[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by Grojlach: Quote: Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric: However, they also have the potential to "force their views" on others with the excessive amount of media coverage and attention they get. ANYTHING done by a "star" is considered news and will recieve the appropriate coverage. So they have an unfair advantage in presenting their side of the case. That isn't so bad by itself...but then they take the arrogant attitude that it should be obvious they are right and anyone who disagrees is wrong. They also don't like having their views challenged.

Just wondering... What do you think of Hollywood celebrities forcing opinions on people that don't necessarily oppose your own? Is there an "awg, they're okay" feeling or would you be consistent in your opinions and apply the above to them as well, that they shouldn't mistake their fame for a right to say whatever they wish to say with an arrogant attitude towards those who disagree? Just to name a person who fits that description just the same in my opinion, Charlton Heston.
All meant in the most respectful manner, of course; if my question comes across as rude or presumptuous I apologize for that. [img]smile.gif[/img] [/QUOTE]No offense taken at all, Grojlach. You ask a fair question, and you are right that I would not be as "opposed" to hearing celebs spouting views I agree with.

In reading over my posts here, I realize that I keep slipping into a "semi-rant" mode and end up criticizing the celebs simply for stating an opinion I disagree with. That's embarassing, because I honostly don't have a problem with them presenting their opinions. What I DO have a problem with is the very thing John D. Harris mentioned - and that's the fact that many of these celebs are just "spouting rhetoric" without actually researching the situation. Examples were given on the Hollywood Halfwit site about the celebs LACK of arguments to back up thier rhetoric. Nachtrafe listed the an example of how Jeanna Garafoula reacted when a reporter suddenly asked her some hard questions about what she based her views on rather than just fawning over her compliantly. She became frustrated and hostile because SHE couldn't back up her OWN arguments and she vented that frustration on the reporter.

In the sake of fairness, NBC is about to play host to a head-on confrontation between Martin Sheen and Fred Thomas (actor and former Senator from Tennessee). Sheen has used his own money to shoot and air an "anti-war" commercial in which he implores America not to go to war. "Inspections work; war doesn't" is the tag line of his ad.

Fred Thomas has created hiw own rebuttal-ad in which he praises President Bush for having the courage to stand up to Saddam Hussein despite pressure to do otherwise.

Now then...I think Martin Sheen's message is rather naive'. The last 12 years have proven conclusively that weapons inspections DO NOT work...however, Martin DID spend his own money to buy the air time, rather than using the "free air time" provided by an awards or benefit show. So I admire him for backing up his convictions with personal action. I also admire Fred Thomas for having the courage to "buck the system" and to publicly disagree with his Hollywood peers.

My biggest complaint about Hollywood is that many of the actors and actresses aren't able to back up their positions with good, solid arguments...yet we are supposed to "accept" what they say anyway - based solely on who they are. That just strikes me as extrememly presumptuous and arrogant.