Ambush: Reflections On My Friend Jim Webb
by William Friedkin
at Huffington Post
January 3, 2007. Washington, D.C."The day dawns crisp and shiny, an unseasonably warm 50 degrees and climbing. The cherry blossom trees are barren, awaiting an early spring as the nation anticipates the new Congress. Signs of rebirth are seen all over Washington. Other signs as well: a placard in front of the Russell Senate Office Building reads, "America is Dying.
Bush Be Gone."
My wife Sherry and I have been invited to attend Jim Webb's swearing-in as the new Senator from Virginia, the result of an unexpected, come-from behind victory over the Republican incumbent -- and former potential presidential candidate -- George Allen. We've known Jim since 1999 when he wrote an original screenplay called Rules of Engagement, which I directed. We remained friends in spite of numerous "creative differences" -- often heated, sometimes bitter.
I came away from that experience feeling that Jim Webb is the most complex, principled man I've ever known. He came away feeling good about what I had done with the finished film -- though he still refers to me as the only man in the country with a temper worse than his. I accept this as a compliment.
..........SNIP"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-friedkin/ambush-reflections-on-my_b_38841.html