Entertainers Voicing Their Views

[Bobbles]

I am just amazed at the reactions by the conservatives regarding the "liberal" celebrities voicing their political opinions.
And the liberals not whining about the "conservative" celebs like Toby Keith who cater to the conservatives.
The coin has two sides does it not? Interesting.
http://www.tobykeith.com/
he has been on this tour for quite a while now.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Ya gotta love the all or nothing comparisons, such as "all conservatives whine about liberal entertainers" and "no liberals whine about conservative entertainers." If reality had such absolutes, we'd have no need of discussion boards.

So "liberal" entertainers are allowed to speak their mind, but "conservative" audience members have to keep quiet? Interesting!

 

[jrydberg]

Troll! Eeyore's a troll!!

Just kidding! Sorry, couldn't resist.

Personally, I'd be annoyed if I had tickets to any concert and the entertainer started spouting on about politics. Do it on your own time.

 

[stevenpensacola]

I don't understand why celebrities' (especially actors....whose contribution to society is "pretending" and playing make believe)
opinions are treated like they're better than the average joes.

I think that's why they have the need to feel like they're actually contributing to our society.

It's absurb what they get paid considering what they "do".

GO BUSH!!!

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Originally posted by stevenpensacola
I don't understand why celebrities' (especially actors....whose contribution to society is "pretending" and playing make believe)
opinions are treated like they're better than the average joes.

I think that's why they have the need to feel like they're actually contributing to our society.

It's absurb what they get paid considering what they "do".

You mean people like.....Ronald Reagan?

 

[Lanshark]

jrdsberg
Troll! Eeyore's a troll!!

Remember... He's not a full fledged troll yet but still considered a Troll in Training.

I assume he'll let us know when he graduates

 

[stevenpensacola]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
You mean people like.....Ronald Reagan?

He's the exception.

I don't recall him using his acting status (while acting) to try and ram his views down our throats.

end of discussion.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by Lanshark
Remember... He's not a full fledged troll yet but still considered a Troll in Training.

I assume he'll let us know when he graduates

I still have several credit hours to finish yet. I'm still working toward my "Resident Troll" designation. After that, I plan to apply to Troll Graduate School so I can work toward my "Master Troll" designation. I'm not sure what comes after that.

*SIGH* For now, I'm just a T.I.T. Oh well, back to class...

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by jrydberg
Troll! Eeyore's a troll!!

Just kidding! Sorry, couldn't resist.

No apology necessary! I am proud of my new designation, although as Lanshark correctly points out, I have not graduated from Troll Academy yet.

 

[Bobbles]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
Ya gotta love the all or nothing comparisons, such as "all conservatives whine about liberal entertainers" and "no liberals whine about conservative entertainers." If reality had such absolutes, we'd have no need of discussion boards.

So "liberal" entertainers are allowed to speak their mind, but "conservative" audience members have to keep quiet? Interesting!

The use of quotes here is also very interesting.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Originally posted by stevenpensacola
He's the exception.

I don't recall him using his acting status (while acting) to try and ram his views down our throats.

end of discussion.

LOL I'm still up for discussing, sorry that you aren't!

And as far as I can tell, no one is trying to ram their views down our throats.

How about Arnold Schwarzneggar? Charlton Heston? Sonny Bono?

 

[binny]

whats the saying?

Oh yes I remember now

"hookairs" ?

If I pay to see them I dont want their views shoved my throat,if they do on it on their time "hookairs" just cause their rich doesnt make their opinion anymore valuable than my own!

 

[Eeyore1954]

Sonny Bono had views?

Anyone can have views and anyone can speak out on what their views are. There are appropriate times/places for both. JMO, but a concert/performance/play, etc. is not the appropriate place or time for an entertainer to begin sharing their political views, regardless of whether they are conservative or liberal or anything in between. They are being paid to perform, not "pontificate." If they end their performance, take their bows, and then decide to talk -- that's fine with me. I'll be heading for the exit and they can talk all they want to because I got what I paid for.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Personally I think ALL celebrities should keep their mouths shut about political issues. It turns me off and makes me not want to watch their movies or buy their cd's when I find out their are for the opposite party that I am for so I would just rather not know their views at all.


stevenpensacola, I agree with you.

BedKnobbery2, Ronald Reagan never used his celebrity status in that way. A lot of celebrities are trying to ram their views down our throats. Look at what Bruce Springsteen is doing now. And when a celebrity holds a political position that is their JOB!!!! It's not Bruce Springsteen's job.

 

[Disney Doll]

If I am paying for a ticket to be enetrtained, I do not want anyone's political beliefs shoved down my thoat, be they liberal or conservative.

On their own time, they certainly have the right to say whatever they wish and I have the right to listen or not.

 

[rcyannacci]

Originally posted by stevenpensacola
I don't understand why celebrities' (especially actors....whose contribution to society is "pretending" and playing make believe)
opinions are treated like they're better than the average joes.

I think that's why they have the need to feel like they're actually contributing to our society.

It's absurb what they get paid considering what they "do".

Actually, this is a very long held, common bias against actors in society, starting with Plato who argued against the theatre because it was "lying," a representation and therefore not to be believed. Until very recently, actors were not celebrated but feared because of their talent to mimic the actions of others. The Church outlawed professional actors, women who chose to be actresses were seen as little better than prostitutes (since it was assumed that women couldn't be "protected"in public), actors were denied proper burials, the list goes on...

The public fears actors because if they are convincing on the stage, then what would keep them from "lying" in real life. When are they "pretending" and when are they sincere?

Remember that only a very, very small percentage of actors get paid well. Most are like us. For example, all of the performers you see at WDW on various stages. They are lucky because they have a steady income/continual contract, but they are making a fortune. They are probably lucky if they can afford to buy a house instead of rent. And, they are some of the lucky ones.

Actors defy conventions- they seem strange to us because their lives, their work hours, thier responsibilities seem so different from ours- but make no mistake that it is work. They are professionals with long hours of training and expertise. And if we are allowed to express our political beliefs (as we continue to do on these boards), then they should have the same opportunity. Just because they are in the entertainment business doesn't mean that their contribution to society is any less or more. They just have better microphones. And if you don't agree with what you hear, then by all means grab a mic and join in the dialogue.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Whether he intended to use his celebrity status or not, I'm absolutely certain that when he ran for Governor, many knew who he was simply because he'd been in the movies, which would give him an advantage over, say, Joe Schmoe, whom no one had ever heard of before. To assert that isn't the case is, well, akin to sticking your head in the sand.

Celebrities are entitled to their opinions, just like anyone else, and are entitled to share their opinions, just like anyone else. I know I discuss politics at work, as does everyone I work with, so I'm not going to throw stones at celebrities doing the same.....the difference being, Entertainment Tonight doesn't have much interest in what I think about things.

 

[rcyannacci]

This issue of entertainers and their political views is obviously weighing on a lot of minds, considering the rash of Springsteen threads. And, as I'm trying to think through the issue, the more complicated it seems.

Most people who have posted who dislike hearing entertainers political views also seem to be expressing a frustration at the lack of voice for "the rest of us," those citizens who don't have the same exposure, who have strong political convictions but don't have the same access to global communication networks. And, if this entertainer is expressing a political belief opposed to yours, it can certainly be frustrating. For example, I think Jessica Simpson is silly. I hate the tired blonde act (which she seems to admit is an act), her voice is fine but not spectacular, and the songs she sings don't seem to have any substance. Plus, I'm bombarded by her image everytime I turn on the TV, walk through an airport and see covers of magazine, etc. But, I'd be fine with her using this status to support the president (if that's her view, as another posted suggested). Heck, even though I'd likely disagree with her support, I'd be more impressed with her as a person for making a political public statement and hopefully encouraging her young fans to become active in politics.

Maybe I'm not frustrated by these public demonstrations by entertainer (on either side) is because they are just that...public. I acknowledge that their money buys them media access. But they aren't trying to hide their beliefs or, I believe, cram them down anyones throat. They may say "Vote for X," but you still have the power to cast your own ballot.

Personally, I'm more frustrated by political power that I can't see, the power that corporations have to change the landscapes in which we live, to have access to local and national lawmakers, to reek environmental damage on global proportions...and then to have the ability/money to hide those intentions behind well-placed public relations schemes. This is stuff I feel no control over, partially because the process is so hidden.

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by Bobbles
I am just amazed at the reactions by the conservatives regarding the "liberal" celebrities voicing their political opinions.
And the liberals not whining about the "conservative" celebs like Toby Keith who cater to the conservatives.
The coin has two sides does it not? Interesting.
http://www.tobykeith.com/
he has been on this tour for quite a while now.

Toby Keith is a Democrat (I know cause I live in OK and he supported our current governor a Democrat) - but also in the man's own words from the link:

But Keith has a confession to make. "People don't realize that I'm a registered Democrat," he says. "They automatically assume that I'm a chest-banging, war-drum-pounding Republican with my military stance."

Keith goes on to compare himself to Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut: "a conservative Democrat who is sometimes embarrassed for his party."

I've always seen Toby Keith as Pro-American, not necessarily pro one party or the other. Most country fans know what to expect with Toby but if a fan is offended they have every right to complain here on the DIS

 

[Saffron]

Is this thread, and those that are annoyed about celebrities speaking out, about Springsteen and the bands that are going with him in October?

If so, Springsteen's concert is for people who already made up their mind. The concert is for people who WANT to hear what Springsteen and others have to say. The concert is for people how WANT to support organizations who are trying to remove Bush from office. It's no different than going to see any other speaker speak ... oh yeah wait, most of them will be singing or playing an instrument, so that's the difference.

Celebrities are people. Sometimes when they speak they get heard. Sometimes not. I really don't care who says what. But I do care when celebrities are told to shut up, that their opinions don't matter. Their opinions matter just as much as mine or yours. You don't have to listen to them though, that's the good thing about the freedom in this country. You can choose who you want to listen to, be they celebrity or not.