Bring back the "Farm Film Celebrity Blow Up."
Posted on 02/13/2003 10:08:13 AM PST by Mark
Hollywood war stance hypocritical
By J.C. Phillips
Dustin Hoffman is the latest Hollywood celebrity to weigh in on the Bush administration's Iraq policy. While in London, Hoffman accused the president of dishonesty and of exploiting the nation's grief over 9-11. "I may be wrong," Hoffman said. "I am no expert. This war is about what most wars are about: hegemony, money, power and oil."
Well, Mr. Hoffman you are partially correct. You are no expert and, yes, you are wrong. Not that it would have made any difference, but perhaps, while en route to London, you missed Secretary of State Colin Powell's speech to the United Nations Security Council.
I do not begrudge the opinions of celebrities. After all, everyone from the grocery clerk to the gardener has an opinion. The difference is that the grocery clerk is not getting air time. Movie stars and recording artists are able to air their political views on television and in the press only because they are stars. Not necessarily because they are informed. (As is made clear by Hoffman's remarks.) What I resent is the narcissism that is so much a part of the current Hollywood activism. Today's Hollywood stars feel an obligation to speak out on issues and cannot fathom that their view of the world (a view born in '60s radicalism, fed on Marxism and now wed to moral relativism) is not reflected in the values of a majority of Americans.
I understand the sense of self-importance. The city of Los Angeles revolves around celebrities. The Hollywood star system is the narcotic that lulls these celebrities into their arrogance. Successful performers are showered with special treatment: First-class air travel, complimentary meals, gifts, and days filled with the pampering of sycophants and fans who are constantly telling them how brilliant and funny they are. (Hey, it's a great life -- which is why I've been in the game for 20 years.)
The day after the November elections, a local radio host was railing (in typical Hollywood liberal fashion) that the Republican sweep signaled an end to the civilized world. Suddenly, he had to break away because the Winona Ryder jury was back from deliberations. Yes, the world can be going to hell, but in Hollywood we have to break for Winona Ryder. And she hasn't had a hit film in years!
Anyone who has been in Los Angeles during Oscar night can testify that the world stops. It doesn't matter what is happening anywhere else. The only thing you will see on local news is who's wearing what, who won which award and who's showing up at the hottest parties. Is it any wonder that a celebrity's sense of self-importance is completely at odds with reality? What else but ego would prompt Sheryl Crow to emblazon her ignorance on a T-shirt and parade it in front of an international audience during the American Music Awards?
But there's something else at work here, namely hypocrisy. In spite of their obligation to speak out, these Hollywood activists remained quiet when President Bill Clinton was launching cruise missiles into Iraq, raining bombs down on Kosovo and sending troops to Somalia. Did they not think people were dying in those conflicts? Neither have these same compassionate protesters for peace seen fit to protest the parade of homicide bombers killing innocent Israelis. And what of the Iraqi people? Powell presented evidence that Saddam and his regime routinely engage in the torture, murder and terrorism of the Iraqi people. Are these defenders of human rights uninterested in the liberating of an oppressed people?
Do not be fooled. The recent arousal of The Hollywood Left is not in response to American aggression or motivated by compassion. It is about politics. They are protesting George W. Bush, conservative principles and the celebration of this nation as the economic, military and moral leader of the world.
I'm having a protest march this Saturday. I am protesting a man who chooses to spend millions on weapons while his nation starves; who chooses to invite invasion by thumbing his nose at the U.N.; who chooses to nurture a relationship with al-Qaida and other terrorist groups who have as their stated goal the destruction of the United States and Israel. I am protesting that warmonger Saddam Hussein. Do you think Mike Farrell, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin or Sheryl Crow will show up? Can I get Barbra Streisand to sing?
Don't hold your breath.
--- J.C. Phillips is an actor and writer living in West Hills.
Very wrong.
Yep. And self-dramatics, and profound narcissism. When I see Susan Sarandon sticking a bottle into the mouth of a Kurdish baby, talk to me.
That's funny you mention "bit parts." I did a quick search on "JC Phillips" and came up with multiple hits relating to the adult film industry. :-)
Mark my words: Hollywood is gonna be Ground Zero next time. Hollywierd wackos and other moral relativists are all equal in death. Sad, but true.
KAAABOOOOM !
Bring back the "Farm Film Celebrity Blow Up."
Yeah, I went to www.imdb.com and did a search and came up with the same thing. Didn't think it was worth posting about, though. :)
The people watching the American Music Awards weren't both in the same country?
If so, the conspiracy theories saying that the CIA did it will be posted on DU within the hour -- hell, within the minute.
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