The Joe Flanigan Appreciation Society

I admit, when I'm watching a movie I really enjoy, I'm usually absorbing without thinking ahead. So I was totally flabbergasted when the Winter Soldier showed up at Pierce's house and was taking orders from him. In retrospect, it seems obvious that they wouldn't have hired someone of Robert Redford's caliber to just be an upright lead bureaucrat type, he must be there for a significant twist. But that was a great 'omg!' moment for me.

Redford was one of the greats, and one of the most significant actors of my childhood. Looking at dates, I think Jeremiah Johnson was probably the first movie of his I saw, though all I remember is he looked fabulous as a mountain man. Then The Way We Were and The Sting... and somewhere in there I saw Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid on TV, being devastated by that ending. Three Days of the Condo and The Electric Horseman...I only saw All the President's Men within the last 10 years or so. That was weirdly fascinating just for how much the technology of journalism has changed.

I don't know much about his personal life, but he had an amazing career and did so many worthwhile things and lived to a pretty darned good age... we were lucky to have him and the body of work he created. RIP, Robert Redford, you will be missed.

I went to a Fox News Take Down on Saturday. It was only about 20 of us lined up outside the Fox station in town, on a wide, busy street, waving our signs about Fox’s lies, receiving regular honks of encouragement from the cars going past. It was much smaller than the protests at the Capitol but I’m glad I went. Had some good conversations with people equally concerned about what’s happening in this country and listened to a kickass playlist of protest songs.

I’ve been frustrated, talking with people about going to protests, and some of them saying, “oh, but they’re not doing anything, are they?” And JFC. No, the protests have not instantly converted the fascist orange grifter and his Republican lackeys into decent people who understand and respect what a democracy is. But they have consistently made the point that a whole bunch of people in this country are not happy with the stark rush to fascism and we will make a noise about saving our democracy.

I feel it must encourage and strengthen the judges who are making some important decisions to protect our laws and the politicians who are standing up and demanding oversight and accountability. And shows the world that many Americans disapprove of the felon’s destruction and chaos.

I’m still writing postcards too, which seems like time to do some more.