HaloScan.com - Comments

bush
bush | 11.03.05 - 11:36 am | #

When is Bill O'Reily gonna hack this up...
I-Banged-Ann-Coulter | 11.03.05 - 11:37 am | #

What are you trying to hide, Mr. Bush
MtnGoat | 11.03.05 - 11:37 am | #

"The United States Senate has been hijacked by the Democratic leadership,"~ Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee.
Jake | 11.03.05 - 11:37 am | #

HA HA HA !!! Prime time!!!
Corey | 11.03.05 - 11:38 am | #

thought the frists were getting a little old. figured starting things off with the name of another crook would be a nice change.
bush | 11.03.05 - 11:40 am | #

video is having some problems this morning
C&L | Homepage | 11.03.05 - 11:44 am | #

I dig this show the writers are awesome...

This was a great episode and I think it really went along ways to the way this country feels at this point in time!
Alpha Omega | 11.03.05 - 11:44 am | #

Yeah, I normally won't miss Boston Legal (there are many, many discussions about the war and such). However, this Tuesday, the girlfriend wanted to watch L&O:SVU. Jesus.
DG | 11.03.05 - 11:44 am | #

who is alan shore?
cathy | 11.03.05 - 11:44 am | #

I was really surprised when I watched this...I rarely watch the boob tube but happened upon...and thought it was great...we have enough shows that push a big brother state and spoon feed the agenda to the masses this was a nice change.
bald face lie | Homepage | 11.03.05 - 11:46 am | #

Suppose they'll figure out that Alan Shore is a fictional character, unlike Murphy Brown?
Ibelyle | 11.03.05 - 11:56 am | #

Ph shoot, now I'm going to have to watch this stupid show.
mudkitty | 11.03.05 - 11:56 am | #

To much time is spent watching tv and paying attention to hollywood , thats the reason Bush is in the Whitehouse and the country is in the shitter
JK | 11.03.05 - 12:02 pm | #

I have only recently hooked up to this show and then only sporadically. I am sorry to have missed THIS one. That clip from the show is fantastic and I am so happy that it played in primetime. I'm going to have to take an hour of time every week to keep up with this show.

Again. Wow. The clip is stunningly good.
Praedor Atrebates | 11.03.05 - 12:03 pm | #

JK: But that's why stuff like this is important, non?

goat.
MtnGoat | 11.03.05 - 12:07 pm | #

Have watched this show since the beginning and it just keeps getting better.....
Eric Blair's Ghost | 11.03.05 - 12:08 pm | #

I saw this last night too, by chance. marvelous that it was delivered by the super-perverse James Spader (John Malkovich's even-more-twisted kid brother.) He's an amazing actor, managing to overcome dazzling beauty with manner so deliciously sick as to insprie one to approach him armed with barbeque tongs.
David Ehrenstein | Homepage | 11.03.05 - 12:09 pm | #

Wow - if they are putting this on primetime what does this mean?
are the Stepford Republicans losing their nuts & bolts and going wacko? Losing their hypnotic hold on the nation?

Bwa Ha Ha Ha
Joy!
kh | Homepage | 11.03.05 - 12:10 pm | #

I doubt it means that the Republicans are loosing there 'hold' on many Americans. Just someone who grew some balls to say what they acutally felt. Hopefully, the network and the advertizers that sponsor the show won't shut it down.
iowa christine | 11.03.05 - 12:16 pm | #

1) George Bush HAS NEVER been to a military funeral. NEVER. NEVER EVER.

2) I send ballistic armor to Iraq and other places out of my own pocket. Even when we DO, the Army throws up all kinds of barriers claiming its not the right kind or sufficiently rugged.

Either one of those facts represents criminal negligence of this government.
Stephen | 11.03.05 - 12:17 pm | #

Sorry, but I have to agree with JK. Does anyone not get the idea that Americans are the most over-entertained nation in the world? Give it a break. Open a book...go for a walk...do something, do anything but stare at that rotten box.

Reminds me of the old R. Cobb cartoon from the 70s....a lone survivor of a nuclear holocaust, wandering through darkness and desolation, carrying a shattered TV in one hand while the the other clenches the power cord, searching for an electrical outlet.

Never thought we would get there so fast.
tbob | 11.03.05 - 12:19 pm | #

You know I dont think I like the whole concept of the show because I continue to wish that the american public would stop living in a parallel universe that leaves so much of the facts out of their lives.
steambomb | Homepage | 11.03.05 - 12:20 pm | #

I have to say that I am very anti-television, but I suppose for the millions of people that spend a good deal of their "free-time" in such mindless captivity, this was something out of the ordinary.
Unfortunately, this is not a point of view that is commonly portrayed. Thanks for the clip just the same - I've gotten my prime-time fix for the year.

I agree with what had been said earlier, something to the effect that if people would spend less time entranced by television the world would be a better place.

Or maybe I said that.
jerzen | 11.03.05 - 12:23 pm | #

My wife TIVOed it for me, just finished watching it, Shattner being the redneck in the flamingo suit LMFAO
Free America of Sunday Taliban | 11.03.05 - 12:24 pm | #

Well, we're there. And lamentations of the ills of our TV-saturated society aren't going to suddenly get everyone off their bloated butts.

So, move on and adapt. Stop sermonizing. Take the message to them. It's not like it's unprecedented.

goat.
MtnGoat | 11.03.05 - 12:25 pm | #

Meanwhile shitty war propaganda known as "jarhead" is hitting theaters.
AmericaIsTehSuck | Homepage | 11.03.05 - 12:40 pm | #

Wow... It's like deja vu all over again!

It's pretty sad that one of the only ways to get this message out is through a drama on TV. The writers hit very good points however and deserve credit for turning reality around on us.

Maybe some people will get it this way... they certainly don't get it from mainstream media outlets.
mike in Seattle | 11.03.05 - 12:41 pm | #

I don't watch the show, but the sis is too hot! What station is it on?
Anonymous | 11.03.05 - 12:43 pm | #

AmericaIsTehSuck - haven't seen Jarhead yet so I can't comment with authority. However from the previews I've seen it would appear to be more in the vein of "Apocolypse Now" for this generation.

If it makes combat-age fodder think twice then it may not be what you think.

Peace.
mike in Seattle | 11.03.05 - 12:44 pm | #

This is one show I refuse to miss and was SO happy to see this one. It echos everything we have been saying for some time now.
I literally was yelling at the TV and Alan "GO GET'EM".
My hat is off to the writers for this show. They just had their character actor say the very things most americans are saying. A BIG THUMBS UP TO BOSTON LEGAL!
Misty | 11.03.05 - 12:44 pm | #

"You know I dont think I like the whole concept of the show because I continue to wish that the american public would stop living in a parallel universe that leaves so much of the facts out of their lives."

- steambomb

This was an exceedingly well written piece. I don't watch much TV but I have to give a hat tip to the writers on it.

Having said that, there is merit in what steambomb points out. Life is not a TV show or a video game... it is not enough to say kudos to a fictional work that reflects reality. One must get up and fight those battles in the real world for any good to come of it.
Flint | 11.03.05 - 12:48 pm | #

I saw the show. It was fabulous!

I hope every repug in the country was watching.
JenD | 11.03.05 - 12:48 pm | #

Laura Ingraham was whining like a two year old last nite about this episode.
Liberal AND Proud | 11.03.05 - 12:50 pm | #

I heard that Jarhead was a pro-military anti war film.
mudkitty | 11.03.05 - 12:50 pm | #

Jarhead I thought, is about the guy who wrote the book, who was the soldier in the gulf war and his experiences
rc | 11.03.05 - 12:53 pm | #

What was the result of the case?
Dino | 11.03.05 - 12:57 pm | #

Another great exchange from the show:

Denny Crane: Say what you will about Republicans, we stick to our convictions, even when we know we’re dead wrong.
Alan Shore: Some would say ESPECIALLY
when you know you are.....

Eric Blair's Ghost | 11.03.05 - 1:00 pm | #

Boston Legal is the best show on television....and I say this because it pushes so many current events into the program, and ALWAYS comes up with interesting ways to consider the issue.

James Spader as Alan Shore is incredible. What a character, and his chemistry with William Shatner is top notch. Watch this show if you don't already.
tt | 11.03.05 - 1:02 pm | #

I always associate James Spader w/ his snobby character in Pretty in Pink, he was such a jerk in his Miami Vice suits that he wore to High School. Who does that?!?!
lawstudent922 | 11.03.05 - 1:03 pm | #

david kelly has never been afraid to tackle the "issues" on his shows in a thoughtful and provocative manner. more than just in indictment of the war, the story in this episode was really a big swipe at the way that the armed forces are being abused by our war happy administration. stop-loss is being used to keep indivuduals who have completed their service virtual hostages and the national gaurd troops are being forced into perfoming dangerous duties for which they are often not properly trained. "alan" echoed the sentiment i have often had when he asked if we were actually trying to win this "war"?
jester | 11.03.05 - 1:06 pm | #

Jarhead I thought, is about the guy who wrote the book, who was the soldier in the gulf war and his experiences
rc | 11.03.05 - 1:07 pm | #

If you are interested. There is an article in this month's Harper's Valkryies over Iraq:the trouble with war movies",about the making of the movie "Jarhead" and a running comment by the film editor who had also edited " Apocolypse Now". Also interesting, how most of these earlier anti-war movies have been used by the military to psych up Amercan soldiers before they go into battle--"Ride of the Valkryies" music on opening helicopter attack of surfer beach is a prime example.

The jist of article is that "Jarhead" is an attempt to truly portrait the tradgedy of war, without the psych-op sub text.

Take a look. Very interesting!

Also agree re. TV. Take a tip from John Prine, "Blow up your TV, move out to the country, try to find Jesus on your own."
1000 Clowns | 11.03.05 - 1:10 pm | #

Is it my computer or was anyone elses download of that clip jumpy and out of sync?

Looked away and listened to the audio - which was great.
bee | 11.03.05 - 1:15 pm | #

I just wanted to ask if Alan Shore knows that the "missing Aruba girl" is actually an American. I understand what he is saying but I just would like him to clarify what he said there.

I don't get the premise of the episode. A paralegal sues the U.S. government to "vindicate" the death of her brother?

In other words, this is suppose to be a "wrongful death" suit?
Matt O. | Homepage | 11.03.05 - 1:16 pm | #

Would you believe, in real life, Spader is somewhat of a hippi.
mudkitty | 11.03.05 - 1:17 pm | #

Didn't see this episode,but do generally enjoy the show. However, the character "Alan Shore" played by James Spader is ethically and morally challenged with psychological issues. Hardly the fictional character I would embrace as a spokesperson against the war.

The show does make an honest attempt to question or debate some important issues which are generally ignored by the MSM. It's a shame "entertainment" is the only venue which informs the public about these issues as one can not count on the regular news sources because of their biased selectivity.
Turk Meister | Homepage | 11.03.05 - 1:19 pm | #

Thanks for that...this senior find it more and more difficult to stay awake through the best of the 10PM programs! Time for TIVO, I guess. I was into that episode...love the show and especially Spader...but don't even remember dozing off. My husband didn't do as good a job of relating how it ended. Can't wait for the LIVE DEBATE on WW on Sunday.
Dancer.... | 11.03.05 - 1:21 pm | #

What matters here is that the media IS starting to wake up. A year ago, it would have been unheard-of to see something like this on TV.
OR-Liberal | 11.03.05 - 1:23 pm | #

MY GOD, things are not so simple as to believe that a discerning person cannot watch tv (selectively - no reality crap), take a walk, read a book, check out blogs, AND stay informed on issues. I'm guessing that the "too much tv watchers" don't watch football/basketball/baseball etc...RIGHT?
Dancer.... | 11.03.05 - 1:27 pm | #

awsome TV segment !!! more of this !!! BLegal rules.
who writes Alan Shore's trial speeches is a genius !!! who is he ??? anyone knows
arpos | 11.03.05 - 1:31 pm | #

I only wish they had given this speech to Captain Kirk.
mikeatuva | 11.03.05 - 1:42 pm | #

James Spader is HOT! I love this show, and if I didn't have to get up at 4:45 am I'd never miss it. It's amazingly well written.

Yes, Alan Shore has a lot of character flaws and has a very Republican "win at any cost" attitude sometimes. But the writers are very adept at presenting the dichotomy of the hard line lawyer being so hard line because he's really so soft. Shatner as Denny Crane is superb.

God, I wish I wasn't sick and could have stayed up to see this last night. Saw the set up on the previous episode and was really looking forward to it. Drat this virus.
Cherizac | Homepage | 11.03.05 - 1:42 pm | #

Bravo David Kelly! I watched this show and was cheering Alan on, despite the fact that I knew he would lose. For those of you down playing TV---if the main stream media won't tell it like it is then hats off to David Kelly taking it to the "entertainment" air waves.
aquarius | 11.03.05 - 1:44 pm | #

Commander in Cheif will smoke Boston Legal (cuz Shatner is the suxor!). CIC will likely air some anti-war stuff. It's already addressed "better" decision making (like anti-torture, anti propaganda) from Gena Davis than our current gov't. it's good a TV show can inspire us and satisify us so that we won't make a fuss about our real situation in "reality!" reality is lame! Nobody cares about it anymore!
Ironchef | 11.03.05 - 1:54 pm | #

like a lot of you, I rarely watch t.v. anymore, for the very reasons this lawyer charactor sites in his presentation...but to see that this was actually aired, on prime time, is a small miracle in today's corporate controlled media. And I am going to write the station and the program (if I can find out where to send it) and tell them that although it is about time, it is sincerely appreciated and I hope to see more, and the internet is buzzing over this in a very positive way!
Anne Sherwood | 11.03.05 - 1:58 pm | #

wow. so it takes a TV show to point out that TV and media dont focus on whats happening in Iraq.

ZZZZzzzzz
Anonymous | 11.03.05 - 2:15 pm | #

This was a fantastic episode. I agree that Spader's closings include some of the smartest writing on TV. I loved the way Spader used the idea of "respecting the troops" that we hear so often.

The writers for this episode are:
Lawrence Broch, Andrew Kreisberg and Michael Reisz according to a fan site at http://www.boston-legal.org/6-wi...6- witches.shtml

BTW, Murphy Brown is Shirley Schmidt...couldn't be better!
Cyn2 | 11.03.05 - 2:15 pm | #

AmericaIsTehSuck,
"Meanwhile shitty war propaganda known as "jarhead" is hitting theaters."

Are you sure Jarhead is pro war?
Mark | 11.03.05 - 2:17 pm | #

Are you sure Jarhead is pro war?
Mark "ALF'S-AN-IDIOT" Prime | 11.03.05 - 2:18 pm | #

I love TV! Yeah, most of its stupid and mindless... but if you know it is and don't take it seriously it won't warp you. And there is some good stuff on PBS, Discovery, etc. Last night Brad Pitt was narrating a program on PBS about HIV prevention in Thailand and West Nile virus and I found it very interesting... As for people who are like, "TV sucks, go read a book", well TV and books are the same thing: entertainment. Some of it is mindless (there are alot of trashy books out there) and some of it will teach you something.
Spaghetti 3:16 | 11.03.05 - 2:22 pm | #

Not to mention Spader managed to get the word "Schadenfreude" into common parlance.
Cyn2 | 11.03.05 - 2:23 pm | #

... and BBC has good news
Spaghetti 3:16 | 11.03.05 - 2:23 pm | #

To many kool-aid addicts watching the sanitized war on MSM,or Boston Legal with some truth injected into it are the same. If the message reaches one T-REX riding knuckle-dragger it was worth it. 3 thumbs up.
tiki al

How many T-Rex riding knuckle draggers do you think watch Boston Legal? BL was probably preaching to the converted. They need a speech like this on WWF.
Spaghetti 3:16 | 11.03.05 - 2:26 pm | #

OK, that gave me chills.
Mike | Homepage | 11.03.05 - 2:35 pm | #

I don't watch regular shows. But the script sounds like a day in the life of the real people that pay the price of BushCo. Iraq quagmire. Every time I see the names and ages of the dead I cry for the loss to our country and the loss for the families and friends that will never see their soldier again. The waste, the utter and complete waste because Bush wanted a second term. Frankly, Bush should be brought to justice for this unnecessary war, the outrageous torture and imprisonment of innocent people, and the deaths of both Iraqis and Americans. Because of fear Americans voted for these nin-com-poops. I did not vote for him for governor of Texas, nor would I vote for him to be dog catcher. I loathe him and his violations of trust, his scare tactics, his murder of US GI's, his ineptitude, and his misuse power.
Cathy | 11.03.05 - 2:48 pm | #

Turn the damn TV off and

STOP FACISM NOW!

GRASSROOTS ACTION ALERT

Take Action Today to Protect Your Privacy,
Urge Congress to Adopt Senate Reforms to Patriot Act

Last week the news media reported that FBI and other government agents have used expanded Patriot Act powers without the approval or oversight of a judge to spy on U.S. residents for up to 18 months; obtain email; collect bank records; and even conduct unlawful searches of homes or businesses.

Don’t stand by while unaccountable government violates your Constitutional rights:

*
Call your Senators and Representatives today at 202-224-3121.
*
Tell them these violations of rules intended to protect individual rights justify the need for the external checks on Patriot Act powers contained in the Senate bill.

The FBI should not be allowed to use these powers without the checks and balances of our independent courts any longer. Tell Congress that something must be done immediately to stop the government from spying on Americans, which the Patriot Act allows without requiring any facts connecting records sought to a suspected terrorist or to evidence of criminal activity. Defend the privacy of your records by urging lawmakers to pass S.1389 before it is too late.

Call Your Senators and Representatives at
(202) 224-3121

Urge them to support the modifications contained in the Senate bill, S.1389.

Thank you for standing up for Americans’ constitutional freedoms.

For more information on the Patriot Act, visit www.checksbalances.org.
Flint | 11.03.05 - 2:53 pm | #

This was great. absolutely great. fantastic. i love james spader now.
ohitshustmeyouknow | 11.03.05 - 2:54 pm | #

Remember how the folks from Green Acres and Petticoat Junction and the Beverly Hillbillies all knew each other and sometimes cameoed in each other's shows? Maybe we can get BL and the West Wing together and end the war... many stupid Americans would think it was for real, and then there would be no support for the "real" war... nice fantasy...
SKdeA | 11.03.05 - 2:56 pm | #

Speaking of great writing, check out the following speech from the movie, "Good Will Hunting," released in 1997:

Will: "Why shouldn't I work for the N.S.A.? That's a tough one, but I'll give it a shot. Say I'm working at N.S.A. Somebody puts a code on my desk, something nobody else can break. So I take a shot at it and maybe I break it. And I'm real happy with myself, 'cause I did my job well. But maybe that code was the location of some rebel army in North Africa or the Middle East. Once they have that location, they bomb the village where the rebels were hiding and fifteen hundred people I never had a problem with get killed. Now the politicians are sayin', "Send in the marines to secure the area" 'cause they don't give a shit. It won't be their kid over there, gettin' shot. Just like it wasn't them when their number was called, 'cause they were pullin' a tour in the National Guard. It'll be some guy from Southie takin' shrapnel in the ass. And he comes home to find that the plant he used to work at got exported to the country he just got back from. And the guy who put the shrapnel in his ass got his old job, 'cause he'll work for fifteen cents a day and no bathroom breaks. Meanwhile my buddy from Southie realizes the only reason he was over there was so we could install a government that would sell us oil at a good price. And of course the oil companies used the skirmish to scare up oil prices so they could turn a quick buck. A cute little ancillary benefit for them but it ain't helping my buddy at two-fifty a gallon. And naturally they're takin' their sweet time bringin' the oil back, and maybe even took the liberty of hiring an alcoholic skipper who likes to drink martinis and play slalom with the icebergs, and it ain't too long 'til he hits one, spills the oil and kills all the sea life in the North Atlantic. So my buddy's out of work and he can't afford to drive, so he's got to walk to the job interviews, which sucks 'cause the shrapnel in his ass is givin' him chronic hemorrhoids. And meanwhile he's starvin' 'cause every time he tries to get a bite to eat the only blue plate special they're servin' is North Atlantic scrod with Quaker State. So what do I think? I'm holdin' out for somethin' better. Why not just shoot my buddy, take his job and give it to his sworn enemy, hike up gas prices, bomb a village, club a baby seal, hit the hash pipe and join the National Guard? I could be elected president."

http://imdb.com/title/tt0119217/quotes
WayBeyondSoccerMom | 11.03.05 - 2:56 pm | #

It is significant that this is being broadcast on MSM at this time. The left has been saying all these things, but folks who aren't political or liberals never get to hear it. During Vietnam, we knew the beginning of the end was over when the entertainment shows started picking up the peacenik lines
Ol' Prof | 11.03.05 - 3:00 pm | #

Beautiful! I thought about watching this last night but I'm so into Law & Order SUV so I didn't want to miss that. Thank you for capturing this. He said it all perfectly.
Emily | 11.03.05 - 3:03 pm | #

What are you trying to hide, Mr. Bush
MtnGoat | 11.03.05 - 11:37 am

Maybe he's hiding: Cheney, Rice, Liddy, Rove, DeLay, Abramoff (Abramoff repeatedly referred to Native Americans as "monkeys", "mofo","troglodites" and "idiots" while he bamboozled them.), Reed, Norquist, Scanlon, Burns, Ney, Hastert, Katsav, Schwarzenegger, Keller, Miller, etc (see wikipedia -- keep clicking on the hyperlinks, they are all related.*)

Why are the MSM quiet about David Safavian?

***Safavian is the first person arrested in the Abramoff-Reed Indian Gambling Scandal

***in 2004 Safavian was in the employment of Abdurahman Alamoudi, an firce supporter of Hamas and Hezbollah

***evidence that Alamoudi has links to al-Qaeda

***waved aside any affiliation to Alamoudi insisting that he was really lobbying for a client named Jamal al Barzinji. A federal affidavit identifies Barzinji as the ringleader of a group suspected of aiding terrorists

***wife Jennifer Safavian, is chief counsel for oversight and investigations on the United States Congress House Government Reform Committee, which is responsible for overseeing government procurement and is, among other things, expected to conduct the Congressional investigation into the Federal response to Hurricane Katrina

*Bushfia is so corrupted that it will take you days to read the crimes (I became woozy.)
tHeGaMeOfLiFe | 11.03.05 - 3:13 pm | #

Isn't it amazing, a TV show and liberals can get the facts correct, but the repugs can't even come close to the truth?
tHeGaMeOfLiFe | 11.03.05 - 3:21 pm | #

the truth? from your perspective
Anonymous | 11.03.05 - 3:23 pm | #

Hm, never seen this show before. Hopefully, it'll be an export to the UK soon. Looks like it has a bit more meat on it than Ally McBeal. In any sense of the word.

But it's a tough question: does television and popular culture drive a society's conscience, or reflect it? Or is it a bit of both? This is not a script that could possibly have aired in November of 2001, no matter how skillfully written, or how honest. Is television only exploiting the current mood in America, or is it manipulating that mood? Does a clear work of fiction have the same impact on public opinion than the fiction spun by rightwing pundits on Fox ‘News’?

There is a school of thought that holds that popular culture is a stronger influence on the public mind and the day-to-day life of the average American than does politics. To some extent, I can see it. But so far, Hollywood hasn’t sent over 2,000 American kids to die for a fiction that has also killed over 30,000 Iraqis. Not even Schwartzenegger could boast this kind of body count in a movie. So if this program pricks the conscience one single fence sitter and moves the country away from the Bush administration and its soul-destroying corruption, then who cares if the cart is pulling the horse. I’m just happy.
nonny mouse | 11.03.05 - 3:40 pm | #

"We have no time table on leaving Iraq… Mothers and fathers spend money on body armor for their kids, that they shouldn’t even have to wear… because they are not supposed to be there."
==================================

Where the fuck are soldiers supposed to be then? Sitting around the campfire roasting hotodgs and singing songs?

Body armor is for rear echelon HQ mofos. To heavy, slows you down. Also, We didn't have any "kids" when I was in. Youngest guy in my squad was 19.

/ex ranger
1010010110 | 11.03.05 - 4:14 pm | #

Laura Ingraham rants about Boston Legal and Limbaugh is ranting about Comander in Chief with Gina Davis. If these wingers are panicking it must be effective.

I would say the evidence is pointing to the fact that TV that uses current events -and within that drama social commentary- is effective education to the "knuckle draggers" who only get their information from scripted entertainment.

The show was awesome. Spader and Shatner were brilliant. The pink flamingo's priceless.
Terri K | 11.03.05 - 4:20 pm | #

alright i know this is hardly the point, but is this show edited with a lot of jumpy cuts, or is that my player being lame?
tom | 11.03.05 - 4:23 pm | #

I watched this--it was terrific. Alan Shore's closing argument was spot on. But also the scenes between Shore and Danny Crane (William Shatner's character)--these were very good too. Shatner was throwing off the GOP talking points with his great staccato delivery.

Best of all, at the end these guys modeled how these two sides might be able to sit down and have a drink and a cigar together. Dare I say, we might mend some of this horrible wound that Bush et al. have given the country?
beth | 11.03.05 - 4:28 pm | #

However, this Tuesday, the girlfriend wanted to watch L&O:SVU. Jesus.
DG | 11.03.05 - 11:44 am | #
I watched SVU instead too and totally forgot about Legal and now I'm booting my own ass. I love that show (Shatner rocks) As others have said, the Practice and this show both have broached real life issues and Kelly is definitely a lib.
RppPolyp | 11.03.05 - 4:48 pm | #

Yeah, I saw the episode. It was quite damning of the war in Iraq.

Those damn "Hollywood liberals!"

Hehe
Steve Wild | Homepage | 11.03.05 - 4:52 pm | #

spader can rock my world any time... jimmy, call me!... but my desires to bang the dirty bastard aside, boston legal is a fantastically written show that often takes brave leaps to address issues that may seem both liberal or conservative, but always seemingly very humanitarian. i watch tv, probably more than i should. regardless, this show is worth a tuesday night... (much better than commander in cheif, as it doesn't take itself too seriously and the writers don't have the skills to keep it more interesting than c-span book... that's my opinion anyhow) the thing is, every time i read these boards, i get annoyed. most of you are just judging. whatever happened to discourse? dialogue? who cares who watches what? it's inclusion, not exclusion, that can make effective change. that being said... i LOVE watching the bush administration crumble!!! yaaay for karma!!!
durge | 11.03.05 - 5:22 pm | #

We're glad you liked the episode we wrote. Now you will become addicted to the hyptnotic subiminal messages during the commercials that we provide. Although we know that a TV show won't stop a war, you don't. So sit back, pop a Coke and order a Pizza...and don't forget to watch Ted Koppel's special Nightline show where he drums up support for a war in Venezuela, and for Martial Law because of Bird Flu...yeah...just keep watching TV you apathetic drones...the funny thing about democrats is how much truth they see and how little they do about it...mwahahahhahahah!!!!
Halliburton Command Center | 11.03.05 - 5:27 pm | #

Whats even more amazing is that Boston Legal is a 20th Century Fox production! HAhahahahaha
fox hater | 11.03.05 - 6:20 pm | #

that girl was from Aruba?........I thought she was from Alabama?
nunyamuddafuckinbiness@yourhou | 11.03.05 - 6:29 pm | #

James Spader is outstanding!!! How did it get past the Bush censors? Remember when Saving Private Ryan couldn't be shown? God are we a land of morons!!
nuffera | 11.03.05 - 6:48 pm | #

Very well written speech, and I agree with it 100%.

But, gawd, what a crap show.
SteelyJack | 11.03.05 - 6:53 pm | #

I like this show. David Kelly definitely puts his liberal views in his shows. But a lot of times he will actually present things where you're challanged to sort of take a more conservative point of view. They did an episode last year about the Boston PD torturing a guy to get information out of him. Of course Alan Shore had to defend the police officer but it put a twist in it in that the police officer did get usable information and was able to stop a child being killed.
RobNYC | 11.03.05 - 6:58 pm | #

David E. Kelly is one of the best producers/writers on television. The Practice was excellent, and so is Boston Legal. This clip is powerful and effective, and will reach people I know who otherwise would never hear this perspective.

Hooray for Boston Legal!

By the way, I can't resist saying this: It's true that it's a waste to spend your life in front of the tube, but if you don't watch television, the worst thing you can do is to be arrogant and condescending to others who do. That really sucks.
oblio | 11.03.05 - 8:26 pm | #

For those that enjoy TV, at least this show presented the truth. It is certainly better then getting your facts from the 700 Club. This may be the only opportunity for some people to hear the truth. Let's not be elitist and judgemental. Let the pubs do that. We are above that behavior, until the 2006 election. Then the gloves come off and the shit will fly.
Cats are Fly Fishin | Homepage | 11.03.05 - 9:03 pm | #

When the issue of the war hits prime time popular TV shows there's the possibility of someone on the fence finally getting angry enough to hop on the side of what is right, that's why this is valuable.

Be a TV snob if you must, but what I loved about this speech is the fact the character excoriated the media for ignoring the war AND the American people for being willing participants in that crime. Support the troops? Exploit the troops is more like it. It's ridiculous how these guys are hijacked into serving multiple tours, forced into combat untrained and given suicide missions in un-armored vehicles.

Yet, if you bring those points up to a ditto-head, you're the one who doesn't support the troops. At the very least we should be bringing the National Guard home for pity's sake, they don't belong there.

p.s. whoever posted the Good Will Hunting quote, that kicked ass.
Judy | 11.03.05 - 10:51 pm | #

Alan Shore's speech made my sphincter quiver... first with fear, then deliciously.
Turd Blossom | Homepage | 11.04.05 - 12:25 am | #

Personally, I hate TV but I agree with the commenter who said this is not the proper place to sermonize. The discussion is about this segment of a popular TV drama and we should all be happy it aired. Perhaps it reached a couple of the flatliners who still think their car magnet makes them patriotic.
chuck | 11.04.05 - 6:05 am | #

Great show, great writers, great cast....David Kelly does put some issues in the good light for the right wing as well....but he never hesistates to bring up the ethical points of their stances on subjects.... All in all, its definitely the best thing ABC has on the air...
right wing hater | 11.04.05 - 8:30 am | #

Enough with the TV bashing. This David E. Kelley program (Picket Fences, Boston Public, The Practice) is prime entertainment, choice writing, and amazing cast.

But you know, with basic/standard cable, you get the National Geographic channel, The Learning Channel, SciFi (it's cool), Comedy Central (TDS, Colbert), Discovery Health, PBS (Nova) - and some pretty damn smart prime time (not all, but Boston Legal, Surface, Criminal Minds, Threshold, West Wing, Commander in Chief) - it's not all great, but there's some tv really worth watching, and I find it quiets my mind in the evenings after a rousing day at work.

I just get tired of all the "boob tube" critiques. It's not all bad. Maybe it's the 80/20 rule, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
TX Unmuzzled | 11.04.05 - 8:51 am | #

Arrested Development shits all over all of the shows you named. and Aqua Teen Hunger Force is the greatest show on tv.(yes, my sense of humor is juvenile). 24 is good too, except they take the Bush administration stance on torture. it seems like almost every episode has a dismemberment or electricution of some sort, hahaha.
C | 11.04.05 - 9:50 am | #

I wonder if the writers were inspired by a real Boston lawyer named John Bonifaz, who tried to sue to stop the war in 2003? Check out the photo of him at that link. Btw, that book of his is very timely.
cymack | 11.04.05 - 10:16 am | #

This reminds me of the scene in that movie where Michael Douglas was the President running for re-election. He gave an "impromptu" speech about being a card carrying member of the ACLU. His opponent was always ending his speecing with "My name is ___________ and I'm running for President." Michael Douglas ended the speech with "My name is ________________ and I AM the President."

I have that somewhere in a text file. I've wanted to use it in an email for the signature, but it's too long.
SavoWood | Homepage | 11.04.05 - 11:17 am | #

Not a fan of lawyer shows (Law & Order excepted.) Too much soap opera.
mudkitty | 11.05.05 - 3:59 pm | #

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