In New York, Brittany Spears watches the Matthew Williamson Spring 2003 collection.
Posted on 9/28/2002, 5:28:14 PM by Jean S
(September 28, 2002 11:24 a.m. EDT) - I am waiting for Britney Spears to speak out before making up my own mind on an invasion of Iraq, but that does not mean I am failing to pay attention to Barbra Streisand, or to such other Hollywood celebrities as Steven Spielberg or Tom Cruise. One cannot be too careful about such things.
According to cnn.com, Streisand has sent a letter to Richard Gephardt, Democratic leader in the House, advising that Democrats go all out to defeat President Bush in the Iraq debate. Gephardt was no doubt in a hopeless quandary before hearing from Streisand, who, I should add, did not actually write the letter. The CNN story tells us that Margery Tabankin, her "top political adviser," wrote it.
That wording makes it sound as if Streisand has a number of political advisers, which is among the reasons to pay heed to her. I only have one political adviser myself, although her arguments usually carry the day. When my wife says, "Oh, for Pete's sake, you cannot possibly believe that," I ordinarily find on further reflection that I cannot possibly believe that.
Anyway, the Streisand/Tabankin letter, as quoted by CNN, is a brilliant satirical send-up of conspiracy theories.
"How can we ignore the obvious influence on the Bush administration of such special interests as the oil industry, the chemical companies, the logging industry, the defense contractors, the mining industry, and the automobile industry, just to name a few? Many of these industries, run by big Republican donors and insiders, clearly have much to gain if we go to war against Iraq," Tabankin writes. "Barbra urges the Democrats to publicly convey this message to the American people."
What a hoot! The idea of war with Iraq was dreamed up by the likes of logging-industry magnates! I only wish Tabankin had carried the idea further, explaining that, once the country was focused on the war, the loggers would take their axes and chain saws and sneak into the redwood forests and level them. Streisand's top political adviser is very nearly as entertaining as the star herself, it seems, but in this case stopped a bit short.
I might add, for any of those who don't recognize Streisand's political heft, that when she urges, Democrats do have reason to listen. She raises millions for the cause, throwing parties you cannot attend unless you donate the equivalent of two new automobiles. Celebrities flock to them, Hollywood being a love-the-Democrats sort of place.
In the last election, George W. Bush had few supporters there. One news account lists them as mainly Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Clint Eastwood. You cannot help noticing these are tough guys in the movies. They may not raise millions, but would you want to face Rambo and the Terminator if you voted the wrong way? Did you see Eastwood in action in "Unforgiven?" The account says these men were pretty much non-threatening in the campaign, except for Willis's observation that Al Gore was a "knucklehead."
Now, Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise have entered the lists on Iraq, both lining up with President Bush. What bothers me is that both seem somewhat deferential to those who study policy matters and gather information. I thought the point was to be famous and to have an opinion. I am therefore reluctant to take their advice, and am holding off on a definitive commitment until I see what other celebrities say, principally Britney.
I know, I know. You think I ought to turn for guidance to Martin Sheen because, after all, he plays the president in "The West Wing," and lots and lots of people watch the TV show, and he has actually protested various things that he believes need protesting. How much more credibility could you want?
But if you will check out a fan Web site on Britney, you will learn that she has won a couple of Teen Choice awards, and these aren't just handed to you. People vote. She is also going to be in some big movies, it seems, including one about NASCAR racing, which is very American. And who can forget her Pepsi commercials?
In the United States at the moment, such things seem to carry some weight with some people, such as those members of Congress who invite celebrities to testify at hearings on subjects about which the celebrities have no expertise. There's one thing I don't really know about Britney, however, and that's how self-important she is. Self-importance counts for a great deal. Just ask Streisand.
Contact Jay Ambrose, director of editorial policy for Scripps Howard Newspapers, at AmbroseJ@shns.com.
In New York, Brittany Spears watches the Matthew Williamson Spring 2003 collection.
I'm waiting to hear from Alec Baldwin.
I'll feel a lot better about it when I know what Dabney Coleman and Abe Vigoda think.
I think Alec left the country didn't he?
Promises, promises...
nah, the bastard reniged on his promise.
Britney's Guide to Semiconductor Physics
You have to seriously consider the opinions of someone with her credentials as an online physics teacher!
You mean like Heddy Lamar (actual patent holder).
Sorry, no Heddy ("That's Headly") pics handy for posting.
Hear me know, believe me later....Babs is going to run for office in California in the near future. You wait and see.
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