Hollywood to the rescue

[fintstone]

I thought this was an interesting take on the subject from a movie critic.

Hollywood to the rescue
Megan Basham
Townhall.com

September 7, 2005

The downpour of Hurricane Katrina brought with it a scourge of sickness, homelessness, injury and death. But the aftermath of Katrina has wrought its own special plague—a celebrity hurricane of opportunism and bad taste.

While most of America is embracing New Orleans’ tragedy as a chance to pull together and demonstrate a still-strong Christian character of caring for the least of these, Hollywood is embracing it as an opportunity to display their foolishness, egotism and utter lack of sensitivity.

Hip-hop half-wit Kanye West currently leads the pack with his outburst during the “Concert for Hurricane Relief.” On live television the rap superstar said, “George Bush doesn't care about black people.” He further suggested that Bush granted national guardsmen permission to randomly shoot African-Americans. Not to be overlooked in the ensuing controversy, Matt Damon gave props to West for his groundless tirade, telling Access Hollywood, "I'm not a fan of [President Bush], so I let out a big cheer."

The ladies are getting in on the act as well. Singer Celine Dion expressed anger at authorities for arresting gun-toting looters, and then criticized the Bush administration for taking so long to get federal rescuers into the area. Acknowledging that there may have been legitimate reasons for the 72-hour delay, Dion then declined to inform herself further, stating, “I don’t want to hear those reasons.”

Similarly, Angelina Jolie told the press she has written letters to The White House and Congress informing them that they must improve their response time in providing Katrina aid. "It is wonderful to hear of the relief efforts that are finally coming into New Orleans…but as we all know, it is simply not enough," she said.

As expected, none of the press members present asked Jolie how she could be so sure that the federal government hadn’t done everything it could as quickly as it could. No one queried her as to how she knew it was FEMA – and not local government officials – that dropped the ball in New Orleans. This isn’t surprising considering that celebrity outbursts are so frequently reported as hard news that some newspapers must have A-listers’ publicists on speed-dial.

I like Jolie as an actress and I understand that many men hold her in high regard as a, um, public figure. But who is Angelina Jolie (or any actor for that matter) to “urge” the Bush administration to adopt a policy regarding Katrina relief or anything else? Is she a historian with some special insight into how past generations responded to natural disasters? Is she a journalist who has research or sources that provide credible evidence the government withheld aid? No. She is an actress.

Once, Jane Fonda’s involvement in Vietnam stood out to Americans as a shameful anomaly. Today, there is no national event, whether tragic or triumphant, into which a horde of entertainers do not see fit to insert themselves.

Colin Farrell, the foul-mouthed Irish party boy who, by the way, has only resided in the U.S. since 1999, saw fit to offer this evaluation, “"If this had been a bunch of white people on the roofs of their houses I don't have any f***ing doubt there would have been every single helicopter, plane and means that the government has trying to help." His countryman Pierce Brosnan submitted yet another unsubstantiated judgment. “This man called President Bush has a lot to answer for,” he fumed, blaming the president’s environmental policies for the natural disaster.

Just what we need in our moment of crisis – foreign actors telling us what’s wrong with our government.

It would be one thing if actors and musicians would show up with a bit of humility and pass out water, food, and clothing – not to mention some funds from their ample bank accounts – to needy citizens. If they did this (and a few do) Americans would welcome them in the spirit of brotherly love and patriotic pride. Instead, most of them show up with camera crews (as Sean Penn did in his failed “rescue” trip to New Orleans) and attitudes of privilege. Their hubris is revolting.

In the past, Americans haven’t had the energy to be outraged by such celebrity exploits. So instead we laughed, knowing that the only people taking the spoiled stars seriously as they ranted and raved were themselves.

But in the midst of a tragedy like Katrina, most of us will stop finding these scavenging celebrity cabals funny. And we will no longer excuse their faux outrage and indignant self-promotion. Maybe then their box office numbers will fall so far they will have no choice but to give up politics and press conferences and dedicate themselves to making quality entertainment.

Now that sweet silence would be worthy of a Hollywood ending.

Megan Basham, a Townhall.com movie critic and Phillips Fellow, is a freelance writer and a reporter for NBC 9 in El Paso. She is currently at work on the book, "Behind Every Successful Man.

[lateapex911]

"In the past, Americans haven’t had the energy to be outraged by such celebrity exploits. So instead we laughed, knowing that the only people taking the spoiled stars seriously as they ranted and raved were themselves. "

Sadly I think Americans DO take what celebrities do and say WAY too seriously, an have excessive respect for celebriies actions and statements. One has to look no further than the dozens of celebrity magazines and tabloids to see out love affair with the famous. Many Americans will side with Jolie, and say, "You tell them"! AnNd many will cry foul...but only a few will say "Who cares? She's not exactly someone who' s opinion is valid".

The writer makes excellent points........

It's too bad that they don't make guys like P.L. Newman anymore...........

[Dixie]

...Sadly I think Americans DO take what celebrities do and say WAY too seriously

I agree. Too much wisdom is attributed to a group where many have not finished high school, let alone college.

[DaveE]

I used to give Americans more credit for being able to think for themselves, until the 'dittoheads' came along. I guess both factions have their blind followers.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by Capt. Carrera
I agree. Too much wisdom is attributed to a group where many have not finished high school, let alone college.

I don't measure a person by a piece of paper.

Some of the stupidest people I know have Ivy League degrees.

I measure it by actions, deeds, results and humanity.

Dropouts

http://www.education-reform.net/dropouts.htm

http://www.education-reform.net/dropouts2.htm

Scott

[efhughes3]

The funny thing is, all of these luminaries could probably contribute $10mil each if they really were so concerned and wouldn't miss a beat. I'm SO SICK of celebs shooting off their mouths. What's the term-limousine liberals? These screwballs drive their Priuses to the airport and then blow several tons of fuel on a private jet trip.

Trust me, I'm all for making money, but these people talk out of both sides of their mouth IMO.

[fintstone]

Or ride around on a small boat filled with a personal camera crew...bailing water ith a beer cup. If they truly wanted to help...they would send money and stay out of the way.

[Dixie]

I don't measure a person by a piece of paper.
Some of the stupidest people I know have Ivy League degrees.
I measure it by actions, deeds, results and humanity.

Bless your little heart. Try explaining that on your next job interview. Or when you're trying to finance that business venture...

Just because someone's name recognition can bring people to see a movie does not mean they have any clue about the economy, acting, singing, or real life. It just means they've won a form of a lottery. They're still not the least bit knowledgeable about what they preach.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by Capt. Carrera
Bless your little heart. Try explaining that on your next job interview. Or when you're trying to finance that business venture...

Just because someone's name recognition can bring people to see a movie does not mean they have any clue about the economy, acting, singing, or real life. It just means they've won a form of a lottery. They're still not the least bit knowledgeable about what they preach.

Uhm, what are you talking about?

What does how I measure a person have to do with my next job interview or financing a business?

Ohhh, wait I get it, you are assuming that I do not have a high school or college degree.

It's obvious from your comprehension of my reply that you have a college degree

Go look at the link I posted. Bill Gates and Albert Einstein are at the top of it, a list that includes a half dozen US Presidents as well.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for as much education as possible, I just don't like stereotypes. It's a sign of a closed mind.

Scott

[Dixie]

Go look at the link I posted. Bill Gates and Albert Einstein are at the top of it,

You know, I had a long, in-depth retort that mentioned Bill’s trust fund, his acceptance into an Ivy school. How Albert was a phenomena that come about every millennia or so.

But I deleted it all.

I can surmise my position more concisely by asking a simple question: Who’s economic input would you hold in better regard? That of Allen Greenspan, or Angelina Jolie?

[dd74]

Fact is, while none of you studs could get Jolie into bed, there are many other more powerful men (and women), who have the means to do exactly that...or at least wish to with deference to their power and financial ability. That's why you hear about Jolie's political expousing. After all, who would you rather "look at" while hearing her political rambling? Angelina Jolie or Condoleezza Rice?

[stomachmonkey]

Who�s economic input would you hold in better regard? That of Allen Greenspan, or Angelina Jolie?

Who would you rather take to bed? Allen Greenspan or Angelina Jolie?

My turn, which of the following is a true statement?

1) Lack of education equals lack of wisdom.

2) Education equals wisdom.

Scott

[skipdup]

Scott- You forgot...

3) An acting career equals wisdom.

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by dd74
Fact is, while none of you studs could get Jolie into bed, there are many other more powerful men (and women), who have the means to do exactly that...or at least wish to with deference to their power and financial ability. That's why you hear about Jolie's political expousing. After all, who would you rather "look at" while hearing her political rambling? Angelina Jolie or Condoleezza Rice?

Condi...hands down! I wish to bed neither. Condi makes sense. Jolie never did....neither does Hanoi Jane, who also looked good in her time.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by skipdup
Scott- You forgot...

3) An acting career equals wisdom.

No, but it can equal Governer and even President of the United States.

BTW, I did not and am not defending the Hollywood people.

If you have no valid knowledge of a situation, degree or not you should just shut up.

I do believe in acheiving as high a level of education as possible.

I'm simply reacting to the blanket notion that people without a diploma should be dismissed as less worthy of acknowledgement than those with diplomas.

It's a monumentally arrogant postion.

Life has taught me that not everything is as it seems. Never underestimate anyone, if you let your gaurd down because of an "obvious weakness" you could very well end up on the short end of the stick scratching your head wondering how you got there.

I see it happen all the time.

Scott

[fintstone]

Originally posted by stomachmonkey
No, but it can equal Governer and even President of the United States.
...

Only if they are a Republican...which any reasonably educated, intelligent actor is.