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

[illinoisan]

Love Matt Damon. One of the best in the biz. Make that one of the best in the history of the biz.

[chulanow]

Someone needs to remind Matt Damon that he's an actor.....we could care less what he thinks about politics.

Besides, maybe we would listen if he didn't sound like a raving lunatic every time he opens his mouth!

[NoToGOP08]

Maybe someone should remind you that all human beings regardless of race, color, occupation or gender are free to voice their opinions. You may disagree with his opinions, but don't spout off that he shouldn't have any.

[DHC]

Ronald Reagan was an actor, what is your point? This tired line of yours is getting old. It's like saying, oh, he's an airline pilot, he needs to remember to keep his mouth shut about politics on his free time.

[youpeoplearefunny]

The Ronald Reagan was an actor line is getting old. For decades after his acting career was over, he was both a union boss and a governor before becoming president.

In my opinion, i have no problem with actors voicing their views, but when they (both the actors, singers etc.. themselves and the media) start to believe that their opinion is more important because they are famous, i think that's where the resentment comes in.

I, for one, will start caring what "famous" people's opinions are when they run for office and their opinion then really matters. Kind of like Al Franken, who cared beforehand, but now that he's a senator people should care

[Josh McDonald]

Someone needs to remind you that he is actually an incredibly intelligent American citizen who has connections, money and time enough to be far more informed on the issues of which he speaks than do you.

Oh, I guess I just did.

[FabulousAt52]

And actors aren't citizens with a right to their opinions, just like YOU or me? How do I know I should have bothered reading what YOU had to say? How do I know YOU are educated, have a job that's "Better than being an actor" ? How should we validate YOUR opinions?

[outmost1]

Reminder, you're a common people and we don't care what you think about politics (or anything else)

Now scream about your rights to free speech and religion so we can see hypocrisy in action.

[ScandalousCandice7]

I love Damon, but um I got to disagree with him big time about Bond. Don't let your ego get head of you "Smart guy."

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

[Haupialani]

I much rather have Bourne than Bond. Those Benny Hill days of subjecting women are so old. Bond's just an over the hill womanizer who only knows how to use cool gadgets. Bourne's a thinker and a doer and doesn't need women to boost his ego. This is the next century - can we turn the page please?

[AntiSocialite]

C'mon, I'm as progressive as the next guy but Bond is good stuff, of course he is a sexist who subjugates women but that is more of a vehicle to introduce campy lines and ever changing Bond girls than misogyny (as Damon says). You gotta respect a classic and Bond is assuredly that.

[haval2]

I'm out of the Bond discussion but Matt's right on about Kristol. Actually he's used quite polite terms for what he really is...got to go celebrate winning the war now.....

[Gerald Shields]

I don't know. I've enjoyed him playing Jason Bourne. That character serves as a counterpoint to the James Bond films and have you noticed how they making Bond a little like Bourne?

[politicsmatter]

I can agree with him on most things, but the James Bond issue may only stem from the latest movies. In the beginning Bond didn't kill anyone that he didn't have to; but, he was in fact a misogynist.

[Ty90]

I agree with Matt Damon. James Bond is a loser. He can go around being a freakin' sl*t ,
sleeping with hundreds of women and that's seen as "cool" but a woman would be scorned, denounced and treated horribly if she were the same. It's misogynistic, sexist, biased and illogical.
If it's repulsive to be super promiscuous, make it the same for both sexes.

Another thing, James bond is a sociopath because he has so sense of right or wrong,
he doesn't care about taking a life senselessly and he doesn't care what he does to these
women he loves and leaves.

I hate double standards.

[LiberalBuzz]

It's A MOVIE

[jima54]

Bourne and Bond aren't real people lest we forget. As a professional actor and, not to mention, very intelligent person, Matt is probably just doing his job; creating a stir to attract attention. He may very well watch Bond movies and enjoy them.

Maybe we should dissect the morality of Spidey, Ironman, and the Hulk as well.

[Mayoyo]

25.000 a piece...was he sure it wasn't a scalper on the phone

[SoCalAmerican]

Damon's background is middle-class and is a Harvard grad. He's smart, down to earth and holds the same practicalities growing up because, he's one of those talents that never forget where they come from. Stand-up guy.

[SeaKitten]

Funny, he gives an example where he essentially endorses tor ture. He's a born & bred Mass. liberal. Why does he think anyone should give a f@rt about his political opinions. Go back to making B movies please.

[kaukerc]

Apparently you cared enough to write a comment. Is that an example of not giving a "f@rt"?

[goodhuff]

I always get a kick out of people with a beef against celebs. How does his job make his political views any more or less worth a "f@rt" than any other American?

HeavyHitter, why should actors keep their mouths shut? What about comic book colorists, or delivery drivers, or burger flippers, or sports stars? They're okay? But actors shouldn't have an opinion?

[Luvial]

The person that Matt quoted is exactly correct. We do not train soldiers to jump on grenades to save their buddies. It happens when an extraordinary situation requires it and someone steps forward to sacrifice themselves. If we legalize torture we become a nations of torturers and tortured. If we train people to commit suicide for their buddies we will become a nation of suicidal maniacs. If the hypothetical "Jack Bauer" moment ever actually occurs someone will do what is necessary and be willing to pay the legal price for it, too. Some people cannot understand this concept because they are ruled by fear, have no concept of honor and do not understand what America is all about. We aspire for something higher than preemptive torture and murder.

[HeavyHitter]

Most actors should keep their mouths shut, but Matt's OK. He's a little over the top on Bond, though. I'll buy the misogynist part, but not the rest. Bond is a male fantasy, but also a patriot who has given his life to his country and is willing to die for his country.

[mzwednesday]

''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."

he he....I love this Matt Damon....spot on!

[jcwtts1]

Wow, he should out the guy selling tickets, that was a no no.

J

[GuyRC]

Shhh, it was Hillary trying to pay off her campaign debt.