Saturday, September 27, 2008

Fast Eddie Gone

Today it was announced that Paul Newman passed away at age 83. What a great actor. Hard to believe he didn't garner more Oscars. Newman was a flaming liberal. He was so liberal that he ended up on Nixon's "enemies list", an honor of which he was most proud. But there's one thing about him that stood out to me. That was his generosity. Unlike some libs I know, Newman spent his own money on his charitable causes. His "Newman's Own" food products are common place. We use some of them on the Marshall Art estate. All the profits went to charity and reports are that this one venture resulted in donations of more than $175 million. He also established camps for kids with cancer in several states and Europe. That's a man who gave, and he gave directly. May he rest in God's Peace.

38 comments:

Mark said...

Actually, his salad dressing line raised over 220 million. He jokingly said his salad dressing produced more revenue than his movies. Then he said maybe he made a mistake giving the proceeds away. He was joking.

He was a Liberal 40 years ago. Whether he died a Liberal I don't know, but I was a Liberal in the 60's too.

People change. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't. I don't care. I liked his acting and his films. I really like Cool Hand Luke. So many great lines. Great film.

Marshal Art said...

I think he maintained his liberal ways. My main point of course, was that he donated his own money or created a means by which money could be donated as opposed to pushing for legislation that forces other people to donate against their will.

As an actor, one of the best of all time. He never fails to entertain, even in that first movie, The Crucible that is indeed a crappy film.

Anonymous said...

"as opposed to pushing for legislation that forces other people to donate against their will."

Oh.. but it seems he multi-tasked. Next time the two of you could do some research. Its just an idea.

Marshal Art said...

Benny,

Do you have an actual comment for a change? Spit it out, boy.

blamin said...

It appears that Newman actually walked the walk as well as talked the talk with his charitable giving. Unusual for many high-profile liberals.

One of my all time favorite Newman movies is “The Sting”. Maybe because my dad was so fond of it. I can remember watching that movie with him on at least four occasions.

Andrew Clarke said...

I agree that Paul Newman did some admirable things, with his support for charity. He did it himself instead of just telling someone else to. And I came by to thank you for your comment on my post, which is spot on. People treat sex as a recreation, and forget that it has another purpose entirely. In a way, it's like making preposterous vanity out of clothing, which essentially covers and protects the body, can be made to look attractive or dignified, but should not cost more than a snall house as some fashion garments do. By the way, you talk of a suitable punishment for people who abort, and it's worth pointing out sometimes that punishment occurs naturally. Termination can damage the obstetric function, so that future pregnancies are either impossible or difficult. Good post.

Ron said...

He was as close to a hero and role model that I have. I have none left..or right for that matter. He was a racer,soft spoken but confident,charitable and married to one woman most of his life. Just the kind of man I want to be. Oh ya..and liberal :-). Not much into the movie scene so I couldn't say about that but he was a great man in every sense of the word.

By the way,many,many libs are quite charitable with their money. You need to look into that a little more. You are mistaken my friend. Please don't ask me to find them for you. I'm not looking for debate, just pointing something out. Don't believe me if you wish not to.

Marshal Art said...

"By the way,many,many libs are quite charitable with their money."

I wouldn't suggest otherwise. Oprah comes to mind, for example. My point was the difference between giving and forcing others to give through legislation and acting as if one can take points for it. With those like Newman, he didn't need to be asked or cajoled or forced. He simply gave, and better still, created an entity that can indefinitely support his favorite cause. It's as it should be and he's to be lauded for it, as is happening. He set a great example for all to follow.

Anonymous said...

That wasnt intended to be cryptic. Newman was a LIBERAL. He wrote for The Nation and funded everybody from Lamont to Obama. Even better, his 50 years of marriage was strengthened in his support of marriage for all Americans. While he may not have been directly casting votes in the legislature, he was vocal in what he supported.

Marshal Art said...

"Even better, his 50 years of marriage was strengthened in his support of marriage for all Americans."

Your opinion, maybe his, but not based on any fact. It's every bit as goofy as Les implying I think my marriage is affected negatively by homosex unions.

Anonymous said...

Good lord, Art. You just don't get it.

Anonymous said...

"I'm a supporter of gay rights. And not a closet supporter either. From the time I was a kid, I have never been able to understand attacks upon the gay community. There are so many qualities that make up a human being... by the time I get through with all the things that I really admire about people, what they do with their private parts is probably so low on the list that it is irrelevant."

Umm... yeah.. I wonder how he felt on the issue. Newman was out in front for sure. And, youre telling me that his relationship with his wife was hurt by his very public comments on gay rights?

Besides... Les seems to be onto something.

Marshal Art said...

No Ben, I'm NOT telling you his relationship was hurt. But I AM saying that it is not strengthened either. Despite Les' eye-rolling on the topic, it has no effect on any individual marriage whatsoever. It does, however, affect the institution, which is not the same as an individual relationship, no matter how much Les insists otherwise. I get it perfectly, thank you both very much.

Anonymous said...

Sure.

Marshal Art said...

Finally. Les agrees.

Anonymous said...

Let me reword that:

Suuuuuuuuuuure.

Anonymous said...

Oh my god.. Mr. Bipolar came down in the middle? I think hell just froze over.

It could be that equal rights for all gave made him happy. Being happy makes his marriage better. Therefore...

Marshal Art said...

Yeah, Les. I get it. You agree. Thanks again.

What I don't get is Ben. I have no idea who Mr. Bipolar is supposed to be. And what appears to be a typos confuses things even more. Without your usual poor attempt and being clever, Ben, please restate your last comment. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

yer funnie

Anonymous said...

"please restate your last comment."

Thanks for playing... Grasping for straws... Now, back to our regular programming.

"..it has no effect on any individual marriage whatsoever. It does, however, affect the institution, which is not the same as an individual relationship,.."

Do you even follow your own "logic"?

Anonymous said...

The Curic interview was bad. The bailout was worse. But, McCain waving the white flag in Michigan... (Paul Newman would be so happy.)

Marshall, can you tell your party to get it together?

Marshal Art said...

"Do you even follow your own "logic"?"

How 'bout answering the freakin' question? Or don't even you know what the hell you meant? Ben. Hear this: You are NOT clever. You are NOT nuanced. And if you can't be understood, then your attempts at mockery fail. If you wish to dialogue, try actually engaging in it. But if you wish to be a wise ass, go somewhere else. You're no good at it. Really. I can handle a good heckler. You ain't one of 'em. You're boring, tedious, a waste of time for anyone who takes the time to give you the time of day. So I'll try it again and then be done with it: What the fuck do you mean? Start with small words that you actually understand and keep in mind you're speaking with adults, not other children from the playground.

Anonymous said...

Testy.. Now don’t go getting all whinny on me.

Marshal Art said...

Not testy OR whiney. Just bored with the lame attempts at cleverness. Just try stating your case in plain terms if that's at all possible. I suspect it isn't or you would have done that already. Just leave the witty comments to someone who's actually witty.

Anonymous said...

Really? No whine? I detected a nice chardonnay in there. A real fruity aroma.

I am curious if you read even one obit on Newman. Much like every other topic, you seem to have entered into this discussion with zero knowledge of the man.

Marshal Art said...

Ben,

It's obvious you don't know "whine".

My only comment in my post was that this liberal puts his OWN money where his mouth is. This if very untypical of a lib. Does he agree with the standard Dem/lib line about raising taxes on the rich? Possibly so. But that's not the point of my post. That's where it ends for most libs. He went the extra mile in a true spirit of help and charity, and that raises him above the average lib. And I didn't enter into this discussion, buffoon, I started it.

Anonymous said...

"By the way,many,many libs are quite charitable with their money." - Ron

"I wouldn't suggest otherwise." - MA

"...this liberal puts his OWN money where his mouth is. This if very untypical of a lib." - MA

Just to recap.. you said liberals are charitable with their money before you said they were not charitable with their money. I'm just glad to have cleared things up.

I would like to take this moment to reflect on just how much cash Obama has raised......... Wow.

"Does he agree with the standard Dem/lib line about raising taxes on the rich? Possibly so."

Possibly so? Just like you "think he maintained his liberal ways"? You have this amazing ability to be stubborn and ignorant at the same time. Please go read one of the many thousands of obits written for this man. Perhaps the one at The Nation would be a good place to start. You know, considering he wrote for them.

Marshal Art said...

Good catch Ben. But the fact remains that though there are many who are charitable, there are many who aren't. Sounds contradictory doesn't it. How many libs do you think there are? Enough for "many" in each group with a bit many more in between. Do you like this double speak? Well, I like how you think you've made points on my little rhetorical misstep. Personally, I don't sweat little details like some old woman during menopause, but if you get off on such things, fine, you got me good. Happy with yourself? In the meantime, while your jerkin' yourself in celebration, I'll continue to be amicable to the serious visitors and when the time comes, I'll state my position more firmly for lonely souls like yourself.

As for stubborness, if you mean I stick to my principles which are founded on truth and logic, I accept the charge graciously and with honor.

Anonymous said...

"while your jerkin' yourself in celebration"

You have quite an active imagination. I thought that was against church doctrine. By the way, I think its "you’re".

"I'll continue to be amicable to the serious visitors"

And you call yourself a Christian?

Do you really think I care (or am surprised) that you take two sides of the same issue? It seems that is what Republicans do. Palin wants government intervention and government to get out of the way. McCain, well, I think he just forgets what his position was.

My only point on Paul Newman and this post was that you should do some homework before making haphazard, random comments from your Rush Limbaugh shotgun. It will save you from looking like an ass. I'm just here to help.

One last time.. please read an article about Paul Newman.

As for your stubbornness, it was coupled with your ignorance. Again, back to doing your homework. Have you noticed a pattern yet?

Marshal Art said...

Whatever, Benny. Now run along.

Mark said...

Back to Paul Newman. Check this out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYqwYrbwHeM

Anonymous said...

"Now run along."

Just one? Just one obit? I'll time you... ready.. set.. go..

Marshal Art said...

Mark,

Very touching scene from a great movie.

Marshal Art said...

Ben,

Ain't the obits I've read before publishing this post good enough for ya? What do you want me to see that would change the point of it? I made my points which were:

-great actor
-lib who put HIS money where his mouth was

Wasn't looking for a biography, but thanks anyway.

Anonymous said...

Again.. not to quote anybody but...

"My main point of course, was that he donated his own money or created a means by which money could be donated as opposed to pushing for legislation that forces other people to donate against their will."

vs.

"I made my points which were:

-great actor
-lib who put HIS money where his mouth was"

Yes.. two different statements made by the same person. Having fun yet?

If you read about his life before posting... then why do you continue to get major aspects of what he did wrong?

Marshal Art said...

Not different points Benny-boy. The same points expressed in different ways in hopes that the challenged, like yourself, gain understanding of simple concepts.

Yeah, I'm having great fun dealing with Benny the Brain-Dead. C'mon, man. Ain't ya got nothin' better to do than be tedious and irrelevant?

Anonymous said...

You really have trouble with reading comprehension. That really does explain a whole lot. There was, yet another, article on Newman this past week. This time written by Redford in TIME. Perhaps you could read that one? And, from the looks of things, you may want to take notes.

Marshal Art said...

Ben,

My comprehension's just about perfect. You, on the other hand, are having difficulty comprehending that I don't care about reading more Newman stuff. Whatever it is that you think I need to know about him is unlikely to make a shit's bit of difference to me or him whether I know it or not. He was an actor. His politics differed from mine. It didn't detract from my enjoyment of his great talent. I just watched "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" this past Sunday and enjoyed it again. I'll likely enjoy any of his other films whenever I have the opportunity to view them. What you continually fail to comprehend is that 1) I decide the point and focus of my posts, and 2) the point of this one is that Newman acted in a manner not typical of the typical lib. End of story. Now get a life, a clue and a real opinion about any new post I present because there's nothing more to see here.