Johnny Depp Speaks

[Tiggeroo]

I find the interview odd. By the gist of it, I dislike what Johnny is saying. But you can't utter your usual taunt of if you don't like it here leave. He has already done that. Unlike the Dixie Chicks he is not really taking advantage of what the US has to offer.

 

[WDWHound]

Free speech allows anyone the right to demonstrate their ignorance, and it looks like Mr. Depp has taken full advantage of it. He's a brilliant actor, but apparently not a very intelligent person.

It’s a pity. I love watch the man perform in films, but now I will have to think twice befre attending one of his movies. He is free to voice his opinion and dis our country while living in France, and I am free to not support him by not attending his movies. I may just have to exercise that freedom.

 

[Magix]

Originally posted by WDWHound
Free speech allows anyone the right to demonstrate their ignorance, and it looks like Mr. Depp has taken full advantage of it. He's a brilliant actor, but apparently not a very intelligent person.

Wow! So, because he disagrees with your personal opinion on the matter, he's ignorant? Am I reading you right? Personally, I agree with him - so I think he's rather smart to speak his mind. It's good for people to see that it's okay to hold an attitude other than "love it or leave it". Not sure why so many people have such an issue with questioning our country and our leaders. Isn't that the American way? Aren't we supposed to have a healthy dialogue and be sure we're doing the right things for the right reasons? Aren't we supposed to question our leaders and their motives? Well, if you think Johnny's ignorant for his opinion, you must think I'm a blathering idiot. Personally, I can respect your opinions - I wish you'd do the same for me (and Johnny).

 

[olena]

The interview sounds translated to me. That may be why it seems so awkward.

As for the whole Freedom of Speech thing, it only protects you from the US Congress and not from public opinion or even your employer......like dumb Americans who go see your movies.

But I give him credit, he hasn't ranted about his rights being infringed upon.

 

[nuke]

I was ecstatic they re-named 'French Fries' as 'Freedom Fries'. Grown men and women in positions of power in the U.S. government showing themselves as idiots," he told Stern.

I think this statement is hysterical. How true! (in my opinion said with my first amendment rights)

 

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by Magix
Wow! So, because he disagrees with your personal opinion on the matter, he's ignorant? Am I reading you right? Personally, I agree with him - so I think he's rather smart to speak his mind. It's good for people to see that it's okay to hold an attitude other than "love it or leave it". Not sure why so many people have such an issue with questioning our country and our leaders. Isn't that the American way? Aren't we supposed to have a healthy dialogue and be sure we're doing the right things for the right reasons? Aren't we supposed to question our leaders and their motives? Well, if you think Johnny's ignorant for his opinion, you must think I'm a blathering idiot. Personally, I can respect your opinions - I wish you'd do the same for me (and Johnny).

Wow! You attributed a whole lot of things to me I never said. I never said anything about your opinion. I never said anything about love it or leave it. I never said anything about whether people should question our country's leaders. I never said anything about the American way. 90% of what you posted has nothing to to with what I actually said.

I did say that Johnny Depp was ignorant and, using his words as a basis, I stand by that. Why? It's the one sideness and shallowness he demonstrated while making serious accusations that did it. What Mr Depp did was not part "healthy dialog", it was more like an unhealthy diatribe.

To declare the US to be a "dumb puppy" and aggressive is such an over simplification of the current situation as to make me lose all respect for this man's opinion. He does not take into account that what he sees as aggression is viewed as legitimate self-defense by others. He does not take into account that many world leaders see any action taken by the United States that they do not benefit from as aggression. And the whole "freedom fries" clearly shows he has no sense of satire. He speaks though those who passed the freedom fries motion intended it to be taken seriously. He even referred to them as idiots. There are many ways to make a political point, humor is one of them, but that is apparently lost on Mr. Depp.

If someone like Mr. Depp is going to use freedom of speech to attack anything (especially our government), then I expect him to present a well thought out argument that takes at least some of the complexities of the situation into account. The words, arguments and assumptions people use to present their views speak volumes about them, and unfortunately Mr. Depp's words present someone who either is unwilling or unable to do more than present a very shallow, one sided view of things. If he speaks more intelligently in the future, I will upgrade my opinion of him (I'm sure he'll be relieved, (LOL)).

For the record, I have no idea if you are a "blathering idiot" or someone will well defined views that happen to disagree with mine. It was the clear one sidedness and ranting nature of his argument that earned him a tag of ignorant from me, not the opinion which he shares with you. Aside from a demonstrated ability to leap to conclusions, I know little about you. My opinion about Mr. Depp Stands. Why you would take that opinion as a personal insult is a mystery to me.

 

[Planogirl]

WDWHound, I wish that you would consider reading the whole interview and not just this little snippet, and also keep in mind that this is apparently a lousy translation before you categorize Mr Depp. Remember that our beloved press sensationalizes and twists meanings to suit themselves or so I'm told. Also, perhaps keep in mind that he may very well be as ignorant as you say but even our most ignorant citizens and apparently even those in France are given the right of free speech. Our Congressmen prove this every day.

 

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by Planogirl
WDWHound, I wish that you would consider reading the whole interview and not just this little snippet, and also keep in mind that this is apparently a lousy translation before you categorize Mr Depp. Remember that our beloved press sensationalizes and twists meanings to suit themselves or so I'm told. Also, perhaps keep in mind that he may very well be as ignorant as you say but even our most ignorant citizens and apparently even those in France are given the right of free speech. Our Congressmen prove this every day.

Actually, have read more of the interview than was presented here. You have a valid point about possible sensationaliztion by the press, but its the only presentation of the man I have to work with.

As for ignorant people utilizing fredom of speech, I absolutely believe they have that right and would fight to defend it (there are certainly times when I have found myself doing so (LOL)). I also have the right to form opinions based on what they say, speak those opinions freely and take actions based on those opinions.

Its funny, those who are defending Mr. Depp don't seem to mind him calling our elected officials "stupid" in an international forum where such words can actually do damage, but people get upset when I call Mr. Depp ignorant. Why is that? I would mind so much if he actually presented an argument, but all he appeared to do was rant.

 

[Magix]

I think the difference is that you're making a judgment of him as an individual, based on a small bit of an interview, while he's making a judgment of a nation as a whole, based on its actions and international relations. I still don't understand how you can classify him as "ignorant" simply because he calls the U.S. a "stupid puppy". How is it ignorant to boil his opinions down to a simple simile? I'm sure the magazine that interviewed him was not about to print pages full of his opinion, just so you could more fully understand his reasoning and thought processes. He is a man accustomed to interviews, a man who understands that his answers must be short and concise.

I also don't understand how Johnny Depp's personal opinions of the U.S. do our nation any damage. If we're not strong enough, or our standing in the world is not strong enough, to withstand a thousand Johnny Depp's passing judgment, then we're in pretty bad shape. Shouldn't we welcome his comments and provide a more reasoned response to counter his opinion than "how could he possibly say such things about a nation that has given him so much" (a generalization of what many here have said)?

Perhaps if you did not intend to demean Mr Depp's intelligence with your comments, but meant only to point out that his particular choice of words was not up to par, you should have stated that more clearly in your original message. As presented, it seems you take him to be ignorant simply because he does not fully support the U.S. in all its current endeavors. This is a pervasive attitude these days and an extremely dangerous one. Pardon me for railing against it, but I find it frightening how often and how quickly we turn on those who exercise their freedom of speech to say things we personally do not agree with and how often we use the "support the U.S. and all it does or shut up and keep quiet" argument. Yes, I said "we". We all need to stand back a bit and recognize that each and every person, no matter where they live, has the right to speak out and say what they please - and we all have the right to disagree and let them know about it - but no one, NO ONE has the right to classify others as "ignorant" or "unpatriotic" (no I'm not saying you said either of those, WDWHound) simply for presenting their own opinion.

I respect your opinion, WDWHound. It seems you respect mine, as well, and I appreciate that. Why don't you respect Johnny Depp's? Does being a celebrity mean he deserves fewer or different freedoms? Does it mean he needs to justify his opinions more than the rest of us do? Why?

 

[Tinkbell]

He prefers to raise his family in France. I have no problem with that.

 

[Grog]

but no one, NO ONE has the right to classify others as "ignorant" or "unpatriotic" (no I'm not saying you said either of those, WDWHound) simply for presenting their own opinion.

Actually they do have the right. It's that First Amendment thing again. Tricky little son of a gun, isn't it? It swings both ways, allowing person A to say anything they want, but then allowing person B to call them an idiot. It then also allows peson C to defend person A, if that is what they want to do.

 

[Magix]

You know, Grog, you're absolutely right. Good point.

 

[Disney Doll]

Johnny Depp has he right ot his opinion. I have the right to ignore it. Why anyone thinks his opinion holds any importance because he is an actor who recently performed very well in a film role is beyond me.

 

[ckmommy]

Johnny Depp has the right to his opinion and he has made his point. I am also entitled to first respect his opinion and second not agree with it! If he wants to live in France, so be it. If he wants to have his children come to the US and use it as a toy, he better watch out. His little ploy for his kids may blow up in his face. They may really love it here, or they could hate it. They are entitled to their own opinion.

As a public figure, Johnny Depp knew his statements would be shown all over the news. He did say what he wanted to about the US and how he views America. Stay in France PLEASE!

 

[BCVOwner2002]

Whether or not I agree with Johnny Depp is not the point here. I believe the bigger point is who will remember these comments next year or the following year when his new movie(s) come out? The proof is in the profits for Willie Wonka or POTC II! Only time will tell if he will still be the star in WW. Annmarie

 

[shortbun]

I just read his interview on the internet and KNEW I could count on the DIS to debate this one!!!! So I sped right over here and
on the first page I found this thread.
I say - GO JOHNNY GO!!!!!!!!
If my DS decides to get high-I wouldn't mind being there
to monitor things either. I hope he decides against it but I'd
like to be there to keep him safe in all other areas. I'm
strongly lobbying against use of any drugs-cigs and alcohol
included. I think Depp is smart for wanting to protect his
children and for knowing they might be tempted to partake.

 

[Planogirl]

This is an interesting discussion. I agree that Johnny Depp has the right to say that the US is a puppy and someone else has the right to call him an idiot and someone else has the right to call that person an idiot and so on. The only remarks that sometimes worry me are those that maintain that people don't have the right to say anything negative about our current government. Of course, they have that right! If not, I'm in the wrong place.

As for how his movies will do now, controversy hasn't seemed to hurt the Dixie Chicks and to me what Natalie did was much worse.

 

[Lanshark]

The translation I read makes Depp sound like the real Captain Jack

 

[MosMom]

Originally posted by olena
The interview sounds translated to me. That may be why it seems so awkward.

I was going to make this point but as I glanced through to see if anyone did you beat me to it. It has definitely been translated, I would like to see it translated by a different person too.

As far as his views, who cares? He has a right to have them just as the people who support the president do.

 

[MK Familystone]

HI ALL!
People in Europe (including Great Britain) think that Europeans are more mature than the Americans of the U.S.

I read, I think, all the responses on this thread and did not see one mention about Depp's biography?
Ironicly, last night I did a search on AOL .
I suggest ALL read his biography and then ALL would understand what he meant.
I at first, I had the same knee jerk reaction hearing about his comments on tv tonight in an interview with Whoopie Goldberg.
Where does this guy think he can@##$%!
Then I remembered the biography I read last night and thought about his resonses which made sense.
Depp was in a rockin roll band self taught guitarist.
He is no Mick Jagger who has a Degree in Economics.
The more I thought about it the role Captain Jack in POC. is like his real life.
By the way Nicolus Cage helped Depp get his first big break in Holloywood and are good friends."

"Hi - did - a - la - dee, An Actor's Life for Me!!!" OOPS!!! Wrong Movie!!!

ENJOY!

"THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!!"