Hollywood Celebreties Protesting the War

Remove all ads!

I'm sure most of the Americans in here, and maybe others, have heard about the multi-modem march on Washington a few weeks ago. A lot of celebreties are going public, protesting the pending war in Iraq and President Bush's actions. Well, I read this article, and quite frankly, it shows some of their true colors. I am sure there are some who are serios.
The one I really love is regarding Janeane Garofalo. She's been pretty much out of the spotlight for the past few years. Until now protesting the war. Funny thing is I read somewhere that she has a movie or two coming out this summer. Hmmmmmmm. Makes you wonder.
You can read a very interesting article here. http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110003188

 

This article makes one mistake: It compares the situation in Kosovo 1999 an in Iraq 2002/03.

To make the differences clear between the main military avtion since WWII , here is a part of a commentary from the "Berliner Tagesspiegel", my daily newspaper. I have to translate it, so be tolerant :

"It(the war on iraq) would be an political war, caused by strategical calculation of an 'hyperpower nation'(Hypermacht). Neither have the USA been attacked(Pearl Habor), nor is the people's law in need of defense(Korea, 2. Gulf War).Neither is a hunger catastrophe looming(Somalia), nor is any 'ethnic cleansing' going on(Kosovo/Serbia). If everything is going well, the USA will have furthered democracy in the Middle East und gotten rid of an disliked regime, which may have distributed weapons of mass destruction to terrorists. To accomplish his goals, Bush risks the lifes of thousands of human beings, the hate of 1,2 billion muslims, an increase of terrorism, a worldwide economic recession and the split of the transatlantic 'community of virtues'."

 

You know, I always get a kick out of actors getting involved in politics. The textbook I use to teach rhetoric has a section where it discusses the virtues of using an authority to back up your stance, and warns about the dangers of improperly invoking authority. The example they use is someone quoting Ralph Nader in a theological debate -- he may be a recognized authority on consumer affairs, but he hardly is an authority on theology. The same thing goes with actors -- Just because someone is a skilled actor (another questionable point with some of these people) it does not mean they have any greater understanding of international politics. They might, but I need to see some more evidence of their credentials than a filmography.

 

Can't say I'm against it. It seems to me that in a democracy, everyone should make an effort to be involved in politics. Actors and actresses simply have a greater platform for being heard. The only objection is that popularity might obscure rationality -- people might subscribe to certain views simply because Sheryl Crow or Kid Rock does.

 

What Capstone said. One more caveat, and it might be a mistaken perception on my part but I don't think so, it seems that the view from hollywood is largely homogenous. There are a few notable exceptions but by in large hollywood seems to represent a single consistent view point.

What's the significance of this?

 

I don't have a problem with someone having an opinion. I think it is great when someone is famous and uses that for a cause. What I have a problem with is when that famous person doesn't give a crap and is using the situation for their own gain, or because it is "hip"

 

Don't misunderstand me -- I don't think actors should keep quiet. I just think that the credence we give them when it comes to politics should be limited unless they have something better than their fame to back them up.