Hollywood War Stance Hypocritical

Los Angeles Daily News ^ | 2/13/03 | J.C. Phillips

[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.

[LdSentinal]

Considering that most Hollywood types hate Bush for defending America from terrorist attacks, perhaps there should be no security at the Academy Awards.

[DeuceTraveler]

Believe it or not, there are some really good people in the adult film industry. Many are a way out there, but Anna Malle and Ron Jeremy were some of the nicest, down to earth people I've ever met.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

Hollywood is in fact just another word for hypocrite.In reality "WHORELYWOOD" is a worthless institution.

[goodnesswins]

"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? "

I HAD to repeat this last paragraph....

[goodnesswins]

OKAY...here is THE list again.....someone better tell these folks that they mostly live on the West Coast....ya' know...that place the N. Korean's say they can hit!

Affleck, Ben
Altman, Robert
Anderson, Gillian
Asner, Ed
Baldwin, Alex
Bardem, Javier
Basinger, Kim
Begley, Ed, Jr
Belafonte, Harry
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
Brosnan, Pierce
Browne, Jackson
Campion, Jane
Carroll, Diahann
Cheadle, Don
Clayburgh, Jill
Clennon, David
Clooney, George
Coyote, Peter
Cross, David
Crouse, Lindsay
Crow, Sheryl
Cruz, Penelope
Cusack, Joan
Cusack, John
Daly, Tyne
Damon, Matt
Danson, Ted
Dave Matthews (Band)
Davis, Ossie
Dawson, Rosario
Diaz, Cameron
D'Onofrio, Vincent
Duchovny, David
Dukakis, Olympia
Dutton, Charles S.
Earle, Steven
Elizondo, Hector
Elwes, Cary
Farrell, Mike
Farrow, Mia
Fishburne, Laurence
Flanery, Sean Patrick
Fonda, Jane
Franklin, Bonnie
Garafalo, Janeane
Gilbert, Melissa
Glover, Danny
Gould, Elliot
Guillaume, Robert
Harrelson, Woody
Harris, Ed
Hawke, Ethan
Hoffman, Dustin
Howard, Ken
Hunt, Helen
Huston, Angelica
Jackon, Samuel
Kaczmarek, Jane
Kanakaredes, Melina
Kasem, Casey
Kirkland, Sally
Kristofersen, Kris
Kudrow, Lisa
Lange, Jessica
Lee, Spike
Leoni, Tea
Madonna
Malick, Wendie
Manheim, Camryn
Mason, Marsha
Masur, Richard
Matthews, Dave
Moby
Moore, Michael
Morales, Esai
Mortensen, Viggo
Moss, Kate
Norton, Ed
Noth, Chris
O'Neill, Ed
Ono, Yoko
Oprah
Paul, Alexandra
Penn, Sean
Pepper, Barry
Pounder, C.C.H.
Raitt, Bonnie
Redford, Robert
Reiner, Carl
Reiner, Rob
REM
Robbins, Tim
Roberts, Eric
Roberts, Julia
Rosenquist, James
Sarandon, Susan
Scorsese, Martin
Shalhoub, Tony
Sheen, Martin
Spacey, Kevin
Steinem, Gloria
Stone, Oliver
Strassman, Marcia
Streisand, Barbra
Swit, Loretta
Terkel, Studs
Tomei, Marisa
Tomlin, Lily
Turner, Kathleen
Underwood, Blair
Weaver, Dennis
Whitford, Bradley
Whitmore, James
Woodard, Alfre
Wyle, Noah
Yarrow, Peter (of P, P & Mary)
Zinn, Howard

[driftless]

I have many SCTV episodes on tape. I can't be eating or drinking anything when I watch replays of Farm Film Celebrity Blowup for fear of spraying the room with food or liquid particles from my hysterical laughter. It would be great if John Candy and Joe Flaherty could blow up some of today's Hollyweird political "geniuses".

[T Lady]

Sadly, John Candy is no longer with us; I heard he was a really nice guy and devoted family man.

As for the article, J.C. Miller is right on target; and yes, it is unlikely the fellow will ever get any prominent roles in any major studio films. But then again, this name could be an alias. A lot of closet conservatives in Tinseltown do this to protect their identities.

That's Liberal "tolerance" for you!

-Regards, T.

[T Lady]

Oops, I mean J. C. Phillips.

-Regards, T.

[CarmelValleyite]

Nice list -- but FYI: although many may have residences in So. Cal., just as many maintain residences in NYC and surrounding communities, i.e., they are bi-coastal.