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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
BillieBlobSlick is not going to boycott Britiany but girlcott her, gedit? Here they are out for a spin, recently.

I'd switch places in a heart beat.

181 posted on 11/05/2001 11:49:38 AM PST by jws3sticks
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To: monday
Ebay is auctioning a Britney Spears "meet-and-great" encounter. So her time is for sale, now we're just negotiating price...

eBay link here

Ooops, wrong link, try this one

182 posted on 11/05/2001 11:50:23 AM PST by weegee
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To: ArGee
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?

I've got a photo from the weekend but haven't scanned or posted it yet. It looks like I may have said something about her chest and now she's holding it against me...

Yow! Am I having fun yet?!

183 posted on 11/05/2001 11:50:33 AM PST by weegee
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To: Always Right
That's right, no one knows her heart. But she's not bearing "fruit" for the Kingdom of God when she behaves in a way contrary to that belief. God speaks of dressing modestly. She certainly doesn't do that. You can't have one foot in the world and another one in the kingdom. It just isn't founded on that principle. She has to make up her mind who she's serving, God or satan. We only have two choices. She may be a saint but she doesn't project that in her choice of music or dress. Any christian has a right to judge the behavior of another christian and to speak to them about it if they are hurting themselves or others. We can't judge the world because God can only do that. We can judge ourselves and other Christians, not in a sleazy gossipy way but with honesty and love. She projects an image that she shouldn't if she's truly Christian. She's being deceived if she thinks she can do that. That's all I'm saying.
184 posted on 11/05/2001 11:51:12 AM PST by Marysecretary
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To: Uncle Meat
...the music sucks.

My sentiments exactly.Where's Alice Cooper when you need him?

Advertising for a national hotel chain (Days Inn, I think...)

Mark

185 posted on 11/05/2001 11:52:48 AM PST by MarkL
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To: GB
I think she's of age now....

Nah...she's only 19. Of course, IMHO, she OUGHT to be able to have a drink at 19. And if I were her, I think I'd have to drink. Otherwise I'd be a crying mess whenever I looked into a mirror and realized what I'd become in just 3 short years. Money isn't everything....

186 posted on 11/05/2001 12:03:08 PM PST by LibertyGirl77
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To: weegee
"Ebay is auctioning a Britney Spears "meet-and-great" encounter. So her time is for sale, now we're just negotiating price... "

Noooo way.... I don't care how private the meeting, it's not worth $17,600. LOL surely I'm not the only one who thinks that whoever bid this much is insane?

187 posted on 11/05/2001 12:03:31 PM PST by monday
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To: monday
"surely I'm not the only one who thinks that whoever bid this much is insane?"

Well, Billy Jeff needs -something- to fill his days...

188 posted on 11/05/2001 12:05:48 PM PST by TheBigB
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To: mel
I remember some of Cher's songs from the radio. "Half Breed" and "Dark Lady" come to mind. Both number one hits if I remember correctly.

It is amazing what the record buying public will buy. In the stores right now are no less than three complete CD's of "The Jingle Cats." Basically the sound of cats meowing edited to sound like Christmas songs. I got one of these as a gag gift last year and it is utterly unlistenable.

Then you got your albums by the Brady Bunch. I actually own an album by the Brady Bunch that has a cover version of "American Pie." Don't ask me why. It's a long story.

189 posted on 11/05/2001 12:06:15 PM PST by SamAdams76
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To: Dan from Michigan
LOL, I'd like to see how she looks while going through menopause. That's when you get "chest in drawers" disease.
190 posted on 11/05/2001 12:06:53 PM PST by Florida native
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To: The American
My my my, but the nannies are out in force today. First they want to make pornography illegal, then they want to ban Harry Potter books and now they want to boycott Britney Spears. Some people really do need to get a life.
191 posted on 11/05/2001 12:07:59 PM PST by Junior
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To: SamAdams76
Britney is a joke as far as having any musical talent. All she does is lip-synch when she's anywhere out of the studio.
192 posted on 11/05/2001 12:11:01 PM PST by RobertBauman
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To: StoneColdGOP
In my circle, that goes without saying.
193 posted on 11/05/2001 12:11:35 PM PST by Freemyland
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To: Dan from Michigan
She'll be washed up before she's 25.
Hopefully, she'll wash up real close to my house before she is 25. After that, she won't be of much use.
194 posted on 11/05/2001 12:14:47 PM PST by LibertyJihad
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To: weegee
Like what? Those sound like some good bands.
195 posted on 11/05/2001 12:21:35 PM PST by Freemyland
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To: TheBigB
surely I'm not the only one who thinks that whoever bid this much is insane?"

Well, Billy Jeff needs -something- to fill his days...

Hillary's gonna screech when the credit card bill comes in...

196 posted on 11/05/2001 12:21:50 PM PST by weegee
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To: RobertBauman
Britney is a joke as far as having any musical talent. All she does is lip-synch when she's anywhere out of the studio.

She should remember this is wartime. She needs to polish her act before she goes on a USO tour:

Loose lip-synchs hips...

197 posted on 11/05/2001 12:26:19 PM PST by weegee
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To: Freemyland
Bands like Wayne Hancock, Cave Catt Sammy, The Luxurious Panthers, Big Sandy & His Fly-Right Boys, are among the "modern" bands I catch live and listen to on disc.
198 posted on 11/05/2001 12:29:05 PM PST by weegee
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To: Central Scrutiniser
Don't worry, tight butted little teenybopper stars rarely last, just wondering if she will end up as a substance abuser and dying, or going into rehab and having a VH1 story about her, or just fading into oblivion and doing road shows of "Grease" with Jamie Farr and Larry Storch in Little Rock, AR....

Nononononoooo...

Jer-RY! Jer-RY!

199 posted on 11/05/2001 12:29:19 PM PST by maxwell
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Yeah and we are all saints. PAHLEASEEEEEEEEEEEE! If you dont wanna hear her songs, just change the station, if you dont wanna see her pics, DONT LOOK AT THEM, if you dont wanna watch her videos, DONT WATCH THEM. Its that simple. I dont see anyone slamming RICKY MARTIN for going around half naked, or any other young MALE pop star. Isnt that funny. Im not a Britney fan, or anyones fan for that matter, but come on people. Live and let live. Remember Madonna? Sure, at least she can sing, but remember how slammed she was?Hell, she is still getting slammed to this day, and still around at that. JUST CHILL OUT. Ignorance is bliss, so ignore her if you dont like her.
200 posted on 11/05/2001 12:34:20 PM PST by Scar
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