That Touch of Mink
That Touch of Mink (1960)
In this classic romantic comedy, Cary Grant’s character is a wealthy business man and philanthropist who, in the midst his whirlwind wooing of Doris Day, addresses the United Nations. He says: <<< The wealth of a nation is in the well-being of its people, both spiritually and materialistically. It’s not a question of lowering our standards, but of helping others to raise theirs. If all people everywhere could be content and their living standards even and compatible with ours, there would be no envy in the world and therefore, less provocation of war. When you encourage and help people to develop their own natural resources, you do more than put bread in their mouths. You put dignity in their hearts. >>>
This screenplay was nominated for an academy award almost 50 years ago. I wonder if 50 years from now some Arabic or Indian business man will feel that way about the United States? After the last seven years, what resources will we have by then to offer anybody? We’ve been drilled and strip mined to death, and we don’t make anything anymore. The problem with the current administration’s planning, or lack thereof, is that they’re counting on some religious rapture in 2012. It finally dawned on me. I’d wondered for years how the Bushies could blatantly sell us out. It’s because they’re not going to be here. They’re going to be in Dubai. They’re already setting up house to kill some time in close and comfortable proximity to that coveted rendezvous point with their savior. What’s an American atheist to do? Oh to be Doris Day in the 1960’s…