Ron Silver has passed at 62

Sad news today. I was shocked to hear that actor Ron Silver died this weekend of cancer. He was only 62.

Silver was probably best known to the public for his work in Ali, Silkwood, Timecop, The Arrival and on television in Law & Order. I personally found his work on the West Wing to be a standout among his television and movie performances.

Of course Silver was a true activist. He was a passionate supporter of America and our ability to choose. He co-created the non-partisan Creation Coalition – an advocacy group for entertainers. And he famously stunned Hollywood with his visible and vocal support of conservative values and President Bush after 9/11.

It was that change of political affiliation that virtually left him an outcast in Hollywood. In the industry that preaches democracy, activism, and freedom he spoke to the wrong goals in their eyes, and that meant he was persona non grata. I never ceased to be amazed how liberals, especially those in Hollywood, believe in free speech – as long as it agrees with their views, and seek to squash such speech when it does not.

“Often when I walked onto the set of 'The West Wing' some of my colleagues would greet me with a chanting of 'Ron, Ron, the neo-con.' It was all done in fun but it had an edge," Silver wrote in a Nov. 15, 2007, entry of his blog on the Pajamas Media Web site.”

But no matter how much Hollywood turned their backs on Silver, audiences did not. He is well-remembered and respected.

I believe that it is not the political affiliation that describes a true intent to see the best for America, rather it is the heart-felts commitment that is made to that goal. In that Ron Silver succeeded where so many activists for a day entertainers fall severely short. And it was that same kind of passion that made him such a wonderful actor.

My condolences to the Silver family.

Excerpt of President Obama - a what if press release

Excerpt from VASS

**A fictional press release**

Major City in America – A date some time between 2009 - 2012 -- America still reeling 3 days after the shocking assassination of its leader.

On the 1st day after the assassination of President Barack Obama, by at least 3 men from a fringe radical group, America is still in turmoil. Across the nation riots continue to encompass most of the major cities. New York, Los Angeles, and D.C. are all in states of emergency as huge crowds of African Americans continue to express rage at the murder of the nations first Black President.

The riots started shortly after President Obama was shot while addressing the nation, offering an official apology from the United States Government to all the descendants of Africans enslaved in America from 1619 to 1865. The apology was a huge political hotbed of debate prior to the speech, with dozens of legislators and governors of both political parties publicly disagreeing with the President’s intent to issue the apology. Several hate groups had been actively suggesting that if the apology were made that it was the final straw and that action would need to be taken against President Obama.

While President Obama had encountered consistent death threats since his election win in 2008, and 2 prior attempts on his life, he had stated that he would go through with the speech. Even pressure from within his own political party was not enough to sway his determination.

“There has been too much time ...

Full post can be seen at here>