Comments for Lincoln Club of Orange County http://www.lincolnclub.org Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:02:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 Comment on Iron Lady: Assassination by Film by drclairefriend http://www.lincolnclub.org/2012/01/iron-lady-assassination-by-film/#comment-680 drclairefriend Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:02:02 +0000 http://www.lincolnclub.org/?p=1663#comment-680 Thanks for the kind words. The film has generated a global reaction of distaste and disgust. Daniel Yergin wrote a response in the WSJ which prompted the following reply. As you'll see, the key to understanding the Weinsteins' hateful portrait of the storied Iron Lady is male envy. As always, the mother is the problem or, in this case, her ungrateful sons. Iron Lady: Matricide by Film Having just seen Iron Lady, Daniel Yergin's essay (The Real Margaret Thatcher Story, WSJ, 1/26) struck a chord, prompting these comments about the role our personal psychology plays in the creative process. Only an analytic autopsy might explain why the gifted and creative Weinsteins would choose to humiliate and shame such a towering figure rather portray Britain's Mighty Margaret as one of a handful of leaders most deserving of the world's admiration and gratitude. Yergin's comment that the Prime Minister had bested her male competitors in an arena they had always dominated suggests that the real motive behind both her historical and theatrical demise was female envy. The halls of Parliament and the studios of Hollywood have been traditionally men's clubs. Women who dare to enter do so at their peril. The film illustrates how very easily their reputations and careers can be destroyed. One wonders if the incomparable Meryl Streep, one of our true national treasures, will be caught in the backlash of global outrage the film has generated. From the beginning moments of the film to the welcome final scene, we are forced to suffer Margaret Thatcher as a pathetic, demented old woman who has conversations with her hallucinated dead husband and lives in memories of her storied past. We are permitted to see her as the woman before whom the world's knaves and devils trembled in fear for only a few brief moments, and it is in these segments that we can appreciate Meryl Streep's extraordinary talent. She literally becomes Margaret Thatcher. Our minds are convinced it is actual, not virtual reality our eyes see on the screen. It is all the more offensive she was used as their hatchet man. Whether or not she wins an Oscar for her performance, it will not be a credit to her legacy. The fatal blow to Baroness Thatcher's dignity is struck in the final scene as she exits to attend the unveiling of her statue honoring her as one of Britain's three greatest statesmen, their Mount Rushmore. As the entire country is about to pay her the greatest of tributes, placing her beside those of Winston Churchill and Lloyd George, the Weinsteins show her absent-mindedly put away an unwashed soapy teacup before walking to the door. The contrast between reality and Hollywood un-reality is the final coup de grace. This last dose of poisonous envy obliterates any hope of appreciation or respect for the film makers. Not only have Harvey and Bob Weinstein disgraced Lady Thatcher, they have also disgraced America. For both offenses, they deserve to be taken to the woodshed. To laud them for this churlish deed would be absurd, if not criminal outrage. If Margaret Thatcher is a national mother figure, one is left to ponder how Miriam Weinstein must be feeling..... R. Claire Friend, MD Newport Beach, CA January 29, 2012 (949) 690-7421 Thanks for the kind words. The film has generated a global reaction of distaste and disgust. Daniel Yergin wrote a response in the WSJ which prompted the following reply. As you’ll see, the key to understanding the Weinsteins’ hateful portrait of the storied Iron Lady is male envy. As always, the mother is the problem or, in this case, her ungrateful sons.

Iron Lady: Matricide by Film

Having just seen Iron Lady, Daniel Yergin’s essay (The Real Margaret Thatcher Story, WSJ, 1/26) struck a chord, prompting these comments about the role our personal psychology plays in the creative process. Only an analytic autopsy might explain why the gifted and creative Weinsteins would choose to humiliate and shame such a towering figure rather portray Britain’s Mighty Margaret as one of a handful of leaders most deserving of the world’s admiration and gratitude. Yergin’s comment that the Prime Minister had bested her male competitors in an arena they had always dominated suggests that the real motive behind both her historical and theatrical demise was female envy.

The halls of Parliament and the studios of Hollywood have been traditionally men’s clubs. Women who dare to enter do so at their peril. The film illustrates how very easily their reputations and careers can be destroyed. One wonders if the incomparable Meryl Streep, one of our true national treasures, will be caught in the backlash of global outrage the film has generated.

From the beginning moments of the film to the welcome final scene, we are forced to suffer Margaret Thatcher as a pathetic, demented old woman who has conversations with her hallucinated dead husband and lives in memories of her storied past. We are permitted to see her as the woman before whom the world’s knaves and devils trembled in fear for only a few brief moments, and it is in these segments that we can appreciate Meryl Streep’s extraordinary talent. She literally becomes Margaret Thatcher. Our minds are convinced it is actual, not virtual reality our eyes see on the screen. It is all the more offensive she was used as their hatchet man. Whether or not she wins an Oscar for her performance, it will not be a credit to her legacy.

The fatal blow to Baroness Thatcher’s dignity is struck in the final scene as she exits to attend the unveiling of her statue honoring her as one of Britain’s three greatest statesmen, their Mount Rushmore. As the entire country is about to pay her the greatest of tributes, placing her beside those of Winston Churchill and Lloyd George, the Weinsteins show her absent-mindedly put away an unwashed soapy teacup before walking to the door. The contrast between reality and Hollywood un-reality is the final coup de grace. This last dose of poisonous envy obliterates any hope of appreciation or respect for the film makers.

Not only have Harvey and Bob Weinstein disgraced Lady Thatcher, they have also disgraced America. For both offenses, they deserve to be taken to the woodshed. To laud them for this churlish deed would be absurd, if not criminal outrage. If Margaret Thatcher is a national mother figure, one is left to ponder how Miriam Weinstein must be feeling…..

R. Claire Friend, MD

Newport Beach, CA

January 29, 2012

(949) 690-7421

]]> Comment on Iron Lady: Assassination by Film by Kerry Reynolds http://www.lincolnclub.org/2012/01/iron-lady-assassination-by-film/#comment-676 Kerry Reynolds Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:10:26 +0000 http://www.lincolnclub.org/?p=1663#comment-676 Thank you for your passionate and articulate defense of Prime Minister Thatcher. I, also, saw the movie... At times I was embarrassed by the misrepresentations and dramatic hyperbole. Yes, the acting was superb-- but the inherent (political) messaging was shamefully unfair to both the "Iron Lady" and to the United States.. Thank you for your passionate and articulate defense of Prime Minister Thatcher.
I, also, saw the movie… At times I was embarrassed by the misrepresentations and dramatic hyperbole. Yes, the acting was superb– but the inherent (political) messaging was shamefully unfair to both the “Iron Lady” and to the United States..

]]> Comment on The Moral Argument for the Lincoln Club Immigration Policy by C.Richardson http://www.lincolnclub.org/2011/12/the-moral-argument-for-the-lincoln-club-immigration-policy/#comment-464 C.Richardson Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:15:59 +0000 http://www.lincolnclub.org/?p=1546#comment-464 It is a moral issue, but it is not the average American who complains about illegals receiving benefits that is to blame. The "enemy" is Congress who refuses to do the right thing and enforce the laws and/or build a fence first and then do something reasonable with the illegals that are here. Since there is no incentive on their part of both parties they won't take any real action. This is the same with social security, with medicare, with our public schools, with unemployment, etc. Hence, the LC (and the people) are having to come up with a solution. And, actually, the average American has always stated that after the borders are secure, then let's talk about specifics. No sense in aggravating the average American, Walter. They came up with a solution, but no one wanted to hear it. It is a moral issue, but it is not the average American who complains about illegals receiving benefits that is to blame. The “enemy” is Congress who refuses to do the right thing and enforce the laws and/or build a fence first and then do something reasonable with the illegals that are here. Since there is no incentive on their part of both parties they won’t take any real action. This is the same with social security, with medicare, with our public schools, with unemployment, etc. Hence, the LC (and the people) are having to come up with a solution. And, actually, the average American has always stated that after the borders are secure, then let’s talk about specifics. No sense in aggravating the average American, Walter. They came up with a solution, but no one wanted to hear it.

]]> Comment on Thoughts on Securing the Border in Light of LC Immigration Policy by C.Richardson http://www.lincolnclub.org/2011/12/thoughts-on-securing-the-border-in-light-of-the-lc-immigration-policy-proposal/#comment-462 C.Richardson Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:56:15 +0000 http://www.lincolnclub.org/?p=1469#comment-462 Correction, I think you meant "in the event the supply of workers in the United States DOES NOT MEET the market demand." Right? Correction, I think you meant “in the event the supply of workers in the United States DOES NOT MEET the market demand.” Right?

]]> Comment on Thoughts on Securing the Border in Light of LC Immigration Policy by C.Richardson http://www.lincolnclub.org/2011/12/thoughts-on-securing-the-border-in-light-of-the-lc-immigration-policy-proposal/#comment-461 C.Richardson Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:46:58 +0000 http://www.lincolnclub.org/?p=1469#comment-461 Yes, once we see that our borders are virtually closed physically and the grace period also results in reducing the numbers of illegals crossing the border and that our federal government begins to enforce the heavy penalties for hiring illegals, then and only then should we begin the guest worker program and point 2 of the Lincoln Club's proposal. We don't trust the federal government. There is no incentive for them to close the borders so we are left as pawns by both sides of the aisle. I am impressed, Walter that you state the guest worker program would still be determine by demand: ". . . thereafter to provide foreign guest workers in the event the supply of workers in the United States exceeds market demand." Good for you! Yes, once we see that our borders are virtually closed physically and the grace period also results in reducing the numbers of illegals crossing the border and that our federal government begins to enforce the heavy penalties for hiring illegals, then and only then should we begin the guest worker program and point 2 of the Lincoln Club’s proposal. We don’t trust the federal government. There is no incentive for them to close the borders so we are left as pawns by both sides of the aisle. I am impressed, Walter that you state the guest worker program would still be determine by demand: “. . . thereafter to provide foreign guest workers in the event the supply of workers in the United States exceeds market demand.” Good for you!

]]> Comment on Why the Lincoln Club Immigration Policy Proposal Matters by waltermyers http://www.lincolnclub.org/2011/11/why-the-lincoln-club-immigration-policy-proposal-matters/#comment-433 waltermyers Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:39:34 +0000 http://www.lincolnclub.org/?p=1400#comment-433 George, you apparently haven't read the policy carefully, nor my defense of it. You get it totally wrong. Businesses already have cheap labor that they exploit, driving down wages for native born Americans. This proposal raises those wages above board, and allows everyone here to compete on a level playing field. Regarding future guest workers, the need for them would be based on the market, and a potential employer would have to first look to American workers before going to the guest worker program because of the expense of bringing a worker into the country. Right now, they don't care how they get here, as long as they do, so there is no cost to acquiring the employee, no commitment to be made, and of course no obligation to pay a fair wage. This has nothing to do with any political gain, because neither illegal immigrants that are given legals status or future guest workers will be offered citizenship. Another huge detail that you missed. So please, next time, before you respond to a blog post, get your facts straight and then we can have a reasoned discussion. George, you apparently haven’t read the policy carefully, nor my defense of it. You get it totally wrong. Businesses already have cheap labor that they exploit, driving down wages for native born Americans. This proposal raises those wages above board, and allows everyone here to compete on a level playing field. Regarding future guest workers, the need for them would be based on the market, and a potential employer would have to first look to American workers before going to the guest worker program because of the expense of bringing a worker into the country. Right now, they don’t care how they get here, as long as they do, so there is no cost to acquiring the employee, no commitment to be made, and of course no obligation to pay a fair wage. This has nothing to do with any political gain, because neither illegal immigrants that are given legals status or future guest workers will be offered citizenship. Another huge detail that you missed. So please, next time, before you respond to a blog post, get your facts straight and then we can have a reasoned discussion.

]]> Comment on Why the Lincoln Club Immigration Policy Proposal Matters by George http://www.lincolnclub.org/2011/11/why-the-lincoln-club-immigration-policy-proposal-matters/#comment-431 George Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:12:38 +0000 http://www.lincolnclub.org/?p=1400#comment-431 The LIncoln Club and Newt Gringrich's "new politics" is just that politics. The proposal to grant legalization (amnesty) to a large number of illegal immigrants is an attempt to provide cheap labor to businesses and at the same time attract immigrant voters for Newt Gringrich's campaign. This political move will not work. In 1986 Reagan joined by other Republicans granted amnesty to almost 3 million illegal aliens with hopes Hispanics would join the Republican party. Guess what? The majority of immigrants who benefited from the amnesty law joined the Democratic Party! .Will Republicans ever learn from their mistakes? The LIncoln Club and Newt Gringrich’s “new politics” is just that politics. The proposal to grant legalization (amnesty) to a large number of illegal immigrants is an attempt to provide cheap labor to businesses and at the same time attract immigrant voters for Newt Gringrich’s campaign. This political move will not work.

In 1986 Reagan joined by other Republicans granted amnesty to almost 3 million illegal aliens with hopes Hispanics would join the Republican party. Guess what?
The majority of immigrants who benefited from the amnesty law joined the Democratic Party! .Will Republicans ever learn from their mistakes?

]]> Comment on Gingrich’s Immigration Position is Smart Politics by George http://www.lincolnclub.org/2011/11/gingrichs-immigration-position-is-smart-politics/#comment-408 George Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:54:06 +0000 http://www.lincolnclub.org/?p=1443#comment-408 Newt Gingrich believes by supporting legalization (amnesty) of illegals he will win Hispanic votes. The fact is Republicans who voted for the 1986 amnesty act did not bring new hispanic voters to the Republican party. Legalization without citizenship will not make any difference to illegals, since most of them do not want to become U.S. citizens. Further, Democrats can grant these 'legalized' immigrants citizenship when they gain control of both houses and the executive branch.. Republicans should not assume all Hispanics, are single issue voters, who will vote for a candidate simply because he or she supports amnesty. The majority of immigrants who became legalized thru the 1986 Immigration Act have voted and will continue to vote for Democrats, The Republican Party should support a candidate who will strictly enforce our immigrantion laws and not pander to illegal immigrants with promises of amnesty. When a national E-Verify law us passed and enforced, and the border secured, we will see a reduction in the number of illegals by attrition. There will be no need to 'deport' the millions of illegals who are illegally employed in this country. Newt Gingrich believes by supporting legalization (amnesty) of illegals he will win Hispanic votes. The fact is Republicans who voted for the 1986 amnesty act did not bring new hispanic voters to the Republican party. Legalization without citizenship will not make any difference to illegals, since most of them do not want to become U.S. citizens. Further, Democrats can grant these ‘legalized’ immigrants citizenship when they gain control of both houses and the executive branch..

Republicans should not assume all Hispanics, are single issue voters, who will vote for a candidate simply because he or she supports amnesty. The majority of immigrants who became legalized thru the 1986 Immigration Act have voted and will continue to vote for Democrats,

The Republican Party should support a candidate who will strictly enforce our immigrantion laws and not pander to illegal immigrants with promises of amnesty.
When a national E-Verify law us passed and enforced, and the border secured, we will see a reduction in the number of illegals by attrition. There will be no need to ‘deport’ the millions of illegals who are illegally employed in this country.

]]> Comment on Why the Lincoln Club Immigration Policy Proposal Matters by waltermyers http://www.lincolnclub.org/2011/11/why-the-lincoln-club-immigration-policy-proposal-matters/#comment-380 waltermyers Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:51:37 +0000 http://www.lincolnclub.org/?p=1400#comment-380 Rita, how sad that you can have such a small heart and you didn't bother to read my post carefully. I am not shaming small businesses. Apparently you feel there is no shame in hiring people and paying exploitative wages, and you think it is okay. Well I don't. If you actually read what I wrote, then you already know that I blame the federal government. I lived in Mexico, and I can tell you that given the same situation, you would do the same thing. If we had a functioning guest worker program just as we had from 1942 to 1964, we wouldn't have this problem, and all I am advocating is that we get back to that model so there won't be any more sneaking and no more exploitative wages. Why can't you just see it? Are you blind? Rita, how sad that you can have such a small heart and you didn’t bother to read my post carefully. I am not shaming small businesses. Apparently you feel there is no shame in hiring people and paying exploitative wages, and you think it is okay. Well I don’t. If you actually read what I wrote, then you already know that I blame the federal government. I lived in Mexico, and I can tell you that given the same situation, you would do the same thing. If we had a functioning guest worker program just as we had from 1942 to 1964, we wouldn’t have this problem, and all I am advocating is that we get back to that model so there won’t be any more sneaking and no more exploitative wages. Why can’t you just see it? Are you blind?

]]> Comment on Why the Lincoln Club Immigration Policy Proposal Matters by Rita http://www.lincolnclub.org/2011/11/why-the-lincoln-club-immigration-policy-proposal-matters/#comment-379 Rita Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:26:59 +0000 http://www.lincolnclub.org/?p=1400#comment-379 We have Americans who need jobs. Send all the illegals back. And as far as your shaming of small businesses Mr. Meyers, don't forget to shame the Mexicans for sneaking over our border and the Federal government for allowing this for all these years. We have Americans who need jobs. Send all the illegals back. And as far as your shaming of small businesses Mr. Meyers, don’t forget to shame the Mexicans for sneaking over our border and the Federal government for allowing this for all these years.

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