Here are some photos of George and Amal Clooney leaving Berlin on Saturday. Amal wore this weirdly baggy striped minidress for the journey, which… honestly, is not even the worst thing we’ve seen her wear this month. She has such bizarre street-style and I guess we just have accept it. George and Amal were in town for the Berlinale, to premiere Hail Caesar, and to meet with Angela Merkel regarding Europe’s ongoing refugee crisis. Meanwhile, we’re getting more quotes from Clooney’s Hail Caesar press conference, and it seems like he was asked wall-to-wall political questions. He was asked specifically about Donald Trump and whether he (Clooney) believes Trump could ever be president, or if America would ever “ban Muslims.” This is Clooney’s answer:
“I mean, there are some extreme voices out there. I always have to caution people when they watch American politics that we go a little crazy during the political season and it’s a very long season. And the xenophobic, fascist sort of ‘no Muslims are going to come into the United States,’ that’s never going to happen, you know, that’s not going to happen in the United States. That’s not who we are, that’s not who we have ever been, that’s not how this country was formed. So you are going to hear some of these louder voices that are extreme, and a much smaller percentage of the country that always come up during these moments, but they don’t ever survive and we get past this.
“I think it was Winston Churchill said, ‘You can always count on Americans to do the right thing — after they have exhausted every other possibility’. So you know it’s all going to be fine it’s just going to take us a minute There is something about the American psyche that defined us as anybody can do anything – isn’t that the whole American definition, is anybody can become anything? That’s what we prided ourselves on but at the same time – ‘anybody can do anything’ – that’s also, you look at it, and it’s like this is a scary prospect.”
[From Al Arabiya & Brietbart]
I don’t disagree with him and I actually think he’s offering up a smart long-view of American politics. If there’s one thing that I actually learned from the Sarah Palin debacle in 2008, it’s that the American people actually do pay attention, and at a gut-level, the overwhelming majority of people want to elect a president with intelligence, humanity, an even temperament, and grace under pressure. Yes, there will be “flash in the pan” ideologies and flirtations with fascism, etc. But the arc of history bends towards justice.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I really like the striped dress + blazer + boots, in a nutshell: the whole outfit. 🙂
That’s exactly my street-style (I would also wear it for the office).
I think her whole outfit looks great, and it isn’t even a bit weird like her ususal choices.
And yet again, Clooney is wearing those same jeans and schlumpy shoes. She needs to start shopping for him. I would.
Exactly. I don’t know what’s so wrong about it or her style in general. She dresses just fine in my book.
I agree! ! When I vote, I vote for the candidate who best represents my political views. For better or for worse America is extremely powerful. I also vote for the level headed person who had good judgement. It’s like the oath doctor’s take, do no evil. I fully understand that our world neighbors don’t always have positive feelings towards America. I certainly understand why. I just want other countries know that the Sarah palins and Donald Trumps do not represent the general public. My dream is for us to be stable within our own country and reestablish goodwill with our world community neighbors. We aren’t all obnoxious.
It’s like that everywhere. The stupidest voices are always the loudest. It’s just that the voices in America have a global platform. And American politics influences the world more than any other.
It does seem like Trump actually has a chance, and even if he doesn’t get the nomination, is Ted Cruz better? I guess we all just have to hope that the Democrats will win. Personally, I’d like to see Bernie win, but then again, I’m European and the word socialist sound like a positive thing to me.
“Anybody can do anything” is a lie. The “American dream” is long dead and I actually think that that kind of thinking is dangerous because it implies that those who don’t suceed just didn’t try hard enough.
I generally like George although I’m not always a fan of what he says/does, but he’s been one of the better spoken celebrities out there lately on all kinds of issues, from diversity to the insanity that is the current GOP primary (and party). I love the Churchill quote – I keep forgetting that one but need to remember it because it’s comforting when I see some of the hateful stuff people do/spew.
I dont mind Amals outfit, apart from her extremely thin legs, but his style is terrible, the mom levi 501s jeans that he has had from the 80,s and that tequila tshirt, it doesnt do anything for him. Someone needs to give him a 2016 style overdo, because even though he is aging, he is still an attractive older man when he is dressed nice, and please George cut your hair in a nice short crewcut, it takes years of you.
Extreme? Meeting with Angela Merkel and offering his public support for her catastrophic handling of the migrant crisis which has destroyed any hope for real refugees who are still in camps and destabilised Europe with over a million men in a few months from very misogynistic cultures, the consequences of which has endangered women and girls in every community they’ve been dumped on because they’re splitting into violent gangs. She has silenced the press who are not allowed to report on anything. She has ordered the police not to prosecute migrants except for the most serious crimes and even then to try avoid it. She had the cctv footage from the New Years Eves mass gang rapes destroyed because she was worried it would cause the political system to collapse if it went public. Her and her political class have created a huge problem and are continuing to add to it. When George Clooney refers to extremism he’s talking about anybody who says anything that challenges his political likes. Not extremism. He supports many people whose politics are very dangerous, anti democratic and plain wrong.
Thank you, and his wife is no better.
Zaytabogota:
I agree with much of your post. The handling of the assaults of multiple women in Köln was appalling..although the police chief was sacrificed for his handling of the matter, it is clear that politics was heavily involved… To Merkel’s credit, though. when I consider her generousity in agreeing to take so many migrants, I think that her religious background-her father was a Lutheran minister-and the memory of Germany’s treatment of the Jews during WWII was also part of it. I believe Germany is still atoning for its past sins.
Re: (looney) Clooney’s statement on extremes, I think that’s a no brainer…and IMO-especially with the election of Obama-the pendulum has swung too far to the left. When Trump starting campaigning, I thought he was not serious about it, but had the primary goal of influencing currently policy. Since then, I think he is serious. And if one follows the polls, folks who don’t fit the profile are supporting him. The entrenched established political parties continued NOT TO LISTEN to what their constituents want. I have watched the debates and do support Trumps’ continued bluntness re: failed U.S. foreign policy. And, it’s a rare candidate that would have the ______to criticize the FP designs of elected officials from his own party. He does and I find that refreshing. I understand that much of Sander’s support is coming from young people. He promises alot-free education, free healthcare. Do folks want to pay extremely higher taxes as they do in Europe? Do they want redistribution of their resources? I don’t. Sanders is just as extreme as Trump and would also have a very difficult time in functioning as POTUS…back to Clooney, I wonder where he gets the idea that his view on politics is important to anyone?
Sanders is as extreme as Trump? In what world? Sanders is a moderate leftist whose propositions are extremely fair. Healthcare and education should be free, even if that means higher taxes. Especially for rich people who got rich because they benefit from society, it’s about damn time they start paying back.
Yes, Bernie is extreme and considered so by many Dems. The U.S. is carrying a colassal deficit ($19 trillion). Any serious presidential candidate needs to explain how the debt will be addressed. Bernie’s plans will increase the debt. He reminds me of Herbert Hoover who promised voters a ‘chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.’
BTW, If you read the Constitution,nowhere does it say that healthcare & education should be free.
No, Bernie is not extremist. The Dems are a centre, if not centre-right party. I’m not from America so I have not read the US constitution. Morally, healthcare and education should be free.
Locke Lamora said:
“No, Bernie is not extremist. The Dems are a centre, if not centre-right party. I’m not from America so I have not read the US constitution. Morally, healthcare and education should be free.”
I’m very glad that you disclosed that you are not an American. I think that explains why your notions are mistaken and you are misinformed.
Well, I am a US citizen, and I agree with her. Trump would increase our deficit, but without increasing social health. The Constitution doesn’t specifically mention a lot of things, but as we mature as a country we realize what we should arrive for. It isn’t bigger military, a vanishing middle class, and 1% owning more than 90%. Oh, and I’m a vet who served two tours in Iraq–so don’t assume I’m a ‘lefty’ too!
Only in the US could someone like Sanders be considered extreme. Holding Wall Street to account? The return of Glass-Steagall? It’s all basic stuff that would help avert another ’07. It’s centre-left economics, but in the US that means extreme to many, mainly because a lot of Americans have a rose-tinted view of what the market can achieve and has a paranoia about the big, bad government usurping the rights of business. And a lot of people equate market freedom / the free market with democracy. They’re actually usually antagonistic to each other, but together they’re the best way to run societies.
Meanwhile, Jeb equates gun ownership with being American with a pic on Twitter and that’s acceptable. The second amendment actually says the right to bear arms *through a well-regulated militia*. That’s nowhere near every Tom, Dick, and Harriet owning a semi-automatic.
Sanders self-describes as a democratic socialist and praises the Scandinavian model of social democracy. Social democracy is not compatible with the framework set down by our forefathers. If folks like the social democracy model, by all means live in Sweden, Holland or wherever. This viewpoint is extreme in the U,S,
No one can doubt that there are issues to be addressed with the tax code, military spending, entitlements etc. Voting in someone who wants to increase spending will not address these issues. It will just compound the problems. Multiple democratic economists have vetted Sanders’ proposals and state they are extreme and won’t work.
Re: Constitution, the point is what meaning did the writers intend at the time the document was written? This is similar to biblical exegesis which is done according to the history versus personal interpretation.
It’s not clear what the point about military service is. I have multiple family members who served multiple tours in the middle east. Folks in the military support various parties….
“Social democracy is not compatible with the framework set down by our forefathers.”
It’s arguable exactly what was the framework set down by the forefathers, but the forefathers certainly didn’t foresee incredible technological advancements and all kinds of derivatives of derivative financial products and stuff that just is NOT CAPITALISTIC (not producing anything using capital), but just moving money around). That is not capitalism. Look at the history of the US – the New Deal, Glass-Steagall, ’07 – et cetera. You could argue the US has evolved and learned and developed as a country since its constitution was enacted. Regulating financial instruments and products is not an extreme idea in any way. People only think it is because they don’t have any real economic perspective beyond the idea that all government policies must be bad for business. The truth is, 2007 and the like are enormously disruptive and damaging to the economy and real capitalism.
Crudities:
“social democracy” refers to support for political democracy, regulation of the capitalist economy, and a welfare state.” The Constitution-which should be interpreted according to what the writers meant at the time it was written-clearly established a limited government. It provided for what was stated. The states were meant to have a stronger role than the federal government by the writers.
America was founded by those seeking (individual) religious liberty. The history of America emphasizes the individual-one’s rights/liberties and self sufficiency. The Declaration of Independence, America’s founding document created a government based on individual rights and law. The economic systems that developed in America (capitalism, free enterprise) are an outgrowth of this idea.
The New Deal and it’s programs were a response to a extreme situation-the Great Depression, and IMO extremes are in a different category that for example entitlements. Re: banking bailout-this was a decision made by a democratic president whose leanings are towards a european model of democratic socialism. Very many economists disagreed with Obama’s decision to bail out dishonest banks. That was typical democratic government intervention.
“That’s not who we’ve ever been.” Uh, yeah it is. Where have you been? What rock do you live under? America has made sure to exclude, vilify, and intern plenty of “others.” What a stupid, tone deaf thing to say.
-TheRealPinky
In those glasses George is reminding me of Barry from Storage Wars, my older man crush, it’s his personality and those glasses that get me. Amal’s outfit is pretty, I like the stripes.
there is just no way that woman is under 40. She looks like a solid 45 to me. Has anyone verified her age? Anyhoo to me that outfit looks ridiculous on her because it just looks to youthful for her- she looks like all the LA chicks who try and dress the same as their daughters and just end up looking absurd.
She was a smoker. Isn’t that supposed to age you?
She is 38 on her recent bday, but I agree she looks a good 45 or more, especially when she has those big bags under her eyes, she looks wornout, and she wears alot of makeup.
And let me just add I think it would be awesome if she was in her 40’s. ( Except for her fashion choices.)
Unfortunately at the state and local level, those people do get elected and it is very damaging to the country. Witness school boards in Texas, for example.
I actually like this outfit on Amal, and I think 90% of the stuff she wears is terrible. Also, she’s terrible as a pap walker but if you watch videos of her, she comes across quite well and not that arrogant at all. I think she just needs to learn to stop leering at the paps and looking for the cameras whenever she’s out, and obviously stop wearing those ridiculously overpriced (probably free from designers) outfits ALL the time. Leave them for special events. (I think she’s probably always loved fashion and when she hooked up with the Kloon, it was like raining money with designers sending her heaps of free stuff.) Otherwise they just look decadent and crass and kind of clueless, especially when George is going around preaching about refugees.
I think Donald Trump is more of a threat than he thinks. The GOP is worried about him too.
You really should credit MLK when you use his quote!!!