Did you see Sam Waterson on teevee last night? Is he clueless? Or is he clueless?

Or maybe he's just clueless? Who knows.

He's got this whole hand holding, kumbaya idea that just ain't gunna happen.

Nice idea Sam. Call back when you grow up.

a naive one at that

like I do when Fred "creature from the black lagoon" thompson comes on.

but i saw him offering his idea of a "non-partisan" election (e.g. hillary & thompson as an example), and limited support for his co-star. I am not saying anything bad about his acting, and as a drama law & order is often interesting, but Sam just don't know shit about what is happening on this planet.

But I would disagree that he doesn't know what's going on--he's been on the Board of Directors of Refugees International, a non-governmental refugee advocate group, for nearly 20 years. This is the group that has consistently denounced going to war in Iraq and who has spotlighted the plight of refugees from the fighting.

That being said, I think he sort of stumbled into being the spokesman for Unity08--some good friends sold him on the idea, and he said he would help. I know that he does not long for political office -- the closest he's gotten is running for the Board of the Screen Actor's Guild. He is by nature a reconciler--there was a big schism in SAG around the turn of the century, and he pledged to attempt to hear both sides and heal the rift. He is an incredibly kind person who has never been heard speaking ill of anyone, even those who have spoken ill of him.

I don't think that's what you mean, lol. I wouldn't see him on some teevee talk show; I consider them poisonous.

I did see him speak live last year. It was not a political speech, but a conversation about language, words, and literature. He was fundraising for his sister, who does a literary festival here every November, "The Nature of Words."

He was eloquent and thoughtful, and I really enjoyed hearing what he had to say.

I've heard about his support for the "unity" thing. I don't have a problem with that. It's not my ticket, but I frankly think that 3rd party challenges to the center, and to ALL voting blocs, can do nothing but good for the political process.

That's where Ellen Waterston lives and has workshops. Sam is an idealist, and has often been involved in causes of various sorts. He's the sort of fellow that the local historical society can count on to come to a reading to raise funds, or to dedicate an historical plaque. One interviewer said he got the impression Sam would be the neighbor who would bring back your stray dog to your door on a rainy night, and I have no doubt of it. Sometimes his willingness to help gets him in a bit of controversy--a Christmans Eve op ed in the NYTimes a couple of years back is an example.

As an obviously big fan of the man, I have looked into Unity08. They are trying out some innovative ideas, like allowing citizen input on a platform via the internet, and internet voting. Will it work? I don't know, but I look at it this way--this is money the Democratic Party doesn't have to spend to see if it does. If Unity08 is hacked, it will keep the Dems from having to find out it doesn't work. And if it works--the Dems can borrow the idea.

"The Nature of Words" is Ellen Waterston's baby:

http://www.thenatureofwords.org/

What you are describing came out in his conversation. His talk had nothing what so ever to do with "Law & Order" or his career; it was about his family's love of words and literature, about the power of well-used words, and reading and discussing passages from some of his favorite literature.

I think Unity08 as a concept is good. A vibrant, strong, healthy Democratic Party has nothing to fear from any 3rd party. I'd like to see multiple parties thriving.

she and her kids really had a devastating time of it for a while. The Waterstons do love words and language, and Sam reads a lot--he re-read "War and Peace" while on the set of L&O.

I agree with your comment about Unity08. As I've said before, historically the third party movements have played a key role in how the main parties changed. Examples: The Free Soil Party helped pave the way for the GOP;the Progressive Party's ideas were seen as important and eventually became part of the Democratic Party's ideals.

I liked him in the Old Glory Robot Insurance advert, though.

The concept is that neither party is working, responding to the moderates in the US, so a third party is needed-and to show bipartisanship, one half of the ticket will be Democratic, the other Republican. The choices for candidates will be made by online voting of registered "delegates". I've heard the speech he's given to various venues, and it basically covers these things, with time to answer questions and to give the website address.

He may not be a political science braintrust, but I'd still buy robot insurance from that man.

... pitching that unity thing a few months ago. Naive and idealist. Never gonna happen. But his heart's in the right place I guess.

but the idealist part you have got right. He sincerely wants the best for this country. He is one of the most polite, down to earth people I've ever met and talked with.

and heaven help us if we even try to reach out to moderates and conservatives to get anything done. Far better to call them names and be pure. We know that it is far better to call them idiots and show them how superior we are because we are mean and nasty. NOT.

I go to other boards where we don't directly discuss politics but where enough is said that you can tell how people are leaning, right or left. What I have found consistently from both sides is that they are SICK of attacks and snarkiness. They WANT polite debate. These folks are not political activists, but they do vote. Frankly, I think the only way the Dems will win in 2008 is to reach across and appeal to patriotism, not bigotry--to look for the better side of human nature.

Congress's low approval rating, lack of progress on major issues, extremely bitter partisanship on both sides (yes, DU), the fact that even Republicans don't much seem to like their weak choices, but they also won't vote for Hillary if she's the nominee--and neither will some Dems, if this forum is any indication. My cure to the problem is Obama, frankly. But I'm hoping the ticket might appeal more to GOPers, if it does fly.

doesn't vote regularly and all of a sudden, HE has the solution. Give me a break.

Sam has actively participated in many things over the years, including politics.

Edited to add: By this I mean he has donated money to political candidates, starting in 1994, when he donated to a man running for the Republican nomination for Congressman in Ct. In 2000, newspaper articles at the time say that Sam went on stump speeches, talking in favor of Al Gore. And newsmeat, in 2004, indicates that Sam and his wife donated $2000 each to the Kerry campaign, and some additional money to the Democrats. But if Sam says he doesn't consider himself politically active, then I will go along with what he said. But these are facts that I have found. I have been doing research on the man and his career and interests for several years.

And no, HE doesn't have the solution-he was asked to join Unity08 by the founders, one a Republican, one a Democrat. Unity was their idea, and he thinks it may be the answer to the problems in this nation, but he doesn't say that Unity08 is the be-all end-all.

that he wasn't polically active. So take it us with your good bud.

I have met him once, and I am a fan. If he said he felt he wasn't politically active, then he isn't. And it is obvious you don't like him or what he stands for, which is your right.

Kindly note that I have edited the post you responded to with some facts about what he has done and has contributed. I'd have to go back in my archives for the article about Gore, but newsmeat has the donation information, or at least it had it around 2004.