I've seen this post linked at quite a few of the blogs I read on a regular basis.
To a one, the responses/reactions are positive.
I'm going to be the odd-girl-out.
Celebrities have just as much right to open their pie-holes as the rest of us do. So what if they are professional liars? So what if their job is entertainment? They are no better and no worse than the rest of us. The First Amendment applies to them the same as it does to me and to every single person on my blogroll.
Would it be acceptable to say to my husband "You work at Wal-Mart. Your job is to keep your section clean and help me find merchandise. I don't care what you say"?
Would it be acceptable to say to AlanDP "Your job is to read my water meter, not comment on _____"?
Would it be acceptable to say to AmbulanceDriver "Shut up and intubate people"?
Of course it wouldn't. It's no more acceptable, then, to say to any celebrity "You exist only for my entertainment. Keep your opinions to yourself."
Do I think any of us should care what a celebrity's opinion on Issue XYZ is? No. But they actually are real people, inasmuch as anyone else is (I don't exist outside the computer for most of the people I communicate with). They get to shoot off their mouths just the same as the rest of us, and we get to roll our eyes and ignore them, or mock them, or quote them if they happen to say something we agree with. Just the same as if they were John Doe off the street.
Holding yourself above an actor because you're "real" is frankly just as idiotic as looking up to them because they are famous.
8 comments:
I don't think that Jennifer is suggesting that the Fed.Gov regulate what Hollywood Asshats say.
I think she was exercising her own First Amendment rights to give them a Righteous sneering at.
Your mileage may vary, void where prohibited, do not remove tag on penalty of law.
I don't think that Jennifer is suggesting that the Fed.Gov regulate what Hollywood Asshats say.
Nor did I think she was. I just find "shut up" distasteful no matter from where it comes and to where it goes.
Sabra,
What I have a problem with, and I think Jennifer is discussing, is the celebrities talking about politics, environment, etc at events where they should be entertaining.
How many times have we seen a singer stop in the middle of a concert and talk about the politics (Barbra Steisand), or use a movie premiere to bash Bush.
They have every right to say what they think but not when we are paying them to do something else.
Look at the Dixie Chicks for example. Had they said their comments on a blog or an interview about their politics there would have been less problem in my opinion.
The fact that too many of these celebrities think because they are celebrities mean their opinion is worth more.....and that is the problem that you address. They have the right but it's not any more valuable then anyone else.
>Would it be acceptable to say to AmbulanceDriver "Shut up and intubate people"?<
I'd say that, given the right circumstances, that would be both acceptable and funny as hell... >:)
What I have a problem with, and I think Jennifer is discussing, is the celebrities talking about politics, environment, etc at events where they should be entertaining.
Her links belie that, though. The examples she gave were to interviews, which last I checked tend to ask folks their opinions. It's not as if Brad Pitt is stopping in the middle of a movie and saying "We should give BP execs the death penalty" before returning to character.
I can sort of get "shut up and sing"...but no one on the right has ever told Ted Nugent to do that. Nor am I aware of anyone telling Jon Voight to shut up and act. Of course, the Left tells our guys to be quiet as much as we tell theirs that...And quite honestly I find it silly on either end.
Though I will admit I found it more than passing odd when talk on the car repair show I was listening to a few weekends ago turned political...
The problem with many celebrities is that they believe they have more wisdom, knowledge and authority to speak than anyone else simply because they are famous. Not because they have researched the topic, not because they have thought it through, not because they have lived it--only because they are famous, and for no other reason. And that's why they do often deserve to be told just to STFU.
Jennifer Anniston was being interviewed about her new movie.
Brad Pitt was being interviewed in a documentary about rebuilding New Orleans.
James Cameron was on a junket for Avatar.
Time and time again, they either jump into subjects unrelated to what they are being interviewed about.
If you don't think anyone's told Nuge to shut up, read a few liberal blogs.
I agree with you completely, the empty, I mean talking heads have just as much right to say what they want.
I just wish they wouldn't think their fame gives them any more authority on a subject then the average folk
Bob S, telling Ted Nugent to shut up is the Webster Definition for 'Exercise in Futility'. Besides "Shut up and sing" would have him, and I doubled over in laughter. Really! It's the equivalent of "Sun so hot, I froze to death!"
Tell a celebrity to STFU today!
It's the modern "Remember! Thou Art Mortal!"
Just don't be surprised if they cop Mel Brooks' History of the world and tell you, "Blow it out your ass!".
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