The Sounds Of Silence (Anna Quindlen)

[skywalker]

I found this column very interesting, I hope some of you do as well. It was in Newsweek April 21,2003 on the last page.

The Last Word Anna Quindlen

The Sounds of Silence
A lesson in American history: each time the United States becomes imperial, it betrays the very keystone upon which its greatness rests

April 21 issue — Last month a United Way chapter in Florida disinvited the actress Susan Sarandon from a fund-raising luncheon at which she’d agreed to speak. This was scarcely surprising. Many charities are happy to use celebrities to attract donors to their events, but they like them to be as decorative and inoffensive as the flower centerpieces. And with war looming, the Oscar-winning actress, who has been outspokenly liberal on a variety of social issues and consistently critical of the invasion of Iraq, must have suddenly seemed akin to a cactus.

The rest is here

Mark

[EDIT] For typos....what else!

[ 04-15-2003, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: skywalker ]

[Mordenheim]

I'm really sick of this idea. I am not sure what world people live in but in mine every action has a reaction.

Why in the hell would a charity use a radioactive bomb to draw money? They have every right not to. These people have insulted our president in every way possible. Companies have a right to dismiss them if they do not look profitable. That is what companies do and charities do = make money.

People have every right not to buy Dixie chicks, french wine, and visit movies of people they do not like. People have a right to be OFFENDED by some stuff said while their children die in another country. There is nothing illegal or wrong about showing you're voice with the very $ these people live by. It is DEMOCRACY at it's best and to make it out to be dirty .... it is VERY pathetic.

Sounds of silence my eyeball. You can say whatever you want. If you make you're living off people's opinion of you then you maybe find a brain and not stick them in the crotch.

Talk about a blown up issue

[ 04-15-2003, 08:17 PM: Message edited by: Mordenheim ]

[skywalker]

Well apparently some of us aren't sick of it, Mordenheim. Meaning no disrespect to you personally, of course. You have your opinion and I have mine.

I think the column expressed the problem I have with those who think if people disagree with Bush 2, they should shut up.

Mark

[Mordenheim]

The article blended reality.

1.They don't have to shut up
2.People do not have to buy their good's

[skywalker]

Well there's the difference. It's not an article...it is her opinion. I happen to agree with it, but it is just her opinion.

Mark

[Mordenheim]

That's fine skywalker. I am just stating my opinion on her opinion. That is kinda what you do on a messegeboard

[skywalker]

Originally posted by Mordenheim: I'm really sick of this idea. I am not sure what world people live in but in mine every action has a reaction. Why in the hell would a charity use a radioactive bomb to draw money? They have every right not to. These people have insulted our president in every way possible. Companies have a right to dismiss them if they do not look profitable. That is what companies do and charities do = make money. People have every right not to buy Dixie chicks, french wine, and visit movies of people they do not like. People have a right to be OFFENDED by some stuff said while their children die in another country. There is nothing illegal or wrong about showing you're voice with the very $ these people live by. It is DEMOCRACY at it's best and to make it out to be dirty .... it is VERY pathetic. Sounds of silence my eyeball. You can say whatever you want. If you make you're living off people's opinion of you then you maybe find a brain and not stick them in the crotch. Talk about a blown up issue

Sorry, my mistake. That is your opininion. I guess I didn't expect the reaction I got, that's all.

Mark

[Ziroc]

What response were ya looking for Skywalker?

Ms. Sarandon and her...well they aren't married..so I guess you can call him her Shack Up Honey or Significant other Tim Robbins have been whining all over about people not listening to them.

When you use your celebrity to voice an opinion that is in the minority (and they are) and your celebrity is dependant on the public liking you as a person and your image. You risk loosing that celebrity. No one owes Ms. Sarandon or Mr. Robbins a living, no one HAS to buy tickets to their movies. The American Public is under no compulsion to spend money to keep them comfortable. The US governmentr isn't responsible for the backlash these two feel. Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins are responsible. They are the ones who chose to make public their private opinions.

The United Way on the other hand cannot stand to take another public relations hit. They are already deep in the hole due to the scandals and misappropriation of funds in the last few years, so they decided to cut their losses because they cannot afford the negative impact Ms. Sarandon would have on their PR. That is how the game is played.

Just my thoughts ont he issue. Hope they are what you were looking for Mark.

[Thoran]

Originally posted by MagiK: Ms. Sarandon and her...well they aren't married..so I guess you can call him her Shack Up Honey or Significant other Tim Robbins have been whining all over about people not listening to them. When you use your celebrity to voice an opinion that is in the minority (and they are) and your celebrity is dependant on the public liking you as a person and your image. You risk loosing that celebrity. No one owes Ms. Sarandon or Mr. Robbins a living, no one HAS to buy tickets to their movies. The American Public is under no compulsion to spend money to keep them comfortable. The US governmentr isn't responsible for the backlash these two feel. Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins are responsible. They are the ones who chose to make public their private opinions. The United Way on the other hand cannot stand to take another public relations hit. They are already deep in the hole due to the scandals and misappropriation of funds in the last few years, so they decided to cut their losses because they cannot afford the negative impact Ms. Sarandon would have on their PR. That is how the game is played. Just my thoughts ont he issue. Hope they are what you were looking for Mark.

Yea... what he said. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Celebrities have been falling all over themselves to tell us what they think about the war. They're using their "star power" to gain a podium for their political views... and that means they had better not whine when people react to their views.

The United Way gains 1 point in my book for having enough common sense to avoid any "guilt by association" support of a political position regarding the war. Another couple hundred points and I may have to reconsider my several year old ban on contributing to any United Way sponsored programs.