Reprinted from Wallwritings
Will McAlvoy (Jeff Daniels, above), played a newscaster working for a fictional cable news network on The Newsroom, a program which ran on HBO (2012-2014).
The writer of The Newsroom series is Aaron Sorkin, creator and lead author of the earlier television political series, The West Wing.
The Newsroom is The West Wing on steroids, same rapid-fire dialogue, same personal interaction carried out by a cast which talks and walks rapidly in their search for greatness.
Sorkin has honed this style in a career that began with A Few Good Men (Jack Nicholson, "You can't handle the truth!") and includes Michael Douglas as The American President.
In 2011, at the time The Newsroom was unveiling its first season, the Republican party was attempting to absorb know-nothing political candidates from the Tea Party, a rebellious crowd which has now morphed into a "brand movement" called Donald Trump.
In episode one of The Newsroom's first season. a college student asks panel members, "Can you say why America is the greatest country in the world?"
Two panelists offer the usual platitudes, "diversity and opportunity," and "freedom and freedom, and let's keep it that way."
Will McAvoy fumes a moment, and then responds: "It's NOT the greatest country in the world. That's my answer."
His expanded answer has become a television classic. Below is a three-minute clip from that episode:
It is increasingly apparent that in this era of racial discord at home and perpetual wars abroad, we are not "the greatest country in the world." In this summer of our discontent, from Mosul to Dallas, we struggle with conflicts as we gather to nominate two presidential candidates.
A battle between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is generally believed to be a contest between the least popular presidential candidates in modern times (or, more accurately, in the time of polling.)
Two vice-presidential candidates will soon be selected as running mates, first, the Republican, who Donald Trump has promised will be an experienced office-holder, an obvious attempt to add to his complete lack of experience in electoral office.
The Washington Post reports three names which appear to be in contention, all elected leaders: Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former House speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.).
On Tuesday, Senator Bernie Sanders delivered his long-delayed Clinton endorsement in New Hampshire. It may be presumed Sanders got as much as he could from Clinton in the party platform on matters related to his domestic views on college tuition and minimum wage.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
