When those demi-gods of American culture celebrities put forth their intelligent political views does anybody listen? Even if I agree with them they seem like stupid, self-important morons. What business does a celebrity have telling me about what they feel about Bush or Iraq. Didn't Alec Baldwin want to move out of the USA if Bush won? I wouldn't do that unless Pat Buchannon won!

I would say that people do listen. Esp those people who watch Entertainment Tonight and read People magazine.

The fact that they're celebrities gets them a spot in news coverage. It also helps if they have a particularly outlandish opinion. Celebs aren't all morons -- many of them are very educated and quite intelligent. And if they feel the need to participate in public debate, they have every right to do so. They should be signing up to this site.

But usually, they use their prominence to extend their ideas to a wider audience, which is something anyone in that position would probably do if they had ideas they felt strongly about.

Seriously, though, if your local media are giving celebrities coverage for their political opinions, and you don't care about that and don't think it belongs in the paper/broadcast, then tell the paper/station. They do read those letters and most editors/producers actually do take your opinions into account. They may not cancel coverage, but at least they'll be reminded of how empty it can be.

Here's a news item that is perfectly on topic: Celebrities to Send Bush Anti-War Letter

I have trouble poking fun at people who try and get interested in politics, even if it comes from people who condone anorexia and injections of toxic substances into their bodies for beauty. So - more power to these folks.

In my relatively unimportant opinion, I think Mike Farrell and Angelica Houton are making a mistake in delivering this letter to the President. The President WANTS to be the exact opposite of Hollywood mainstream. Bush makes his living off of a credo of "family values," which few associate with those who lead movie-star lives. It will be easy work for the Bush spin team to poo-poo and then bury this letter.

I think these celebrities would have been better served by promoting their views to the mindless couch potatoes that follow their every move on E! They should reason that the paparazzi is going to follow them everywhere anyway. Why not use the free time to promote their cause? Not to mention that, they have the potential of motivating some of the laziest people to action. That's bound to get the Bush administration's attention.

I'm glad. The press pays no attention when hundreds of thousands of people protest in front of the whitehouse. So, if this is what it takes to get their attention I'm all for it.

I watched Susan Sarandon give a speech during the last protest and the woman is smart. I wouldn't dismiss them simply because they work in Hollywood. They are also American's after all and deserve to have an opinion just like anyone else.

Don't discredit everyone. Celebrities hava just as valid of an opinion as you do. My job as a cashier in Wal-mart does not mean don't listen to me just as fame should not shy you away from listening. That's not to say that some celebreties just like some neighbors aren't dumb.

I am a songwriter, though not a celebrity (yet ). My songwriting, my creative life, is not something apart from my views of life. Were I a celebrity, why would I then feel any need to suddenly NOT voice my thoughts? In fact, whenever I have been interviewed in the press for my music, I tend to spend as much time as possible talking about issues, primarily because I don't like to talk about my Self, or any so-called talent I (probably don't) possess.

I think those celebrities irritate more people than they inspire. They make great fodder for talk radio. They are helping the Republican Party. Yes, wealthy celebrities should have the right to use free speech. Fortunately, for them, they are not affected by McCain-Feingold.

Empty?

Darn.

I didn't know your worklife (movies, TV, music) makes you an empty, stupid person unworthy of political opinions. Guess they should point this out in highschool when most people are thinking of the careers ahead of them.

They probably wouldn't be so empty or stupid if a person agreed with them. Lord knows we applaud them when they do antidrug commercials, do spots on the importance of an education and teach our kids the birds and the bees.

That's fine though... just keep your political opinions to yourself.

That idea is far more shallow than what people perceive Hollywood to be.

There was a quite nasty artical in a rag mag this week... let me go get it and I'll quote a few things in it.

The artical is "Attention Pampered Pacifists: Get Real!"

Some quotes:



Jeez!

Flakes? Background? What kind of background does one need to have an opinion on what's going on in this country and the world around us? What kind of history?



What do phobias have to do with politics? When is it acceptable to use a condition against a person?

This is in *blush* Star magazine for Jan 7th.

I think this is bull... most of our lives are no less speckled than a person making their living as an actor or actress. Each of us, actors and actresses included, have a right to voice our opinion. It is wrong to dismiss an opinion based on some boneheaded idea that actors and actresses are flakey people who wouldn't know politics from a hole in the ground.

Strange how the issue is not being debated... just whether or not these stars should have their opinions and whether the public should listen to them. Not a BLASTED thing about the situation or the politics the stars have. Just a dismissal.

Weak. Very weak.

Why do "conservative pundits" keep characterizing celebrity involvement in politics as a liberal preoccupation? As far as I can tell, it is conservatives who tend to get more mileage out of their celebrity: George Murphy, Sonny Bono, Jesse Ventura, Clint Eastwood - ever hear of a mediocre actor by the name of Reagan? And what about Charleton Heston? Membership in the NRA has more than doubled since he took over in 1992. What similar victories can the left claim? Helen Gahagan?

Granted there have been outspoken celebrities on the left from Jane Fonda to all 847 Baldwins, but I've noticed just as many John Waynes and James Woodses. It jusy seems to me that only those on the left are considered "flakes". More of that "liberal media" bias, I suppose...


Hugo: If you're that desperate to drag McCain-Feingold into the discussion, why not post to the Campaign Finance Reform thread?

If these celebrities want attention for their cause they should write a book. Why not, Charles Barkley did it. That way they can't just smile and stand behind a poduim.

Well... why don't you get off the computer and go write a book. Otherwise your political opinions aren't wanted.

Of course I don't mean that... but it is the same difference.

Be it celebrities or just you and I talking back and forth, if you don't have an informed opinion you should shut your mouth when talking about politics and world events. My opinion is hard to quantify, I mean how do you determine if a person doesn't know what they are talking about. I know that I am informed of most current events because I read a paper each day. Not just the funnies or the sports, but the whole darn thing. Too often people on the street think it is funny that they don't know who the vice president is, who the ruler of Iraq is, where North Korea is. THese people, and some celebrities fall into that category have no right to voive an opinion, because their lazy butts can't even muster the energy to get informed.

I can't write a book since I'm not a celebrity. Maybe these celebrities would be more credible if they researched and though about what they said. I'm not saying celebrities shouldn't say anything about the world. If that's the only way this country can start a real debate on Iraq so be it.

Maybe I should think about what I say before I say it too... nah

Wertz, two quick items,


Heston was elected as president of the NRA in 1998 with a membership of 2.8 million, it's now at approximately 4 million. Somehow I haven't seen him get alot of positive mileage out of his celebrity in the mainstream media. And I don't think his Alzhiemers will change that fact.

And I would hardly characterize Jesse Ventura as a conservative, nor would he I would guess.

But overall, your correct. People like Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn do get put through the ringer a bit.

Whoa...

Ok, define informed. I am sure there are people out there who think your idea of being informed is a joke. Reading the paper from cover to cover? That is what you call informed? That is what entitles you to an opinion? Please.

Have no right to voice an opinion? Tell that to the constitution, my informed friend. Maybe you need to chill on current events and go back to the basics, no?

Which celebrities don't know who the president is, don't know anything about Iraq or Korea? Which ones? Probably the ones that don't give a rat's hind end about the petition and didn't sign it anyway.

Zat so? Can't write a book because you're not a celebrity. Tell that to people who made their stardom by writing books.

How do you KNOW they do not research? Because they don't come to the same conclusion as yourself? Sheesh.

Madmax, chill. Ranciduncle was being sarcastic.

Those smilies are stupid, but sure can be helpful. It'll be much easier when there's the America's Debate T.V. show and we can all see each other's expressions when we speak (that's more sarcasm regarding the TV show. There will be no such thing as far as I am aware )

Mad Max,


It must be a new thing with the Conservs now. Dont is over on the Conservative thread complaining about the poor slobs (my words) who don't keep themselves informed about the world around them.

However, I should keep my mouth shut because I didn't read the paper today. I suppose this is off topic anyway.

Madtown

Wasn't the most revered conservative president of our time an......ACTOR? I can think of 10 actors I would vote for sooner than I would any of our current candidates.

Maybe that's because Alan Autry (Bubba from the Heat of the Night) is the current Mayor in my town. He's doing a pretty decent job of it too. Much better than the last Yahoo.

And I would love it if Susan Sarandon or Mike Ferral posted at this site. I really would love to talk politics with them.

I LOVED Bubba! Actually, that whole show was great...

I don't know what the big deal is. If you have an opinion (most do) and an outlet (some do) - use it. Why not?

I still contend that these celebrities were misguided in sending a letter to Bush. It is so easy to ignore them and even more fun for him (or his GOP buddies) to mock them. These celebrities should use their postitions to try and get people not normally interested in such things active. That will get the administration's attention more than anything.

Who would you rather see talk about politics Sean Penn or James Carville? Who would you rather see in a movie?

Id rather hear Sean Penn because I'm tired of the corporate media view. Who to watch in a movie? Depends on what the movie was about.

James Carville is the corporate media? At least he is a welcome break from Connie Chung...

I can't stand Connie Chung either. Professional pundits aren't your average American's. Neither are movie stars but they are a lot closer than the corporate funded network pundits.

Seeing Jeanine Girafalo do the circuit a few weeks back reinforces my thoughts that uninformed celebrities should just keep their mouth shut.

People like her make all celebrities look foolish.

Sure, they can discuss politics amongst themselves, or even participate at a website like this.

But should they be given a worldwide mouthpiece just because they're better at pretending than the rest of us? I don't think so.

Mike

I missed it. What did she get wrong?

Since everyone here is so hung up on thinking that they are superior to these celebrities, let me ask you this...Why should I listen to a loud mouth like O'Reilly? I've watched him and he doesn't even let people debate with him. Even better why should we listen to anyone?

Everyone? Must be some other forum to which you are referring.

Apologies - I saw 1992 and "more than doubled" somewhere on the internet recently - and both sounded correct. I should've confirmed before posting, though. Thanks!

I guess I can strike Susan Sarandon off my list of "Who 'Danya' really is" candidates, then.

I'll take that as a compliment.

Trying to see it from the celebrity point of view, which is a VERY long stretch for me... If I were a celebrity, I would think that I would use the recognition for furthering my own causes, whether they be charitable, or political. What would be the point of being famous if you didn't use that fame to affect change?

She got nothing wrong. She simply acted outraged that what she wanted to happen wasn't happening. But, it was in fact happening.

Her basic message was that in her opinion, President Bush should allow the inspectors to do their job before we go to war.

Hello? What is and has been going on for a month now?

It was obvious that she had not kept up on the progress of the inspectors and the administration's position on those inspectors.

Other than the fact that she beat her anti-Bush drum quite loud, it was a waste of time.

Maybe those interviews could have had some substance if they interviewed experts, not celebrities showcasing today's pet project.



Just turn it off. You don't have to listen to him if you don't want.

Mike

What sums it all up for me is that the stories such as Sean Penn travelling to Iraq, that they are in the 'Entertainment' section of the papers.

But everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, they have the same right to flap their gums just like we do here.

She may actually BE outraged. So am I. Why are we still pretending Bush is letting the inspectors do their jobs? He moves us closer to war every day while it appears to the rest of the world the inspections are moving along right as they should. Nothing is found so far and yet Bush is still beating his war drums. Lot's of drum beating going on. Maybe war depends on who's drums are louder.

Limpubus said:
Since everyone here is so hung up on thinking that they are superior to these celebrities, let me ask you this...Why should I listen to a loud mouth like O'Reilly? I've watched him and he doesn't even let people debate with him.




Yes i can turn it off and so can everyone who watches celebs

Go ahead and defend someone who didn't know their facts if you want, but I saw the interviews.

She was misinformed, and made a fool out of herself. She perpetuated the stereotype that hollywood is full of a bunch of wackos that have no grasp on the real world.

Mike

So did Ronald Reagan - and even that didn't get celebrities to shut up.

Bring out your dead....(I couldn't let this topic die. I like it)

I saw the following article regarding America's sweetheart Ben Affleck: Affleck on a roll to Congress? and I thought it fit in well here.

First off, I support his interest in running for Congress. It's a noble cause.

However...
the person in the spotlight best be prepared for criticism. In this instance, here's mine: In one statement Affleck accuses the pop media of being fascinated with his relationship with Jennifer Lopez because he is white and she is Puerto Rican. He implies an entire industry thinks the same way on an issue (despite it being barely an issue). Second, he seems to think that all gay males are good dressers in his comment rebuking his rumored lifestyle

Those types of blanket statements would be torn to shreds on this forum. Imagine him trying to run for Congress.

GO BEN GO!!

So, he has a sense of humor. And yes, I'm sure he does get looks and comments about his love life with JLo. I know this because my husband is Mexican and I am white...I used to get very uncomfortable when I would notice people staring at us when we were first dating. His skin is much darker than mine.

I think it would be refreshing not to have one of those lying stuffed shirts in Congress.

He's young, he's rich, and if he's smart (which I've read he is) then he should go for it. I don't think a Presidential Candidate necessarily should have to be a lily white nun. If they smoked pot in high school admit it and admit you've moved and and admit it gives you a better understanding of it then your competitor. I mean, we all can tell when a politician is lying anyway (I didn't inhale, my *** NOTICE: THIS WORD IS AGAINST THE RULES. FAILURE TO REMOVE IT WILL RESULT IN A STRIKE. ***) so do us a favor and just be honest so the issue can die a natural death.

edited to add I know jaime said congress but the rant applies to that too.

(Sorry about the unexpected rant.)

LOL...my wife is Peurto Rican. She is absolutely the best. She thinks sometimes people stare at us...I haven't seen anything like that at all. I wonder if it's just being a minority if it's a different mindset? I mean she was terrified the first time she met my folks.

Darcaine