Conason's Journal: Why Repugs cry treason when lefty celebs get political

[kskiska]

Why are Republicans happy about Arnold -- but cry treason when lefty celebs get political?

California dreamin' -- but someday they'll wake up
Weren't the Republicans just telling us the other day that celebrities should keep their mouths shut about politics? Didn't they blast the Dixie Chicks, Janeane Garofalo, Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon and every other artist who spoke out about the war in Iraq? Wasn't the argument that fame doesn't confer experience, wisdom or competence?

Obviously that was then -- and today is Arnold. Of course, he's no longer a B-movie actor or ex-bodybuilder -- he's a "businessman" now. And like all businessmen he believes that there could be nothing simpler than straightening out the government with a loud voice and a spreadsheet. As Schwarzenegger explained to Jay Leno, he's going to "clean house" in Sacramento, presumably without the use of any automatic weapons or runaway semi trucks.

Today's best capsule story profile reacting to his surprise "Tonight Show" announcement appears in the L.A. Times. Among the astonished viewers were not only the actor's advisors but Richard Riordan, the former Los Angeles mayor and Republican moderate who believed his close friend Schwarzenegger would defer to his ambitions. (Hasta la vista, Dick!) Schwarzenegger's sudden announcement must infuriate Darrell Issa (who weepily dropped out today), Bill Simon Jr., and all the other wing nuts who have spent time and millions promoting the recall. So scared of him that they've rolled over and peed on their bellies like submissive hounds, as Gene Lyons would say, those conservative candidates all now claim to be "welcoming" his entry into the contest. Still, I suspect that the state's conservatives will soon attack Arnold. His liberal attitudes toward abortion and gay rights are intolerable to the Republican right (whose Clinton-hating crackpot wing is also likely to remember his denunciations of impeachment and Kenneth Starr).

more…
http://salon.com/opinion/conason/2003/08/07/arnold/index.html

[Cha]

1. Hey maybe all the Cal Lib Celebs can come out against arnie the joke

blarney. and the corporatist media can't say shit.

[The Zanti Regent]

2. We need another celebrity to stand up to Arnold!

Please. Somebody.

Hell, I wish Captain Kirk would get in the race and terminate Arnold with one phaser blast!

[Cassandra]

3. I was just thinking that this morning.

If I'm now channeling Salon, does that mean they can charge me for a subscription?

[otohara]

6. Not Unless You Give

them your credit card#

[Larkspur]

4. What we need is Martin Sheen to debate Arnie

That would be the most entertaining show of the year.

[Born_a_Democrat]

5. Man you beat me to the punch

I was about to post about this Conason article....I am at work in a very quiet environment and I almost got tossed out today when I was reading this article just as I got to this section:

So scared of him that they've rolled over and peed on their bellies like submissive hounds (the imagery just killed me)

ROFL...Oh my God I busted out with a laugh like I haven't before and I couldn't stop myself...even afterwards I was still chuckling...

KARMA BABY!!!!...but I still hope he loses...

Oh God I'm still laughing...