Democrats & Liberals: Archives

Jeez. This, truly, is what must have the founding fathers and the generations of Americans who fought, suffered and died for our nation rolling over in their graves.

Who do all of our intellectually half-baked troupes of financially and culturally insulated entertainers and talk-show hosts support for President as they jet around between their mansions?

What are Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Lopez’s positions on NAFTA? What is Leonardo Dicaprio’s position on global warming?

Honestly, until I know for sure what Michael Jackson and Brittany Spears think about the tax code, I don’t know who I can vote for in good conscience this November.

I’m pretty sure I heard Ozzie Osbourne start to mumble something truly brilliant about how we should approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If only he would speak a little more clearly, all of us could stand in the light of his wisdom and our problems would be over!

Martin,

I can truly understand your snide dismissal of my argument, especially if you’re headed to a Bush/Cheney rally you might see Larry The Cable Guy, as the warm-up act!

Ain’t freedom of speech wonderful when you are rich? It is almost enough to make one want to increase savings by cheating on one’s taxes. Given the layoffs at the IRS, I guess I should not say that - it might get around and before you know it, working class people will be doing it just like the rich folks.

:-)

Well, if I ever make it to a Bush/Cheney rally I will lob rotten vegetables at anybody introduced as the “Cable Guy” who presumes to tell me how to vote. Fair?

Martin,

I can fully understand (feel your pain?) why another gleeful partisan subject matter of mine, has again, irked you! It is another one of those luxuries, us Liberals raised in the rock n’ roll age can swoon about.

I am as passionate about my music, as I am about my politics. And, the fact that nearly every rock artist I have idolized over the years shares my poltical philosophy, is just as energizing as the recent Democratic Convention!

Who knew that the most talented musicians and songwriters of my generation, are just as articulate, knowledgeable and engaged when it comes important issues, they could easily ignore.

Right ON, Bert! Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, John Sebatstian, Dave Van Ronk, Arlo Guthrie, The Wild Bunch, and a host of others are as proud today of our ideals as we were then. Our bodies may have to live in this plane of compromise and barter, but our minds and hearts can still work for a better world where we treat all of our brothers and sisters with as much understanding, compassion, and assistance as we received, or desired to receive, in our youth.

As Jefferson Airplane’s Gracie Slick said, “It’s a new dawn…” Rock the Vote for generations to come!

Jeez. This, truly, is what must have the founding fathers and the generations of Americans who fought, suffered and died for our nation rolling over in their graves.

Because people are exercizing their right to free speech? But in your mind, I guess that right only applies to conservatives.

I find it humourus that conservative celebrities like Ted Nugent and Dennis Miller are outraged that liberal celebrities are speaking out on issues. The irony of a celebrity speaking out to say that another celebrity should just “shut up and sing” gets me all giggly. :)

Bert, that’s a great article. I know Martin won’t read Springsteen’s Op-Ed piece, but it’s heartfelt and exactly what I would expect of a true American.

The problem is not celebrities who voice their political opinions but the ignorant fans who allow the star power to sway their vote.

Bert, maybe you have some inside information about Oprah’s motives? Or, maybe you just haven’t considered the possibility that she doesn’t feel it’s right to use her show to push a political agenda.

I am not a big fan of Rosie. Not because she stated her opinion, but because she was pushing them on guests and viewers. But, it was her show and we’re all entitled to our opinion.

Some entertainers and blog contributors may overestimate how easily opinions are changed even when it comes from a multi-millionaire.

Bert:

I find it hard to understand your antipathy towards Oprah. Shouldnt she have the freedom to express herself as she pleases? Perhaps she feels her show should be free of politics, or perhaps she feels that her political opinions are her own private domain. Why do you feel the need to instruct her on how to conduct her life? I’d have thought you would find that to be her own decision.

I agree with Bill and those who say voters shouldnt necessarily care what their favorite musician thinks politically. I dont particularly like Dave Matthews’ current political stance, but I love his music.

It does gall me when I see someone like Barbra Streisand, living in her beach house, or jetting to her home in the Colorado mountains, all the while wailing and moaning about the ecology. Or worse, suing a guy who wants to actually help the ecology:

“Singer/actress Barbra Streisand has filed a $50 million lawsuit against amateur photographer Kenneth Adelman for posting a photograph of her Malibu, Calif., estate on his website. The site features 12,000 other photos of the California coastline as part of a project to document coastal erosion for scientific and other researchers.”

A person’s musical talent has nothing to do with their understanding of world politics. If Bruce Springsteen has an opinion on politics, I’m happy to hear it—in fact, I’d welcome him writing in to this blog. I’d pay as much attention to his comments as I would any of the rest of you, and give him as much due as his writing deserved.

Bert—

I didn’t realize that we lived in the same state. Drop me a line some time and perhaps we can get together and talk politics.

I agree with you vis-a-vis Oprah to a point; she just signed for three more year BTW. If she can do more good behind the scenes I am inclined to let her do so, but one the other hand she does wield considerable influence among her viewers and her stance on certain issue could make a difference. My wife and I often muse about the points you raise here; how much money is enough for one person. Are we put upon this earth just to amass wealth and material goods, or should we try to uplift our fellow man.

I it widely reported that she paid 50 million dollars for her new home in California, and is buying up land in Hawaii. I can’t help but wonder if that money could have, and should have been put to better use.

Uh…we are talking about the same Oprah who told her viewers to vote for Al Gore, right? Her opinion is as valid as anyone else’s, but please don’t portray her as some sort of stealth visionary.

NOTOTH

“…Christian acts Third Day and Micheal W. Smith…”

I’ve never understood what’s Christian about bombing civilians.

Bert:

You said: “I am not a big fan of Oprah Winfrey. I believe the enormous amount of influence she has can be converted into viable political capital, and can bring about genuine change in this country. It is not enough for her to donate millions to good causes, as a moneyed figure as Bill Gates can do.”

I just thought of a rather wealthy and famous person who seems to fit right into your expectations of what should be done. You will really LOVE this guy!!

**He is putting his money where his mouth is by spending money to further the political beliefs he endorses.

**He is spending his time to bring out the message he believes in.

**And he is putting his reputation on the line because of what he believes in. In fact, his reputation and his future career path certainly could be in jeopardy as a result of the solid stance he is taking.

The man is Ralph Nader. And while I disagree with his political stance, I certainly am impressed by his level of commitment to his cause. And Bert, I assume you will heartily agree.

Joe, I thought you were talking about John Kerry!

-Cf

jbod, I thought you were going to say Jimmy Carter for a minute. Ralph Nader was good, though. Outstanding as a matter of fact.

It does gall me when I see someone like Barbra Streisand, living in her beach house, or jetting to her home in the Colorado mountains, all the while wailing and moaning about the ecology.

Poor Babs. If it wasn’t for the Republicans, no one would be paying any attention to her. :)

joe, I tought you were going to say Soros.

Oprah? But what about Jerry Springer? He’s a former Democratic mayor, unlike Oprah who has never held office, and he also has a pretty big audience. As one of the Democratic party’s leading intellectuals, shouldn’t he be working harder for Kerry as well?

Bert’s right about the majority of entertainers being Democrats, which raises an interesting question. Why? No other professional segment tilts (to my knowledge) as lopsidedly in one political direction. Journalists, lawyers, doctors, educators—blue and white collar jobs of all types have significant numbers of both left and right-leaning individuals. But among entertainers, things go pretty much in one direction (with only a handful of exceptions like Bruce Willis and the governor of California). So why this groupthink and single-minded conformity?

I have some theories, which out of politeness I will keep to myself.

But here’s here’s a quote from Courtney Love. A multi-millionaire “artist” who has truly and deeply suffered for her political beliefs, she provides us with this virtual Rossetta Stone of Hollywood thinking. Once you’ve absorbed it, you will be able to draw a great many conclusions on your own:

“The last thing I want to say is that I’m a victim, but I am,” Love told Rolling Stone. “I believe it’s a trickle down from Bush.”

That about says it all.

joebags,

If Ralph Nader is ‘wealthy’, then he has one helluva crappy tailor!

NOTOTH,

Knowing Oprah has well as I do, she has never come out and openly endorsed any candidate. If you have proof of an Al Gore endorsement, please cite it.

Finally, my comments and opinion of Oprah are personal. Whether you agree or not, in the Black community there is an unspoken rule for those who ‘make it’ or ‘succeed’ - they are to give something back, and/or help uplift others. Oprah gives millions to charity and has a significant number of minorities and women, in her employ. But, to me, this is not enough.

77% percent of Black babies born in the state of Illinois, are born to single, unwed mothers. I’m just bothered by the fact, that residing in the same state is the first Black woman billionaire in American history.

Joe, I thought you were talking about John Kerry!

-Cf

Christopher, I suppose it could have been John Kerry. However, I qualified my example by saying he is putting his money where his mouth is by spending HIS money……I’m sure you can see why Kerry would be disqualified….
ha ha

As far as Nader’s wardrobe is concerned, I suspect it has as much to do with his image as Michael Moore’s hat. I hear Nader is a millionaire, though I dont know it for sure.

Bert, you claim to know Oprah so well, but are you aware of why Oprah is so successful? Was it really because of some Democratic intitiative or hand-out? Absolutely not.

It was her ability to do for herself. Her talent, hard work and business savvy has borne fruit in an economy that rewards entrepeneural efforts like hers. Thank god she doesn’t try to destroy the very conditions that made her success possible by penalizing creativity and hard work (the Democratic preference) instead of rewarding it (the Republican preference).

Oprah is living proof that African-Americans can succeed, sometimes beyond their wildest imaginations, if they grasp their dreams instead of waiting around for government to deliver them on a silver platter.

Martin, it is clear you know nothing about the inner workings of theater or hollywood. NO ONE EVER makes it in the entertainment field without a whole lot of support, help, and luck! And that is a fact. Talent helps, money helps, but, doors don’t just open for the asking. In fact, the same can be said about almost every person.

We don’t educate ourselves in a vacuum, culturalize ourselves in a vacuum, nor advance ourselves in a vacuum. That is the right wing fallacy of capitalism, “Work hard and you can make it”. Crapola. Working hard is a necessary ingredient most of the time (GW Bush and those like him excepted) to success but by no means sufficient. Luck, skin color, accent, family wealth or lack of it, contacts, and a large dose of self confidence all are factors in success.

Being black at a time when the entertainment industry is looking for black is a stroke of timing and luck. Not hard work. I mean I was taught that any person could grow up to be President of the U.S. in America. Now we know from the record that coming from or having a million dollars is prerequisite to running for Senate or the Presidency. And while it is true a black person can now run for President, it is not true that a black person can win the presidency - not yet, no matter how hard they work.

Martin,

Yes, I know Oprah very well, having grown up in Chicago all my life. You know how she got her start in Chicago? Luck, timing and the rare station owner known for his committment to diversity. Oprah took over a very low rated morning show called ‘AM Chicago’, just as Phil Donahue was perfecting the model, in the same town.

Did hard work get George W. into Yale? No, the Bush Legacy guranteed a place for him. His ineptness running Harkin could not hurt, as long as his father’s connections kept him afloat. On the other hand, for 16 years I worked hard, was very creative and savvy, yet I was held to a different, stricter standard because I was Black and gay.

But, I never would’ve gotten that far, if not for a kindly, old Jewish veteran of the music biz, who pulled me out of the wharehouse. And, if ever I’m in the position to do the same, I will be duty bound to live up to my responsibility.

Bert:

My comment regarding Oprah’s “vote for him” remark was based on a film clip of the interview that I saw during September, 2000. Despite a pretty thorough search, I’ve been unable to find an archive of the video, so will back off my earlier statement. CNN, CBS and others say that she referred to Gore as a “fun, funny guy.” All I remember is that at the end of the interview, during the applause, she pointed to Gore and “whispered” to her audience what I remembered as “vote for him.” If she actually called Gore a funny guy, then she wasn’t being publicly partisan, just silly.

David, you’d probably be surprised at just how familiar I am with both the inner workings of theater and Hollywood.

I know pretty well how much cooperation and behind-the-scenes grunt work is necessary before “a star is born.” It’s exactly why I resent so many of these intellectually vacant actor celebrities getting all the credit (not to mention too much of the money) from the public for creative work which is done mostly done by others, and then using that unearned prestige to mouth off about political issues they know nothing about.

Hitchcock said it best: “Actors are cattle.” Bessy the dairy cow knows about as much about politics OR movie-making as many of these Hollywood “artists.” If you ever liked Alec Baldwin in a movie, you should realize that he never actually wrote a line that comes out of his mouth and he’s probably spent more time and energy on his hair and abs than educating himself about political issues.

You mean Martin Sheen really isn’t the President?

The President is Charlton Heston. Try to keep up.

this is america, and we have no right to try and dictate what oprah shoud or should not do with HER hard-earned money. we definitely shouldn’t pass judgement either.

yeah Nader’s net worth usually hovers somewhere around $3.8 million.

and he gives 80% of his annual earnings (speaking, writing, fundraising) to citizen groups and consumer groups he has either started or shares common interest with.