Actors/Actresses & Politics

[Ken King (Premo)]

Vraiblonde,

Tough prediction, kind of like predicting your feet will smell after you step in cow manure.

PmoneyandTT,

Excellent point.

[ShellyCW]

When you get down to it, I guess there is a very fine line between politicians and entertainers. #When I said entertainers I meant those celebrities who bend everyone's ears about issues and aren't elected officials. #I'll give a little space for those celebrities who back up their words with actions. #I just like my entertainers entertaining and my preachers preachy, not vice versa. #:)

[Ken King (Premo)]

ShellyCW,

PmoneyandTT nailed it, in my mind.  The media seeks their comments and then makes it out as if they are all knowing and worldly.  The fact is they put their pants on the same way any of us do and they shouldn't be afforded any more weight then our thoughts and comments.

[PmoneyandTT]

King Ken - that goes to show you - people give actors more credit - then where credit is due.. Entertaining is just a job that has alot of great perks.. and pays a whole lot better then my job - but you said it - they put on their pants one foot at a time - They can express whatever they want - it ultimately my choice in what decisions I make is my own..

If we use Shelly's scenero - then being a computer geek - should stick with just programming computers - and if someone asks their opinion - then they shouldn't express it if its not about their "computer" job..
So we should take away "freedom of speak" from actors because their sole purpose is entertaining?

(Edited by PmoneyandTT at 3:20 pm on Jan. 9, 2002)

[vraiblonde]

They certainly can spew all they want - this is America, after all.  But I think it hurts them if they have an unpopular opinion.  The same public that loves them for their hair and teeth will turn on them for their politics.

I, personally, like it that they say what they think - that way I can decide if I want to give them my money or not.  George Clooney's public comments about Bill O'Reilly and involvement in that telethon scam saved me $8 plus popcorn on Ocean's Eleven.

[PmoneyandTT]

I think everyone is allowed to defend themselves.  And that is what George Cloney was doing.. I know alot of people like O'Reilly.. To me he is just another guy with an opinion and getting paid big bucks for it.. I agree on things that O'Reilly talks about - but alot of things I may not.. Doesn't mean he is a good or bad person - just means he has a different outlook on things..  But to each his own..

You go - keep your $8 bucks and popcorn money..

[ShellyCW]

[quote]Quote: from PmoneyandTT on 3:17 pm on Jan. 9, 2002[
"So we should take away "freedom of speak" from actors because their sole purpose is entertaining?"

I understand what you're getting at, but please don't bend my words. #I never said anything about taking away anyone's freedom of speech. #I responded with my opinion (fair or not) to Hessian's original post.

(Edited by ShellyCW at 4:14 pm on Jan. 9, 2002)

[Frank]

Now that I can get Fox - I kinda like O'Reilly too. He doesn't mince words, and he goes right after people to the point where I have to wonder why anyone who disagrees with him politically would even WANT to appear on his show (my take? audience). On the other hand, he has sometimes been argumentative to the point where his guest will be talking one thing, and he will start in on some point the guest ISN'T discussing. He can be a bit over the top - I remember where he was suggesting to a guest that the Stones were 'evil' people.

Anyway - I had a long talk about this with my folks over the holidays. They don't think anyone with a regular show should use it as a platform for their ideology, or should make political comments on shows where they are brought aboard to talk about their latest movie. (BTW - I disagree). Their feeling was, unlike you or me, they have a bigger megaphone than you or I do, and they should stick to the game plan.

I disagree. If you're Sinead O'Connor, and you do something odious and stupid - you pay the price in your career - and she *did*. Talk about politics on your daytime TV show - and if the ratings plummet - bye-bye. That is the way it should work. If they go UP - like O'Reilly's has - good for him (although, to be fair, his show IS *about* politics). I think if you end up paying a price for your opinion, that is the cost of using your celebrity for your 'cause'. I mean, God help me if I actually want to form my political opinion based on Ben Affleck (he's still in rehab, right?).

[PmoneyandTT]

Im not getting at anything.. I asked a question..

One thing I have learned being on this forum - if you say something - expect to be challenged.. I've had many days of that.. What I read from your posting is in my own words my comprehension of reading your post was

Entertainers should only entertain.. Leave the preaching to the preachers. Or rather leave the politics to the politicans.  Explain it more in detail - if thats not what you were implying..

Or maybe some names of entertainers that elect to bend people's ears..

I guess I could be funny and say - Is Jesse jackson a preacher or politician. A married man or single man.

I also think another reason why media allows them to speak about regarding their views is because - some entertainers spend big bucks to support their politicians.. I can honestly say - I have never elected to send $1 buck or $2 bucks toward the presidential campaign when I send in my taxes.. I leave it up to the big dogs.. So in away - these entertainers are paying for a say..

[PmoneyandTT]

Correct me if Im wrong.. Is this whole O'Reilly thing about the 911 Fund - the celebrites participated in getting money for the victims.. What happen 911 was not expected.. So in a panic I think whatever one was trying to do was get money - help the victims.. Nothing more was planned - because it wasn't expected.. Im sure some big wig - said hey lets get a 911 fund together and use some celebrites, it will bring in more revenue.. Who wouldn't of helped for that cause?  Now when the money was taken up - Who planned the next step?  It certainly wasn't the celebrites.. It should of been the Big Wigs who thought of it in the first place.. Obviously not - thats what stirred up O'Reilly

But then again - maybe the big wigs thought it would be a good idea to have someone step up to the plate like a celebrity and help defend their cause.. So Clooney stepped up to the plate.. Regardless if I disagree with him or not - He thought (I would hope) he was doing the best to protect what he thought was right..

Sometimes standing up for what you truly believe will hurt you.. But they can never take that courage away from you..

I personally think Clooney is to old to be a playa
definition - leads women on - then dumps them

- but I like his acting skills..