Stars turn backs on America's troops in Iraq

Guardian ^ | December 24, 2005 | Jamie Wilson

[West Coast Conservative]

During world war two American troops away from home for Christmas were entertained by Marlene Dietrich, Bing Crosby and the Marx Brothers. Even in Vietnam Bob Hope was guaranteed to put in an appearance. But soldiers in Iraq are more likely to get a show from a Christian hip-hop group, a country singer you have probably never heard of and two cheerleaders for the Dallas Cowboys.

Just as the seemingly intractable nature of the war has led to a growing recruitment crisis, so the United Services Organisation, which has been putting on shows for the troops since the second world war, is struggling to get celebrities to sign up for even a short tour of duty.

It is a far cry from the days following the September 11 2001 attacks, when some of the biggest names in show business, from Jennifer Lopez to Brad Pitt, rallied to the cause. "After 9/11 we couldn't have had enough airplanes for the people who were volunteering to go," Wayne Newton, the Las Vegas crooner who succeeded Bob Hope as head of USO's talent recruiting effort, told USA Today. "Now with 9/11 being as far removed as it is, the war being up one day and down the next, it becomes increasingly difficult to get people to go."

Newton said many celebrities have been wary of going because they think it might be seen that they are endorsing the war. "And I say it's not. I tell them these men and women are over there because our country sent them, and we have the absolute necessity to try to bring them as much happiness as we can."

[McGavin999]

Did the Guardian mention is was probably because Hollywood is going broke? These losers can't even pull an audience into the theaters to see their third class drivel, why would our heroes be interested in seeing them even if it was for free?

[devolve]

[MikefromOhio]

BUMP

[bad company]

I can swaer that just recently (in the last year) the USO got the likes of Jessica Simpson, Garth Brooks, etc. to do shows for the troops. I think the Guardian has a case of selective amnesia.

Bruce Willis was just over there with his band a few weeks ago.

[Savage Beast]

Hollywood sinks to a new low. It's hard to know which is further in the sewer--Hollywood or The Guardian--or which is more representative of decadence.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Several times.

[Baby Driver]

Yeah, but odds are, it's diseased.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

[AbnSarge]

Al Franken was just here at Al Asad. I watched a DVD instead

[moog]

No wonder they can't have a "ball." Okay, enough of these kind of jokes. I'm going beyond my PG rating that I usually stick to.

[crashthe24]

Here it is in a nutshell:
The overpaid stars are RACIST!!
Just because the people over there are not like us, they don't want or deserve freedom.

Think about it.

[rlmorel]

THAT IS HOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTT!

[devolve]

[Darkwolf377]

Hollywood is far from broke; they're just not making as much as last year.

That excuse won't work for them. And since they are in the habit of tossing out soldiers' votes, who is surprised that their "we support the troops" rhetoric is just that?

I just hope people bring this up the next time someone uses that new, BS cliche of the anti-war left.

The folks listed in the article are not major celebs, let's be honest. I'm sure our soldiers are grateful to everyone who comes to entertain them, but where are all the stars that top the movie, TV and CD charts? Giving interviews in magazines where they pose for pictures and give their views on foreign policy, not actually DOING anything to support the troops they so "care" about.

Franken is obviously over there trying to find someone to listen to his gawdawful show and so he can say "See? *I* went!" But while I can't stand his "comedy" I give Williams props for going.

[cubreporter]

There are NO stars today. Just second rate has been actors and actresses. That's all.

[Colonel_Flagg]

I have no idea who she is. But I thank her for supporting the troops. :)

[McGavin999]

Well, true, not exactly going broke, but if they continue to have years like last year it won't be long before they do. I read that they went upside down on several of their "blockbusters". You can't do that very often.

Interesting thing is, some of the smaller movies, with relatively unknown artists, are doing quite well.

I think Hollywood forgot how to make "B" movies. That was a staple of the old Hollywood.

[Diddle E. Squat]

One reason why I haven't bought a movie ticket in a couple of years. Hollywood can rot in hell.

[Darkwolf377]

I read that they went upside down on several of their "blockbusters". You can't do that very often.

Actually, they do it all the time. This year's numbers are nothing to be alarmed about, actually, they just need a story. It's a period of expanded "epic" production, which will contract a little. It's not a big deal at all.

I don't think Hollywood forgot how to make B pics, though--I think that's all they make now, with A budgets. Independent movies are just as crappy as Hollywood flicks--you have to trudge through a lot of either kind to get to a gem. That's always been the way.

I do think you've got the right idea, though Hollywood doesn't seem to know how to exploit it. They should give more $$$ to (or start) low-budget arms--say, give $5 million budgets to a bunch of upstart filmmakers to make anything they want, or even $1 million budgets. Spread that cash around, let directors make script-oriented movies instead of star-oriented ones.

[PzLdr]

If Gary Sinise spent any more time in Iraq and Afghanistan than he does, he'd be up for dual citizenship. Does "meet and greets", has a charity to supply school supplies to the kids, and gigs with his "Lt. Dan's Band"