Matthew Modine: Useful Idiot
Lee Ermey, the ex-Marine-turned-actor who played the drill instructor in Full Metal Jacket, Stanley Kubrick’s classic 1987 film, parlayed his role into success as an American folk hero, particularly via his long-running shows on the History Channel, such as Mail Call and Lock ‘n’ Load. It took co-star Adam Baldwin a bit longer to find comparable fame, but he’s catching up fast. As Baldwin told PJM’s Ed Driscoll recently on PJM’s weekly Sirius-XM radio show, he was named TV Guide’s “Sexiest Newcomer” in 2005, despite an acting career that dates back to the early 1980s.
The American public was able to see past both actors’ over-the-top, Strangelovian parodies of Vietnam-era Marines required by Kubrick to find those rare Hollywood performers whose worldviews resonate with flyover country.
In contrast, Matthew Modine, who played “Private Joker,” the star and the only introspective character in Kubrick’s otherwise dark film, has fallen a bit by the wayside. He’s found steady work as a character actor. But his co-starring role in 1995′s Cutthroat Island may have permanently ended his bankability as a leading man in films. According to the Internet Movie Database, the abortive Geena Davis star vehicle was dubbed “the biggest financial loss to this date” by the Guinness Book of Records, with a loss of over 100 million dollars at the box office.
Modine’s boilerplate Hollywood politics aren’t helping to rebuild an emotional connection with most Americans, either. He was recently interviewed on CNN, where he came out with this gem:
Imagine if somebody were to really sit down with Osama Bin Ladin and say, “listen man, what is it that you’re so angry at me about that you’re willing to have people strap bombs to themselves, or get inside get inside of airplanes and fly them into buildings.” That would be the miracle if we can get, sit down and talk to our enemies and find a way for them to hear us.
Yes, just imagine. Maybe it would be like the Munich Agreement of 1938, after which British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declared “peace in our time.”
Whoops.
Unfortunately, Matthew Modine is not alone in his way of thinking. Too few people really understand the jihadist threat and what drives it. Our friend Matthew has likely never heard of the Muslim Brotherhood (officially known as al-Ikhwan al-Muslimin), which included amongst its membership Sayyid Qutb, an Egyptian who spent time in Colorado as a college student in the 1940s. The Islamist terror group al-Qaeda grew in part from the seeds planted by Qutb.
While here, Qutb was horrified by what he saw. Bret Stephens, writing for the Wall Street Journal, has a brief summary:
In his 1951 essay “The America I Have Seen,” Qutb gave his account of the U.S. “in the scale of human values.” “I fear,” he wrote, “that a balance may not exist between America’s material greatness and the quality of her people.” Qutb was particularly exercised by what he saw as the “primitiveness” of American values, not least in matters of sex.
“The American girl,” he noted, “knows seductiveness lies in the round breasts, the full buttocks, and in the shapely thighs, sleek legs and she shows all this and does not hide it.” Nor did he approve of Jazz — “this music the savage bushmen created to satisfy their primitive desires” — or of American films, or clothes, or haircuts, or food. It was all, in his eyes, equally wretched.
Qutb’s disdain for America’s supposedly libertine culture would not matter much were it not wedded to a kind of theological Leninism that emphasized the necessity of violently overthrowing any political arrangement not based on Shariah law. No less violent was Qutb’s attitude toward Jews: “The war the Jews began to wage against Islam and Muslims in those early days [of Islamic history],” he wrote in the 1950s, “has raged to the present. The form and appearance may have changed, but the nature and the means remain the same.”
What’s more, Stephens writes, is that this all happened in the 1940s, well before “Elvis, Playboy, the pill, women’s lib, acid tabs, gay rights, Studio 54, Jersey Shore and, of course, Lady Gaga. In other words, even in some dystopic hypothetical world in which hyper-conservatives were to seize power in the U.S. and turn the cultural clock back to 1948, America would still remain a swamp of degeneracy in the eyes of Qutb’s latter-day disciples.”
It’s articles and columns like this that keep the thinking public informed of the conditions that make history. The MSM is certainly not. My deep thanks to all involved.
Following is the transcript of the conversation that Mr. Modine so wants to have:
Modine: Why, oh why do you hate us?
Jihadi: You are an infidel.
Modine: What does that mean?
Jihadi: It means you are not an Muslim.
Modine: Why does that matter?
Jihadi: Because the Koran says to slay the indidel where you find him (Sura 9)
Modine: What’s the Koran?
Jihadi: It’s our most holy book, the direct word of Allah.
Modine: What is Allah?
That’s where the conversation ends and the Jihadi severs Modines head from his body.
Joker: “Is that you, John Wayne. Is this me?”
And R. Lee Ermey’s character replies (come on, fans)…
It would be a huge mistake to dismiss Matthew Modine’s childishly immature rhetoric as the mere ranting of a movie star. He actually represents the thinking of the utopian elites teaching at our major universities. The latter simply are usually more discrete and subtle. At the end of the day, though, they also believe dialoging with an Osama Bin Ladon will turn him into a kind and loving pacifist.
Well…Private Joker…I don’t believe I heard you correctly…
Matthew: It’s the jihad, stupid.
Modine has also been an organizer and participant in Soldiers’ Ride in NY City, an annual biking event with wounded veterans run by The Wounded Warrior Project. He rode last summer with the veterans, wearing a biking shirt with the events’ symbol – and I’ve got the pictures to prove it. One wonders if the veterans will invite him back to this summer’s event.
Also see http://tbirdnow.mee.nu/mathew_modine_bin_laden_and_soldiers_ride
I live on the Ohio/Michigan border and there have been recent a series of arrests of members of the Michigan Militia for poltting acts of violence against the government. This, along with the recent rancor following the health-care bill, has all the usual MSM suspects engaging in the usual heavy breathing about “right-wing extremism”, “Christian hate grups” and “domestic terrorism.” It gives the Left the chance to play the victim card and bemoan the lack of “civil discourse” in American politics. This of course is a code word for “Shut up and let us to all the talking.”
I hold no brief nor do I have any sumpathy for the militias. They deserve whatever punishment they get. However Mr. Modines comments raise a question. If he is so anxous to engage in dialogue with Bin-Laden and his people why isn’t he equalling willing to engage in dialogue with members of the Michigan Militia? Why is the “rage” of foreign groups so important and the “anger” of domestic groups not? Would Mr. Modine be willing to meet with the leader of one of the militias over a cup of joe at a local diner? I think that this is a question that needs to be asked and, more important, needs to be answered.
Maybe mr Modine wasn’t paying attention, because OBL has already answered the question:
“‘Our talks with the infidel West and our conflict with them ultimately revolve around one issue — one that demands our total support, with power and determination, with one voice — and it is: does Islam, or does it not, force people by the power of the sword to submit to its authority corporeally if not spiritually?’
He then answers his own question:
‘Yes. There are only three choices in Islam: [1] either willing submission [conversion]; [2] or payment of the jizya, through physical, though not spiritual, submission to the authority of Islam; [3] or the sword — for it is not right to let him [an infidel] live. The matter is summed up for every person alive: either submit, or live under the suzerainty of Islam, or die.’”
Modines statements show ignorance, not malevolence. He is not dangerous like Sean Penn who openly supports a socialist thug or even the Congressional Black Caucus who often espouse the qualities they respect in Fidel Castro. Wanting to speak to enemies is the naivetee that liberals approach all issues with. The unfortunate part is that they would readily speak with Bin Laden while shunning any conservative.
Btw, Pam, Ermey would insist on being referred to as a “Former” Marine, not an “ex” Marine. A fine distinction, but important to people who served in the ‘Corps.
Early on, during the second Bush Presidency, first term, many of the loudmouths from the Hollywood elect were going on and on about how “stupid” G.W. Bush was. Many of you I am sure remember this.
Somebody out there got wise and taught us all a very valuable lesson to how to wage the war of words against the Left. Unfortunately, many have either forgotten that lesson, or never bothered to learn it. It is a shame, because it was the most effective campaign I have witnessed in my lifetime against general stupidity and propaganda of the Left.
Somebody did a little research and begin a comparison of G.W.’s educational credentials to the mouths of Hollywood. Most from Hollywood critics were either college dropouts, or had not attended college. Many flunked out with a few receiving college degrees of dubious worth. Some were actually high school drop outs (the insufferable Cher comes to mind).
And then we mocked each one of the wooden dolts unmercifully. To this day, most of these “actors” don’t raise their head too far above ground for fear of retribution.
Like bullies don’t like to be bullied, the reprehensible elites from the Left can’t stand to be mocked. And they need to be mocked each and every day. Find their websites – leave witty comments about their abject stupidity.
Wade into your enemy…
Well, I’m proud to be an infidel. Especially when I read the punk’s screed about jazz being a creation of the black bushmen.
Islam is a gutter religion, populated by intolerant bigots and racists. Bin Laden can give us a Christmas list of reforms that would have to be realized before he calls off his so called jihad. It will never be enough. Pigs like him always want more.
So what? Feel good liberals like Modine think that all they have to do is smile, and offer to kindness to make the world right. But psychopaths don’t care for kindness. They care only about destruction.
The only real contribution to pop culture that Matthew Modine should be remembered for is that he is the name sake for Jiminy Glick’s sons.
Oh, and Vision Quest.
Can someone enlighten me about this clown?? Obviously, he is from the never neverland of Hollywood, so do we care what this brain dead liberal thinks!!!
Perhaps, most of America will realize at some point that the radicals around the world do not hate us for things we can easily change, but instead hate us for who we are at our cores. They dislike our individualism and how we can choose to do what we want.
Unless we all want to refuse the gifts of freedom and individualism that our forefathers have bestowed upon us and died for, then we can not negotiate, debate and discuss terms. We must defend ourselves. Ignorance and naiveté to the truth are quite possibly our worst enemies.
I think Matthew Modine would make a great ambassador for the rest of us. I would gladly contribute to the fund that would send a contingent to just schmooze with the jihadists. May I also suggest sending Michael Moore, Jane Fonda, Jessie Jackson, and Sean Penn? Who in? Ante up, my fellow Americans.
Folks-
He is a C lister. I neither know nor care about this doof anymore than I care about what an A lister has to say. Sean Penn anyone?
I feel bad that someone as genuine and nice as Matthew Modine is so ignorant.
I met him once back in college. For about 2 weeks I was an extra in a movie he starred in (What the Deaf Man Heard). He was so nice to us – saying hi as we passed in the canteen and on the sets.
During a bonfire scene, a young boy got ash in eyes; Modine held the child and helped him get it out. I’ve always thought he was such an awesome and genuinely humble guy because of that moment and because of how he treated the extras the same as the main stars.
It made me so sad seeing him on O’Reilly recently saying he was a “card-carrying liberal” and spouting ultra leftist garbage.
To his credit, He’s not mean about it like Sean Penn appears to be…
Re: #2 Dave M. (now in S. Korea):
Here’s the real conversation:
Wildebeast: Why, oh why, Mr. Lion do you hate us?
Lion: You are a tasty beast.
Wildebeast: What does that mean?
Lion: It means you taste good.
Wildebeast: Why does that matter?
Lion: Because the stomach says to slay the tasty where you find him(Passage 9)
Wildebeast: What’s the stomach?
Lion: It’s our most holy organ, the direct word of the high Lion King.
Wildebeast: What is the Lion King?
Lion: It is from the high Lion King that we receive the word to kill the tasty.
Wildebeast: But we are a loving, generous creature, wanting to harm noone.
Lion: That’s what makes you so tasty.
Wildebeast: But if you would only take time to understand us and our ways, you would grow to like us.
Lion: I already like you b/c you’re tasty.
That’s where the conversation ends and the Lion King severs the Wildebeast haunch from his body.
#8 chambers:
“If he is so anxous to engage in dialogue with Bin-Laden and his people why isn’t he equalling willing to engage in dialogue with members of the Michigan Militia? Why is the “rage” of foreign groups so important and the “anger” of domestic groups not? ”
Very well played, sir!
Bilgeman – 100% right. Do these idiots who search for
‘root causes’ ever think to ask, oh, say, the Israelis what makes them so darn angry that they bomb Gaza from time to time? Umm, no – that’s where the wheel comes off the cart on the Great Root Causes quest for knowledge, understanding, and lovie-dovieness.
F____ing hypocrites.
Modine: “The response (to 9/11) by George W. Bush must have surprised (Bin Laden)”. I’m sure Bin Laden was surprised that Bush would deliver a Sunni ruled Iraq into the hands of Iran. And he ain’t the Lone Ranger in that regard. Makes you wonder about the value of an Ivy League education.
And hasn’t Daniel Pearl attempted to engage himself in a “dialogue” with Osama and his Islamists? How has it has worked for him?
After all, it was Modine’s fellow “actor” Brad Pitt (an equally politically ignorant individual) who played that reckless, naive and in the end suicidal Pearl.
A case of a particularly short memory even for a Sovietwoodian hack.
WELL I THINK ITS ‘HI TIME’ THAT THE CONSERVATIVE’S START IN-CROACHING ON THE LIB’S TERRITORY IN THE MUSLIM STUDY’S [IS'NT THAT AN OXIMORON?? LOL] DEPARTMENT’S AT THE UNIVERSITYS. SO ITS GREAT TO SEE SOME ONE LIKE PAM MIESTER WITH A PHD IN MUSLIM STUDY’S WRITING SUCH A INFORMED ARTICAL AS THIS ONE WHICH BLOW’S AWAY MOST OTHER ARTICAL’S ON MUSLIM THAT OBVIOSULY STOLEN FROM WIKI-PEDIA.
WELL I GUESS ITS JUST A ODD TYPO THAT PAM MIESTER WROTE ‘SIRA’ AND NOT ‘SURA’ BECASUE LIKE I SAID SHE GOT A PHD IN MUSLIM STUDY’S AND SPEAK FLUENT ARAB.
Go away TROLL you have been outed.
It’s interesting (and ironic in a very tragic sense) that these Hollyweird “Useful Idiots” would be the FIRST against the wall or under the blade if the Islamofascists ever came to power.
Islam is not a religion; it is a totalitarian political ideology. It is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
“Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for us who don’t”.
I’m just hoping the jihadi’s will be so tired from killing all the Modinites they won’t put up that much of a fight for the rest of us.
Don’t you get that that he’s saying that Osama Bin Laden is the one filled with hate? It would be a miracle if we could sit down and communicate our side of how we view things- he’s got people strapping bombs to themselves and killing hundreds- wouldn’t it be a miracle to get through to him and show us who we are?
The Miracle Worker, the show Mr. Modine is in, is about a woman trying to get through a blind, deaf, mute little girl who is a danger to herself and others. The miracle is breaking through to her and showing her reason- THAT’S what Mr. Modine is saying- and it’s very obvious if you see the whole thing.
Matthew Modine is recognized by dozens of conservative celebrities including Bill O’Reilly as a patriot and ‘good guy’. Yes, terrorist Muslim Fundamentalists are insane- BUT THAT’S THE MIRACLE- if we could break through that.
The mission of the Islamic Terrorist’s is clear and it has been for many, many years. As Pam Meister points out in her article there is a war going on and it’s not the conventional type. Mr. Modine you can not sit down with Osama Bin Ladin, he wants you dead no matter what you say.