Posted on 10/29/2002 8:10:40 AM PST by Stand Watch Listen
I was totally enthralled with the performance of Barbra Streisand in the 1973 movie, "The Way We Were." Before that her '68 performance in "Funny Girl" was classic. But her performance lately on the political stage has not been one of her best roles. She's been a real disappointment.
Julia Roberts was everybody's "sweetheart" in Steel Magnolias, and after that I didn't want to miss a single movie. But when she entered the political arena saying, "Bush is not my candidate . . . the word 'Republican' in the dictionary comes between 'reptile and repugnant,'" my respect for her acting ability seemed to wane. I'm ambivalent to be an adoring fan to someone who thinks I'm a snake.
When Alec Baldwin threatened to leave the country if Bush became president, did he think we were all going to sign up for his bus? Does the Hollywood elite think we are mind-numbed robots so enamored with the glitter of celebrity, that we'll cash it all in to line ourselves up with stardom?
Rosie O'Donnell spoke out foolishly on gun control, but allowed her own personal bodyguard "to carry a weapon" to protect her. Sheer hypocrisy! (She later retracted some comments -- maybe she got caught up in her own duplicitous mumbo-jumbo).
The impudent outburst from Harry Belafonte was the "straw that broke the camel's back." Calling Condoleeza Rice, National Security Advisor, and Colin Powell, Secretary of State, "house slaves" on President Bush's plantation was the lowest blow I've ever heard.
He compared Powell to a plantation slave who abandoned his principles to "come into the house of the master." I'm absolutely stunned at such an extreme comment under the protection of "freedom of speech", yet our news commentators will not wear an American flag pendant for fear of offending someone, and this celebrity (Belafonte) cares not about offending our officials in Washington. Why is it the paparazzi will use whatever language they want to fit their own personal agenda?
Susan Sarandon spent this past weekend in Washington, D.C. protesting the war along with over 40,000 other people. "Let us resist this war," she said, and then accused Bush of hijacking our losses and our fears. She was right there cheering on the crowd, many of whom were carrying signs reading: "No Proof, No War," "Bush Sucks" and "Pre-emptive Impeachment." Some protesters carried Iraqi flags. One man wearing a mask of Bush with horns and a pitchfork shouted, "No war, no way." Her presence at a rally of protesters -- in an atmosphere of vitriol directed at our president --was not her best role either.
I'm beginning to hear more and more celebrities speak out on political issues; it's starting to feel like a "Hollywood Putsch." Is Hollywood the mouthpiece for the common man? Sarandon declared, "Most Americans do not want a conflict." How does she know what I do or do not want? I'll support a conflict anyday to preclude a catastrophe.
Are these movie stars taking advantage of our loyalty to them as adoring fans? Should we abdicate our values and let these big name stars speak for us? I'm beginning to wonder if we've been cast as "extras" in their production of a new movie called "Hollywood . . . the New Congress!"
Or have some of us seen the light and decided to put even the great stars of Hollywood in their place. It was immediately after 911 when Richard Gere spoke in New York City to a group of Ground Zero Firefighters and before he was able to verbalize his own ideological beliefs of love, compassion, and understanding, he was booed off the stage.
Hillary Clinton (Hollywood's beloved) was booed at Paul McCartney's Twin Tower relief concert. She was booed so loudly, she had to yell into the microphone to be heard. An estimated "90 percent" of the crowd jeered the former first lady.
I believe with stardom comes responsibility. Many stars don't know, or understand, the grave role of leadership. Respect must be earned. We only view them favorably as the characters they play and not the characters they are.
MEMORIES - LIKE THE CORNERS OF MY MIND - MISTY WATER COLORED MEMORIES OF THE WAY WE WERE....... (sniff sniff that just makes me cry tears of joy!) ;-)
And how hard is it to be an actor? Are there any 10 year old scientist? Any 8 year physicians or 5 year old accountants? Or even a 12 year old garbage truck driver? No, those jobs take skill. Now are there any 8 year old actors? Yes, and some go to the top of the field. Many children know how to lie successfully. That's the skill set, and the only skill set. You can make a production of going to college to "learn to act," but in truth, and liar of any age can "act".
Oh yeah, and they're bullies who will go after people who dare to stand up to them. Not nice people.
The only qualification to be an actor is the ability to lie on screen in a convincing manner. Is this why the drug users, sluts, and other assorted Hollywood types looked up to Clinton? He could "out lie" them all.
And how hard is it to be an actor? Are there any 10 year old scientist? Any 8 year physicians or 5 year old accountants? Or even a 12 year old garbage truck driver? No, those jobs take skill. Now are there any 8 year old actors? Yes, and some go to the top of the field. Many children know how to lie successfully. That's the skill set, and the only skill set. You can make a production of going to college to "learn to act," but in truth, any liar of any age can "act".
Oh yeah, and they're bullies who will go after people who dare to stand up to them. Not nice people.
They made a biopic about Daschle?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.