Quote:
Originally posted by Undertoad
Celebrities... is there anything they can't do?
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Well, considering that the most of the successful celebrity politicians that I know of have been Republicans (Reagan, Schwarzeneggar, Bono, Grandy (Gopher), Fred Thompson), I'd be happy to declare a moratorium.
Personally, if someone can get the public to pay more attention to an issue, I'm all for it. I will agree, however, that using entertainment events to express political opinions is in poor taste. This was pointed out by Laura Ingraham in her book. My only criticism of people who criticize celebreties in politics is how they fail to apply the same standard to people when they agree with their opinions.
My personal favorite was some female conservative who criticized Michael Moore's populist credentials because he was upper-middle-class and went to a private school.
Now, I considering that our current president is passing himself off as a populist, was born to an influential, wealthy family, went to an Ivy League school, and joined a ****ing secret society, you think that any conservative would flinch at bringing money and wealth in to discredit 'populist' celebrities.
There is so much partisan sniping and lack of self examination today towards political celebrities, that I just let most of it pass me by and judge on the merits of the arguments themselves.
I will be happy to let people like Laura Ingraham and Ann Coulter ignore or gush over Charlton Heston and Schwarzenegger, and demonize Martin Sheen and Janeane Garofalo (just guessing about these examples). The point is that we are now in a phase where the double standard is now as solid as a concrete divider on the expressway. Very few of the comments I have seen of celebrities in politics come from people who agree with their politics.
I actually have seen some honest criticism of Bush in the conservative media. There are some gaps in logic from the White House which cannot be ignored. But the over-the-top harpyism I am seeing from the right in mainstream venues is worse than anything I have ever seen from either wing of politics.
I am able to agree with Ms. Ingraham on the very limited statement that it is improper for a celebrity at a public non-charitable and non-political event at which they perform to make political statements to the audience, whether or not I agree with them. Beyond that, the bitch probably needs to re-read the first amendment.