I recently stumbled upon an interview John Wayne had with Playboy Magazine…in 1971. I remember looking up to the ‘larger than life’ Duke in his films as a kid.
As a man, I look up to John Wayne even more!
Though I don’t necessarily agree with him on all points, here is one of the Dukes comments that I feel is especially pertinent in this day and age:
John Wayne in Playboy
The Duke speaks on well-educated idiots
I know all about that. In the late Twenties, when I was a sophomore at USC, I was a socialist myself — but not when I left. The average college kid idealistically wishes everybody could have ice cream and cake for every meal. But as he gets older and gives more thought to his and his fellow man’s responsibilities, he finds that it can’t work out that way — that some people just won’t carry their load…. I believe in welfare — a welfare work program. I don’t think a fella should be able to sit on his backside and receive welfare. I’d like to know why well-educated idiots keep apologizing for lazy and complaining people who think the world owes them a living. I’d like to know why they make excuses for cowards who spit in the faces of the police and then run behind the judicial sob sisters. I can’t understand these people who carry placards to save the life of some criminal, yet have no thought for the innocent victim.
What are your thoughts on what the Duke had to say?
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
The Duke was wise.
and I can’t believe you keep your Playboys that long!
UP
I keep a picture of the Duke (from my favorite movie The Quiet Man) on my bulletin board in my home office. Enough said.
Spot on, as usual! I love love love The Duke.
My thoughts on The Duke…….draftdodger
Sorry, you can delete my comment. Rude to say on your blog.
It’s all good, christina…others opinions are important here!
As far as the Duke, I know he didn’t serve, but I do not know the details.
There are other people I do look up to that have not served, one being Muhammad Ali.
Even though I come from a long line of military service, I have many friends that have not and will never do.
Your opinion is always welcome here.
Thanks Brian. I wrote that without thinking and then regretted it instantly. One great old cowboy that did serve and I admire very much was James Arness. He wounded as well. Great guy. Thanks for not being peeved.
No regrets here…feel free to speak you mind…awright?
James Arness…expect a post on him in the future. I remember fondly watching him in Gunsmoke with my grandpa!
Plus, I could never get peeved by someone who loves bunnies, right?
My mother use to tell me, she was going to marry John Wayne, but my father asked first. I grew up watching all of his movies. In fact, it was a major request of my mother; that her cable package include Westerns. Black and White movies, John Wayne, Gun Smoke.. all were a big part of my life. I agree with what John stated. And through they years have passed us by; you can clearly see that nothing has changed much. Except, I have learned, in this little town of mine, that more and more fellas are on disability, living off a government check.. where you can find them driving the finer cars, wearing the stylish clothes, and owning more shoes then the local Nike store. Where once the Working class people were the majority, now the Welfare class is. Well said Duke. Even in death, his word still ring true.
My mother would tell me as a little girl; that she would have married John Wayne, but my father asked first. I love that story. Funny how nothing has changed. Maybe they year, but everything else is the same way John told it in that interview. Even in death, he tells it like it is.