Matt Damon: Bill Kristol "An Idiot," Bond A "Misogynist Sociopath"

Matt Damon gave an interview to his local Miami Herald speaking out against, among other things, Bill Kristol, torture and James Bond. Damon has done his research, having played Jason Bourne in the "Bourne" trilogy and starring in two CIA movies, "The Good Shepherd" and "Syriana."

On Kristol and torture:

"The small talk -- if that's the right phrase -- ranged from which New York Times columnist is the worst (conservative William Kristol, according to Damon: ''He's an idiot -- he wrote that we should be grateful to George Bush because he won the Iraq war. We! Won! The! War!'') to the proper place of torture in American foreign policy.

''Look, the best line about torture I've heard came from [retired CIA officer turned war-on-terrorism critic] Milt Beardon,'' Damon says. ``He said, `If a guy knows where a dirty bomb is hidden that's going to go off in a Marriott, put me in a room with him and I'll find out. But don't codify that. Just let me break the law.'

He also said what he thinks of James Bond:

''They could never make a James Bond movie like any of the Bourne films,'' Damon says scornfully. "Because Bond is an imperialist, misogynist sociopath who goes around bedding women and swilling martinis and killing people. He's repulsive."

And he explained why he missed Obama's inauguration after campaigning on his behalf:

''Luciana and I decided we wanted to go,'' he admits. 'But when I called my contacts from the campaign, they just started laughing: `We worked on the campaign for 2 ½ years, and we're not going. Forget it.' But then they called me back the next day and said, 'Hey, we've got two tickets for you, in the bleachers, and you'll actually be able to see Obama take the oath. Just $25,000 apiece.' So I'm going to watch. From my couch.''

Not only did Damon campaign and fundraise for Obama, he was one of the most outspoken celebrities against Sarah Palin, calling her "like a really bad Disney movie" and "a really terrifying possibility."

Read the whole interview

Comments

[Plebean]

An excerpt from a article in Crimson politics by Brian Kane

“If you thought arguing with your liberal professor was annoying, imagine what a “pain” it would be for Kristol to debate Matt Damon. The movie star, who “dropped out of his English studies in Harvard has the audacity to talk about politics”? He should focus on movies—he “hasn't won an Academy Award since 1997.”

Dear Mr Kane

Just to be accepted by Harvard is hard enough, getting through the first year, where the drop-out rate is 95%, may give some you perspective of the workload a student must endure. Now 4 years of that?

In my opinion, Damon walked his baptism of fire.

P.S. When was the last time you received a Peabody for your insightful journalism?

[CussingNews]

WEB RUMOR: Damon and Company (paramount is it?) had a deal on the table to do cameo appearances with the Bond outfit. The deal fell through and he's hurt. The rumor was that he was to appear in a Bond film briefly as Jason Bourne, then Bond was to appear briefly in a new Bourne movie. The deal fell through over petty arguments between the production companies... allegedly over the marketing rights of action figures.

NOW, I'M NOT SAYING IT'S TRUE, BUT IT IS A WEB RUMOR!!!

Bourne is bitter. Maybe he can go hunting good will?

[reyvn77]

Following the "actors should just shut up about politics because they're not politicians" logic, may I suggest these other people shut up about politics as well:

1. Doctors, Lawyers, Scientists, Lawyers, Economists and other smart people who have decided not to make a career out of politics
2. Former beauty pageant contestants
3. Plumbers (licensed or otherwise)
4. Talk radio hosts
5. Random commenters on the internet that are not politicians
6. Ted Nugent

Good. Now let's let 0.5% of the world run everything for us.

[Pollitrix]

I am always amused when people write that actors should just shut up.

RONALD REGAN is to the the supposed, Greatest President on earth. (He was an actor and not a very good one. His best role was a Great President.)

[Lavafalls]

Reagan was one of the worst Presidents to serve in the last 60 years. He started the mess we are in now. That being said, anyone can and should speak their mind, as long as they do a little research first.

[rofltaco]

To anyone who states that "Actors should just act and stop talking":

If you are not an economics major, please stop talking about the economy.

If you did not go to school and major in politics, please stop talking about it.

An opinion is just that, an opinion. Someones personal feelings. If you had media access as these people do, you would be voicing your opinions as well.

A persons views and opinions are molded and shaped by their experiences and the interaction the have with other people. To come down on someone who shares an opposing view is just wrong.

[Aesthete]

Sometimes people forget that actors are also citizens with the same constitutional rights as everyone else.

[A-Rod]

When is the media going to stop interviewing actors and other hollywood types about anything to do with politics, social issues, etc.? Matt Damon's opinion couldn't be less relevant to our national debate. He is the very epitome of the know nothing hollywood elites in this country.

[bluehand]

Acutally Matt Damon and his partner Ben Afflack are pretty smart individuals, who just happen to be actors, producers, writers, and activits.

[Zen0469]

Matt Damon's comments concerning Bill Kristol are entirely consistent with the actions taken by the NYT, namely, dumping Kristol's column and removing his name from the columnist list. Damon's comparison of Sarah Palin to a bad Disney movie were charitable. (also :-)

[RonReaGun]

Damon did not graduate from Harvard. He managed to go there for 4 years and "chose not to finish". Yea, this sure sounds like a "superintelligent" guy who waste all of time and $ without a degree.

[PackyJ]

What does whether or not Damon graduated from Harvard have to do with anything?
While I happen to agree with Damon on all comments, lack of a college degree doesn't make his opinions any more or less valid.
You sound like an elitist.

[LeftCoastLefthandedLefty]

Bill Gates also chose to leave Harvard without a degree.

I think both Damon and Gates are doing pretty well financially so the decision to skip graduation at Harvard probably wasn't a bad one.

[RJII]

matt's cool. keep speaking the truth and working for a cause, regardless of the fickled press.

[Eyeswideopen1]

If you listen to Damon talk politics he does come across as quite intelligent. I am not surprised he is a Harvard graduate. He is NOT just another actor spouting off about something he does not know much about. Maybe a future California Governor?

[lolyla]

James Bond may be "repulsive" and an "imperialist, misogynist sociopath who goes around bedding women and swilling martinis and killing people." But Daniel Craig gives me the vapors and makes me swoon. I must now go sit and attend to my feminine sensitivities.

By the way, you ain't so bad yourself, Matt.

[Citizen54]

Go!
In Casino Royale, I thought Craig dispelled the "misogynist" label; a big part of the story was that Bond genuinely fell in love with that woman, and the relationship between them was pretty darn cool. Maybe Damon didn't see that movie (it's a really good film, not at all like any Bond before). Craig is so good in the role because he can be kind of romantic (not misogynistic) but also a killing machine. Damon couldn't pull that off.

[navy62802]

Matt Damon is actually a Harvard graduate, so I'd say he is a little more qualified to speak on these subjects than most other actors. He is simply voicing what many people across the nation feel and think.

[socialmistfit]

Cross another actor off the list for using his/her popularity to spout off negative political views to the media and press. When did entertainers get so full of themselves? I thought acting was art and artists made their statements through their art.

Pitt and Jolie keep their mouth closed and walk the walk for their cause. They chose their projects carefully... making sure they either emulate what they believe in or shed light on what they are against. What has Matt Damon done recently other than pad his pockets and feed his ego?

All of the mouthy entertainers are on the left. Name any conservatives doing this? Those that do check out of the acting gig to run for politics (Eastwood, Reagan and schwarzenegger are examples). Those still acting (e.g., Kelsey Grammer, Bruce Willis, Tom Selleck) keep their nose focused on their craft don't speak out publically for political purpose.

Actors, in general, are poor spokespeople for common causes. Most never had, or have lost touch with, any understanding of what a normal American life is. They are often prone to excess and are a corrupting influence to themselves. Why should we let them corrupt the public also? I will never watch another Matt Damon movie

[Darwinita]

or Chuck Norris? Or John Voigt? Or Britney Spears? Or Ted Nugent?

[socialmistfit]

Wow, your had to spend a lot of time Googling to come up with this list. Chuck Norris... isn't acting (and never really act). Ted Nugent checked out of performing on stage years ago. Britney Spears a conservative? Palleeaasse, you can do better than that... she doesn't know what the difference is. John Voit is the only hit, and even that is a very weak one... what movies has he been in lately? Even so, I am not a fan of John Voit spouting his mouth either.

Actors should act, entertainers should entertain. They want to use their popularity and access to the press to spout off political hate speech, then I check them off my list and suggest more do the same.

[Lparso]

Socialmistfit.....finally someone who has the intelligence and wisdom to tell it like it is....who cares what the "stars" think? - They need to stick with what they do best. Can you imagine a politician telling Matt Damon how to act? I've been seriously thinking of giving up the movies that alot of these jerks act in myself. I've already stopped seeing all Sean Penn movies - he was so nasty one night on Bill Mahr's program that I shook my head in disgust and thought, "I've given you enough of my money - I'm done" One thing I find about most of these big mouth liberals is that they lack class. I don't mind them having differing views than I do but give me a break and act like an adult about it.

[izAriver]

Take your own advice. Or not. You have the right to speak your mind. Allow others to do so as well.

[salzy1]

I respectfully disagree with every one of your points. It is you who lack class, not any of those whom you mentioned in your nasty diatribe.

[izAriver]

Freedom of speech. "Actors" have the platform and have earned the right to use it as they wish. We must be content with the platforms we have earned.

[golferman]

Just because someone is an actor doesn't take his right away to support any politician that he so chooses. Loud mouth liberals is an insult to good people. I suppose we are un american too. I guess we should shut that woman on The View tv show Hassleback up. Tell her she doesn't have a right to support who ever she wants too. And repugs are so amazing. They actually think they are better people than liberals. Repugs have to be the most miserable people alive. All they have is hate for anyone that are not like them. But go ahead, keep thinking that y ou are better than liberals if it make y ou feel better.

[Jo Manning]

Matt Damon lives in my town. He is a very good guy. I admire his public statements and loyalty to American values. Keep speaking out, Matt!

[Blaze1]

" a bad disney movie" that was a perfect comparison!!