Do we have to repudiate any entertainer who is conservative?

[BushOut06]

Personally, I like reading Tom Clancy and Michael Crichton (although I can't bring myself to read State of Fear). I admire Frank Miller, although I'll probably steer away from "Holy Terror" when it comes out. Not a huge Springfield fan, but he was okay in his time, the 80s - who didn't like to listen to Jesse's Girl at times? I enjoy watching Bruce Willis and Ah-nold tear it up on the big screen. And yes, I even have a few KISS albums, and think "Cat Scratch Fever" is still a kick-ass song.

I don't agree with their politics, but I still like what these people do. Saying "Oh no, so-and-so is a conservative, now I can no longer like them" strikes me as a bit absurd. Frankly, I find it as absurd as all these gophers saying "I'll never watch another Alec Baldwin movie again" or "I'll never listen to Streisand".

Maybe this is one of the reasons I love South Park and "Team America" so much.

PS: I also don't feel like I should have to check the list of GOP donors everytime I decide that I want to dine out (or order pizza for that matter) :popcorn:

I guess I'll wait for the flaming to start :hide:

[RevCheesehead]

1. Makes perfect sense to me.

Be your own person, make your own decisions. That, I believe, is at the heart of democracy.

[RebelOne]

2. No flame here. I agree with you.

And, believe it or not, I even like Ron Silver, who everyone else was bashing when he appeared at the Republican Convention.

[BushOut06]

6. I often wish Ted Nugent were a Democrat

I'd love to see his fiery rhetoric unleashed on the conservatives.

That being said, maybe he could arrange a hunting expedition with Dick Cheney. Somehow, I don't think an errant arrow would be quite as forgiving.

[TlalocW]

10. Feh on Ted

He got his ass handed to him not once but twice by Elayne Boosler when Politically Incorrect was on. Besides, if Ted came over to our side, that would ruin the republicans perfect record of having almost all the draft-dodging, wife-cheating, moralizers on their side.

TlalocW

[BushOut06]

14. dammit, i loved that show

I loved it even more when it was originally on Comedy Central. Bill Maher is a genius.

[Caution]

3. I agree, I think this is just reaction to the "Hollywood Liberal" crap

from the freepers. Art is art. It can and should be appreciated regardless of the political outlook of those who push it. (Unless that art is political in nature and then it becomes a valid part of the political discussion). This is why I have no problem with the other side criticizing the work of Michael Moore (whom I greatly admire). when they have actually seen it.

[Beelzebud]

4. The Mad Max movies are some of my all-time favorites.

No way I'm going to dislike those movies because Gibson made 1 film I dont' want to see.

I didint' realize Miller was a right-winger. That is suprising, but it has no effect on weather or not he produces good fiction.
*edit* Frank Miller is not a right winger! He wrote a comic book where batman takes on Bin Laden. That is not right-wing... I think it was more a slap at Bush. His cartoon character could go after Bin Laden, but not our military?

I too love South Park, and Team America. I think a lot of people (from both sides) are humor impaired and don't know when something is satire, or when something is funny even if you don't necessarily agree with it.

[hippiechick]

5. I agree with you, but some here are a little bit more ...

... absolute in their conviction and hate for things Republican.

A sort of Democratic version of "you're either with us or against us". Yawn.

[MadMaddie]

7. Hmmmm...If all actors were treated the same......

I wouldn't have a problem with this....except.....

When these repug actors come out and speak the media does not skin and gut them for the world to see, the media embraces them and asks for their opinion as if it is important.

When Susan Serrandon, Jane Fonda or the Dixie Chicks come out and espouse their liberal beliefs they are told to shut up and sit down, they are only actors and their opinion means nothing.

If they were all treated the same I would agree with you.

Anyhoo....

[Sparkman]

11. But, THOUGHTFUL & INFORMED opinions, delivered by actors, are important

to the cause, judge the message, not the messenger. Of course, after a long consistant track record of blind partisianship, loath to self-examination, dismiss the messenger until they display a proven track record of truthfulness.
How long did it take to dispell the fallacy of his economic legacy, the actor come president R.Reagan?

[pitohui]

8. no i think david lynch is the greatest!

but you ask who didn't like listening to jessie's girl?

raises hand

it would almost be worth it to give all entertainers the political litmus test and execute the conservative fuckwits if it meant that jessie's girl had never been written

[DainBramaged]

9. On the other hand, is it right for the Reich to boycott Blue?

I completely disagree. I will not give any of my hard earned money to support a right-wing mouthpiece or supporter. I'm sorry if that appears to be bullheaded, but 12 years of Rethuglican domination, their attempts to remove our freedoms and mind everybody's business but their own gives me the right to not only boycott them every way I can, but to buy Blue or buy nothing.

I do check the donor's list. I will not eat at Pizza Hut, I will not walk into a Wal-Mart, I will not buy gas from major oil companies (I look for the little independents near my home) and I will not listen to or read the crap their propagandists put out.

:rant:

[VelmaD]

13. What you said

It's all about not giving my money to people who will turn around and use it supporting politicians and causes that HURT ME.

[Sparkman]

18. The RW, like ALL conservative regimes, got into power because of & for $$$

THose that have the gold, make the rules. AND you're reminder, to those here who would have us forget, that the damage to the people around the world, due directly to the U.S. power elite's lust for more wealth and power, RELIES ON MONEY FROM THEIR BUSINESSES to stay in dominance politically!!
The media's support for all things military and their failure to broadcast timely and full disclosure is due to the same corporate money/power support conspiracy.

[BushOut06]

19. That's your right

And I'm not criticizing anyone who feels that strongly about it. I just don't feel that everytime I want to watch a movie, read a book, or listen to a CD that I should have to research the people involved to find out what their political beliefs are first. I prefer to judge things on their own individual merits - which is why I refuse to read Crichton's State of Fear book, although I've thoroughly enjoyed his previous works.

[Ron Green]

12. All our lives are woven together in countless strands

and politics are some of them. I suppose you could enjoy a performance or work of art created by someone who thinks GWB actually belongs in the White House, but part of your consciousness, it seems, would suffer a certain dissonance. Plus, I can't think of any particular right-wing artist or performer whose oeuvre pleases me in the least.

[pitohui]

20. you seriously can't think of any?

i find it difficult to believe

no merit in mulholland drive or blue velvet? (director david lynch)

no merit in twelve monkeys? (actor bruce willis in probably his finest performance)

no merit anywhere in the extensive work of ruth rendell/barbara vine or joyce carol oates?

i will grant you that it is more likely that a truly great artist will tend toward the liberal side, because empathy is part of the intelligent imagination, but to pretend that there are NO great conservative works or artists is fairly silly


jeez, even the truly awful war-mongering homophobic orson scott card has his fans in the liberal community, despite the fact that he would happily kill us and eat us with a fork if it were at all legal!

you just don't always know why a work speaks to you, sometimes it's the strangeness or the alien-ness of the work or the thought process behind it that makes it special

[BushOut06]

22. Don't forget Tom Sellick playing a gay man in "In and Out"

I don't know if that movie qualifies as a masterpiece, but it was pretty entertaining.

[Kingshakabobo]

84. That was Kevin Klein......Selleck was "Magnum PI"

and made a few flop movies.....case in point.

[BushOut06]

86. Tom Sellick was in the movie, and he did play a gay man

I've seen that movie several times. Kevin Kline is the main character, playing a teacher who struggles to come to terms with his gayness. Tom Sellick plays an openly gay character who challenges Kline's character to accept himself for what he is.

I remember that role because it seemed so out of character for Tom Sellick, after all those macho roles he played.

[Kingshakabobo]

88. DOH!!! You are right. Again, DOH!!! n/t

[Ron Green]

40. I just can't think of any. I don't know many of them; they may exist.

I haven't seen Twelve Monkeys, but it would be the first Bruce Willis performance for me to enjoy. I'm not setting up a dichotomy here, I'm just saying that my own limited experience hasn't afforded me the challenge of separating a great work of art from a pinched, small-minded political view.

[BushOut06]

41. See post #35

Charlton Heston is probably one of the biggest neocon celebrities, but you can't deny that his work in Touch of Evil with Orson Welles isn't outstanding, as was his role in Planet of the Apes or Ben Hur.

Clint Eastwood has had some pretty darn good movies, as has Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper, and Billy Bob Thorton.

[pitohui]

46. damn i love bad santa w. billy bob thornton

and what eastwood has done w. his career is nothing short of amazing

sigh

[pitohui]

44. drop what you are doing and go now to rent twelve monkeys

a wonderful film, absolutely unforgettable

[BushOut06]

48. Agreed - one of Brad Pitt's best movies

Right up there with Fight Club and Kalifornia. Hmmm, am I sensing a pattern here, in the types of roles that Brad Pitt does really well? ;)

[pitohui]

53. yea i like brad pitt in all three of those fine movies! EOM

.

[Ron Green]

49. OK, I just put it at the top of my Netflix queue. I'll take your word.

[Blue Belle]

52. Bruce Willis isn't a Republican.

He came out in an interview stating for fact that he is not a Republican.

http://www.movieweb.com/news/25/11325.php

<SNIP>You are one of the few stars that are proud to be a Republican...

Bruce Willis: Let me stop you right there. I'm a Republican, and everybody write this down because I'm sick of answering this fucking question. I'm a Republican only as far as I want a smaller government, I want less government intrusion, I want them to stop pissing on my money and your money. I want them to be fiscally responsible and I want these goddamn lobbyists out of Washington. I want the government to take care of people who need help, like the kids in foster care, the half a million kids who are in orphanages right now. I want them to take care of the elderly and give them free medicine, give them whatever they need. There's tons, billions and billions of dollars that are just being wasted. I hate government. I'm apolitical. Write that down. I'm not a Republican. I just need to get that Republican shit out of the way.

[BushOut06]

60. I think that describes lots of "republicans"

Not all Republicans are evil shills like Bush and his merry band of neocons.

[Garbo 2004]

76. That's what he claims. He's been to RNC convention in the past,

actively camapigned for Poppa Bush, bowed out at the last minute from participating in the 2000 RNC convention, supported W, but now he claims he's "apolitical?" Yeah, right.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

25. Well, you know it just occurred to me

that when I go to a symphony I have no idea about the political or even religious preferences of the musicians and I like it that way.

[Mike Daniels]

38. If people judged classical composers the way they do popular artists

Wagner would never grace the stage or orchestra pits again as he was an extreme anti-Semite who wore gloves when conducting the music of Jewish composers. Something about not having his skin touch the works of a Jew or something like that....

[TallahasseeGrannie]

68. Yes, the classical composers

had some colorful lives. Best to just listen to the music.

[BushOut06]

72. Wasn't Paganini supposed to be some sort of satanist?

He supposedly "sold his soul to the devil" in exchange for being the greatest violinist in the world.

[Mike Daniels]

79. Probably just really good PR on his agent's part

that said, it apparently worked as far as establishing his rep.

[Neil Lisst]

15. STRANGLEHOLD, MOON SHADOW, TEAM AMERICA!!

I'll continue to consume them as I see fit, when I need them!

[AtomicKitten]

16. The us/them die has been cast.

When I hear something that doesn't ring true or right, I often wonder about the source's political affiliation. We can thank the every-vigilant GOP for that.

[TahitiNut]

17. Yeah. After all, Limbaugh is an 'entertainer'; O'Reilly's an 'entertainer'

:eyes:

I think it all depends on the content of the 'entertainment' - and singers are not exempt. For example, there's a HUGH difference between Alec Baldwin (whose roles are most often apolitical) and Dennis Miller (whose 'jokes' are mere empty-headed political derision). Furthermore, if the (often substantial) income of an 'entertainer' is funneled into political funding, it's only reasonable to avoid adding to that income when one is in disagreement.

It's one thing for an entertainer to express a political POV (all people have that inalienable right) and quite another to convert their activities into substantial fund-raising. If my local Mom and Pop store is run by conservatives who don't show up as major campaign contributors, I don't have a problem patronizing them. If, however, their prices obviously reflect a surplus that's redirected into political funding, then I have to question both whether their prices are too high and whether I want to pay for politics which I find inimical to my interests.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

21. If I could be a bit graphic

for a granny, to me entertainers are like whores. They entertain you for a while, you pay, they leave.

I really don't want to know their opinions on anything because to me, they are plastic people and they don't really exist.

I don't care what political party they are, as long as they shut up about it, because there is absolutely no reason I can see that I should respect, admire or want to emulate a flat image on a screen.

[BushOut06]

23. So - are you Trey Parker or Matt Stone?

LOL - just kidding, know exactly what you mean, that's pretty much how I feel. Team America sums it pretty nicely.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

27. I loved Team America

totally gross and equal opportunity slams. Great music. I think South Park music rivals old Broadway shows.

[specimenfred1984]

24. Nope, You Don't Have to Think At All!

You have my full permission to give all your money to torture-supporters, propagandists and election riggers without even bother to think about it!

Thanks for all your hard work (NOT).

When are you changing parties?

[BushOut06]

32. Um, isn't your response a wee bit contradictory?

I should follow YOUR rules as to who I should and shouldn't enjoy? Sure, that would be thinking for myself, woudln't it? I'm not allow to think for myself, and judge everything on their own merits? Did I say anywhere that these are the ONLY people I support?

As far as asking when I'm changing parties, isn't that against the board rules?

[Journeyman]

26. I judge artists by their art, not their politics. . .

and see their politics through a prism devoid of their art. For this reason, I can enjoy the poetry of Ezra Pound and the novels of Louis Ferdinand Celine, while holding the works of Dalton Trumbo and Bertolt Brecht in equal esteem. I can also denounce Pound and Celine for their adherence to fascism, while praising the good fights of Trumbo and Brecht. Here's the dichotomy in action: I named my son Dalton, yet encourage him to read Pound's Cantos.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

29. Holy Moly

I need to take a literature class. You make me feel small and insignificant and stupid!

Good for you! I needed that.

[Journeyman]

77. Some gifts of beauty from a sometimes ugly man. . .

some poetry (and a bit of biography) of Ezra Pound. . .


THE LAKE ISLE

O God, O Venus, O Mercury, patron of thieves,
Give me in due time, I beseech you, a little tobacco-shop,
With the little bright boxes
piled up neatly upon the shelves
And the loose fragrant cavendish
and the shag,
And the bright Virginia
loose under the bright glass cases,
And a pair of scales not too greasy,
And the whores dropping in for a word or two in passing,
For a flip word, and to tidy their hair a bit.

O God, O Venus, O Mercury, patron of thieves,
Lend me a little tobacco-shop,
or install me in any profession
Save this damn'd profession of writing,
where one needs one's brains all the time.



THE REST

O helpless few in my country,
O remnant enslaved!

Artists broken against her,
A-stray, lost in the villages,
Mistrusted, spoken-against,

Lovers of beauty, starved,
Thwarted with systems,
Helpless against the control;

You who can not wear yourselves out
By persisting to successes,
You who can only speak,
Who can not steel yourselves into reiteration;

You of the finer sense,
Broken against false knowledge,
You who can know at first hand,
Hated, shut in, mistrusted:

Take thought:
I have weathered the storm,
I have beaten out my exile.







Ezra Pound
(1885 - 1972)

Ezra Loomis Pound was born in Hailey, Idaho in 1885 but spent his formative years in Wyancote, Pennsylvania, where his father was an assayer to the United States Mint. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania for two years then transferred to Hamilton College, receiving a degree in 1905.

After teaching Romance Languages at Wabash College in Indiana for two years, he resigned and travelled to Spain, Italy and England, where, as the literary executor of the scholar Ernest Fenellosa, he became interested in the poetry of the Chinese and Japanese. Ezra Pound founded the Imagist movement in poetry, which encouraged experimenting with different verse forms, and opposed representational art in favor of abstract forms.

Ezra married the artist Dorothy Shakespear in 1914 and in 1922 began a life-long relationship with violinist Olga Rudge. In 1924 he moved to Italy and became involved in Fascist politics, and did not return to the United States until 1945, when he was arrested for broadcasting fascist propaganda via radio to the United States during WWII, on charges of treason.

In 1946, he was acquitted, deemed unfit for trial, and declared insane. He was committed to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, D.C. After many letters and appeals from friends and writers, including Robert Frost, Ezra won his release from the hospital in 1958. (His poem, The Rest, is his commentary on his travails.) He soon returned to Venice, where he died, a recluse, in 1972.


Journeyman would like to note as well that T.S. Eliot inscribed The Wasteland, one of his finest poems, "For Ezra Pound: il miglior fabbro (the better craftsman)."

[WI_DEM]

28. Jimmy Stewart was a Republican and I love his movies

His best friend was Henry Fonda a yellow dog Democrat.

[VelmaD]

34. Yes, but in those days...

the rethugs weren't quite so rabidly racist, sexist and homophobic. They didn't seem quite so hell-bent on turning our country into a theocracy while running the economy into the ground and funneling resources into defense contractors and oil executives' pockets.

[Blue Belle]

47. Bob Hope was Republican too... as was Bing Crosby.

But that doesn't mean they'd be Republicans today. I highly doubt that Hope, Crosby, or Stewart would embrace this party that treats its soldiers so badly or has their cronies corporations profit so greatly from war when there are so many of this countries citizens scaping to get by.

[Individualist]

63. He was an Eisenhower republican,

nothing like today's neocons and neocon supporters. I also love his movies.

[Bridget Burke]

80. Jimmy Stewart was an old-style Republican.

And he definitely was no Chickenhawk.

[Warpy]

30. I don't hire an entertainer for his sex life or his political viewpoint.

I hire him for his competence. That being said, I find most conservatives to fall short in the talent department. There are a few glaring exceptions: I find it very difficult to pass up any movie Robert Duvall is in. He may be a right wing tool, but he is one of the most amazing character actors that Hollywood has ever produced.

I remember my mother in the 50s refusing to go see truly wonderful movies because one or more of the stars had been caught in an adulterous relationship. This to me is silly. I find judging art by the politics of the artist equally silly.

[BushOut06]

35. Here are a few more talented conservatives

Clint Eastwood
Charlton Heston (Planet of the Apes and Touch of Evil were classics, I refuse to give those up)
Billy Bob Thorton
Dennis Hopper
Kurt Russel
James Woods
Stephen Baldwin
Kelsey Grammar (what if a TV show has a conservative AND a liberal? do they cancel each other out?)
Ernest Borgnine
Drew Carey
Vince Vauhn (not sure about this, it's based on a statement from Owen Wilson)

Here's a list with more: http://www.celebpolitics.com/search_results_actors.php?type=Conservative

And another list, although some of the entries are dubious: http://www.celiberal.com/theRighties.php

[Coexist]

42. Stephen Baldwin is TALENTED?!

Oh my - that is funny.

[BushOut06]

43. Okay, well you got me there

I just threw him in there because he's one of the famous Baldwin brothers. Can't really think of any of his movies, however.

[Bridget Burke]

82. Adam Baldwin--no relation to the other Baldwins--

Is said to be Republican. But I'm not about to toss out my Firefly DVD's.

[Beelzebud]

51. Kurt Russel is not a conservative...

He's said in many interviews, and on the Big Trouble in Little China commentary track, that he is a left leaning libertarian...

[BushOut06]

55. he's a member of Republican Wednesday Morning Club

And here's a backing link: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_n10_v14/ai_20391696

Gingrich had been vilified in Hollywood even before becoming speaker of the house. Two years ago, when Los Angeles magazine asked readers what Motion Picture Association of America rating they would give Gingrich, 54 percent said "X."

Now Gingrich was being introduced by actor Kurt Russell as "a man I consider a friend." Joining in the applause were Tony Danza, Gloria Carlin (General Hospital), Richard Lee Jackson (Saved by the Bell) and 300 Hollywood film and television executives, including vice presidents from Disney, MGM, Paramount, Showtime, Fox, Universal and Viacom.

Again, this doesn't mean that I'm suddenly going to stop liking Kurt Russell movies.

[Beelzebud]

58. That's from like 8 years ago. Huffington would be one too

going on that time-line.

I just go by what the man says. In the commentary for Big Trouble, he blasts the war on drugs, and says bluntly: I'm a left-leaning libertarian.

[BushOut06]

62. Whew

For a second, I thought I was going to have to burn all my Kurt Russell movies. :tinfoilhat:

[Midnight Rambler]

81. Stephen Baldwin was on one good movie

The Usual Suspects.

Other than that, he's pretty much done crap.

[cenacle]

37. but where does it stop?

how much do you need to know to admire an artist's work? his/her religion? his/her lowest moments, maybe shoplifting a playboy as a teenager, maybe getting in a drunken bar fight and knocking a guy's teeth loose, spending the night in jail? where does it stop? here in seattle we have a big shot named bill gates and, while i hate his company's products and ethos, cannot deny the millions he has spent helping others...

i think a world where one keeps close only to one's 'kind,' especially as defined by the lowly denominator of political affiliation, is a limited world indeed...i'm sure we all have relatives we don't talk about certain subjects with, or argue like rabid dogs when we do...it's just the way it is...the true nuts of any stripe are closed off to alternative views of the world...

in my view, the great artists are usually way more obsessed with the creation of their work than anything else, and often prove to be quite ordinary out of the arena of this work...further, i see the art they make and promote as itself their most important communication...some singer or actor pimping animal rights or gun safety or whatever usually does not impress me...

so i suppose i'm saying that if the art reaches you, really gets somewhere down deep in you and strikes the bell, don't let something small and mean like politics ruin it...great art is a miracle...great politics is usually something that keeps out of people's way...

[hughee99]

31. I don't see any need for it either...

If someone wants to boycott a company because the company has some policy they disagree with, that seems more in line to me with the goals of a boycott, which is to change the current situation. To boycott a performer just because of his/her personal beliefs IMHO serve no real purpose other than to attempt to punish someone for what they believe. I guess if their performance was all about their political beliefs (think Dennis Miller stand-up), then that's different, but to not watch Kindergarten Cop on TBS because Ahnold is a repuke just doesn't make any sense to me.

[Bridget Burke]

33. "we" don't have to do anything....

In this matter, you're on your own. None of the artists you've mentioned are big favorites of mine. (For example, I never liked Kiss.)

Many on the "Republican Entertainer" lists are not raving, in-your-face reactionaries. If they don't let their politics interfere with their art, I'll judge them on their art.

Schwarzenegger has been OK in a few films. But he's now a Republican Politician & OK is not good enough for me.

[Mike Daniels]

36. I refuse to allow politics to enter into that area of my life

If I like a performer, restaurant, business, etc... I'm going to buy the service/product regardless of who the artists/owners support politically.

Conversely, if I think a singer sounds like a cat being strung up by piano wire I'm not going to buy their work even if I like their political take on things.

And to be honest, even if I agree with an artist's views 100% of the way, my take would still be "Shut up and sing" if they started going on a soapbox during a concert. For unless the artist is overtly political in their work, I didn't go to the show to hear his/her political opinions between songs.

[RB TexLa]

39. I basically just think "shut up and sing" for all of them

I really don't care to hear the political babbling of any of them. They are for our entertainment, I don't care what the waiter's political views are, I just what them to bring me my food.

If they want to run for office, fine, if they are truely actively involved in some cause, fine, if they just want to spew out their political view from time to time because they think we so want to know what they think, just shut up and sing, dance, act, or whatever it is some or many people will pay you to do.

[Blue Belle]

45. I'd still find Patricia Heaton annoying...

no matter what party she was.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

50. It's my money and I'll spend it with whatever the hell I like

Ergo, if I decide to NOT patronize some artist for the sole reason that s/he is a right winger and you don't like it, well...

[AlCzervik]

54. regarding South Park, do we know for a fact they are republican?

i've never seen a definitive statement on that. I like SP and i like the book Jurassic Park.

[Beelzebud]

59. They aren't at all. Anyone that watches the show knows this.

They aren't liberal either. They are an equal opportunity basher.

[AlCzervik]

61. thats kind of how i look at ths show, it takes no prisoners.

[Beelzebud]

64. Two examples to back up what we say:

Shiavo Episode - Exposed the Republicans as the evil opportunists that they are.

Rob Reiner Episode - Exposed how hypocritical the left is on the non-smoking issue.

[AlCzervik]

65. and one of my favorites was the well deserved lampooning of Paris Hilton

that episode while hilarious actually had a pretty good message about not being a "Stupid slutty girl" plus her pets committing suicide was hilarious.

[otohara]

56. I Won't Support GOP Artists w/ My Money

why would I give my money to those who would turn around and donate to GOP candidates?

[BushOut06]

57. How far do you go with that?

Do you refuse to watch any movie starring Mel Gibson, Arnold, Bruce Willis, or any other conservative? What if their costars aren't conservative? Or the director, or producer? Do we boycott a movie solely base on the star's political affiliation? Keep in mind that these stars have already been paid for their roles.

[otohara]

78. Very Far

won't watch another Mel, Arnold movie. After watching Willis on Letterman, I'm not so sure he's 100% GOP - but I haven't seen a movie of his in a very long time and his new one is not getting such good reviews.

I don't care if they've been paid - More money may come their way based on box office receipts. Say, they hit $20 million opening weekend, then a bonus comes, $30 million, bigger bonus. That's how it works in the entertainment business. I worked in it for many years.

Besides their politics, I don't find many GOP artists all that "talented" - Kiss, Nuggent, Gibson, and especially Arnold. Not a fan of country music, nor sitcoms where "meanness" is the basis for their comedy.

I have a autographed Rick Springfield record, if you'd like it - send me your address. I'll gladly give it to you. He came out as a thug today -

[InvisibleTouch]

66. Partly agree, partly disagree.

I agree with you on the actors/musicians/authors. Just because I hate someone's politics, doesn't mean I can't enjoy their movies or other creative work. Schwarzenegger comes to mind here most of all; I like a lot of his films, the point of which is simply to be entertained for a couple of hours. I'm not supporting him politically by taking a break from life's struggles and enjoying a movie. Bruce Willis is another one (everyone's quoting "12 Monkeys," which was only okay, IMO, but my favorite has got to be "The Fifth Element"), and I could think of several others.

One could argue that if I'm paying to see a movie or buying a book, I am supporting the actor/author financially, which in turn gives them more resources to support their political views. BUT - I'm a big fan of the magic word ("free"), and I usually find ways to avoid paying for the privalege of entertainment. My friends and I swap a lot of books and DVDs. My library has a wonderful selection of movies on DVD and VHS. I don't have to see it the moment it comes out. Eventually it will reach the library. Same for books.

If it's a work by a liberal artist, I'm much more likely to buy a copy - provided I really like it, of course. And now we come to the part where I disagree with you. I do check and see where my money goes, as I'm buying the daily necessities of life. It's not always possible, of course, but I do my best. I'll buy food at Giant Eagle, Trader Joe's, or even Meijer's before I go to Kroger's anymore, for instance. I think that every little bit helps.

[Bridget Burke]

83. You support lots of people when you see/buy/rent a film.

Not just the "star." All the other actors, camera persons, makeup, etc. More than likely, many of them are Democrats.

I don't think about an artist's politics unless they shove it in my face.

[demgurl]

67. You have to look into your heart and mind to see where YOU stand.

I just can not judge you for what you do just as I hope, both of us being on the same side, you will not judge me. I believe, from your post, you must be thinking about this and it must mean something to you. Perhaps you are trying to figure out where you want to stand by some of our answers?

There are many celebs I refuse to enjoy because of different stances they have taken. I will not watch Mel Gibson because of many things but one of which includes the fact that he would not go against what his Dad said about the Holocaust never happening. I understand it was his Dad that said that but he has been asked about it. I do not think I could go to one of his movies and sit there without being consumed by how this man can just not speak out and say that it did happen. It would be distracting and a waste of my money.

Likewise, I can not bring myself to see a Tom Cruise film. This is because of his stance about women and how they should be medically (or not medically) treated. I can not even see him in a commercial without going into a minimum of a five minute rant, how could I enjoy him in a movie? Yes, I want to see War Of The Worlds and MI3 but I know how my mind works and I would sit there stewing the entire time.

Then there are those who I will not see because of their political stance. One such person is Bruce Willis. I have heard his stupid speeches about wanting to go and fight in this righteous war. He is talking and I am sure at least some kids look up to him. How can I just let it pass that some of our wonderful children may have signed up for an illegal occupation because of that man? How many have gone over and died because of him? I can not stand to support this man and have, in my opinion, the same blood on my hands that he does.

I will not boycott someone just because they are in one party or another. I will boycott them if they are a vocal mouthpiece for the Republican party. At this point there is enough truth out there for even the stupidest of the stupid to see the light. If they are shouting loudly and proudly then they are doing my country damage. They are just as guilty as Rush, Ann, Bill or any of the cabal.

I have kids and I need to pass on something better than what these people are doing to our country. IF I supported the outspoken celeb repugs then I feel I would not only be going against my own interests but my children's as well. I could never do that to them.

I have nothing against regular Americans no matter which party they are in. I want all of us to thrive and prosper. If you are a regular citizen and you do not post a sign saying what a big supporter of the repugs you are or that you contribute such a large amount a year, then I want you to be happy and I will give you my business. But if anyone gives big time or holds speeches and actively supports the GOP, I just can not give them my support.

I feel giving those types of people my support is the same as rubber stamping torture, corporatism, outsourcing and so many other things. That would be the same as voting for repugs and that is something I would not do.

We all have to find that place where our dollar meets our morals and see where that takes us. For each person that will be different. You find yours and as long as you can look in the mirror (and sleep) then you have found your spot. Good luck and much peace.

[NoSheep]

69. I don't care about your taste inwriters as long as you borrow the books

from the library ;) I do think we should try whenever we can to Buy Blue.

[BushOut06]

70. Hmmm...but what if it's a liberal bookstore?

I'm sure there are many "liberal" businesses that stock "conservative" acts. If I buy a Tom Clancy or Michael Crichton book from a liberal bookstore, who benefits more?

[porphyrian]

71. We don't have to do anything but die eventually.

I think we reached the point where the politics of every public figure matters some years ago, especially once the media started giving sick preferential treatment to the fascists. The average American idiot doesn't want to seem stupid, but isn't informed enough to intelligently debate most politics. Thus, they parrot sound bites and the comments of the loud, confident asshole at the watercooler. However, they will talk about a good movie all day.

I like Parker and Stone's stuff, too. They have done a good job at eventually pissing everyone off and still being funny. Team America is funny. My problem with it was that, in trying to make fun of liberal actors getting politically active, they reinforced the idea that the message those actors carried was not only stupid as well, but actually treason. The timing of that movie's release, before the 2004 election, definitely made more than one idiot toe the republican line that much longer, whether or not they voted. I think that's intentionally irresponsible, so they don't get my money or respect any more.

[MadHound]

73. Frankly, I care very little about an artist's political views

Some are going to liberal, some are going to be conservative. What matters most to me is how well they perform their art.

I also think that boycotting an artist for their political views is rather absurd, especially in light of the fact that the folks in Hollywood who are donating the big Republican bucks are usually not the artists, but the studio execs. Thus, while you are paying money to see that liberal Reese Witherspoon in "Walk the Line", the majority of your money is going into the pockets of ol' Rupert Murdoch at Fox. And while Reese can raise $1000.00 for the Democrats, Rupert regularly raises tens upon hundreds of thousands. So what's a liberal to do:shrug: I think that if one takes every possible political permutation into consideration, they will finally wind up being unable to watch, listen, or read any media concoction ever again. Sorry, but I refuse to limit my live that way.

[Skittles]

74. if they are still supporting bush inc HELL F***ING YES

I consider anyone still supporting bush inc to be TRAITORS

[leftofthedial]

75. your self-indulgence is more important to you than the rise of fascism

that's okay

[DainBramaged]

85. After reading most of the replies, I think that we have a problem

Sure, you all have a right to enjoy an artists work for art's sake. But please keep one thing in mind.

The Reich has conquered and divided us through one mantra, unity. Personal feelings were put aside for the good of the party and the injection of the party's agenda into everyday life. We are now the bad guys. LIBERAL is a dirty word, and in spite of the recent declines in the polls, the RNC propaganda machine only needs a reason to throw the switch and we will be buried once again.

Until we as Democrats, Liberals and Independents decide to put aside petty differences and LEAVE OUR EGO's AT THE DOOR, by the time we get done debating who has the right to do what, the Reich will have taken that right away.

Food for thought.

[BushOut06]

87. No doubt about that

And if I lived in Kal-ee-fon-ee-ah, I would have no trouble whatsoever watching True Lies one night, then going to vote his ass out of office the next day.