We All Live in Clint Eastwood's America

For a man of few words, with a persona known for shooting first and asking questions later, Clint Eastwood is a powerful vox populi.

Eastwood, who made his name playing the man with no name, has proven to be a keen analyst of the mood of the American public.

More than 30 years ago, in the early 1970s, Eastwood saw that Americans had grown disaffected with and disconnected from the nation's laws and institutions. Government was talked about as the problem, not the solution. The violence and crime in the streets and the civic government's seeming inability to address big problems and make things work alienated both right and left. President Richard M. Nixon was heralding his law and order efforts but in foreign policy and domestic affairs, from Vietnam to what became Watergate, the system seemed bankrupt.

In response to the public distress, like an overarching national id, police Lt. Harry Callahan appeared with the release of Dirty Harry in 1971. As played by Eastwood, Callahan is one cop who will do what it takes to catch the bad guy -- even if it means breaking the law. Another film had already used the baiting line, Make my day, when a cop dares a thug to make a move -- but Eastwood turned the sentiment into a national catchphrase. Callahan is a tough guy who can achieve justice and get things done because he lives by the true law -- a code of honor.

With Gran Torino, Eastwood is now following a different code -- 180 degrees different. But it is winning the same public success -- the movie opened wide to No. 1 this weekend.

In this movie Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a tough, relentless ex-Marine who, when faced with grave injustice, looks to the rule of law to save the day.

Once again, Eastwood has crystallized the nation's mood.

The American public seems to have little taste for frontier justice right now -- and little interest in people taking the law into their own hands. This is the sort of thing that led to a quagmire in Iraq and financial meltdown on Wall Street. It led to the White House approving rendition and torture -- now called "enhanced interrogation techniques" -- and warrantless wiretaps. It led to banks lending recklessly and fiscal leveraging cantilevered out over the abyss. It led to an executive branch that insists it holds all government power and a vice presidential office that is somehow apart from any government regulations. The rule of law has been sadly absent as Washington stomped on allies abroad and sloughed off regulation at home.

But the country clearly seems fed up with this. For most of last year, polls showed that 79 percent of the nation just wanted the Bush administration gone. Consider, a constitutional law professor was elected president.

Confronting an economic crisis that bears all too many similarities to the Great Depression, the nation is now looking to both the government and the rule of law to help them over some very rough ground. The problem, it turns out, was not too much government but not enough.

This is a paradigm shift for America. And, since a movie generally takes about nine months to make -- even at the most accelerated production schedule -- Eastwood clearly read this stunning change even as public opinion was forming.

The Bush administration, as events rolled out over the last eight years, has regularly said, "Who could have seen this coming?" Well, for one, Clint Eastwood did.

Comments

[usedtowander]

The First Cavalry is a unit of the U.S. Army with a long and honored history.
The character, Walt Kowalski, is an Army veteran, a soldier.

Not a Marine.
The Army has a considerably different culture from the Corps.

Semper Fi

[BillMelater]

The Bush Administration used these wars to secure their power. Then they used their power to steal the wealth of the middle class. They have destroyed and corrupted everything that was America. And things ARE going to get much worse before they get better.

[nomadic]

Those who do not know our history should not comment on it. The reason Nixon WAS a dangerous man was the sum of his power which went beyond authorizing and attempting to cover up a break-in. This man controlled people in national security positions in the FBI and CIA. He did not think he was innocent. He honestly felt, that as president, he was above the law. He manipulated evidence, made threats upon people from his position in the White House and had the foot soldiers to carry it out. He was so dirty he had to be ousted. The White Water break-in was the equivalent to Capone's tax tax evasion trial. The corruption was so deep and complex that it would have taken decades and billions of tax payer dollars to ferret it out. Instead federal prosecutors, knowing the impatience of the American public, went with the easiest means for removing Nixon that they had and that was the obvious cover-up he engineered.

[wrabbitt]

A mans got to know his limitations, comes from a movie that shows the wrong turn our legal system has taken in the last 35 years. Its been a long time since our legal system stood up for the victim, Here in New York State we have a law that says you get a mandatory two year sentence for an illegal handgun. No where in the law does it say Football players are an exception. Because you have money you are above the law? To get a legal handgun in New York State you need to jump thru all the hoops, but, you can not carry it in New York City. Maybe if we had laws that were written for everyone there wouldn't be as much crime. Or the death penalty for killing a police officer might be a deterrent to such a crime. But, i guess when congress changes the rules for itself and makes bribing a public official legal by calling it lobbyists money, that America has spent to much time going down the wrong road. And, William Shakespeare was right about lawyers, especially elected ones. Hollywood and sports millionaires need laws too!

[websmith]

The message from Grand Torino was that, in order for soldiers to murder human beings during wars, they have to be dehumanized. You have to think of them as zipper heads or, in the case of Iraq, ragheads or anything else that allows you to not hesitate when you pull the trigger and not think about the women and children who are also going to suffer when you drop the bomb or lob the artillery shell. This is the case with Prince Harry and his video that has everyone hitching their underwear up a little to tight. He was dehumanizing the enemy so that he could do what his country was asking him to do. After the war, to live with the guilt, you have to continue to think about the people you killed as anything but human. As Eastwood showed us, the guilt is still always there.

[JimRinX]

Right On, Clint Eastwood - even though I haven't even seen your new movie, yet!
Personally, I've been taking the Law into my own hands for several years now; but then I've had to, as Police Officers and, at least in one case, the nephew of an ex-employee of mine (this person has a grudge against me, and a Federal Agent wife who has helped him to carry it out!) have delivered controlled substances to my home in an effort to make ME look like a drug Addict and a Social Security Cheat!
Worse yet; though at least two Portlanders were KILLED by self-proclaimed National Alliance Neighbors of mine and/or L.A. Police Officers Sons - with Aryan Brotherhood 'Prison Tatts' all over his Arms (search: Jessica Williams, Steel Bridge, Portland, OR., Summer 2003; or Rene Densfields Book, "All Gods Children": Jessica Dolin, wweek.com, July 17th, 2003 - it was NOT a Suicide, as she was Mentally Ill, Jewish, and vulnerable to attack - but NOT a Real Dominatrix) - all of whom logic tells me I should associate with John Ashcroft and his friends in The K.K.K.; neither the FBI (their OPR, etc.), The Portland Police, and The SSA have 'no record' of my various Complaints or of my attempts to evoke The Federal Whistle Blowers Act on THEM, over the last eight years.
Nonetheless, they say that I'm a Mentally Ill Drug Addict whose accusation are all Rationalizations! Now, isn't that convenient?!?

[elr50]

If Clint Eastwood thinks people should take responsibility for their own actions, why did he support George W. Bush, who took responsibility for NOTHING? I will not see movies made by or starring any Bush supporters.

[GaDove]

What is truly frightening is that politicians no longer even care if they represent the majority of their constiuents. it is all about who spends the most money, and therefore can brainwash on TV the most voters. Then the politicians go into the 'business' of politics. Getting as much money and power as possible while in office. Lobbyists pay them etc. I think CHI gov Bloggo just got caught doing what every single politician does, wheeling and dealing , selling a seat, etc. . Just like in Watergate. Nixon just got caught - they all spied on each other. They all break ethical laws to get further in their political careers. After 1 or 2 elections - politicians quit working for the people, and start working on their own political future. That is why so many politicians are caught wheeling an dealing after they have been in power for several terms. Business as usual.
Thank you Repub, Clint Eastwood for using your craft to show a glimpse into a moral abyss Americans are dealing with daily.

[dianhow]

Gov Blago makes Nixon look like small potatoes. Nixon just spied on other politicians and lied about it.. The political system needs a complete overhaul. Govt work should not be a 30- 40 year career.. where they live off the taxpayers forever. One should ' serve' then go back to the private sector. That's how the forefathers designed it originally..

[Wake-up]

Right on... finally, a little logic around here! To start, take the limits off political contributions but with full disclosure (not hard to police) and we can get rid of the fact that only the super rich can run for office... If GM wants to dump 410m into a campaign, great, let em... we'll be REALLY questioning what that man/woman would be doing with GM after the election...

[gabemill]

You history revisionists must WAKE UP, already.

I make no attempt to condone the alleged deplorable actions of Blago, but to suggest Nixon was a light weight in comparison, is a preposterous atrocity that MUST be addressed!

From Wikipedia, regarding Nixon crimes:

"Investigations conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and later by the Senate Watergate Committee, House Judiciary Committee and the press revealed that this burglary was one of many illegal activities authorized and carried out by Nixon's staff. They also revealed the immense scope of crimes and abuses, which included campaign fraud, political espionage and sabotage, illegal break-ins, improper tax audits, illegal wiretapping on a massive scale, and a secret slush fund laundered in Mexico to pay those who conducted these operations. This secret fund was also used as hush money to buy the silence of the seven men who were indicted for the June 17 break-in."

If you desire further insight, read John Dean's (Nixon's White House counsel) "Blind Ambition."

Let me guess..........Clinton is responsible, right?

[Robster]

It's not to late for the government to make things even worse.

[BlueZoo]

We just might live in Clint Eastwood's America as espoused in the movie. Fewer and fewer people take any responsibility for their own actions. Those who buy homes they cannot afford cry 'foul' when they can't pay the bills and expect the rest of us to bail them out. The auto companies make crappy cars and run their companies into the ground and want bailed out. Wall Street fails and is bailed out and wants more money with no accountability whatsoever. Our Government removes regulations on the market because officials are in bed with Enron in 2000 and then reaps a whirlwind. None of this is anybody's fault? It really does makes you feel as if you want to take the law into your own hands!

[womanagainstpalin]

Come now. Many of the people who took those mortgages were victims of deceptive lending practices. US auto companies apparently make pretty good cars, but are burdened by pension and health costs that in Japan are paid by the govt. Wall Street is being bailed out, but the no accountability thing is Bush's fault. They SHOULD be accountable for the money they've gotten, but it's up to the giver to hold their feet to the fire.

[Wake-up]

deceptive lending practices?? generally a huge myth! Everyone getting a loan signs a contract, if they sign without reading and understanding, it's their fault... there are very few consumer victims in this mess!!

[AbbieHoffman2]

You have a good name but you're WRONG. Many, many people bought "spec" homes on poor credit. Here in South Florida I know personally a lot of people who bought as many as 4 homes without ANY credit check. Thats just plain wrong and stupid. And Detroit still makes big gas-guzzling crappy cars to this day (compared to Toyota). And Wall Street? How can the average citizen make sense of all that smoke and mirrors.

[QuietLightTraveler]

Our federal government, and every state government, must respect the principles in our constitution. It's a sad fact that in many instances our constitution is being ignored, especially on the state level.. I've witnessed it. Personally, I think our whole legal system needs to be scrutinized because some of the things that I have seen go on there are disgraceful. People in power do things out of expediency. Ethics has taken a back seat. The poor frequently get shortchanged of justice. No one in the justice system seems to care. They just see it as business as usual.

[Dennis St John]

Here's the basic difference between the Democratic and Republican parties (which have colluded to preclude any other parties in the national arena): The Democrats say tax and spend, tax and spend, tax and spend. The Republicans say no, it's borrow and spend, borrow and spend, borrow and spend.

Mark Twain nailed it back in the 1800's: We have the best politicians that money can buy.

[dianhow]

Repubs not only borrowed and spent..they also gave huge tax breaks to fat cats & corporate buddies. Talk about redistribting wealth ! Thats exactly what Bush did- distribute it to the wealthy and screw anyone else. Now Bush admits some mistakes ! Too late buddy just go away.

[suzc]

Yes they did! And the Dems helped them all the way! BOTH parties in Congress are deceptive, manipulative, out of touch, greedy, not all that bright and basically WRONG! They are NOT leaders. None of them! Neither party! We need to have term limits for Congress just like for the White House! Can you IMAGINE if Bush could have given himself 8 MORE years??? The entire planet would be in flames! BOTH parties are run by the rich and powerful. BOTH parties need replacing in Washington on a regular basis!

[truthseeker7]

The problem is rarely truly the system, it is corrupt, immoral, greedy and arrogant people who get into the system. Bush lived his life in a glass bubble with a silver spoon up is butt and therefore has no real understanding of what it is to be a working american. Neither do most of the jackasses on Wall Street. Who in the Bush administration ever served in the military, especially in combat? Was Powell the only one? His experience is why we all hoped he would be a voice of reason but they got to him some how and he sold his soul. He regrets it now but shame on you Colin! Hopefully Obama will remember where he came from more than where his handlers are grooming him to go.

We do need some frontier justice but only from people whose true driver is justice and fairness for all and who come from a perspective of knowledge and experience. The key is TRANSPARENCY in the systems, accurate coverage by the media (I know, good luck there), and for people to get involved.

[FZliveson]

Frontier Justice???? From whom? Where? When? How?
Do you expect Blackwater to rise up in defense of the constitution?
Do you expect Nan Pelosi to get off her hinie and protest her own gravy train?
Frontier justice....what-go hang a horse thief?
What ACTUAL action do you suggest, Truthseeker7? Or are you just being
hypothetical, like the value of our fiat currency and the implementation of our
national heritage from the constitution?

[drumz]

Isn't Clint a republican? Good actor and director but lousy in the political arena including his time as mayor of Carmel. He did a lousy job siding with development over preservation and many felt the reason he ran was so he could get an underground parking lot built under his restaurant which he did. Another self-serving republicreep is all he is but I do enjoy his movies.

[mivogo]

Clint was a Republican, now an independent. His most meaningful quote is not from any movie, but from an interview, and explains why:
"When you go far enough to the right, you meet the same extremist wackos coming around from the left."

[spiritpony1]

don't know WHICH restaurant you mean; the ones (2) of which I am aware do NOT have an underground parking lot. If you ever lived in Carmel, as I have, you would know that the city council can be very infuriating, even if you are a PRESERVATIONIST, as I am. Hey, the mayor, Mccloud, worked for the CIA in Switzerland------go figure----

[markg1956]

Interesting article. Not sure I agree 100% I think Dirty Harry was a cop who saw things in
black and white while his supervisors were driven by the changing social mores of the early
1970's.
In Grand Torino his actions border on entrapment yet give the brother and sister a chance to live
out of the gang's influence.
Both men were dinosaurs who did the best they could within the rules as they understood them.