I must admit I was less than impressed with the Super Bowl Ads this year. Maybe it was because they were viewable on-line before the game. I liked it better when they were a surprise. Nonetheless there is the matter of the Clint Eastwood Ad, and everyone is talking about it. Eastwood has been a hero of mine since I was very young. His success on-screen and behind the camera is the stuff of Hollywood legend. Moreover, the man who brought us the character Dirty Harry and movies like “Gran Torino” and “Unforgivin” has always been a larger than life figure in American culture. So when he appeared during the Super Bowl Half Time Show espousing America itself was in a sort of “Half Time”, I quieted the noisy house to listen to the iconic raspy voice and came away with mixed emotions.
Firstly, I would not question this man’s patriotism or his intentions, for there is simply no reason too. When you listen to the Ad you hear the passion in his voice and feel the genuineness of his approach. I believe Mr. Eastwood is correct, though what he metaphorically refers to as “Half Time”, I have called the “cross roads” many times. Simply put it is time for us to come together as a nation once again and solve our countries problems. We have done it before and that historical blueprint for success remains today, one nation celebrating that which bonds us and not that which divides us.
However I question using Detroit, and more specifically Chrysler as examples of success. Yes there are signs of improvement in the American Auto Industry, but the price has been high and the end is not yet in sight. GM still owes billions to the American Taxpayer, and Chrysler is majority owned by FIAT of Italy having finally severed ties with another foreign entity Daimler just prior, and having taken billions in bail out money as well. Ford remains the shiny penny at this point.
Anyway, it appears to be a great and inspirational commercial on its surface, but leaves many somewhat perplexed as to how this theme was reasoned in. As of today and having watched it a few times now, I will stand with Eastwood on his faith that we may yet rise to the challenge(s) as the second half begins. However, the stakes are much higher than a shiny “Vince Lombardi” Trophy and a trip to Disney. And the price for failure is always the bitter lesson taught us by history.
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From what I’ve read, Chrysler and GM have now paid back the bailout money, with interest. No? Being a conservative, do you agree with your fellow conservatives that Obama should have let Chrysler and GM fail? I wasn’t thrilled with the bailout, but the alternative would have had a horrific effect on the country….too many additional jobs lost by hard working folks. The bailout was a necessary evil.
Actually Scott, both GM and Chrysler have relinquished sizable ownership to the U. S. Government to the tune of over 60 Billion dollars’ worth. And while it is true they have paid back their share of the initial TARP money, the plan called for ownership to eventually transfer out of the hands of the American Tax Payer and back to the company where it belongs. And yes I would have allowed “receivership” to commence in order to restructure the companies to blue ink. I know that sounds bad on the surface Scott, but the reality is that every so called profit dollar must be weighed against the fact that a significant owner in the company owes over 15 trillion dollars in debt itself. Just some of those pesky long term realities that will most certainly come back to haunt our children. (Numbers within the numbers)…