PC one...while Peter O'Toole who did a many hour, bravura performance as Lawrence of Arabia, arguably one on the 3 best films of all time, got nothing!!Shows one how far back in time...50 years...PC ruled Hollywood.
Thanks, Dr. Ron
Submitted by Dominick on Mon, 04/09/2012 - 12:15am.
When this film came out, of course my pals and I went to see it, having read the book, and being delighted with the casting of Gregory Peck. Leaving the theatre, we looked at each other and said it was such a boring portrayal, just what were the critics thinking. Greg Peck trying to show gravitas. BTW, all of my youthful group were avid lefties at the time and we loved Greg for being one of us.
Gotta admit, I don't see anything wrong here.
Submitted by GW on Tue, 04/10/2012 - 11:21am.
I have plenty to criticize Obama about, but this isn't one of them. He didn't say anything controversial for a change.
I figure that just about any network would want a sitting US President to introduce a movie for them. But even if they never invited W, Zero didn't politicize here. I'll give him credit for not doing so.
As for election-year coverage, I remember when W got some airtime in the Olympics with the Women's beach volleybal team, but that wasn't an interview. And W didn't politicize that, either.