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Boycott Britney
Cornell Daily Sun ^ | November 5, 2001 | Matt Flahive

Posted on 11/05/2001 9:44:56 AM PST by The American

This Tuesday, millions of Americans will make a choice that will affect this country's future. Their decision will either support or reject the direction of our society; together we can make a difference. No, this is not about Election Day, this is bigger. Tuesday is the day Britney Spears' new album, "Britney," hits the shelves.

Record sales of "Britney" will show us just how much America supports Spears' two-faced actions. She boasts large sales to guys worshipping her like a sex goddess, and even more sales to young girls worshipping her like a hero. This is a dangerous combination. If Americans choose wisely and boycott the upcoming album, Britney will be forced to recognize the error in her hypocritical ways. And all the slinky spandex suits in the world won't get her out of this one.

Spears has found success by simultaneously playing 'good girl' and 'sexy vixen.' Initially she only played the part of the good girl, building up a young fan base that, to this day, views her as a role model. Times have changed. No longer is she the girl next door ... unless you live next to a whorehouse. Yet though her actions make her look like a slut, at times she still behaves like a role model (part-time) to hang on to her young girl fan base.

Things were much simpler a few years ago. In 1998, Britney's single "Baby One More Time" shot to the top of pop music charts. Britney, a former member of the Mickey Mouse Club, was America's sweetheart and rode the ensuing wave of publicity. With her pretty smile and charming personality, she instantly became an idol to millions of girls. Britney was a role model, and she was raking in the big bucks.

The angelic look, however, didn't last long. It started with her provocative "Rolling Stone" cover. It got worse during the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards show when she stripped down to a revealing, skintight outfit. Next fans heard the audio clip from backstage of a Rio de Janeiro show when she swore like Andrew Dice Clay. And the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards show, when she danced around with the snake ... let's not go there.

Spears tells us that she has reinvented herself, trying to grow into a woman. No more teenybopper image for me, she says. If only that were true. Her actions speak much louder than her words. The reality is that she still capitalizes on her status as a role model to young girls.

One minute, Britney acts like a cheap hooker, making music videos that belong in the backroom of a video store, not on basic cable. The next minute, Britney becomes a sweet, virtuous, upstanding citizen. She goes on talk shows and practically turns into a Miss America contestant. Then it's right back to selling her body.

These constant metamorphoses help her appeal to multiple audiences, making her money. But the inevitable by-product is that Britney corrupts the morals of America's youth, all for a quick buck.

Britney should not be faulted for her capitalistic ways, or for trying to repackage herself. What she does deserve blame for, however, is giving mixed messages to her young fans about her status as their role model. Her official Website hawks Britney dolls alongside "Slave 4 U" t-shirts.

Last week she giggled at Britney-wannabes performing lewd acts for MTV, but next week she has a special on the Fox Family Network. Britney talks about how she cherishes her virginity, but her "Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know" video simulates sex on the beach. She participates in a makeshift orgy for her "I'm a Slave 4 U" music video, but follows it up with a performance on the family-friendly Rosie O'Donnell Show.

We as a civilized society need to stop Britney and her immoral ways. She must make a choice: either sex symbol or role model. You can have one or the other, but not both. Jessica Simpson chose the role model route. Jennifer Lopez has only ever strived to be a sex symbol. Both Simpson and Lopez have been very successful without attracting the criticism that Britney receives. Britney should choose one target demographic and stick with it.

Until Britney makes up her mind, we as a society must boycott her albums. Heck, it's not like we'll miss her tremendous singing ability. We must force Britney to select a target audience and stop pursuing two very different fan bases. She must do this for the sake of her young fans. They idolize her, they emulate her. This country already has too many pre-teen girls dressing and acting like hookers; we must fight this trend. The best way to fight it is to boycott Britney because her actions do our society a grave disservice.

Britney, either return to the wholesome days of "Sometimes" or stick with "I'm a Slave 4 U" and stop catering to your younger fans. If you don't make a decision, the American public will. We will boycott your records.


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To: The American
Britney corrupts the morals of America's youth

ROTFLMAO

You propose that Britney is responsible for the child rearing of ten million teenagers.

I want both. Sometimes I want a nice innocent woman in my home, other times I want a foxy woman/sex kitten.

vixen: A malicious fierce-tempered woman

I think the author, Matt Flahive, is malicious. 

malicious: 1.Having the nature of or resulting from malice 2.Wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred

What is Matt Flahive afraid of? That adult males want their women to be more than one thing -- sometimes sex kitten other times sweet and gentle. And adult women like it that way. 

Yo Flahive, the Dark Age is over, deal with it. What?! ...you'd rather lie to teenagers about what adult men and women really want from their spouse and relationship. You are the one maliciously labeling a beneficial adult desire as "slut". And people wonder why lying to children about Santa Clause, the tooth fairy and Easter bunny is a problem -- go figure.

Flahive, you're just envious that you can't make big bucks being honest with an audience so you resort to attacking the innocent. They're human and sometimes have sex on their minds. If you're married, how long will it be before your wife leaves you in search of a real man?

161 posted on 11/05/2001 11:26:45 AM PST by Zon
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To: CyberCowboy777
That's a hypnotic image. Psychiatrists should use that on men instead of that watch they swing back and forth.
162 posted on 11/05/2001 11:27:43 AM PST by GraniteStateConservative
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To: weegee
All of the MTV stars are building up personas that don't have to be grounded in reality.

You are probably right. Except for that nice boy Vanilla Ice, he was telling the truth.

163 posted on 11/05/2001 11:28:26 AM PST by Hank Hill
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To: weegee
Actually, when you consider the voter apathy in my peers, that is probably an accurate statement.

When Nsync came out with their new album, I knew a lot of people that waited outside of cd stores at 5 a.m. When was the last time you heard of people waiting at 5 a.m. for the polls to open?
164 posted on 11/05/2001 11:30:14 AM PST by RockyTop4GOP
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To: Hank Hill
Some people really, really need to get over themselves. "I don't like Britney; she's a slut; she ain't no role model; she can't sing; blah blah blah"

Well, guess what? The millions of fans she has (myself being one) don't give a flying f*** at a rolling donut what you priggish bluenose Salem-witch-trial descendants think AT ALL.

You like her? Buy the CD. You don't? Don't. Quit invoking His name to justify your own insecurities. If your kid can be pushed into anything bad by listening to a damn Britney Spears album, you aren't doing your job as a parent anyway.

Get over it. We are under attack by a foreign power that has already murdered thousands of our fellow citizens, and you're blowing smoke about Britney Spears and Harry Potter books.

(This isn't directed at you personally Hank; just venting :)

165 posted on 11/05/2001 11:31:14 AM PST by TheBigB
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To: The American
BUMPING Britney...I wish.....
166 posted on 11/05/2001 11:31:19 AM PST by Luis Gonzalez
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To: StoneColdGOP; Hank Hill
Some Waylon and Willie for me.

I cross many lines for Music - Metallica to P.O.D to Waylon to Otis.....But never will I listen to Crap like Spears.

167 posted on 11/05/2001 11:32:04 AM PST by CyberCowboy777
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Comment #168 Removed by Moderator

To: weegee
>None of this excuses her lip-synching but that is where the industry is and has been.

"...that is where the industry is and has been."

Once upon a time,
long ago, in a galaxy far, far away,
a very famous and very popular band used to proudly put a notice on the back of their albums that read: No Synthesizers!

The industry has been there, too...

Mark W.

169 posted on 11/05/2001 11:33:47 AM PST by MarkWar
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To: Crusty_Pant_Suit
ok, if Miss Brittney is STILL a virgin than I am a crippled black gay homosexual octogenarian with a pet cow named Marbles and a third arm stickin' out my ass.

jeez, man, how do you walk?

170 posted on 11/05/2001 11:34:11 AM PST by rond
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To: RockyTop4GOP
When was the last time you heard of people waiting at 5 a.m. for the polls to open?

We've solved the problem of long lines at the polls by organizing the elections this way:

Republicans report to their polling centers on Tuesday (tomorrow). Democrats report to the same location on Wednesday.

171 posted on 11/05/2001 11:35:22 AM PST by weegee
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To: The American
"Then it's right back to selling her body."

Hehe if only, might be in the market for some of that, but since all she really has for sale is her lousy CDs, I think it will be easy for me to boycott her:)*grin*

172 posted on 11/05/2001 11:36:05 AM PST by monday
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To: one_particular_harbour
You wrote:

"They are all little rednecks, with their major interest being Buffett." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Geesh harbour man...since when are Warren Buffett fans, "little rednecks"? hehehe.....

FRegards,

173 posted on 11/05/2001 11:36:07 AM PST by Osage Orange
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To: GraniteStateConservative
I get a kick out of it! I Put it on my Profile page if ya want to use it.
174 posted on 11/05/2001 11:36:29 AM PST by CyberCowboy777
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To: rond
ok, if Miss Brittney is STILL a virgin than I am a crippled black gay homosexual octogenarian with a pet cow named Marbles and a third arm stickin' out my ass.

jeez, man, how do you walk?

More importantly, be careful when you sit down, you don't want to accidently goose yourself!

175 posted on 11/05/2001 11:37:38 AM PST by weegee
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To: weegee
Actually I ran into June Wilkinson this weekend at a movie poster show. I'm against her too!

Against as in anti or against as in leaning?

Shalom.

176 posted on 11/05/2001 11:38:16 AM PST by ArGee
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To: MarkWar
The bands I listen to play on an upright bass, Gretch or Gibson guitar, and a drum kit. If the power went out or we just get together at someone's kitchen, the band can play on...
177 posted on 11/05/2001 11:39:48 AM PST by weegee
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To: StoneColdGOP
"Get your boy some Kid Rock CD's"

I wanna be a Cow-boy Bay-bee....

178 posted on 11/05/2001 11:40:14 AM PST by monday
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To: StoneColdGOP
The Possum's new album is entitled "The Rock: Stone Cold Country 2001."
179 posted on 11/05/2001 11:41:45 AM PST by Freemyland
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To: GB
Actually, he's on tour right now.
180 posted on 11/05/2001 11:44:13 AM PST by JohnGalt
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