Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

bigtree

(94,566 posts)
Tue Apr 28, 2026, 08:04 PM Tuesday

Dem Rep. 'They shouldn't use a potential tragedy to secure funding for president to have Great Gatsby parties in the WH'

Acyn @Acyn
Rep. McBride on the Republican push to use taxpayer money to build Trump’s ballroom:

My constituents can’t afford fucking groceries or utility bills, and he now wants to spend taxpayer money on a ballroom? They shouldn’t use a potential tragedy to try to secure funding from taxpayers for the president to have Great Gatsby parties in the White House.





Congressional Republicans are split on using taxpayer funds to build Trump's ballroom
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republicans-split-using-taxpayer-funds-trump-white-house-ballroom-rcna342290


4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Dem Rep. 'They shouldn't use a potential tragedy to secure funding for president to have Great Gatsby parties in the WH' (Original Post) bigtree Tuesday OP
Gatsby 1925 IcyPeas Tuesday #1
I think it was the Robert Redford version of 'The Great Gatsby' where Bruce Dern played Jack Valentino Tuesday #3
You know? I've never seen the film version. Only read the book. IcyPeas Wednesday #4
Those of us who have read 'The Great Gatsby' know what happened to Gatsby in the end.... Jack Valentino Tuesday #2

Jack Valentino

(5,203 posts)
3. I think it was the Robert Redford version of 'The Great Gatsby' where Bruce Dern played
Tue Apr 28, 2026, 11:04 PM
Tuesday

the role of 'Tom Buchanon', Daisy's husband--- I thought that was particularly good casting!

Bruce Dern's earlier career spent much time in western roles
as a particularly smarmy and slimy cowboy villain, one of 'the bad guys'
in many westerns, with numerous appearances in the TV westerns
'The Big Valley' and 'Gunsmoke' and in Clint Eastwood's feature film
'Hang 'Em High' (where he got hung)
and in John Wayne's 'The Cowboys' where he shot Wayne's character to death...

His face was one I came to recognize, as well as his manner,
but it was many years later before I learned his name!
He was great at playing 'the bad guy'---
but his usual roles would not tend to make you 'like him' as an actor,
because most people would not 'like' the characters he portrayed!

As such, I think he did a great job, and deserves more recognition for his acting talent!

The last major role he played which I know about, was as
the Secretary of Defense who was eventually fired by the president
in the film 'Independence Day' !

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Dern



IcyPeas

(25,695 posts)
4. You know? I've never seen the film version. Only read the book.
Wed Apr 29, 2026, 02:57 AM
Wednesday

I'm going to look for that film.

Jack Valentino

(5,203 posts)
2. Those of us who have read 'The Great Gatsby' know what happened to Gatsby in the end....
Tue Apr 28, 2026, 10:38 PM
Tuesday

It was a mistake and an undeserved cruel twist of fate that ended Gatsby....

If the same fate should happen to a certain modern 'Gatsby wannabe',
it won't be undeserved and it won't be a mistake....

In the novel, Gatsby was only filthy rich and pursuing his first love,
but not a 'bad man' by nature---
in stark contrast to a modern 'Gatsby wannabe'---
who fails by loving only HIMSELF, and hating everyone else!


Think I will read it again now-- I do own a personal copy.










Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Dem Rep. 'They shouldn't ...