Norman Lear: On My 100th Birthday, Reflections on Archie Bunker and Donald Trump

[lanlady]

I hope this opinion piece isn't behind a paywall - it is too WONDERFUL not to read! From the brilliant Norman Lear, the genius behind All in the Family.

By Norman Lear

Mr. Lear, a father of six, is an Emmy-winning television producer and a co-founder of the advocacy organization People for the American Way.

Well, I made it. I am 100 years old today. I wake up every morning grateful to be alive.

Reaching my own personal centennial is cause for a bit of reflection on my first century — and on what the next century will bring for the people and country I love. To be honest, I’m a bit worried that I may be in better shape than our democracy is.

I was deeply troubled by the attack on Congress on Jan. 6, 2021 — by supporters of former President Donald Trump attempting to prevent the peaceful transfer of power. Those concerns have only grown with every revelation about just how far Mr. Trump was willing to go to stay in office after being rejected by voters — and about his ongoing efforts to install loyalists in positions with the power to sway future elections.

I don’t take the threat of authoritarianism lightly. As a young man, I dropped out of college when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and joined the U.S. Army Air Forces. I flew more than 50 missions in a B-17 bomber to defeat fascism consuming Europe. I am a flag-waving believer in truth, justice and the American way, and I don’t understand how so many people who call themselves patriots can support efforts to undermine our democracy and our Constitution. It is alarming.


https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/opinion/archie-bunker-donald-trump-norman-lear.html?smid=fb-share&fbclid=IwAR2IJ0cEekoEzTrPihtsyPdl6ekcYpEklcsKgCqkvcm9sJO4Ti3DlIJFnPw

[Rhiannon12866]

1. Here's the video from MSNBC: The Last Thing: "Visions Of A Shared Future" - The 11th Hour - MSNBC

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017753884

To mark his 100th birthday, Emmy-winning producer Norman Lear reflects on what one of his most famous characters, Archie Bunker, would have thought of former President Trump. - Aired on 07/27/2022.

[Emile]

2. +1. Pretty sharp for a 100 year old man!

[malaise]

3. Must read

Rec

[PatSeg]

4. He was an Air Force pilot in World War II

I had no idea. What a remarkable man.

[Delmette2.0]

7. During WWII it was the Army Air Corp.

My Dad served in North Africa and Southern Europe as a airplane mechanic.

The Air Corp ended in 1947 when the Air Force was created.

[Tree Lady]

11. My dad was a gunner

In the army air core but he had his license to fly. My uncle flew with them and became a pilot afterwards.

My dad never told war stories until right before he died in 2000. In a way I am glad he missed what happened to Gore and the Bush and Trump mess. He screamed at the Nixon ordeal on tv every day in the 70's.

[Liberal In Texas]

5. Great article.

Still has all his marbles at 100!

[Escurumbele]

6. Anyone have a link outside of the paywall?

Thank you

[MissMillie]

8. I read this yesterday and what cam into my head

was that Americans found Archie Bumker funny.

It stopped being funny when America actually elected a Bunker-like pResident.

(Although, the Bunker character did indeed display a true love of country. The character that occupied the White House only loves 3 things: himself, power and money.)

[progressoid]

9. 100!!

[The Jungle 1]

10. His message is very clear. Fight fascism.

Fascism is poking its head up again. We see it with our politicians and our police. We see it in russia.
Time to play wack a mole, again. It is our turn to stand up. The fascism and white supremacy in this country must be called out and stopped. These people are NOT patroits. It is treason.

[AllaN01Bear]

12. has paywall nagware .