The American Spectator : Jon Voight's Profile in Courage

Text Size

Special Report

Jon Voight's Profile in Courage

By Jeffrey Lord on 7.7.09 @ 6:08AM

Political acid tossed by New York Times -- another attempt to disfigure an American icon.

"'There's a group being formed to deal with you,' the unidentified voice said. 'They're going to fix you so you won't ever act again.'" -- Ronald Reagan, writing in his autobiography Where's the Rest of Me of an anonymous phone call he received while fighting Communist infiltration of the motion picture industry in 1949.

The threat was simple.

Either Ronald Reagan stopped speaking out on his views of Communists in the movie business -- or he would have acid tossed in his face, disfiguring him. His main asset as an actor thus destroyed, Reagan would never work again.

It didn't work, of course.

"I took it as a joke," Reagan later recalled of the phone call he had received while working on the film Night Unto Night. The movie, based on a Philip Wylie novel, co-starred Viveca Lindfors and Broderick Crawford. Reagan was filming a beach scene for the movie when he was called to a gas station nearby to take a call.

Warner Brothers, the studio where the film was being shot, was not amused. When he finished the scene and got back to the Warner's lot, "the police were waiting with a license [for Reagan] to carry a gun. I was fitted with a shoulder holster and a loaded .32 Smith and Wesson....What got me to put it on was the arrival that night of a policeman to guard our house. Somehow I didn't think the department tossed policemen around as a practical joke….One thing I do know," the future president mused, is that "the Communists hate."

This incident in Reagan's movie career comes to mind as what amount to veiled threats intended to politically disfigure Academy Award winning actor Jon Voight have made the news. Voight, in addressing the annual House-Senate GOP dinner in Washington in May, had used the phrase "Let's give thanks to them [various Obama critics] for staying on course to bring an end to this false prophet, Obama." With the certainty of the sun rising in the east, left-wing critics pounced.

As reported in the Washington Times, the reaction was as follows:

"I don't want to equate what Jon Voight said as expressing a conservative opinion on politics. It went way beyond that. He made a threat against the president of the United States to a crowd at a GOP fundraiser and got a good response from the Senate minority leader and other powerful people. And that is scary," said Teresa Albano, editor of the publication. [People's Weekly World, a magazine once known as the Daily Worker and sympathetic to the Communist Party.]

Marsha Zakowski, president of the Coalition of Labor Union Women, was alarmed, too.

"Jon Voight is a celebrity. He can influence people. Voight has just been coming out with this ultraconservative point of view. It is deplorable," she told the magazine in a separate article.

Got that? For Voight to say thanks to those working "to bring an end to this false prophet, Obama." -- in a political speech to one of the most political dinners in Washington's yearly calendar of highly political dinners -- this is now considered not only hate speech but a threat to kill the president worthy of a Secret Service investigation. Surprise, surprise this comes from the philosophical descendants of those who tried to silence Reagan.

Not to be outdone in all this were columnists Frank Rich and Paul Krugman of the New York Times Op-Ed page, a place where a raw hatred of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney was carefully stewed to a rarefied putrid essence for a full eight years. This pair of journalistic Draco Malfoys spend their time hunched over laptops muttering incantations about those they consider to be cultural Mudbloods. Mudblood (the derogatory term for Muggle), of course, is the word Harry Potter's bullying nemesis Malfoy sneeringly applies to wizards who fail to meet the Malfoy wizard racial purity test -- the Pureblood.

"This kind of rhetoric, with its pseudo-Scriptural call to action, is toxic," Rich seethed of Voight, as if he himself had not spent the previous eight years enthusiastically greenlighting the idea of filling the political atmosphere with toxic rhetoric about the Bush White House. So too with his fellow supremacist Krugman , who has now officially designated Mudblood Voight as part of the "lunatic fringe."

Page: 1 2 3 >

topics:
Paul Krugman, New York Times, Jon Voight, Frank Rich, Robert Kennedy

About the Author

Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (37) | Leave a comment

drudge ette obama| 7.7.09 @ 6:45AM

Where do I sign to join the Mudblood Club?

Rocco| 7.7.09 @ 6:46AM

Sad to say, but the longer this crap continues, the more violent will be the solution to extirpate this "liberal" cancer infecting our society once and for all.

janet| 7.7.09 @ 6:58AM

This is classic Alinsky tactics on how to deal with your enemies. Just equating liberalism and tolerance in the same sentence is laughable. I equate liberalism with totalitarianism.

drudge ette obama| 7.7.09 @ 7:09AM

Rocco, right on target, again. The question is when the saturation point will arise?

And, if the Obama Bumper Sticker Crowd's driving ettiquette is any indication of their capacity for violence and totalitarianism, then we have something to worry about. When I see an Obama/Biden Move-on.org sticker (of which I collected a number at their expense during the campaign), I move over. I have read the psychological profile on road-ragers. Give them space, people.... Protect yourselves.

Big J| 7.7.09 @ 7:55AM

Jon Voight is a class act. He has been persecuted for his conservative beliefs for some time now.

The man donates countless hours visiting and entertaining our troops. He is a true American hero.

As for the insignificant idiots flinging mud in his directions, well, I can't go into detail for fear of being banned from this site.

Richard Baker| 7.7.09 @ 8:55AM

Ah, liberals. A movie and books about the assassination of George W. Bush just never seemed to worry these folks, did it? The Kenyan is sacrosanct to these folks, didn't you know that? Wonder what their reaction will be when the Kenyan is eventually deposed? Hmmmmm?

Grzmlyk| 7.7.09 @ 9:08AM

Rocco: "Extirpate " - great word. Ditto the sentiments.

Drudge ette: Don't you know that liberals have a special dispensation from the sacred Gaia Herself?

See, because they "care" about the downtrodden so selflessly in the abstract, the Earth Goddess has given them carte blanche to be complete a-holes in the real world.

And boy, do they take advantage of it. I deal with a lot of liberals, and believe me: a more self-centered, hate-marinated, power-mad, intolerant bunch never attended a Nuremberg rally in Hitler's Germany.

I think good conservatives - you know, those of us with jobs in the private sector, who have a hand in the ongoing creation of America, who possess life-affirming values and a have dollop of common sense - will be under the thumb of the criminal/liberal class - those who infest the bloated government at all levels, embrace the culture of death and are intent on shoving their nihilistic agenda down our throats in the name of altruism regardless of the destruction they wreak - for a long time to come.

As conservatives, we tend to be polite, tolerant and too damn busy building the things liberals gleefully tear down to get into the arena and fight like rabid dogs.

But even dogs with the kindest of dispositions go on the attack if they're abused enough.

I say we've been abused enough. Our counry has been defiled enough. Institutionalized corruption has become brazen enough.

Let the fight begin, and let's dispense with the Marquis of Queensbury rules.

It's time to take the country back from the spoiled-rotten kid having the perpetual temper tantrum.

By any means necessary.

DougN| 7.7.09 @ 9:32AM

Excellent column! One minor point, though: Voight won only one Oscar, for 1978's "Coming Home."

pete the mediocre| 7.7.09 @ 9:41AM

Why is it that the left was never concerned about, Garaffalo, Streisand, Cher, Mike Farrell when they were attacking Bush? This fear of an actor's influence is typically one sided.

ldrider51| 7.7.09 @ 10:05AM

Excellent analysis of an obvious condition - Conservative Derangement Syndrome.

The left hates Conservatism with a visceral disgust but this hate ratchets up significantly when it's someone they perceive should know better, someone who has wandered from the plantation.

They have a general disdain for flyover country and its ignorant inhabitants, but the livid hatred flashes for anyone who may have true influence.

Their gall and wormwood spewed at Conservatives is simply intelligent criticism. Any criticism of their Messiah is ominous, menacing, defiant.

Note the left's "issues" with Colin Powell. When he supported GWB, he was a house slave. When he supported the Messiah, he became prescient, farsighted and provident. He was instantly rehabilitated.

The left simply cannot abide by any intelligent dissent.

Tim| 7.7.09 @ 10:41AM

When the Berlin wall came down the far left in charge escaped to where they could and found safe harbor in Hollywood, and some other corners of the USA.

Rocco-----
The far left in the US will make the same mistake any power hungry group makes.....they will go too far and then the masses will decapitate their system.

That's how it has always worked throughout human history because people want to be free and has been the case since humans have been here on this planet.

Andy | 7.7.09 @ 11:21AM

Correction-Muggles are non-wizards. Mudbloods are those with mixed parentage- not a derogotory name for Muggles. Hermionne Granger was a Mudblood. The Dursley's (Harry's Aunt and Uncle) were muggles.

Having pointed that out, you are correct that the venom of the Times columnists is reminiscent of that of the supporters of he who must not be named. Voldemort and Lucius Malfoy had nothing on Frank Rich. Paul Krugman, nor MoDo.

Rocco| 7.7.09 @ 11:32AM

Tim - Amen. As an amateur historian, I concur with your appraisal, and I pray it comes soon.

Drudgette, got a chuckle from your comment on the driving habits of the "'another idiot who voted for' Obama/Biden 08" bumper sticker crowd. Lord knows, you see enough of them here in the northern Virginia area. That's why I pack a Glock 21 when I drive; it's like my American Express card. I never leave home without it!

Grmzlyk: Agreed. As a retired Marine who did martial arts over a 25 year period, I have never been one for Marquis of Queensbury rules; even during my college days in the early 1970's. I confronted these cowards then, and beat them down (physically) when they invaded my space, and I'm damned sure to do it again, with a lot of glee!

Chin up, all. As Tim said, they will continue to overreach, until we've had enough, and the day of reckoning will arrive.

Grzmlyk| 7.7.09 @ 11:39AM

Well said, Rocco!

I'll know this world is beginning to come to its senses when I start seeing the Obama/Biden bumper stickers that are ubiquitous here in Vermont disappear from the Subarus, Volvos and Priuses.

Better lock and load: I ain't holding my breath.

Oldefarte| 7.7.09 @ 11:47AM

Jeffery, great piece! As you know, this is typical of liberals, who in my opinion, are more dangerous than the radical Muslim domestic terrorists that we have in this country, and which are under constant supervision by our intelligence agencies. The radical leftists of the 1960's [ie Ayers,etc] thought nothing of destroying anything [mainly physical property]that did not fit their agenda/mantra of liberalism. The terrorists of 9/11/01 took it one step further by destroying not only property but human beings also. Extreme liberals are terrorists, period!!!!!!!!!!!!

dunross| 7.7.09 @ 11:50AM

John Wayne won the Best Actor Oscar for 1969; Voight was only nominated. He won several years later for Coming Home.

Hermione Granger is good at answering questions; Gov. Palin is not.

And could you explain what he meant by 'bring[ing] an end' to Obama?

William| 7.7.09 @ 12:00PM

To dunross:

Hermione Granger is a fictional character. Palin gave answers you didn't like.

Voight won an Oscar. Have you?

You wrote:

"And could you explain what he meant by 'bring[ing] an end' to Obama?"

Putting aside left-wing paranoia, what do you think? Not, feel. Think is the operative word.

Bob Harlib| 7.7.09 @ 12:12PM

Somebody named Barry Goldwater uttered these words in his acceptance speech at the GOP Convention in 1964: "We have followed false prophets." Lynn Matin, the 1992 keynoter at the Convention spoke the same exact words.
All Voight did was pinpoint today's prophet.

Jeffrey Lord| 7.7.09 @ 12:13PM

dunross...

"And could you explain what he meant by 'bring[ing] an end' to Obama? "

Sure...the same exact thing Ted Kennedy meant in 1980 when he campaigned on a platform of "no more Jimmy Carter." It means - defeat the guy's ideas, defeat the guy's supporters in Congress and on the ballot and, when the opportunity avails, defeat the man himself for re-election. Nothing more, nothing less. American political rhetoric is filled with this kind of thing. From the very beginning of the Republic, I might add.

Tony in Central PA| 7.7.09 @ 12:52PM

Here again, we see what I like to call Fundamentalist Liberalism in all of its irrational, power - hungry glory, screeching threats against infidels and its apostates.

President Barry Obama| 7.7.09 @ 1:32PM

Terrible article. Bunch of whackjobs on this Web site.

jarhead0311| 7.7.09 @ 2:58PM

I have tried 3 times to describe how I feel about human dung like Rich and Krugman and can't do it with civility. I am at a loss for where the hate in these folks comes from.

They must know from history that they would be the first to go to the camps if the people they support ever got the power they want?

NoToObamessiah| 7.7.09 @ 3:50PM

Hey "President Barry Obama"! We still have free speech here so if you can't see the double standard in the press, go read elsewhere.
Damned liberal.

president barry soetero| 7.7.09 @ 4:00PM

Jeff,
good article.
I don't know who is impersonating me on this site, but it isn't BS BO.

Mattled| 7.7.09 @ 4:19PM

Rasmussen this week:

Strongly Approve: 33%
Strongly Disapprove: 36%

Awww, poor Obambi. I believe it is becoming a trend. We saw him dip negatively a few weeks ago, then up 1, then flat, now down -3. I say reach for new lows Obamadingalong---go for double digits.

We're getting close to 40% Strong Disapprove. Can't come quick enough!

Marc Jeric| 7.7.09 @ 4:32PM

Friends of Abu Hussein's are in a frenzy of hate - against Voigt, against Palin. Their name-calling invective is louder than even that found in the former Pravda; no wonder - that's where they find their inspiration.

JeffT| 7.7.09 @ 5:36PM

So what happened to "Question authority?"
Progressives are the worst type of hypocrites. WE can't whine about the double standard. We have to defeat progressives at their own game. Get into the mud and under the rocks where they hide. It's the only way.

Conrad Spiracy| 7.7.09 @ 7:35PM

Jeffrey;
Another masterpiece. Keep up the excellent work!

All Lovers of the American Ideal;
Maybe time for a remake of a 1980s classic? "Left Dawn Rising"???

Con Spiracy
A bible-loving, anti-aborting, gun-owning, anti-communist, anti-immigration-anmesty, anti-terrorist, anti-extreme-taxing, pro-capitalism, (disabled) veteran, right wing extremist. And D@MN PROUD OF IT!!!!!!!!!

That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.
UNITED STATES DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, 1776

Roman Melnyk| 7.7.09 @ 7:45PM

Thanks Jeffery for another great article. I hope it screws up my courage enough to go back to putting anti- Obama bumper stickers back on my car.
Roamn

Phil Byler| 7.7.09 @ 9:37PM

Jon Voight's portrayal of George Washington in "American Carol" was powerful. The movie overall was funny, but the George Washington scene was moving.

Bruce Fancher| 7.9.09 @ 1:24AM

Could someone please explain to me why "conservatives" are still referring to their opponents as "liberals?" Not only is it inaccurate, I believe it's ultimately politically self-defeating. These people are not "liberals" (if by "liberal," you mean people who value liberty) in any sense of the word and calling them that only buys into the dishonest way they've framed the debate by hijacking the term. Please, call them statists, socialists, progressives, collectivists, fascists, authoritarians, totalitarians, anything but "liberal."

I live in New York City and travel frequently to the California Bay Area for work. Whenever someone brings up politics and calls me a "conservative," I've found the best way to respond, whatever the issue at hand is, is to explain to them, that no, I'm not a conservative, I'm a liberal, a classical liberal, a genuine liberal, because I believe in freedom and liberty, and that they are mistaken to think that their views are liberal, when in fact they're more accurately described as statist or socialist. I've never gotten anywhere arguing facts and evidence, because people on the left simply refuse to believe it, but I've found this line tends to shut them up pretty quickly.

lome| 7.9.09 @ 3:02AM

Obama is not a false prophet.He is the Anti-Christ!
You will know him by his deeds,well so far so good!
Anti- Christ is not just one man,but compose of Satan's followers that really do his dirty work for him.

Mike Lee| 7.9.09 @ 11:02PM

I still have my Bush/Cheney sticker on my car up here in Rockland County (Red to Blue / 2004 to 2008). I have a few other bumper stickers on my car to annoy lefites and vegetarians. With my shaved head and Goatee i don't get too many comments. I wish i did. I would love to intimidate these little cowards but i'm not a bully so i would probably tell them that I dont really want to know what they think. We have to take this country back form the freinds of Kreepy Krugman and that sick hate filled quiff Frank Rich and their friends. To quote Nelson Muntz from the Simpsons "Ha Haw Your medium is dying".

Keep the faith my conservative friends.

Howard| 7.20.09 @ 9:55AM

The Left has always used disinformation as a policy tool. One that comes to mind; Lee Harvey Oswald was a Leftist, Communist agitator. All reasonable evidence points to his killing JFK. The Left never denied he killed Kennedy, but argues that he was really a CIA agent or lackey of the oil industry. So, a moderately conservative guy like Jon Voight is presented as a Nazi by some kooks. Unless you are prepared to fight idea by idea, those SOB's will win.

Occamsrazor| 7.20.09 @ 10:34PM

Jon Voight is the greatest Republican. First he came out against The Passion, on the ground that it was antisemitic (and we all know Mel Gibson's never uttered an antisemitic comment in his life). It would have been easy to be a Conservative supporter of the film, but he knew better.

And then his stand against Communism in the White House. Love the guy. Besides, he turns out attractive kids, doesn't he? I wish he'd run for President. Republicans do well with actors as candidates. The last actor President didn't do so badly for the Republicans, eh?