Actor Clint Eastwood addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012.
Charles Dharapak, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Clint Eastwood's little skit reminded me of Jimmy Stewart's endearing portrayal of Willy Kreuger in "Mr. Kreuger's Christmas." Kreuger is a lonely custodian on Christmas Eve who falls asleep and dreams that he is leading the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in a medley of Christmas songs. When he wakes up he is greeted by some real Christmas carolers who invite him to join in.
He ends up giving a little baby Jesus figure from his nativity set to a little girl who is caroling with the group. This brings great joy to the little girl. He ends up feeling a deep and powerful spirit of Christmas. It is one of my favorite Christmas shows.
Both Eastwood and Stewart showed a tremendous mastery of age-related vulnerability combined with intentional or unintentional age-related stammering and use of imaginary experience to touch hearts (of those who have hearts) and to drive home a powerful message.
I view both portrayals as being courageously controversial because of the fact that both Stewart and Eastwood as Hollywood legends chose to take sides for an issue which transcends mere acting.
Reid Swenson
Salt Lake City
- Doug Robinson: Utah man's new running shoe...
- In our opinion: A darkening cloud is hanging...
- Richard Davis: Airlines should do more for...
- Letters: Federal encroachment
- My view: People deserve rights at our borders
- Michael Gerson: Reinvigorating the GOP will...
- Letters: Ending debt
- Snapshot of 2013 in political cartoons



Eastwood skit was an improvised joke, disrespectful to the politcal process and to the Presidency. Many Republicans at the convention were taken aback by it. And only well after the fact were they desperatley trying to find some way to make More..
@ Lowell Steele, so Romney has gone Hollywood. Remember that the next time someone criticizes President Obama for fundraising from famous people.
With all the attention Eastwood has received over the past few days you'd swear he was the one running for office!
Hilarious how no one has talked about Romney's speech. Ha ha!
Fine with me. Guess Romney didn't More..