War on Terrorism: The Celebrity View

Media Research Cente (MRC Spotlight) | n/a | n/a

[Temple Owl]

Media Research Center

MRC SPOTLIGHT

War on Terrorism: The Celebrity View

Many celebrities feel obligated to share their political opinions and the war on terrorism has been no exception. From novelist Norman Mailer’s rants about "what if the perpetrators were right" to singer Steve Earle’s soon-to-be released tribute to John Walker Lindh, the celebrity community has been a source of anti-American commentary since the war started. Here’s a selection of some of those comments.

A Singer Speaks Up

Country rock singer Steve Earle sang his new song about John Walker Lindh for the Today show. One line described the U.S. as the "land of the infidel" while the chorus included a chant to Allah.

Today showcased Steve Earle's yet

to be released John Walker's Blues

Film Stars – and One Tennis Star – Complain About the War and the Country

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Former Cheers star Woody Harrelson, in an interview with a left wing London tabloid, said "America’s war against terrorism is terrorism." Harrelson also praised British performer George Michael for his recent song attacking President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

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In an interview with a German magazine, former tennis great Martina Navratilova compared the Bush administration to Czechoslovakia under Communist rule.

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Actors Ed Asner and Ossie Davis, along with such luminaries as Noam Chomsky and Gloria Steinem, signed a petition that blamed the Bush administration for the war on terrorism. "It is unjust, immoral and illegitimate," the group claimed.

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Film director Robert Altman told the Times of London: "When I see an American flag flying, it’s a joke." He later added that "there’s nothing in America that I would miss at all."

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During a speech at Princeton University, Danny Glover charged that "one of the main purveyors of violence in this world has been this country."

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In a Fox News Channel interview, Glover denied ever calling the U.S. a "purveyor of violence." As an added bonus, this CyberAlert item included an Alec Baldwin interview with CNN’s Judy Woodruff in which the actor claimed he never actually said he was leaving the U.S. if Bush won the election.

Criticism from the Literary World

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Novelist Norman Mailer said the World Trade Center represented everything that was bad in America and had to come down. Mailer also wondered: "What if those perpetrators were right and we were not? We have long ago lost the capability to take a calm look at the enormity of our enemy's position."

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Novelist Gore Vidal, in an interview with Reuters in Italy, claimed America deserved to be attacked and accused the U.S. of waging "a perpetual war for perpetual peace."

Then There’s the Truly Hopeless…

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At a VH-1 Concert for New York, Richard Gere told a Madison Square Garden audience of rescue and police personnel that he opposed revenge on the terrorists and that "compassion and love" would lead to understanding.

Thank God for Dennis Miller…

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Comedian Dennis Miller questioned the complaints of civil libertarians during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. "People say it’s not the American way to infringe on civil liberties. Well, it’s not the American way to rollover for punks, either," Miller said.

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In an earlier appearance with Leno, Miller berated the media claim that it’s "the public’s need to know" that drove reporting on American ground troops in Afghanistan. "We don’t want to know," the comedian yelled. Miller also shared his views on drilling for oil in Alaska: "I say you run a pipe in there and suck it dry."

…and James Woods

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Actor James Woods told Jay Leno that he "loved" President Bush’s handling of the terrorist war. Woods also fondly recalled the U.S. response to Moammar Gadhafi in 1986.

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In an interview on Entertainment Tonight in early October, Woods gave his views on how to fight the terrorism war. "Simple logic tells you that if somebody wants you dead you have one course of action: To get them deader sooner," he said.

[Temple Owl]

Here are more Hollywood celebrities crawling out from under the rocks.

[JennysCool]

Woods and Miller are heartening, however. And with Richard Dreyfuss writing that great tribute to Charlton Heston, perhaps we're seeing a bit of a trend ...

[Temple Owl]

I was aware of Woods being a sensible sort of guy, but I obviously had the wrong slant on Miller. I hope you are right, that this is a trend. We are winning, but I'd like to win faster.

[chiefqc]

Just wondering, of this group of malcontents how many are giving up living, working and making money in this great country to go somewhere they would be better off.

I'm waiting.

Just what I thought,

NONE, JUST LIKE ALL CRYBABIES ALL TALK NO ACTION.

[theophilusscribe]

Richard Dreyfuss writing that great tribute to Charlton Heston, perhaps we're seeing a bit of a trend ...

Are you sure? I've heard Dreyfuss talk politics and he is as liberal as the rest. However, I have not heard him post 9/11.

startribune.com about Election 2000:

Just when you thought it was safe to swim the political waters, Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss warned California Democrats on Wednesday that Republicans can't be trusted.

The "Jaws" star listed Social Security, education, abortion and health care as issues too important to trust to the GOP ticket.

"George Bush doesn't get them and Dick Cheney doesn't like them," said Dreyfuss, known for his roles in "American Graffiti" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and star of the soon-to-be released movie "The Crew."

He urged cheering Democratic National Convention delegates to "go get 'em" by keeping control of the White House and picking up seven seats to regain control of the House.

"The Republicans in the House of Representatives are the only obstacles, the only stop signs that are keeping America from its own future," Dreyfuss said at the California delegation's breakfast at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel.

And LA Times Celebrity Politics:

By the time Al Gore took the podium at the Democratic National Convention, actor Richard Dreyfuss had already met with the vice president. In fact, the star of "Mr. Holland's Opus" had scored even more impressive coups.

There was his two-hour tete-a-tete with President Clinton and his lunch with key Middle East peace negotiators. He had traveled to Israel three times and met with then-Prime Minister Shimon Peres. No one is expecting Dreyfuss to help restore Middle East peace.

But talk about access. Behind these forays onto the grand playing field of world events is West Hollywood power politico Donna Bojarsky, Dreyfuss's personal political consultant. A former aide to Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and a campaigner for Clinton and Gary Hart, Bojarsky is a pioneer member of a new breed of power-channelers who are becoming indispensable to the maturing new class of monied Hollywood elite. . .

(blah blah blah it goes on and on)

[JennysCool]

Well, I didn't say Dreyfuss had necessarily changed his politics, but he did surmount them to write a pretty fine tribute to Heston. It's here.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/736298/posts

[JennysCool]

As Dreyfuss writes:

It has become fashionable to characterize his politics; almost as if his politics were a separate thing, like Diana's popularity. People are either defensive or patronizing (if not contemptuous). I can only say I wish all the liberals and all the conservatives I knew had the class and forbearance he has. Would I be as patient or serene when so many had showed me such contempt, or tried to make me feel stupid or small? I doubt it, truly I do. This is dignity, simply and completely. A much more important quality than political passion at the end of the day, and far more lacking, don't you think?

[ladyinred]

These so called celebs don't realize they are cutting their own throats so to speak. They are losing out with fans who once admired them for their clearly UnAmerican, politically biased statements.

Please tell me what these anarchists said when Clinton/Gore sent the bombers?
I can't hear you......!

[theophilusscribe]

You're right, that's a great tribute. Thanks for posting it.

[snarkpup]

Richard Gere told a Madison Square Garden audience of rescue and police personnel that he opposed revenge on the terrorists and that "compassion and love" would lead to understanding.

Pacifism works just fine ... as long as your opponent is also a pacifist.

[Temple Owl]

Richard Gere played a part in An Officer and a Gentleman where he literally kicked a guy's jaw apart. Is this the kind of example a pacifist full of "compassion and love" should set?

The guy is a creep!

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

a petition that blamed the Bush administration for the war on terrorism

This makes no sense. Of course Bush is responsible for the WAR on terrorism! That is not in dispute! I think they meant to say Bush responsible for the terrorism which LED to the war. Poor or sloppy writing often undermines whatever argument was being made, and this is one example.

[mountaineer]

It's so important to listen to the political opinions of singers and actors, as they seem to have a certain wisdom that escapes mere mortals like you and I.

Say, what's this?

International stars of film and music have failed to put in expected appearances at the beginning of the World Development Summit in Johannesburg. Leonardo DiCaprio cancelled an appearance despite recently calling on President Bush to travel to the summit.

He was due to support a project to save great apes, but has pulled out because of "contractual obligations" in the United States. BBC

It would seem that few put their money where their big mouths are. Oh, Leo, please grace us with more of your brilliance (but first, please put a shirt on that girlish figure)

[Temple Owl]

Leo is a Clymer!

[Pagey]

"compassion and love" would lead to understanding.

So when someone walks up to you,cracks you upside your head, you're supposed to remain calm and ask: 'why'??? What a dope.Compassion and Love coming from someone with enough money to surround himself w/ bodyguards for the rest of his life.Sheesh!

[adam stevens]

What a bunch of losers!

[hispanarepublicana]