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Celebrities are spouting politics -- and we're listening
http://www.kansascity.com ^ | Tue, Feb. 18, 2003 | By TONY HICKS Contra Costa Times

Posted on 02/20/2003 3:48:23 PM PST by ATOMIC_PUNK

Celebrities are spouting politics -- and we're listening

ALONG WITH the entire country, John Orman was glued to his television in the days following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Amid the confusing rush of horrific split-screen images of devastation, CNN was perfecting the art of information overload, with constant typed-up news briefs rolling across the bottom of the screen.

Suddenly, one piece of vital information jumped out at Orman, an author and political science professor at Fairfield University in Connecticut. It was a small headline crawling across the bottom of the TV screen:

"Madonna urges restraint."

If nothing else, it gave Orman a good laugh during a depressing week. It was also a lesson in how much real-world importance we place on the words of celebrities.

"All the information crawling across the television that day supposedly had the same weight," says Orman, co-author of "Celebrity Politics" (Prentice Hall, 2002). "I went, 'Uh, good for her.'"

The implication was clear: Celebrities get attention, whether they're dabbling in their art or speaking out on real issues. The public takes them seriously enough that Madonna urging restraint may be as visible as the words of elected leaders.

Though understandably more patriotic and supportive of President Bush in the year following Sept. 11, celebrities are again warming up to the idea of criticizing the government. The Iraq situation is galvanizing celebrities in a way not seen in decades, and the press is more than happy to provide a forum.

Celebs get active again

That was a different issue, since America was still collectively in shock, Orman says. "We mourned through celebrities," Orman says. "It was a who's who of popular culture."

Little more than a year later, military reporters and foreign correspondents became paparazzi as Sean Penn trekked to Iraq in December to see conditions there for himself. One could see as much of Martin Sheen on the picket line as in his hit NBC television show "The West Wing." Sheryl Crow's antiwar T-shirt got as much attention as the American Music Award she won last month.

Susan Sarandon's antiwar remarks at a movie premiere get more ink than the film. Other actors, such as Tyne Daly and Amy Brenneman of "Judging Amy," are filming ads promoting weapons inspections over invasion. The ads are for Artists United to Win Without War, bankrolled by TrueMajority.com, a liberal activist group started by Ben and Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen. The first ad, featuring Sarandon, ran on local stations the night President Bush gave his State of the Union Address. Large networks rejected it.

Other celebrities lining up publicly include Janeane Garofalo, Danny Glover, John and Joan Cusack, Robert Altman, Marisa Tomei, Oliver Stone, Bonnie Raitt, Yoko Ono and Dave Matthews.

Tom Cruise has also spoke out, but in a rare turn for a celebrity, broke from the typical Hollywood stance to declare his support for the president. Curiously, there's been a lack of public comments concerning Iraq from high-profile conservative celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis.

Mostly liberal

Orman says the liberal viewpoints of celebrities aren't unique. "You can find similar sentiments at any university or think tank, but they don't get the attention," Orman says. "(The effect) is very minimal. Most people like celebrities in the arena in which they perform. If a famous celebrity has a lot of fans and supports his values, you'd think people would say 'I like Sean Penn, I like his views.' But it doesn't work that way."

But we hear it, whether we want to or not.

"Celebrities monopolize the airwaves," Orman says. "If it's not a celebrity, CNN won't give the movement any airtime."

It's obvious they get our attention, but the actual impact of celebrities' political opinions is debatable, Orman says. Traditionally, speaking up has been dangerous.

Today's celebrity liberalism isn't nearly as cut and dried as in the 1950s, when overtly liberal leanings could get a public person blacklisted and often mistakenly labeled a Communist.

Jane Fonda was widely skewered for going to North Vietnam during the Vietnam War in 1972, earning the tag of "Hanoi Jane" as well as endless scorn by many Americans. Yet her career peaked the decade following the trip.

World hunger became the biggest celebrity cause of the 1980s -- not exactly a bold political stance, since no one is against helping starving children.

It's only become semi-comfortable for many celebrities to directly speak out against the government over the past decade. Still, credibility is a necessary component that can be gained by aligning with an established organization.

"In 1991, (actress) Margot Kidder came out against a war in Iraq, and she was lambasted for being a 'Hanoi Jane,'" Orman says. "One thing celebrities learned is that they need to be in a crowd. Penn was made out to be a fool. No one listened. Even though his father (director Leo Penn) was blacklisted, he doesn't have a lot of credibility. The way the media covered it, he became 'Baghdad Sean.'"

Penn claims his political stance has already cost him a lucrative role in the movie "Why Men Shouldn't Marry." Producer Steve Bing calls the claim "extortion," and says Penn never had a contract.

Decent exposure

Political organizers, understandably, like all the exposure.

"Celebrities can do a lot of good, and now's the time to speak," says independent filmmaker Scott Beibin, who organized an antiwar march at this year's Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. "The way the media is set up, fair or unfair, our press focuses on personalities and quirks of these individuals.

Beibin says he was joined on his march by Christian Slater, Daryl Hannah and Salma Hayek. Still others confided to him that they wanted to participate, but couldn't.

"People expressed concerns over coming, that it would hurt their careers," Beibin says. "People whom I can't name said they really, really wanted to come, but their agent said not to."

Other activists aren't so sure. Country Joe McDonald, who happens to be both famous and active in veterans issues, says credibility goes beyond a group affiliation. As a Navy veteran and the writer of one of the 1960s' most famous protest songs ("I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag"), his perspective is unique.

"I don't know what effect celebrities have," says McDonald from his Berkeley home. "It's a shame that America hasn't had Persian Gulf vets come out and speak on both sides. The dynamic of not asking people who know the most is dangerous."

"Is celebrity a useful vehicle? I'd have to say yes," McDonald says. "My position wouldn't get play if I wasn't a celebrity, and if I can advocate for people who wouldn't otherwise get play, then yes."

At the same time, McDonald is offended by celebrities with military experience refusing to share their stories, despite their ideological side. "If they did, it would be wonderful," he says. "But they find it bad for business."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events
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1 posted on 02/20/2003 3:48:23 PM PST by ATOMIC_PUNK
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To: ATOMIC_PUNK
"Celebrities are spouting politics -- and we're listening"

not all of us.
2 posted on 02/20/2003 3:49:18 PM PST by seams2me ("if they pass the reading test, it means they learned to read" GWB 1/8/03)
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To: seams2me
Yea i should have put a ? at the end of the title.

"If a Nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be... if we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed." -- Thomas Jefferson

3 posted on 02/20/2003 3:56:03 PM PST by ATOMIC_PUNK (An American Fellowship of Freedom loving Conservatives..... <*[[[[[><)
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To: ATOMIC_PUNK
"Curiously, there's been a lack of public comments concerning Iraq from high-profile conservative celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis"

True...where are they? They are fabulously wealthy, popular stars. If there's any time to use one's clout for a good cause now is it.

Dennis Miller's made the most forceful case so far. All the rest of the right-leaners might make a point here and there but seem too cowardly to really speak out.

4 posted on 02/20/2003 3:56:45 PM PST by what's up
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To: ATOMIC_PUNK
Sure we are. And laughing at every single one of them.

Garagagalo, and Saranwrap are actors playing National Security Advisor. Somebody better tell them it takes at least a high school degree to even start on that path.

Elementary school doesn't count.
5 posted on 02/20/2003 3:56:59 PM PST by OpusatFR
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To: ATOMIC_PUNK
Mostly liberal

HUH????

6 posted on 02/20/2003 3:57:54 PM PST by The Lake City Gar
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To: ATOMIC_PUNK
Why do these people think they are relevant?

No sane person would listen to these leftist kooks other than to be purely entertained by their ignorance.
7 posted on 02/20/2003 3:59:01 PM PST by GiveEmDubya
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To: ATOMIC_PUNK
"Today's celebrity liberalism isn't nearly as cut and dried as in the 1950s, when overtly liberal leanings could get a public person blacklisted and often mistakenly correctly labeled a Communist."
8 posted on 02/20/2003 4:03:38 PM PST by SunStar (Democrats Piss Me Off !!)
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To: SunStar
Yeah....I've been thinking lately...where is a McCarthy when you need him..../sarcasm, I think.
9 posted on 02/20/2003 4:09:14 PM PST by goodnesswins (Thank the Military for your freedom and security....and thank a Rich person for jobs.)
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To: ATOMIC_PUNK
"Madonna urges restraint."

This line gave me the biggest laugh in days.

10 posted on 02/20/2003 4:10:12 PM PST by My2Cents ("...The bombing begins in 5 minutes.")
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To: All
Oh...here is the current Hollywood *list....

2/20/03
Affleck, Ben
Altman, Robert
Anderson, Gillian
Asner, Ed
Baldwin, Alex
Bardem, Javier
Basinger, Kim
Begley, Ed, Jr
Behar, Joy
Belafonte, Harry
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
Brenneman, Amy
Brosnan, Pierce
Browne, Jackson
Campion, Jane
Carroll, Diahann
Cheadle, Don
Clayburgh, Jill
Clennon, David
Clooney, George
Coyote, Peter
Cromwell, James
Cross, David
Crouse, Lindsay
Crow, Sheryl
Cruz, Penelope
Curtis, Jamie Lee
Cusack, Joan
Cusack, John
Daly, Tyne
Damon, Matt
Danson, Ted
Dave Matthews (Band)
Davis, Ossie
Dawson, Rosario
Dern, Laura
Diaz, Cameron
Donahue, Phil
D'Onofrio, Vincent
Driver, Minnie
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
Havens, Richie
Hawke, Ethan
Hoffman, Dustin
Howard, Ken
Hunt, Helen
Huston, Angelica
Jackon, Samuel
Kaczmarek, Jane
Kanakaredes, Melina
Kasem, Casey
Kirkland, Sally
Kristofersen, Kris
Kudrow, Lisa
Lahti, Christine
Lange, Jessica
Lee, Spike
Leoni, Tea
Madonna
Malick, Wendie
Manheim, Camryn
Mason, Marsha
Masur, Richard
Matthews, Dave
McKellon, Ian
Moby
Moloney, Janel
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
Sarsgaard, Peter
Scorsese, Martin
Seeger, Pete
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
Vierra, Meredith
Weaver, Dennis
Whitford, Bradley
Whitmore, James
Woodard, Alfre
Wyle, Noah
Yarrow, Peter (of P, P & Mary)
Zinn, Howard
11 posted on 02/20/2003 4:10:50 PM PST by goodnesswins (Thank the Military for your freedom and security....and thank a Rich person for jobs.)
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To: goodnesswins; ATOMIC_PUNK; .45MAN; JustAmy; FreedomPoster; RobFromGa; viligantcitizen; nicmarlo; ...
.45MAN and I have boycotted all things Hollywierd since the presidential election, meaning we have not gone to a movie nor have we rented any (other than a couple of very NON-mainstream, non-Hollywierd productions) in over two years. We also do *NOT* subscribe to any movie channels.

People think we are *strange* because we have no clue as to what's playing in the theaters, nor do we care.

These stupid, self-aggrandizing, butt-orifices of the Hollywierd persuasion are so laughable in their socilaistic convictions. It's too bad they don't realize how small and irrelevant that they are.

I, for one, would gladly donate to a movement that would buy each and every one of these wastes of human flesh a one-way ticket to Bagdhad to become human shields.

12 posted on 02/20/2003 4:25:34 PM PST by dansangel (America - love it, support it, or LEAVE IT!)
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To: ATOMIC_PUNK
and we're listening

Yeah, right.

13 posted on 02/20/2003 4:28:58 PM PST by paul51
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To: My2Cents
**"Madonna urges restraint."**

we'd be better off putting Madonna IN a restraint. heh

Prairie
14 posted on 02/20/2003 4:36:02 PM PST by prairiebreeze ("It's about Freedom and Security...... STUPID!!")
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To: goodnesswins
It's one thing to listen... another to heed. We're listening all right... and we are taking notes on who is saying what. When the WMD are uncovered, we'll see who is singing what tune. Sadly, I enjoy some of these stars' work, but they do have 1st amendment rights to say whatever. Just as we were criticizing x42, they have a right to be as critical. As long as they don't personally insult me (a la Julia Roberts), I don't care. Most are hopelessly misinformed, and just doing what their more experienced colleagues and director/producer friends tell them to. The smarter ones keep their views to themselves. Personally, I think they should stick to acting/singing and leave politics to the ones paid to deal with it. There are more than enough Dems in Congress to carry their water for them. Why risk alienating potential fans? This type of talk probably does not help them gain any new respect in flyover country.
15 posted on 02/20/2003 4:44:29 PM PST by Tuxedo
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To: ATOMIC_PUNK
I'm a Celebrity. Get me out of here!

-PJ

16 posted on 02/20/2003 4:56:05 PM PST by Political Junkie Too
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To: ATOMIC_PUNK
""Madonna urges restraint."


17 posted on 02/20/2003 5:11:44 PM PST by hope (The left and Saddam share the same talking points...)
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To: dansangel
AMEN!!!

We do not subscribe to any movie channels either. It has been so many years since we went to a theatre that I can't even remember the last movie that we saw.

IMO it was more enjoyable to see a movie without knowing the actors political views. I refuse to contribute to their success.

I will join you in donating money for a one way ticket to Baghdad for any of this group of anti-Americans!!!

BOMB, BOMB, BOMB IRAQ!!!
18 posted on 02/20/2003 5:24:42 PM PST by JustAmy (God Bless our Military, Past and Present)
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To: dansangel; ATOMIC_PUNK
I, for one, would gladly donate to a movement that would buy each and every one of these wastes of human flesh a one-way ticket to Bagdhad to become human shields.

Hear ! Hear !

Speaking of which...here's who I listen to, along with President Bush, of course...

While I don't think that Tony Blair and I would agree on general politics, I applaud him in his adamant support in the War on Terror...

Tony Blair: The price of my conviction

Excerpt:

But there are also consequences of 'stop the war'. There will be no march for the victims of Saddam, no protests about the thousands of children that die needlessly every year under his rule, no righteous anger over the torture chambers which if he is left in power, will remain in being.

I rejoice that we live in a country where peaceful protest is a natural part of our democratic process. But I ask the marchers to understand this.

I do not seek unpopularity as a badge of honour. But sometimes it is the price of leadership and the cost of conviction.

If there are 500,000 on the [Stop the War] march, that is still less than the number of people whose deaths Saddam has been responsible for. If there are one million, that is still less than the number of people who died in the wars he started.

So if the result of peace is Saddam staying in power, not disarmed, then I tell you there are consequences paid in blood for that decision too. But these victims will never be seen, never feature on our TV screens or inspire millions to take to the streets. But they will exist none the less.



President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair of England walk out to address the media in Cross Hall at the White House Nov. 7. "We've got no better friend in the world than Great Britain," said the President during his remarks. White House photo by Paul Morse.

19 posted on 02/20/2003 5:24:48 PM PST by MeekOneGOP (Bu-bye SADdam. You're soon to meet your buddy Stalin in Hades.)
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To: goodnesswins
Affleck, Ben - dimbulb
Altman, Robert - commie
Anderson, Gillian - approaching has-beenhood
Asner, Ed - mega has-been
Baldwin, Alex - has-been
Bardem, Javier - who?
Basinger, Kim - has-been
Begley, Ed, Jr - has-been
Behar, Joy - who-cares-what-she-thinks idiot
Belafonte, Harry - has-been
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream - mega commies
Brenneman, Amy - who?
Brosnan, Pierce - European, enough said
Browne, Jackson - he's still living? I wonder if he's beaten up Daryl Hannah lately
Campion, Jane - who?
Carroll, Diahann - has-been
Cheadle, Don - who?
Clayburgh, Jill - has-been
Clennon, David - was in thirtysomething, enough said
Clooney, George - Alec Baldwin v. 2.0
Coyote, Peter - never was
Cromwell, James - nowhere without a talking pig
Cross, David - who?
Crouse, Lindsay - never was
Crow, Sheryl - off the scale idiot
Cruz, Penelope - who?
Curtis, Jamie Lee - approaching has-beenhood
Cusack, Joan - never was
Cusack, John - has-been
Daly, Tyne - big has-been
Damon, Matt - overrated wife of Ben Affleck
Danson, Ted - has-been
Dave Matthews (Band) - they're still around?
Davis, Ossie - not much without Spike Lee
Dawson, Rosario - who?
Dern, Laura - has-been
Diaz, Cameron - give me a break!
Donahue, Phil - king of has-beens
D'Onofrio, Vincent - who?
Driver, Minnie - has-been
Duchovny, David - approaching has-beenhood
Dukakis, Olympia - never was
Dutton, Charles S. - who?
Earle, Steven - who?
Elizondo, Hector - has-been
Elwes, Cary - has-been
Farrell, Mike - has-been
Farrow, Mia - big has-been
Fishburne, Laurence - what is he thinking?
Flanery, Sean Patrick - never was
Fonda, Jane - should have faced a firing squad years ago
Franklin, Bonnie - has-been
Garafalo, Janeane - what's the appeal here?
Gilbert, Melissa - not even functioning on a half-pint of brains
Glover, Danny - when not making money off of glorifying violence, he is preaching against violence, violence against terrorists
Gould, Elliot - has-been
Guillaume, Robert -has-been
Harrelson, Woody - has-been idiot who played himself on Cheers
Harris, Ed - has-been
Havens, Richie - who?
Hawke, Ethan - pretty boy dimbulb
Hoffman, Dustin - who cares?
Howard, Ken - has-been
Hunt, Helen - has-been
Huston, Angelica - has-been
Jackon, Samuel - will fight evil onscreen, just doesn't support fighting evil in real life, at least not with a Republican president in charge
Kaczmarek, Jane - who?
Kanakaredes, Melina - who?
Kasem, Casey - pardon me whilst I control my laughter
Kirkland, Sally - she's still alive?
Kristofersen, Kris - has-been
Kudrow, Lisa - cast member of Friends, enough said
Lahti, Christine - who?
Lange, Jessica - overrated idiot has-been
Lee, Spike - overrated race pimp
Leoni, Tea - who?
Madonna - overrated has-been whore
Malick, Wendie - who?
Manheim, Camryn - who?
Mason, Marsha - has-been
Masur, Richard - has-been
Matthews, Dave - already mentioned
McKellon, Ian - English poof, enough said
Moby - a real d*ck
Moloney, Janel - who?
Moore, Michael - the major contributor to global warming
Morales, Esai - has-been
Mortensen, Viggo - so he portrayed Aragorn! It's not as if he split the atom.
Moss, Kate - who?
Norton, Ed - who?
Noth, Chris - has-been reduced to starring on Sex and The City
O'Neill, Ed - has-been
Ono, Yoko - uncontrollable laughter starting again
Oprah - big surprise
Paul, Alexandra - who?
Penn, Sean - Mr. Punch-the-photographer believes in peace
Pepper, Barry - who?
Pounder, C.C.H. - who?
Raitt, Bonnie - has-been
Redford, Robert - has-been
Reiner, Carl - has-been
Reiner, Rob - has-been, lives up to character name of Meathead
REM - has-beens
Robbins, Tim - has mommy issues
Roberts, Eric - has-been
Roberts, Julia - believes in peace and compassion all the while cutting her brother out of her life
Rosenquist, James - who?
Sarandon, Susan - commie whore of the century
Sarsgaard, Peter - who?
Scorsese, Martin - who cares?
Seeger, Pete - who?
Shalhoub, Tony - who?
Sheen, Martin - has to be Susan Saranwraps lost twin brother
Spacey, Kevin - his last name says it all
Steinem, Gloria - laughing again
Stone, Oliver - what's the appeal here?
Strassman, Marcia - has-been
Streisand, Barbra - the long-lost Dick Tracy villainess, B.S. Plenty
Swit, Loretta - has-been
Terkel, Studs - who?
Tomei, Marisa - she's still around?
Tomlin, Lily - has-been lesbo
Turner, Kathleen - has-been
Underwood, Blair - who?
Vierra, Meredith - who?
Weaver, Dennis - has-been
Whitford, Bradley - who?
Whitmore, James - who?
Woodard, Alfre - has-been
Wyle, Noah - get real!
Yarrow, Peter (of P, P & Mary) - can't stop laughing
Zinn, Howard - who?
20 posted on 02/20/2003 5:27:14 PM PST by Paul Atreides
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