Ron Silver, R.I.P; Flashback: Silver’s 2004 RNC speech
The New York Post reports the sad news that actor Ron Silver has died. He succumbed to cancer. The 9/11 jihadi attacks were a pivotal moment in Silver’s political evolution from Hollywood liberal to Hollywood hawk: “‘I think there are September 10 people and there are September 11 people. I’m one of the latter. Everything changed for me. Since then I see everything through the prism of what happened that day,’ he says.”
Silver’s rare, brave voice in the entertainment industry will be missed. R.I.P.
The following are Silver’s remarks to the 2004 Republican National Convention:
I want to thank the President and the Republican Party for holding this event in my hometown, my father’s hometown, my grandfather’s and great grandfather’s birthplace.
Just over 1,000 days ago, 2,605 of my neighbors were murdered at the World Trade Center — men, women and children — as they began their day on a brilliantly clear New York autumn morning, less than four miles from where I am now standing.
We will never forgive. Never forget. Never excuse!
At the end of World War II, General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander of the South Pacific, said:
“It is my earnest hope – indeed the hope of all mankind – that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past, a world found upon faith and understanding, a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish for freedom, tolerance and justice.”
The hope he expressed then remains relevant today.
We are again engaged in a war that will define the future of humankind.
Responding to attacks on our soil, America has led a coalition of countries
against extremists who want to destroy our way of life and our values.
This is a war we did not seek.
This is a war waged against us.
This is a war to which we had to respond.
History shows that we are not imperialists . . .but we are fighters for freedom and democracy.
Even though I am a well-recognized liberal on many issues confronting our society today, I find it ironic that many human rights advocates and outspoken members of my own entertainment community are often on the front lines to protest repression, for which I applaud them but they are usually the first ones to oppose any use of force to take care of these horrors that they
catalogue repeatedly.
Under the unwavering leadership of President Bush, the cause of freedom and democracy is being advanced by the courageous men and women serving in our Armed Services.
The President is doing exactly the right thing.
That is why we need this President at this time!
I am grateful for the chance to speak tonight to express my support for our Commander-in-Chief, for our brave troops, and for the vital cause which they have undertaken.
General Dwight Eisenhower’s statement of 60 years ago is true today . . .
“United in this determination and with unshakable faith in the cause for which we fight, we will, with God’s help, go forward to our greatest victory.”
Thank you.
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Categories: 9/11, Hollyweird
Words that are still relevant today. RIP, Mr. Silver.
New York Post:
Visit Ron Silver’s Wikipedia entry and discover how well educated he was, more than just a liberal actor.
R.I.P.
The words of a true patriot. Politics aside, he stood up for those who defend this Great Country. That is the mark of a true patriot, in any era.
May God the Father Almighty, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob rest his Soul and comfort his family.
We lost a good one, that’s for sure. May his legacy live on in the lives of those who were influenced by his courage and convictions. RIP, Ron.
Ron Silver was not only a great actor but a class act. You had to look hard to find his ego.
Yes, not only a great actor but a class act. It took a great deal of courage to break from the left in Hollywood.
I remember Ron Silver when he was a supporter of Bill Clinton. He was upset that the USAF was doing a fly over at an inauguration ceremony and was angry and then he realized that Clinton was know the CINC and said “Wait a minute those are our planes now!”
He made a big transition from those beliefs in 1993 to post 9-11-01. He continued being a supporter of our military and the right of the USA to defend itself.
Bless you Ron, and may you rest in peace.
Where was Barry when Silver died? Seems really fishy.
No mention of it on E online. Their top story is some stampede that occurred at America’s Next Top Model tryouts. Guess when you eschew the liberal hogwash for patriotism and conservative values you no longer matter in hollyweird.
It matters not, in the great scheme of things, what one calls himself but his beliefs and actions speak volumnes. I would say this man was a patriot and we are less fortunate because he is no longer with us. RIP sir, and may G-d comfort and sustain your family.
I will miss him. I used to love listening to his interviews on Shire Network News.
RIP Ron.
Those b@st@rds! They killed Kenney !!!!!
First found out about Ron Silver’s new perspective when seeing Fahrenhype 9/11, a rebuttal to Michael Moore’s movie. Definitely one of the independent voices in Hollywood.
Re: Two Dogs
You mean it wasn’t Bill and Hillary? Someone passes away and all you can think about is blame. Even as a joke that was bad form. May Mr Silver rest in peace. I may not agree with your words but I still respect you and your words.
Mr Silver was a wise man. Like so very few others in Hollywood, Dennis Miller included, he responded to the wake up call and didn’t hit the snooze button and go back to sleep. He cast aside the selfish hedonism of our modern social Gemorrah and actively worked toward maintaining a free America.
Thank you for your short time among us.
I still remember listening in 1993 as Rush spoke of how Silver — as a guest at the first inauguration of Bill Clinton — loudly objected to the Blue Angels flying overhead. TTBOMM, upset at the show of military force at the celebration of a ‘Nam dodger, he said, “What are they doing here?” And then said, “Wait a minute, they’re OUR planes now!” reflecting the attitude that now that a peace-loving Dem was in charge again, they could mothball those planes and never have to worry about using them.
I was stunned that he had done a 180-degree turn on 9/11 when other showbiz types were refusing to accept that pacifism in the White House would not magically be reciprocated by murderous entities, state-aligned or otherwise.
Hopefully, others will come to that realization without another devastating attack as the catalyst.
Aw man…
Like Michael Crichton, Ron Silver also pushed back at the Gore-bal Warming hucksters. Damn, this bites.
R.I.P sir.
He was a stand up guy to voice his opinion in that environment. Sad to hear when someone with true moral courage passes.
God Bless And God Speed.
NO!!! I wasn’t even aware he was sick. This truly is a loss. I pray he finds comfort now, and his family peace.
May God grant His peace to Ron Silver’s family. I’m glad Ron saw the light and joined the winning team.
We have lost a good man and a patriot. We were blessed to have had him.
I wasn’t aware he was sick. Fair Winds and Following Seas, Mr. Levin.
I’m an idiot. I meant Mr. Silver
Rest in Peace Mr. Silver. I regret you’ll receive more acknowledgement and praise from those you once scorned than your previous Tinsletown “associates.” I can’t what to hear how Chris Matthews & Co. regard you.
Even Paul Newman, of all libs, was a secret convert for nuclear energy, but try getting the libs/greens to admit that one. Hypocrisy, thy name is MSM/Hollywood.
James Greenidge
Queens, New York
I am SHOCKED! Just heard and heartsick..God Bless his Family. God keep him close. How horrible, how sad, how tragic, how…just simply awful.
God Bless and Keep you close Sir.
Just…wow.
RIP Ron Silver, you are a class act and you will be missed.
*R.I.P. Mr. Silver; Say hello to Rhoda for us: Thanks for being brave enough to speak the truth at the risk of ending your career; Artists of all stripes can only flourish in a free society like the good old USA, and Mr. Silver recognized an enemy that is determined to take that away from us.
*Hey Springsteen, when are you gonna play some gigs in Pakistan?; Sprinsteen, Born in the USA, but living in an alternative reality.
*That’s Springsteen, where you sound out the g, but the patriotism is silent.
During the Academy Awards’ ceremony each year they include a tribute to industry folk who passed away during the year. At the recent ceremony, Chuck Heston received no applause from the Hollywood crowd. Which is fine, it’s more of an insult than a tribute to receive admiration from people like that. Please remember to salute Ron Silver now and if you chose to watch the Awards show next year..
God bless Ron. He was a patriot.
As has been said: “A conservative is a liberal who has been confronted by reality.” (I probably got the quote wrong, but you get the idea.)
May God comfort his family.
yes, and fine in his form as a practitioner of his craft.
did any of you know he was CFR ?
I admired Ron a great deal. He stayed true to his support of social causes while being unafraid to call Hollywood on its BS. He said something in an interview that I thought was terrific. “I’m really on the progressive left of the right of center. I’m a progressive conservative. I just look at the issues, not the players.”
Think I’ll pop Reversal of Fortune into the DVD player tonight.
God bless and rest his soul. I enjoyed his work and I sincerely appreciated his advocacy. It takes a good amount of bravery to stand up against the mainstream in Hollywood. May God comfort his loved ones as well.
Mr. Silver was a true American Patriot, R.I.P. sir.
**jaw dropped**
I am so sad about this.
Ron Silver made huge impression on me with his Silver Bullet posting several years ago. I’ve been wondering why there haven’t been follow ups.
God bless this man. I’m sad he suffered from cancer.
R.I.P., Mr. Silver.
We have lost a true patriot and a talented American.
Patriot as defined by Webster’s: one who loves and zealously supports one’s own country. RIP Mr. Silver. 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
A VERY brave man and a GREAT AMERICAN has departed. Bows head….may he rest peacefully.
Sorry to hear Ron Silver is gone. Considering he worked in Hollywood, he obviously had plenty of guts.
And unfortunately, we’re left with another example of the good dying young. RIP, Mr. Silver.
Shame SHAME on Fox! I got up for their 7:00 “Fox & Friends” and nary a mention of Silver (who’d dropped by there a few times) but lots of economy jokes and jabber and model-riot stories with their newest blonde eye candy (except Edie Hill, who was apparently too bright and topic-wise to keep in the company of comedian wanna-be weathermen and sportscasters). Fox Mornings, you’re marginalizing yourself into the ass-end of a late nite talk show even more in my eyes!
James Greenidge
Queens, NY
I am sorry to read that Mr. Silver has passed.Great speech he gave. May he RIP.
very sorry to see the news. finally a jewish patriot, unapologetic and willing to take the slings and arrows of the ultraliberal hollywood set who blacklist people like ron for saying what he said. who’s side are you on, america do you support work and self sufficiency? do you support democracies, or thugocracies? ron silver was a great american.
Sorry to see him go. Peace to his family and friends. I honor his courageous stands for what he knew to be right.
The beautiful thing about his life was that he owned up to his past & admitted that he was on the wrong path. That takes a lot of courage in the business he was in.
He was a good man and a great advocate for America. We have too few leaders to lose them like this.
Not sure if Ron was a smoker but all the more reason for all of us to avoid tobacco products. And trust me, I have an addictive peronality and know how tough it is to break bad habits.
RIP Mr. Silver.
Every time I saw him I remember him in teaching Spanish in “Tunnelvision.”
“Los rojos! Reds!”
Ronald Reagan, Jeanne Kirkpatrick and Bill Bennett were all once Democrats.
Some of the best Conservatives were liberals smart enough to realize the inherent contradictions in the liberal orthodoxy, who thought through the issues for themselves, and discovered the intelligent and more humane position was conservatism.
What? No snippets of our fine Hollywood elites offering their condolences? I’m certain that statements will soon be forthcoming from Sean Penn, George Clooney, Barbara Streisand and others honoring Silver’s work and contributions.
May he rest in pease and his family be comforted in their and our loss.
Like Mr. Silver, I too became a conservative after 9/11. It was that time that caused me to open my eyes to liberal hypocrisy and contradictions. He was a real role model for me.
May God give rest to his soul and comfort his family.
One of the biggest reasons I respect the memory of Ron Silver…
He knew what he was…he knew what he is…he knew where he needed to go.
He also showed us that we can unite on a few serious issues even if we do not unite on all of them. You don’t have to condemn the individual as a whole for all of their choices.
God bless you, Mr. Silver. You were a fine actor and a better human being.
Imus announced this morning he has stage II prostate cancer.
http://imustimes.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/wabc-imus-announces-cancer-developing/
O.K. I give up. What does that even mean and why on this thread?
Another very badly needed voice of reason silenced. He will be missed. God grant him eternal peace.
I watched F&F this a.m. and they DID mention it, and also that he had been on their show, also that he would be missed. Maybe you were in the kitchen looking for a snack at the time, or taking a potty break?
Prayers for Imus!!!
I was surprised to read of this as I had no idea he was even ill. In interviews he always looked so vibrant and full of life.
I remember as a kid watching him on “Rhoda” where he played the boyfriend of the title character’s sister, Brenda Morganstern, as well as seeing him on several seventies’ police and medical dramas; he was a very versatile, talented actor.
He was also a very brave American – for an actor to go against Hollywood in supporting President Bush and the War on Terror was remarkable in this day and age, and took courage.
I wish his family well.
A happy convert to the CONSERVATIVE CAUSE… Like a junk yard dog he was for the CONSERVATIVES of this GREAT NATION… Plus he was always ONE HELLUVA ACTOR!!! Go in PEACE RON…
One of those rare liberals who finally admitted his side was wrong, and the other side was right.
Go with God, Ron Silver.
Say “Hi” to Charlton Heston and John Wayne for me.
Double ditto.
Thank you, Ron Silver, for spekaing up when you recognized the truth. Thank you for your courage and integrity, to change when you realized your prior views had been off-base.
Amen! There are at least two groups in the world that view us as “imperialists” and are actively fighting to transform us to be like them:
1) Islamic Jihadists
2) Democratic Socialist Communists.
Those two groups are working together, via the “57 states” of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
On March 16th, 2009 at 10:18 am, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:
Add Jesse Helms to that list.
On March 15th, 2009 at 10:13 pm, Craig said:
Quite sad to lose them both.
Intelligent people speaking the truth about Gore-Bull Warming.
Later
Please…NO!
Ummmmm its a quote from the show Southpark….. where the character Kenney is killed every week
idk, maybe a more humerous dodge of his death being from cancer, that maybe the Dems killed him off for converting to a Republican.
I feel a great loss. Had a big time crush on him. He was electrifying at the 2004 Rep. convention.
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God bless Ron Silver, he was a ‘Liberal’ who came to his senses about Jihadis and Dictators. He knew they would destroy America, and Hollywood if they could. He realized that if America goes down the tubes, then the whole planet is doomed.
You were great Ron! Time Cop, Arrival, Wiseguy, and The West Wing among many were particularly good. Thank you for everything, especially your courage, RIP.
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here’s an absurd thought -
our God of the Universe
hates ALL Liberals
who admit their errors
and move Right on defense
.
absurd thought -
God of the Universe hates
the principles of FREEDOM
fascism comes from the Right
that is a lie of the Left
.
absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
never mock the Left
it’s just their religion
YOU RIGHT-WING WACKO
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USpace
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All real freedom starts with freedom of speech. Without freedom of speech there can be no real freedom.
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Philosophy of Liberty Cartoon
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Visit: HaltTerrorism.com
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