NationStates Jolt Archive

I for one am tired of Hollywood actors jumping into politics. Just because these people make movies (many of them awful) they seem to feel that their opinion is worth more than yours or mine.

These people do not live in the same world as the rest of us and have NO idea of how the average person lives. Yet they seem to think they have a more informed opinion of what is good for the rest of us.

From Ben Afflack, upon receiving a 150K tax refund and saying it was not fair that the gov't "gave" him so much money when others who work harder do not get such a "gift" from the gov't. Hey dumbass, that is YOUR money that you OVERPAID. The gov't does not GIVE us anything, it only takes.

To Barbara Streisand, who lives in a fenced and guarded mansion to keep the rest of us OUT of her life, yet she thinks that because she ia famous she has more insight into what is good for the rest of us.

Is it only me that thinks these people should stick to making movies, or does their opinion mean more than yours or mine?

Must have been galling to have an ex-actor as your President.

I agree. These dumb actors and actresses think the average American agrees with them about everything. Just because they have some obssesed freak follow them doesn't mean everyone else is worshiping them. You should see some of their quotes. Its like they only eat moron pills.

I like the classic blunder when Reagan joked about bombing russia before a press conference, only to realise that the microphones were all on!

The funniest moment was when that genius Sean Penn went to Iraq to see the situation for himself. He probably thought he could arrange peace all by himself. Would have been funny though if he had been taken hostage. They probably would have released him quickly once they viewed some of his crappy movies.

Yeah! When you become an actor you are no longer an American citizen and freedom of speech no longer applies!! Unless you're Charlton Heston, Ronald Reagan, or the Governator!!![/sarcasm]

Jack-ass.

Must have been galling to have an ex-actor as your President.

Heh.


I, for one, am tired of average people jumping into politics. Just because they are people who live lives (many of them awful) they seem to feel their opinion is worth more than yours or mine.

These people do not live in the same world as the rest of us and have NO idea of how the average person lives. Yet they seem to think they have a more informed opinion of what is good for the rest of us.


How silly to think that simply because someone is an actor they somehow lose the right to have an opinion and express it. True, they may have more access to media outlets than the common man, but so what? You don't like what they're saying, then no one has obligated you to listen.

Agreed, some actors use their station to pontificate and just end up sounding stupid. However, some common folk sounds pretty darn stupid as well. If you don't like actors in politics, don't vote for them. If you don't like them having opinions, too bad, don't listen.

Whatever your feelings, get used to it. Actors and politics have always gone hand in hand and until you get rid of one or the other, they will continue to do so.

PS. This wasn't aimed at you, Eco, I just thought what you said was funny.

Another embarassing moment was the idiotic Michael Moore line, "Shame on you, Shame on you". Not quite as funny as that half-assed John Kerry salute, and these , "Help is on the way", and "Reporting for duty", "Read my lips", "Mission accomplished", "I did not have sexual relations with that woman.", and of course the classic "There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe".

PS:I'm still waiting for Alec Baldwin to leave the country.

Isn't that what all politicians are, actors?

Yeah, actors make terrible politicians. You know, because they're usually Republicans.

No one has mentioned the Governator yet? Why am I not surprised?

Hey Biff--what's the deal? Is it only bad when actors espouse Democratic party values but okay when they're Republican, like say, Reagan or Schwarzenegger?

Meh!

Everybody has a right to get into politics.

Movie actors have been Reps, Sentors(well maybe not), Govenors, Mayors, President.

If actor's and actresses can't have opinions, then I guess corporate america can't have an opinion either. For that matter no one can have an opinion! To hell with it! Lets scrap the elections and install a Führer!

note: sarcasm

Meh!

Everybody has a right to get into politics.

Movie actors have been Reps, Sentors(well maybe not), Govenors, Mayors, President.

Sonny Bono was a senator.

Sonny Bono was a senator.

sorry he was a lousy congressman

Sonny Bono was a senator.
Sonny Bono was a Rep. However, Fred Grandy--Gopher from the Love Boat--was a Senator.

That's what happens when you have

a) elections
b) a country that hero-worships actors, entertainers, media icons and athletes

Change either of the two above, and you won't get as many actors governing the states.

Sonny Bono was a senator.

Thanks! I forgot about him.

-edit-

Doh! Rep. now Grandy......

Sonny Bono was a Rep. However, Fred Grandy--Gopher from the Love Boat--was a Senator.

Didn't whatshisface from Happy Days also run for office of some sort?

An actor has as much right to express their opinion as anyone else, and if their celebrity gives them some advantage in how they are able to gain a platform for thier opinion - well that is a byproduct of success.

Of course, anyone who lends more credence to the opinion of an actor just because of their fame should frankly have their head examined. But that is an indictment of the idiots who take fame to equate to intelligence, not an indictment of the byproducts of fame.

That's what happens when you have

a) elections
b) a country that hero-worships actors, entertainers, media icons and athletes

Change either of the two above, and you won't get as many actors governing the states.

Ok whats the difference between that and say a Peanut farmer? ;)

No one has mentioned the Governator yet? Why am I not surprised?

Hey Biff--what's the deal? Is it only bad when actors espouse Democratic party values but okay when they're Republican, like say, Reagan or Schwarzenegger?

You ALL missed my point....my point is that people like Sean Penn, Alec baldwin, Barbra Streisand and others think their opinion carries more weight BECAUSE they are famous. Yes, they do get more media attention, but their opinion is no more valid than anyone elses. THAT was my point. I don't care WHO they support, they are NO better than the rest of us and just because they get a lot of attention, does not make them "experts." I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican so those who do come out for the Republicans are just as bad.

Sean Penn going to Iraq was about the stupidest thing I have seen. That guy may be a good actor (not in my opinion) but he should leave foreign relations to the State Dept.

Yeah, when IS Alec Baldwin leaving the country?

sorry he was a lousy congressman

Now now, it's not nice to speek ill of the dead.

You ALL missed my point....my point is that people like Sean Penn, Alec baldwin, Barbra Streisand and others think their opinion carries more weight BECAUSE they are famous. Yes, they do get more media attention, but their opinion is no more valid than anyone elses. THAT was my point. I don't care WHO they support, they are NO better than the rest of us and just because they get a lot of attention, does not make them "experts." I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican so those who do come out for the Republicans are just as bad.

Sean Penn going to Iraq was about the stupidest thing I have seen. That guy may be a good actor (not in my opinion) but he should leave foreign relations to the State Dept.

Yeah, when IS Alec Baldwin leaving the country?You're not a Republican, and yet you manage to conveniently only mention Democratic supporters---riiiiiiiiiight.

You're not a Republican, and yet you manage to conveniently only mention Democratic supporters---riiiiiiiiiight.

I honestly do not know any actors who support Republicans. Charlton Heston? Is he REALLY an actor anymore?

I honestly do not know any actors who support Republicans. Charlton Heston? Is he REALLY an actor anymore?


Was Reagan every really an actor? ;)

As to Charlie? Sure he had a bit part in the disaster remake of the Planet of the Apes! Tim! What were you thinking!

But the point is that he was an actor most of his life. The fact he retired does not mean the label retires.....

I honestly do not know any actors who support Republicans. Charlton Heston? Is he REALLY an actor anymore?Dude--Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Republican and he's the governor of California. I'm not going to deny that most actors and actresses are Democrats--they tend to be socially liberal, no question--but there are still plenty of people in the entertainment industry who support Republicans.

Dude--Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Republican and he's the governor of California. I'm not going to deny that most actors and actresses are Democrats--they tend to be socially liberal, no question--but there are still plenty of people in the entertainment industry who support Republicans.

Yeah him...but he is now a politician. He was a supporter of Reagan big time. Any others? I cannot think of any.

Patricia Heaton comes to mind--she's on that "Everyone Loves (but me) Raymond" show I think--and I only know that because she made the rounds of the talk shows a couple of years ago talking it up.

When it comes right down to it, most celebrities are pretty private about their political beliefs, whether liberal or conservative or otherwise. There are a few loudmouths of all stripes, just like in the normal population.

Didn't whatshisface from Happy Days also run for office of some sort?

Potsie or Ralph? Fonze would would never run for office. Too cool.

Patricia Heaton comes to mind--she's on that "Everyone Loves (but me) Raymond" show I think--and I only know that because she made the rounds of the talk shows a couple of years ago talking it up.

When it comes right down to it, most celebrities are pretty private about their political beliefs, whether liberal or conservative or otherwise. There are a few loudmouths of all stripes, just like in the normal population.

I don't know who she is, I do not watch network TV (it sucks). MOST of them are private, like the rest of us. Those loudmouths are the ones I have the problem with. They are all so much better off than the rest of us and when they start on about how bad things are I just want to throw something at them. How would or could they possibly know how the rest of us live? Do they all think that everyone lives in a mansion and drives the most expensive of cars? :rolleyes:

Did every one forget about Clint Eastwood! ;)

Did every one forget about Clint Eastwood! ;)

My comment about mayors! ;)

Actually, most celebrities of the acting area have had to deal with tough times at some point in their careers. For every mega star out there, there are literally thousands of actors and actresses struggling to eat every day. They may forget where they came from after a while, but most of them at least came from somewhere, instead of being raised in privilege.

Actually, most celebrities of the acting area have had to deal with tough times at some point in their careers. For every mega star out there, there are literally thousands of actors and actresses struggling to eat every day. They may forget where they came from after a while, but most of them at least came from somewhere, instead of being raised in privilege.

And an owner of a muppet knows this how? :p

One person I can't stand is Elizabeth Hurley. She is the clasic case of what you mention.

I saw her on some show and she was whining about not having a date for some show. She was asked why not give some poor guy the date of a lifetime? Her responce: "What? I can't be seen with a civilian!"

Republican (or rumored to be) Actors:

Arnold Schwartzenegger
Ronald Reagan
Bo Derek
Bruce Willis
Ben Stein
Clint Eastwood
Ted Nugent (more of a musician, really)
Chuck Norris
Sarah Michelle Geller
Freddy Prinze, Jr.
Heather Locklear
Fred Thompson
John Wayne (dead, but still an outspoken Republican)
Charlton Heston
Tom Selleck
Wayne Newton
Leslie Nielson
Robert Duvall
Dixie Carter
Mel Gibson
Kurt Russell (although he's more of a libertarian, really)
Rick Schroeder
Cheryl Ladd
Shannen Doherty
Delta Burke
Gerald McRaney
Mickey Rooney
John Popper (again, he's the lead singer of "Blues Traveller", so more music)
Drew Carey
Chad Everett
Denis Miller (er, well, now he is, anyway)
Jaclyn Smith
Norm MacDonald
Robert Duvall (which just made me sad when I found out)
The Judds (both of them, and again, more music)
Wilford Brimley
Shirley Jones
Travis Tritt (country music)
LeAnn Womack (more country music)
Jon Schneider
Hunter Tylo
Kathy Ireland
Janine Turner
Yaphette Koto
Shirley Temple (actually, Temple Black now)
Pat Sajak

Potsie or Ralph? Fonze would would never run for office. Too cool.

The one who wasn't the red head.

The one who wasn't the red head.

That was Potsie. I shudder.

Republican (or rumored to be) Actors:

Arnold Schwartzenegger
Ronald Reagan
Bo Derek
Bruce Willis
Ben Stein
Clint Eastwood
Ted Nugent (more of a musician, really)
Chuck Norris
Sarah Michelle Geller
Freddy Prinze, Jr.
Heather Locklear
Fred Thompson
John Wayne (dead, but still an outspoken Republican)
Charlton Heston
Tom Selleck
Wayne Newton
Leslie Nielson
Robert Duvall
Dixie Carter
Mel Gibson
Kurt Russell (although he's more of a libertarian, really)
Rick Schroeder
Cheryl Ladd
Shannen Doherty
Delta Burke
Gerald McRaney
Mickey Rooney
John Popper (again, he's the lead singer of "Blues Traveller", so more music)
Drew Carey
Chad Everett
Denis Miller (er, well, now he is, anyway)
Jaclyn Smith
Norm MacDonald
Robert Duvall (which just made me sad when I found out)
The Judds (both of them, and again, more music)
Wilford Brimley
Shirley Jones
Travis Tritt (country music)
LeAnn Womack (more country music)
Jon Schneider
Hunter Tylo
Kathy Ireland
Janine Turner
Yaphette Koto
Shirley Temple (actually, Temple Black now)
Pat Sajak

WOW!! Now I have to ask myself.... Why are these people not out there telling us that we should vote for Bush? To be fair, some of them might have, but I have not personally seen any of them with the exception of the Gubenator, but I guess that would HAVE to be expected.

So the Republicans get Kathy Ireland and the Democrats get Jeninne Garafalo? Which party would you rather attend? ;)

Are you kidding? Janeane Garofalo is smart and cute--I'll take her any day.

You ALL missed my point....my point is that people like Sean Penn, Alec baldwin, Barbra Streisand and others think their opinion carries more weight BECAUSE they are famous.
How do you know they think this?

How do you know they think this?

Because they live in a self-deluded world where people fawn all over them. That kind of attention creates a sense of self worth that is beyond reality. Barbera Streisand PERSONALLY stood up in front of the DEMS and all but demanded that they enact her ideas. Now if THAT is not someone who believes her opinion to be worth more than yours or mine, then who is?

Personally I would not use the hollywood types to wipe my shoes on. I have more respect for a pair of shoes than that since they actually HAVE a use and purpose. Of course that goes for ALL of them lest someone think I am singling out the DEMS. :rolleyes:

Are you kidding? Janeane Garofalo is smart and cute--I'll take her any day.

Cute vs Beautiful.....hmmmm I think I would have to go with Kathy Ireland on this one. ;)

Well, I guess actors have just as much right to be politically active as anyone else in the country. How can you say certain occupations have to remain silent? I don't think that's what this country is about.

However, they probably should stay out of running for office. Look at how idiotic Arnold looks and acts. The only reason he was elected as Governor of California is because of name recognition and it seems like every time he opens his mouth something stupid or sexist comes out.

But I'm not sure how we can say that people with name recognition, per se, i.e., Michael Moore, Rush Limbaugh, etc., etc. shouldn't speak out just because they are well-known. That doesn't make a lot of sense.

Well, I guess actors have just as much right to be politically active as anyone else in the country. How can you say certain occupations have to remain silent? I don't think that's what this country is about.

However, they probably should stay out of running for office. Look at how idiotic Arnold looks and acts. The only reason he was elected as Governor of California is because of name recognition and it seems like every time he opens his mouth something stupid or sexist comes out.

But I'm not sure how we can say that people with name recognition, per se, i.e., Michael Moore, Rush Limbaugh, etc., etc. shouldn't speak out just because they are well-known. That doesn't make a lot of sense.

I never said they did not have a RIGHT to, I just think that their opinion is given too much weight based on WHO they are, not WHAT they say. Do you think Sean Penns escapades in Iraq would have gotten ANY press if it was you or I doing that? No. But because he is famous for being an ACTOR he gets all sorts of press and attention that gives the ILLUSION that his opinion is worth more than anyone elses. Sadly, there are those who fawn all over these nitwits and follow their advice as if it was gospel. Imagine if you will, the outcome of an election based on the opinions of these idiots and those who follow every word they say. Their self aggrandizement is simply amazing.

From what I understood Ventura was quite a good governor. But then again I live far far away from Minnesota. But technically all politicians are actors. They all read scripts that somebody else prepares and they have to do rehearsals before giving their performances.

There's a big, two-sided set of lists here:
http://www.celiberal.com/

Help Mel Gibson's film win a fair shot at the Academy Awards:
http://www.passionforfairness.com/

Yeah! When you become an actor you are no longer an American citizen and freedom of speech no longer applies!! Unless you're Charlton Heston, Ronald Reagan, or the Governator!!![/sarcasm]

Jack-ass.
Hey he was saying ALL actors jack-ass

When did he ever exempt anyone in his initial post? or are you just assuming?

From what I understood Ventura was quite a good governor. But then again I live far far away from Minnesota. But technically all politicians are actors. They all read scripts that somebody else prepares and they have to do rehearsals before giving their performances.
Ehhh he was ALRIGHT ... no major fuckups but nothing spectacular either

seem to feel that their opinion is worth more than yours or mine.

These people do not live in the same world as the rest of us and have NO idea of how the average person lives. Yet they seem to think they have a more informed opinion of what is good for the rest of us.
And they are different from politicians HOW?

I never said they did not have a RIGHT to, I just think that their opinion is given too much weight based on WHO they are, not WHAT they say. Do you think Sean Penns escapades in Iraq would have gotten ANY press if it was you or I doing that? No. But because he is famous for being an ACTOR he gets all sorts of press and attention that gives the ILLUSION that his opinion is worth more than anyone elses.
Yes, the media gives more attention to what famous actors say than to what ordinary people say. Does this surprise you? This is what normally happens.

celebrities have a moral obligation to speak out against social injustice and especially now they need to help the rest of us fight to defeat Bushs attempts to rip the heart out of America

http://www.outlawforpeace.com/trade/store/11it-reaganad.JPG

There's a big, two-sided set of lists here:
http://www.celiberal.com/

Help Mel Gibson's film win a fair shot at the Academy Awards:
http://www.passionforfairness.com/
I took a look at that celiberal site when you linked it in another thread, and from what I saw it was crap. I checked the "see why" links for about 5 or 6 people that caught my eye. 2 of them were listed because they supported Bush in 2000 (one was Marylin Manson, and I'm fairly certain he has a very different view now, I don't remember who the other was). I found the listing for Godsmack rather hard to believe so I checked it out and it linked to a site in another language, which had links to porn sites on it. Another "see why" link went to an outdated page. And the one for Adam Sandler linked to a Fox News article that only said that Sandler put a message on his website saying he supports our troops in Iraq. I support our troops, does that make me a conservative?

I don't mind it when actors talk about politics, since the only reason to become famous is to try to change things.