RIP, Ron Silver

US NewsMarch 2009 • Views: 2,540

I knew Ron Silver was ill, but I had no idea it was this far along. Rest in peace, Ron. You’ll be missed.

Once a self-identified lifelong Democrat, Silver was a founding member of the liberal-leaning Creative Coalition in 1989. But he made a breathtaking political transformation, going from far left to radical right after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

He spoke at the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York, enthusiastically backing a second term for President Bush.

“Twelve years ago I was here for the Democratic convention. I was on the platform committee. Zell Miller was the keynote speaker. A lot’s changed since then, I can tell you,” a chuckling Silver told The Washington Post.

“If you asked me on September 10, 2001, would I consider going to the Republican National Convention and speaking, I would have thought you were from another planet and didn’t know who I was.”

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174 comments

pegcity Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:28:42pm

RIP

Skywarner Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:28:55pm

Prayers up.

Karagush Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:29:21pm

this makes me sad. what a loss.

pre-Boomer Marine brat Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:29:27pm

*salute*

UberInfidel67 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:29:33pm

Did anyone even know he was sick?

soccerdad Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:29:35pm

Good night Ron, Rest in peace. You were one of the good guys

lifeofthemind Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:29:43pm

A thoughtful man, a good actor, and a good citizen.

itellu3times Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:29:43pm

Didn't really know the gentleman, but glad he saw the light before he passed, and hope he sees the light after. RIP.

zombie Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:29:47pm

Not familiar with the guy, but rest in peace, whoever you were.

FrogMarch Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:31:06pm

radical right?

Hardly. Leaving the left behind doesn't make one "radical".

UberInfidel67 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:31:08pm

re: #9 zombie
He played a bad guy in "Blue Silver" with Jamie Lee Curtis as a cop and he was stalking her. Also, the alien movie with Charlie Sheen, he was the head martian trying to terraform the earth. Remember?

midwestgak Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:31:51pm

Died of Cancer at age 62

UberInfidel67 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:32:06pm

re: #11 UberInfidel67
Sorry... "Blue Steel". Ima dipshit.

DEZes Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:32:06pm

He came to the right conclusions before passing, RIP Ron.

zombie Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:32:15pm

re: #11 UberInfidel67

He played a bad guy in "Blue Silver" with Jamie Lee Curtis as a cop and he was stalking her. Also, the alien movie with Charlie Sheen, he was the head martian trying to terraform the earth. Remember?

Uh....no. Never seen any of those movies. And I don't really watch TV.

FrogMarch Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:32:17pm

Do I recall Ron Sliver doing some video work for MEMRI?

itellu3times Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:32:52pm

AIG bonuses in the news.

Should fire the head of AIG.

He says his hands are tied.

It's his brain that's knotted.

And his decency.

UberInfidel67 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:33:07pm

re: #15 zombie
Ah...then sorry I can't help. : ) He usually played bad guys and he was damned good at it.

itellu3times Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:33:33pm

oops meant to put that AIG stuff in the other thread. Sorry, Ron.

pre-Boomer Marine brat Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:34:33pm

re: #17 itellu3times

AIG bonuses in the news.

Should fire the head of AIG.

He says his hands are tied.

It's his brain that's knotted.

And his decency.

Also fire those who ACCEPT the bonuses.
Let this be a test of character.

zombie Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:34:44pm

I just looked at Ron Silver's full movie and TV filmography, and I managed to never see a single thing he was ever in. Which I guess explains why I've never heard of him.

Jack Burton Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:34:54pm

I knew that he had been fighting cancer for sometime now, but I had not heard any status recently. I was hopeful that he was beating it, but I guess it was not to be. RIP Mr. Silver.

UberInfidel67 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:35:01pm

One time, he played a lawyer on "Crossing Jordan" and he was a real SOB. They thought he was dead at first, but here he ate foo goo (sp?) After they saved his life, he tried to sue them. Didn't get to though, he was hit by a bus.

[deleted] Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:35:12pm

Macker Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:35:31pm

Rest in Peace, Ron. I know the el cubos over at Kos will go apeshit....

Macker Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:36:07pm

re: #24 buzzsawmonkey

Baruch Dayan HaEmet.

May his neshama have an aliyah.

May I ask what this means, in English?

UberInfidel67 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:36:15pm

re: #24 buzzsawmonkey
May I ask what you just said. I hear it alot here.

Catttt Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:36:27pm

My condolences to out to his family and friends.

He will be greatly missed.

One of my favorite movies of his was Timecop (with Jean-Claude Van Damme), where he played the villain deliciously.

zombie Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:36:58pm

re: #26 Macker

May I ask what this means, in English?

re: #27 UberInfidel67

May I ask what you just said. I hear it alot here.

Hebrew prayer for the recently deceased.

UberInfidel67 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:37:31pm

re: #29 zombie
I kinda figured that. I was hoping for a translation.

abolitionist Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:37:37pm

RIP, Ron Silver - wiki

Catttt Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:37:42pm

re: #21 zombie

I just looked at Ron Silver's full movie and TV filmography, and I managed to never see a single thing he was ever in. Which I guess explains why I've never heard of him.

He also has been on Fox a lot. He was very well-spoken. He became a conservative after 9/11 and was one of the rare Hollywood conservatives.

6pat6 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:37:54pm

Pretty hefty body of work from 1974 on

Ron Silver

Salem Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:37:58pm

I'd hoped he was the beginning of a trend-left-wing Hollywood celebrities openly coming to their senses. Evidently, he was kind of a rare breed in that respect.

callahan23 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:38:10pm

re: #5 UberInfidel67

Did anyone even know he was sick?

Yes, I figured something of that sort as this was his last post at PajamasMedia. It was in December 12th, 2007.
May he rest in peace. Good man and 'mensch'.

kafir lover Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:38:40pm

I will remember him for being one of the lone voices in hollywood, who spoke his mind even to the potential detriment of his career. He was a fighter and he will be missed.

itellu3times Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:39:07pm

re: #26 Macker

May I ask what this means, in English?

Blessed is the true judge.

jones Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:39:27pm

re: #34 Salem

A brave man who could change his views. I admire anyone who can honestly see they are wrong and change. Especially when one will suffer for said change.

DEZes Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:39:38pm

re: #34 Salem
Sadly your right, but most lefties are empty husks, Ron was not, we lost a good one.

6pat6 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:40:00pm

He was famous as being quoted at Clinton's first Inaugural, replying to some uber-Lefty complaining about a USAF flyover of the procession, and Silver says "Those are OUR planes now!"

UberInfidel67 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:40:15pm

re: #36 kafir lover
Seeing as how my personal belief is that you die when your work here on earth is finished, maybe his job was to teach at least one person to become a conservative. I'm sure he has influenced SOMEONE.

Desert Dog Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:41:14pm

He saw the light before he went to the light....RIP

DEZes Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:41:39pm

re: #42 Desert Dog

He saw the light before he went to the light....RIP

Amen!

[deleted] Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:41:47pm

UberInfidel67 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:41:53pm

Hot bath time....bbl

FrogMarch Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:41:53pm

re: #16 FrogMarch

Do I recall Ron Sliver doing some video work for MEMRI?

[Link: hotair.com...]

kafir lover Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:42:18pm

re: #41 UberInfidel67

Well he certainly influenced me - and he gave me hope that there were still some reasonable people left in Hollywood.

UberInfidel67 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:42:46pm

re: #44 buzzsawmonkey
That is lovely : ) And even though I can't pronounce it, I agree with you.

Pvt Bin Jammin Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:43:19pm

What a shame. RIP, Ron, and my deepest sympathies to your family.

Piglet-U93 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:43:22pm

Ron is one of the few actors I still have respect for. A man who was not afraid to face the truth of 9/11. Very sad news. I feel I have lost a friend even though I never personally knew him. Out of all those videos where people spoke about defending America from terrorists I cannot forget his strength of conviction and concern when he spoke.

rwmofo Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:43:41pm

It can be career-limiting for an actor to cross over from the left. Unlike most of those guys, Mr. Silver had the nads to do it though. RIP.

Cognito Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:43:48pm

I think David Mamet may be preparing to make a similar shift, from left to right. A valuable mind and voice.

itellu3times Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:44:45pm

For Ron:

Cheney Unbound

Read the commentary, it's great, but the closing comment is:

The contrast between Cheney's lucidity and the babbling brook who now serves as Vice President is painful.

NY Nana Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:45:40pm

Baruch Dayan HaEmet: Blessed is the one true Judge.

Desert Dog Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:47:05pm

Mr. Silver realized that true compassion is teaching a man to fish, not giving him one everyday....he understood that evil exists in the world and we had to fight it.

There was a time when Hollywood was the most patriotic place in the country.....the 60's saw it shift to the opposite. I wish that for every clueless twit like Sean Penn, there was one Ron Silver, but, alas, I fear that is a lost cause at the moment.

solomonpanting Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:47:22pm

A bit more about Ron Silver:

Silver traveled to more than 30 countries and spoke fluent Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. He taught at the high school level and was a social worker for the Department of Social Services.
Silver was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. In 2000, he co-founded the organization One Jerusalem to oppose the Oslo Peace Agreement. Its purpose is to maintain "a united Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel."[3]

midwestgak Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:48:25pm

re: #53 itellu3times

"babbling brook" is an apt description.

capitalist piglet Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:48:30pm

Oh, no. I didn't even know he was ill.

Desert Dog Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:48:54pm

re: #53 itellu3times

For Ron:

Cheney Unbound

Read the commentary, it's great, but the closing comment is:

Cheney and Ari Fleischer should go out on a speaking tour and get booked on every talk show in the country. Hitting liberals over the head with the truth and not letting them get away with the utter bullshit they vomit out everyday would be a nice change from what we have now.

DEZes Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:49:16pm

re: #57 midwestgak

"babbling brook" is an apt description.

I think its far to kind.

Lib Wingnut Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:49:46pm

Loved him as Alan Dershowitz. Fantastic performance. RIP.

stevieray Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:50:33pm

re: #52 Cognito

I think David Mamet may be preparing to make a similar shift, from left to right. A valuable mind and voice.

"David Mamet: Why I Am No Longer a 'Brain-Dead Liberal'"

itellu3times Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:51:44pm

re: #59 Desert Dog

Cheney and Ari Fleischer should go out on a speaking tour and get booked on every talk show in the country. Hitting liberals over the head with the truth and not letting them get away with the utter bullshit they vomit out everyday would be a nice change from what we have now.

Big Amen to that.

That's the problem with the Right, they are comfortable with being right (!), and don't go out and sell it. You want to win elections you have to lead, and the greater part of that is talk, talk, talk.

Or maybe it's, if you want to lead you have to win elections, and the greater part of that is talk, talk, talk.

Either way.

Cognito Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:52:45pm

re: #62 stevieray

Spooky that he starts with a quote from Keynes. Prescient, almost.

Emerald Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:53:27pm

The last few times I saw him on TV, I thought he didn't look great, but I had no idea he was ill. RIP and prayers for his family.

Roses Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:53:37pm

Very sad. He was a brave guy to stand up for what he believed. we need more of him.

midwestgak Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:54:25pm

re: #61 Lib Wingnut

Why the down ding? #57

Lib Wingnut Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:54:56pm

OT:

2 Israeli police officers murdered:

[Link: www.nytimes.com...]

FrogMarch Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:57:22pm

so many reasons to switch from the left to the "radical" right.

As ever more people ride in the wagon and fewer are left to pull it, there will come a breaking point. Crowding taxation onto the highest earners and debt onto our kids, as President Obama proposes, invites collapse. Ignoring the constitution at will, as Gov. Bill Ritter and the spending lobby do, breeds contempt. Ruin must result.

MrPaulRevere Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:57:46pm

RIP Mr. Silver, and condolences to the family. It sucks to loose an independent thinker, these are so few of them around. Huffington Post seems to have turned off comments on their article about him. It must suck to be afraid of your own readers.

DEZes Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:57:47pm

re: #61 Lib Wingnut

Look asshole, You may love Biden all you like, but he is a blithering idiot and an embarrassment, now piss off!
Rant over.

kynna Sun, Mar 15, 2009 5:59:13pm

This makes me really sad.

RIP

solomonpanting Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:00:28pm

re: #68 Lib Wingnut

OT:

2 Israeli police officers murdered:

[Link: www.nytimes.com...]

The attack, along the Jordanian border near the Jewish farming settlement of Massua, came as Israel began easing travel restrictions for Palestinians around Nablus, a Palestinian city northwest of the settlement...
Earlier Sunday, the Israeli military opened the Beit Iba checkpoint, northwest of Nablus, for free passage for the first time in eight years...
The military said in a statement that the Beit Iba crossing was being dismantled as “part of the general plan of good-will measures authorized by the minister of defense, and as a result of the significant decrease in terror attacks originating from Nablus.”

Exhibiting good will towards the Palestinians is akin to throwing gasoline on a fire.

thebigolddog Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:01:11pm

I am speechless. He will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace Ron.

Zimriel Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:01:18pm

requiescat in pacem

Ojoe Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:02:34pm

We all go home. Lucky him.

[deleted] Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:02:50pm

Mad Prophet Ludwig Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:03:24pm

My condolences.

I know this is off topic, but I have found a link to something that might interest a whole bunch of lizards with regards to evolution threads.

This recounts Belayev's fox breeding experiments. He was interested in taming foxes. By selecting for tameness, he caused a cascade of changes in the foxes - including floppy ears and different coats. The point was that sometimes, selecting for one factor can create a massive change in a species very, very rapidly.

He also created a massive overload of cute.

Youtube Video

[deleted] Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:03:55pm

Mad Prophet Ludwig Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:04:20pm

Actually upon reading my last post - I am seriously saddened by his death. That came out a little wrong.

alegrias Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:05:10pm

Let's not be sad.

I celebrate Ron Silver and applaud his courage. Thank you Charles for having given Mr. Silver a platform at Pajamas Media. Perhaps this courageous man encouraged Mr. Breitbart to start his "Big Hollywood" conservative website.

May Mr. Silver's example encourage other Hollywood types to begin doubting their robotic Obama worship.

The truth shall set you free. Godspeed, rest well, good & faithful Ron Silver.

Spare O'Lake Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:06:41pm

Nothing can change the shape of things to come.

Youtube Video

reine.de.tout Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:07:32pm

I had no idea he was sick.
What a shock.
RIP Mr. Silver.

JammieWearingFool Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:08:38pm

Silver was a class act, a true New Yorker through and through. He knew what we were facing post 9/11.

He was also a true friend of Israel.

NY Nana Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:08:44pm

Can the few of you Lizards who are hurling insults, etc., at eachother please fight on another thread? This one is dedicated to a good man who died too young.

Today makes it 26 years that my Dad zt"l died, and on March 30, it will be 26 years that my Mum zt"l died; just 15 days after.

This is not the best time of the year for me, but the memories are always there.

Please show some respect for Ron Silver zt"l and his grieving family. I just hope that no one in his family reads this, nor any of his friends.

I am off this thread. Too angry to post.

reine.de.tout Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:08:47pm

re: #67 midwestgak

Why the down ding? #57

Don't worry about it. Is the nic a clue?

Dr. Shalit Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:08:48pm

Magnified & Sanctified - we will miss you Ron.

-S-

[deleted] Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:09:52pm

[deleted] Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:11:01pm

Archimedes Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:11:38pm

That's just sad.

PSGInfinity Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:12:27pm

Nana,

Stupid Question: What is "zt"l"?

midwestgak Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:12:27pm

re: #86 reine.de.tout

Don't worry about it. Is the nic a clue?

Ah, I see. Thanks for the wisdom.

abolitionist Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:13:04pm

Found this recent video of Silver. Scroll a bit and hit play. IMO, the things he's saying here are not what I was expecting. [Link: www.starpulse.com...]

reine.de.tout Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:13:57pm

re: #91 PSGInfinity

Nana,

Stupid Question: What is "zt"l"?

See

reine.de.tout Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:14:26pm

re: #94 reine.de.tout

See

try it again
see

Bobblehead Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:14:37pm

Gee, I wondered why I hadn't seen him in anything the last couple of years. I kind of thought maybe he was being blacklisted because of his political turnabout. I had no idea he was ill. Very sad.

reine.de.tout Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:14:46pm

re: #95 reine.de.tout

try it again
see

Links not working?

mikeymom Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:16:01pm

my new d-i-l 's father was just diagnosed with this--48--next time someone sees goddess please feel free to tell her--his name is Kim--

Mad Prophet Ludwig Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:16:17pm

re: #94 reine.de.tout

See

It is short for zikrono livrakha which means of blessed memory.
The feminine form is zikronah.

100

reine.de.tout Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:16:59pm

re: #91 PSGInfinity

Nana,

Stupid Question: What is "zt"l"?

Try this:
[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

101

Bobblehead Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:17:04pm

He had a good career.
[Link: www.imdb.com...]

102

PSGInfinity Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:17:05pm

re: #85 NY Nana

Can the few of you Lizards who are hurling insults, etc., at eachother please fight on another thread? This one is dedicated to a good man who died too young.

Amen!

Today makes it 26 years that my Dad zt"l died, and on March 30, it will be 26 years that my Mum zt"l died; just 15 days after. This is not the best time of the year for me, but the memories are always there.

Sorry to hear that. Hope most of the memories are good/great.

Please show some respect for Ron Silver zt"l and his grieving family. I just hope that no one in his family reads this, nor any of his friends.

Amen!

I am off this thread. Too angry to post.

Sorry to hear that, too.

103

Mad Prophet Ludwig Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:17:28pm

re: #91 PSGInfinity

Nana,

Stupid Question: What is "zt"l"?

oops hit the wrong quote:

It is short for zikrono livrakha which means of blessed memory.
The feminine form is zikronah.

104

reine.de.tout Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:17:31pm

re: #99 LudwigVanQuixote

It is short for zikrono livrakha which means of blessed memory.
The feminine form is zikronah.

thanks.

105

UberInfidel67 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:17:50pm

re: #85 NY Nana
Not to be rude, but may I ask what zt"l means?

106

UberInfidel67 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:19:30pm

re: #105 UberInfidel67
I see others were wondering what it mean. That sounds beautiful to me.

107

Vicious Babushka Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:19:35pm

re: #91 PSGInfinity

Nana,

Stupid Question: What is "zt"l"?

"May his memory be a blessing"

108

PSGInfinity Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:19:53pm

re: #100 reine.de.tout

Try this:
[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

Zero tolerance?
:)

(Thanks for the link, even if it's a little off)!

109

PSGInfinity Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:21:32pm

re: #107 Alouette

"May his memory be a blessing"

And may a blessing flow to those who help the stupid. Thanks!

110

[deleted] Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:22:24pm

111

Taqyia2Me Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:22:55pm

RIP and godspeed Ron Silver.
And thanks for fighting the good fight while you were here.

112

NYCHardhat Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:23:26pm

Always love this man. Rest in Peace.

113

UberInfidel67 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:24:18pm

re: #109 PSGInfinity
I may just learn a second language here.

114

MandyManners Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:26:30pm

But he made a breathtaking political transformation, going from far left to radical right after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

I read nothing in that story that backs up the contention that he was a radical rightist.

115

Bobblehead Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:27:16pm

There's a very moving tribute by Roger Simon over at PJ Media:

.......I would like to share one other moment in recent years.
Somewhere around a year ago we were having breakfast in New York. He wasn’t looking good, hair thin from chemo, sallow complexion, etc. His energy, however, as always, was spectacularly high and he was filled with plans for his new Sirius radio show. But something was wrong. It wasn’t just the cancer, but it was related to the cancer. Ron was, above all things, an actor, a fantastic actor. And the cancer made him unable to do that work. He told me he had just been offered the lead in Coriolanus at the Long Wharf, but didn’t think he could do it. He would be too tired with his illnes to play a Shakespeare lead. His artistic work was all over for him. It was the one time in all the recent years I saw him on the edge of tears.
I’m starting to cry myself as I type this, so I’m going to shut up. What a great man.

116

MrPaulRevere Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:28:05pm

re: #114 MandyManners

Excellent point, I missed that.

117

Gus Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:28:22pm

Terrible news.

I found this video on Sky News from November of last year.

118

UberInfidel67 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:30:11pm

re: #114 MandyManners
The simple fact that he was on the right makes him a radical.

/in their eyes

119

paint-right Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:30:47pm

re: #78 LudwigVanQuixote

So interesting.. I believe that is Ray Coppinger talking about the fox experiments.

Much of his work. academic base etc. was at nearby at Hampshire College.

120

two_heroes Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:32:18pm

About three weeks ago I thought of interviewing Ron Silver for my little film - he grew up on the Lower East Side in NYC, and should have known my subject first hand. My contact promised to help, and then I came across some of his recent interviews, and saw how ill he looked... he declined an interview (I already knew why), and wished me luck.
RIP, Ron Silver.

121

MandyManners Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:34:24pm

re: #116 MrPaulRevere

Excellent point, I missed that.

It was a raging neon sign to me.

122

Mad Prophet Ludwig Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:34:38pm

re: #119 paint-right

So interesting.. I believe that is Ray Coppinger talking about the fox experiments.

Much of his work. academic base etc. was at nearby at Hampshire College.

Here is a link to the main documentary:

[Link: www.pbs.org...]

123

MandyManners Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:34:44pm

re: #118 UberInfidel67

The simple fact that he was on the right makes him a radical.

/in their eyes

Is the Post a lefty rag?

124

[deleted] Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:34:59pm

125

reine.de.tout Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:36:22pm

re: #108 PSGInfinity

Zero tolerance?
:)

(Thanks for the link, even if it's a little off)!

No, wrong link!
Links are not working right for me.

try this one:[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

126

Jack Burton Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:36:45pm

re: #114 MandyManners

I read nothing in that story that backs up the contention that he was a radical rightist.

To the MSM a radical rightist is anyone to the right of Leon Trotsky.

127

reine.de.tout Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:37:54pm

re: #125 reine.de.tout

No, wrong link!
Links are not working right for me.

try this one:[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

Ok, it still shows "zero tolerance".
that is not what I'm trying to post.

What I'm trying to post is Jewish honorifics for the deceased.

That is the link I copied and pasted.
The link that gets put out there does NOT go to the page that I copied and pasted from.

128

Gus Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:40:00pm

re: #124 ploome hineni

Yeah. You can see how his illness took a toll on him in that video. 2 years before he could have passed for being in his 40s.

129

dkorta Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:40:07pm

re: #93 abolitionist

Found this recent video of Silver. Scroll a bit and hit play. IMO, the things he's saying here are not what I was expecting. [Link: www.starpulse.com...]

No kidding. Sounds like he jumped back over the fence into the arms of the left last November.

130

Tigger2005 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:40:40pm

I was just reading that Harrison Ford is a moonbat who publicly condemned the Iraq War and called for "regime change" in the U.S.

Why are are so many actors opposed to the defense of civilization against barbarism?

131

Ward Cleaver Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:41:05pm

Very sad. Rest in peace, Ron.

132

gman Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:54:49pm

Once a self-identified lifelong Democrat, Silver was a founding member of the liberal-leaning Creative Coalition in 1989. But he made a breathtaking political transformation, going from far left to radical right after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
He spoke at the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York, enthusiastically backing a second term for President Bush.

enthusiastically backing a second term for President Bush means he went "radical right"?

133

[deleted] Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:55:40pm

134

dkorta Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:56:54pm

re: #128 Gus 802

What's the down-ding for dude? Did you watch the video at the link?

135

Formercorpsman Sun, Mar 15, 2009 6:58:01pm

Thank you Charles for being a place of refuge.

The side of good just lost another foot soldier.

136

justadot Sun, Mar 15, 2009 7:00:14pm

re: #114 MandyManners

I read nothing in that story that backs up the contention that he was a radical rightist.

"Radical rightist" is code for patriot, a word these supercilious fools can't bring themselves to utter. From Silver's speech to the 2004 Republican Convention:

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.

—Ron Silver (1946-2009)

Rest in peace, Mr. Silver.

137

shug Sun, Mar 15, 2009 7:03:00pm

Esophageal cancer is such a tough diagnosis to get. Ron must have put up one heck of a fight. Same disease killed Bogart

So Ron, Heres looking at you kid

RIP

138

chicagodudewhotrades Sun, Mar 15, 2009 7:07:01pm

RIP Mr. Silver. You were a good actor. I truly liked you on the 'West Wing' when you played 'Bruno Gianelli':

Youtube Video

139

afrocity Sun, Mar 15, 2009 7:07:02pm

I loved Ron Silver. He was a great actor and handsome too.
I will miss him. I did not know that he was ill.

140

princetrumpet Sun, Mar 15, 2009 7:09:47pm

Damn...

:-(

141

gman Sun, Mar 15, 2009 7:11:31pm

re: #129 dkorta

No kidding. Sounds like he jumped back over the fence into the arms of the left last November.

Sorry, but I watched the interview and he said Palin was the dealbreaker for him. He had his hopes on McCain until Palin came on board. That's not jumping into the arms of the left.

RIP- Ron Silver

142

Throbert McGee Sun, Mar 15, 2009 7:15:05pm

re: #54 NY Nana

Baruch Dayan HaEmet: Blessed is the one true Judge.

And just for the linguistically geeky:

baruch = blessèd; praised
dayan = a judge
ha = the
emet = true, genuine

And the phrase zikhrono/-ah livrakha, "in (his/her) blessed memory," if I'm not mistaken, breaks down as follows:

zikhron = memory
-o ; -ah = "his" ; "her" (possessive suffixes)
l- = to; for (as in l'chayim, "to life!")
vrakha = a blessing (cognate with baruch, above)

So literally it's like "(May) his/her memory (be) for blessing."

143

Spare O'Lake Sun, Mar 15, 2009 7:16:42pm

re: #130 Tigger2005

I was just reading that Harrison Ford is a moonbat who publicly condemned the Iraq War and called for "regime change" in the U.S.
Why are are so many actors opposed to the defense of civilization against barbarism?

Isolationism is still the policy of choice for many Americans.

144

gman Sun, Mar 15, 2009 7:23:56pm

re: #130 Tigger2005

I was just reading that Harrison Ford is a moonbat who publicly condemned the Iraq War and called for "regime change" in the U.S.

Why are are so many actors opposed to the defense of civilization against barbarism?

Actors are great at pretending to think and act like others, but horrible at thinking for themselves. Ron Silver was a gem in the rough.

145

6pat6 Sun, Mar 15, 2009 7:55:01pm

re: #57 midwestgak

re: #53 itellu3times

"babbling brook" is an apt description.

More like a babbling cauldron of festering swamp gas, mixed with effluents from the bowels of dead pigs and left to simmer with the detritus of everything the Left stands for.

146

Sheepdogess Sun, Mar 15, 2009 8:00:11pm

He was a rare bird in Hollyweird, he had wisdom. If there are ghosts, I hope he reinvents himself as a conservative poltergeist.

Haunt them to death Ron!

147

ziggyelman Sun, Mar 15, 2009 8:06:46pm

Man, this makes me sad! Didn't know he was sick....crap.
Folks like Zell Miller and Ron Silver, to turn thier backs on their party, to speak out against it...knowing people that have claimed to have been your friend, will no longer talk to you. That takes real guts, that is real patriotism. Rest in peace.

148

ziggyelman Sun, Mar 15, 2009 8:08:07pm

Oh man, Ron Silver has died! How very sad.....
[Link: www.foxnews.com...]

149

ziggyelman Sun, Mar 15, 2009 8:10:01pm

I'm sorry, I was not paying attention, I was trying to put this on another forum....stupid...

150

Athos Sun, Mar 15, 2009 8:15:34pm

RIP Ron Silver

One of the things about Mr. Silver was that he believed that he lost jobs in Hollywood because of his change in viewpoints because of 9/11. Despite all of the false whinges from the left of McCarthyism......Ron Silver was a victim of the left refusing to give him work because of his support for President Bush and there was very little real outcry over yet another example of the hypocrisy of the left.

151

lifeofthemind Sun, Mar 15, 2009 8:23:56pm

Knowing that men of Ron Silver's intelligence, industry, practicality and fundamental decency can be found on all sides of an argument is a great gift. To often when we face the infantile caterwauling that has replaced argumentation the tasks of government appear to be so distastefully debased to a form of unending rubbish remover that the temptation becomes to withdraw. That is a great error that misjudges why the community at large confers honor to certain individuals or professions. The qualities of honor and respect are not conveyed as an additional bonus for people who are lucky enough to win life's lottery. Even in aristocratic societies that would be a misunderstanding. Honor is conveyed on those who are willing to undertake difficult and dangerous tasks on behalf of the community, beyond the hazards that are faced by the rubbish remover. A healthy community encourages and honors it's warriors even when the enemy they fight are not themselves respectable. This was a theme in The Grand Illusion. So we should fight the good fight for its own sake. In our weaker moments when we are tempted to throw in the towel we should remember that there are men of Ron Silver's quality on the other side, that they are worth reaching, that they enrich our comprehension no matter which side of an argument they are on, they may change sides, or if they facts justify it so may we, and finally that there is no excuse for any of us on our side as well as on our opponents to do worse.

152

realwest Sun, Mar 15, 2009 8:27:25pm

I'm sorry to hear of Ron's death at such a yoiung age, but I am glad to hear that he died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family.
RIP Ron Silver and sympathies and condolences to his family and friends.

153

tobariv Sun, Mar 15, 2009 8:39:32pm

Ron Silver sends all of us valuable lessons. As we don't know when our time here will be over, we must speak up and take a stand. We are tested each and every day to do the right thing. Ron Silver was courageous.

154

William Sun, Mar 15, 2009 10:08:41pm

Didn't know he was ill, sad to see him go.

Some video highlights of his career:

Ron Silver in Memoriam (YouTube)

155

ladycatnip Sun, Mar 15, 2009 10:14:55pm

I'm so sorry to hear this news - my deepest condolences to his family.

156

William Sun, Mar 15, 2009 10:16:55pm

re: #33 6pat6

Pretty hefty body of work from 1974 on

Ron Silver

Fixed your broken link.

157

wiffersnapper Sun, Mar 15, 2009 10:27:12pm

We'll miss ya Ron

Silver, not Paul.

158

markie Sun, Mar 15, 2009 10:44:35pm

What does anyone bet some at Kos will blame hanging out with Republicans hastened his passing...

159

Summer Seale Sun, Mar 15, 2009 11:18:21pm

This is a total shock to me. I had absolutely no idea that he was sick. I feel very sad at this loss. He was definitely one of the most courageous people in Hollywood over the last several years and I really applaud him for it as I did then.

160

Baelzar Mon, Mar 16, 2009 12:52:55am

First Michael Crichton, now Ron Silver?

Hell!

Coincidence? Or.....

161

GaijinBiker Mon, Mar 16, 2009 3:08:40am

I loved him in Heat Vision and Jack.

162

Joel Mon, Mar 16, 2009 5:09:04am

A really good actor and a man with real courage in Hollywood. May God receive him into His glory.

I find ti so hard to accept that anyone these days has to suffer from terminal cancer.

163

Joel Mon, Mar 16, 2009 5:22:12am

Silver also had a small role in one of my favorite comedies 1982 "Love Sick".

164

Joel Mon, Mar 16, 2009 5:26:31am

re: #130 Tigger2005

I was just reading that Harrison Ford is a moonbat who publicly condemned the Iraq War and called for "regime change" in the U.S.

Why are are so many actors opposed to the defense of civilization against barbarism?

Because they need to march in lock step with each other in order to not get unofficially blacklisted.

165

Joel Mon, Mar 16, 2009 5:29:15am

re: #123 MandyManners

Is the Post a lefty rag?

No but most entertainment (and sports reporters) are on the Left.

166

_RememberTonyC Mon, Mar 16, 2009 6:06:03am

Ron Silver was a role model in some ways. A Jewish actor who was able to detach himself from the reflexive "Vote Dem" response. Although I am not an actor, my own beliefs have evolved in a similar fashion.

167

_RememberTonyC Mon, Mar 16, 2009 6:07:54am

re: #165 Joel

No but most entertainment (and sports reporters) are on the Left.

sports reporters are not "mostly" lefties ... about half are. don't use dobermann as any sort of "sample." many pro athletes are republicans, especially baseball players.

168

Pupdawg Mon, Mar 16, 2009 6:28:39am

re: #50 Piglet-U93

Ron is one of the few actors I still have respect for. A man who was not afraid to face the truth of 9/11. Very sad news. I feel I have lost a friend even though I never personally knew him. Out of all those videos where people spoke about defending America from terrorists I cannot forget his strength of conviction and concern when he spoke.

Totally agree.

He will be missed. RIP

169

Barking Pumpkin Mon, Mar 16, 2009 7:13:02am

He was a mensch who will truly be missed.
Here is the Mourner's Kaddish for those who wish to pray for him. Please note that although this prayer is said during times of great sadness there is no mention of death or dying (see English translation below). It is praise to G-d.

Hebrew Transliteration
Yit-gadal v'yit-kadash sh'may raba b'alma dee-v'ra che-ru-tay, ve'yam-lich mal-chutay b'chai-yay-chon uv'yo-may-chon uv-cha-yay d'chol beit Yisrael, ba-agala u'vitze-man ka-riv, ve'imru amen.

Y'hay sh'may raba me'varach le-alam uleh-almay alma-ya.

Yit-barach v'yish-tabach, v'yit-pa-ar v'yit-romam v'yit-nasay, v'yit-hadar v'yit-aleh v'yit-halal sh'may d'koo-d'shah, b'rich hoo. layla (ool-ayla)* meen kol beer-chata v'she-rata, toosh-b'chata v'nay-ch'mata, da-a meran b'alma, ve'imru amen.

Y'hay sh'lama raba meen sh'maya v'cha-yim aleynu v'al kol Yisrael, ve'imru amen.

O'seh shalom beem-romav, hoo ya'ah-seh shalom aleynu v'al kol Yisrael, ve'imru amen.

* Add on Shabbat

English
Magnified and sanctified be G-d's great name in the world which He created according to His will. May he establish His kingdom during our lifetime and during the lifetime of Israel. Let us say, Amen.

May G-d's great name be blessed forever and ever.

Blessed, glorified, honored and extolled, adored and acclaimed be the name of the Holy One, though G-d is beyond all praises and songs of adoration which can be uttered. Let us say, Amen.

May there be peace and life for all of us and for all Israel. Let us say, Amen.

Let He who makes peace in the heavens, grant peace to all of us and to all Israel. Let us say, Amen.

170

Joel Mon, Mar 16, 2009 7:48:53am

re: #167 _RememberTonyC

sports reporters are not "mostly" lefties ... about half are. don't use dobermann as any sort of "sample." many pro athletes are republicans, especially baseball players.

I am not talking about athletes I am talking about sports reporters. At least the ones in NY, Boston, LA.

171

P-DEX Mon, Mar 16, 2009 8:12:35am

God speed, Mr. Silver. Hollywood is a more depraved place now that you are gone. Thank you for having the courage to stand up for your beliefs even though it cost you a lot of work (and friends) in Hollywood. That, sir, is true character...something the cardboard cutouts in Hollywood are sorely lacking.

172

_RememberTonyC Mon, Mar 16, 2009 8:36:16am

re: #170 Joel

I am not talking about athletes I am talking about sports reporters. At least the ones in NY, Boston, LA.

I hear you ... but many of the sportscasters I know ARE former athletes. The lefties in the media have the biggest mouths, but there is a significant minority that sees things the other way. As for the locals in NY, BOS, and LA ... I'm sure they mostly reflect their regions.

173

right_in_canada Tue, Mar 17, 2009 5:01:52pm

He did a good job in Timecop too...with Jean -Claude Van Damme .

Great movie! Sleep Well, Mr. Silver. God bless.

174

mindy1 Wed, Mar 18, 2009 6:16:30pm

awww that is so sad:(re: #115 Bobblehead

Spy Mode Auto

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