Celebrities on Politics (interviews, generations, spokesman, speech)

[swagger]

What do you guys think about celebrities using their status as a platform for campaigning for whatever agenda they believe in?

I believe that they're certainly entitled to their opinions, but they should be more reserved about voicing those opinions. Celebrities have influence over people - there can be no denying that. If you don't believe it, just look at the best seller lists after Oprah recommends a book.

A celebrity's opinion, generally speaking, isn't likely to be any better informed than mine or yours. I would even argue that - again, generally speaking - because they're often so busy, they would actually have less time to do the research and gather the facts. For the purposes of this discussion, though, I'll stick with them being about as well informed as the rest of us.

The one celebrity I am in complete agreement with on this topic, a believe to be 100% correct, is Kid Rock. Here's what he had to say:

"I truly believe that people like myself, who are in a position of entertainers in the limelight, should keep their mouth shut on politics," the rap-rock musician, 37, tells CMT Insider.

"Because at the end of the day," he goes on to say, "I'm good at writing songs and singing. What I'm not educated in is the field of political science. And so for me to be sharing my views and influencing people of who I think they should be voting for ... I think would be very irresponsible on my part."

I know that a lot of you are in agreement with the majority of celebrities on a lot of topics (very left-leaning), but please check your bias at the door on this one, and respond as objectively as possible. I'm not interested in seeing anyone cheerleading for the celebrities and saying that they should broadcast their influence and opinions just because they're in agreement with them.

Thoughts? Opinions? Flames?

[Rathagos]

Thought this was just a fairly recent topic? Oh well.

I think actors, atheletes, etc. have just as much right as you or I do to express their views. I also believe they have a right to campaign for an individual of their choosing.

What I think is wrong, is when they abuse their position to unduly (sp?) influence younger generations (or older sheep) through bologna tactics ("only cool people vote for xxxxx..."). If you're going to endorse someone, do it intelligently, especially if you are doing it from your celebrity stance, not your personal stance.

[ucfjtm]

The first thing Kid Rock has ever said that I completely agree with. They're celebrities for their acting, singing, and entertainment values. For them to take that stage and present it as an intellectual opinion to sway the opinions of others on serious matters is ridiculous.

The P. Diddy and the C. Schilling players of the entertainment world need to shut up and do what they're paid to do - entertain, and not "educate" on politics.

[ExPit]

Not a Kid Rock fan, but I have new found respect for him. It's true, celebrities don't have any more and often have less business voicing their opinions in this way. I guess the argument would be that they (we) have as much right as anybody else to voice an opinion. But that response goes from naive to disingenuous, because they have to know that when they open their mouths people all over the world listen, even more than they do to Merrill Lynch, well used to at least.

[swagger]

Originally Posted by Rathagos

Thought this was just a fairly recent topic? Oh well.

Was it? If so, I missed it.

I think actors, atheletes, etc. have just as much right as you or I do to express their views. I also believe they have a right to campaign for an individual of their choosing.

I agree that they have that right, but I also think that they have some level of obligation to do it more in a more responsible manner. The things they say and do influence people, whether it's their intention or not. A responsible person wouldn't take advantage of that and would limit the exposure that their positions receive.

What I think is wrong, is when they abuse their position to unduly (sp?) influence younger generations (or older sheep) through bologna tactics ("only cool people vote for xxxxx..."). If you're going to endorse someone, do it intelligently, especially if you are doing it from your celebrity stance, not your personal stance.

We differ in that I believe that it's abuse of their position to exercise that influence at all - regardless of tactics.

[jtur88]

I believe that if a celebrity has volunteered to be a spokesman for an interest group, that celebrity has probably put a certain amount of thought into the objecrives of the group, and is accordingly, as good a spokesman for the group as any other advocates. If the news media thinks a celebrity spokesman is good for the corporate media profits, than I have a problem with the media, not with the celebrity.

I bet Sally Field was paid to represent a company that sells osteoporosis medicine. And Pat Boone was paid to tell old people to give away their equity to shysters instead of their heirs. What is the difference? But, at least, a celebrity pundit on a talk show MIGHT really take what he says to heart. That would be a refreshingly good thing.

Most celebrity interviews I see on E! seem to be as dumb as a post. At least, the ones with political views on talk shows are reasonably articulate, and I doubt if they'd be invited if they were not.

[swagger]

Originally Posted by jtur88

I believe that if a celebrity has volunteered to be a spokesman for an interest group, that celebrity has probably put a certain amount of thought into the objecrives of the group, and is accordingly, as good a spokesman for the group as any other advocates. If the news media thinks a celebrity spokesman is good for the corporate media profits, than I have a problem with the media, not with the celebrity.

I agree, and that's not what I'm talking about. I'm primarily talking about the celebrities that appear on Letterman (and Letterman himself, for that matter), Oprah, etc., and proceed to get on a soapbox and start preaching.

People - whatever their reasons - put more importance on a celebrity's view than they would that of you or I, simply because they're a celebrity. They regard these people as being more important, and that transfers onto how they perceive what that person says. What celebrity X says about something carries more weight than what you have to say about the topic, even if you're both equally informed.

A person of integrity would recognize this and wouldn't abuse it. Sadly, most celebrities seem to be lacking in the integrity department.

[EDnurse]

Originally Posted by swagger

What do you guys think about celebrities using their status as a platform for campaigning for whatever agenda they believe in?

I believe that they're certainly entitled to their opinions, but they should be more reserved about voicing those opinions. Celebrities have influence over people - there can be no denying that. If you don't believe it, just look at the best seller lists after Oprah recommends a book.

A celebrity's opinion, generally speaking, isn't likely to be any better informed than mine or yours. I would even argue that - again, generally speaking - because they're often so busy, they would actually have less time to do the research and gather the facts. For the purposes of this discussion, though, I'll stick with them being about as well informed as the rest of us.

The one celebrity I am in complete agreement with on this topic, a believe to be 100% correct, is Kid Rock. Here's what he had to say:


I know that a lot of you are in agreement with the majority of celebrities on a lot of topics (very left-leaning), but please check your bias at the door on this one, and respond as objectively as possible. I'm not interested in seeing anyone cheerleading for the celebrities and saying that they should broadcast their influence and opinions just because they're in agreement with them.

Thoughts? Opinions? Flames?

Do celebrities pay taxes? I believe they pay more taxes than some religious figures who preach politics from the pulpit and who live off of non-taxed tithing.

Celebrities, from either side of the political spectrum, can say whatever they want. This is America. What is the matter with you? You want to curb the speech of people who disagree with you? When did this country turn into China or Cuba? Did I miss something?

Religious leaders are way more influential than celebrities. Frankly, any person who is swayed by what either says (cleric/celebrity) needs to have his head examined.

[swagger]

Originally Posted by EDnurse

Celebrities, from either side of the political spectrum, can say whatever they want. This is America. What is the matter with you? You want to curb the speech of people who disagree with you? When did this country turn into China or Cuba? Did I miss something?

Yes, you did. Re-read my original post, take a chill pill and then respond.

Religious leaders are way more influential than celebrities. Frankly, any person who is swayed by what either says (cleric/celebrity) needs to have his head examined.

I agree, but the facts are the facts. Celebrities have influence - it's undeniable. My point was that they should be more reserved in where and to whom they express their opinions about politically charged topics.

[jtur88]

Originally Posted by swagger

I agree, and that's not what I'm talking about. I'm primarily talking about the celebrities that appear on Letterman (and Letterman himself, for that matter), Oprah, etc., and proceed to get on a soapbox and start preaching. .

But these people are Talk Show Hosts and guests who have been invited on the show to talk. That's what they do. If what they talk about rubs your political sensitivities the wrong way, don't watch talk shows. How long can anybody talk without sooner or later touching on a subject that has political ramifications to you?