Great Music and Movies but Stupid Politics

I can remember the first time I heard my mother-in-law say, "I won't go to any movie with Barbara Streisand because she's a liberal."

At the time I thought, that's stupid because she's been in some terrific movies, like "Funny Girl" and "The Way We Were."  Her singing was even better, with her "A Christmas Album" one of my holiday favorites over the years.   She is one of a few entertainers who has won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony award.  I really can't think of someone with a better singing voice, especially in light of the musical crap we have on the radio today.

But a funny thing happened through the years.  When she wasn't acting or singing, she was actively politicking for the environment and various Democrats, including Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Barrack Obama.  With less singing and more politics, I grew more and more tired of her critical attacks on things I hold true.

Hollywood -- What Are They Smoking?

Streisand once said, "The Democrats have always been the party of working people and minorities.  I've always identified with the minorities."

Seriously?  Someone who is worth between $300-$600 million can identify with a migrant worker making between $6 - $15 dollars an hour?  A few years ago, she was quick to sue a photographer for alleged violation of privacy over a photo of her bluff-top Malibu estate (worth about $15 million).  What are the odds that she would welcome illegal aliens through her front gates so she can relate to them better?

The problem with people like Streisand is that they think they are better than the rest of us when it comes to the economy, environment and world peace.  And smarter, more compassionate and with a better understanding of how the rest of the world acts (France comes to mind).  Despite their hypocritical actions (massive stage shows requiring 50 gas guzzling semi trucks to transport everything needed) and lifestyles (drugs, private jets and numerous homes), they say "Do as I say, not as I do."

Will Ferrell, the not so funny-man from "Saturday Night Live!" was recently involved in a PSA video that supported the passage of Obamacare by making fun of big health insurance companies who were reaping huge profits from existing health insurance premiums and coverage. Television actors and actresses from "Scrubs," "Mad Men," and "Reno 911!" tried to make fun of insurance executives who were opposed to President Obama's socialistic healthcare grab.  Instead of being funny, the video is like so many of these celebrity group think PSAs --  boring, overly long and completely wrong on the issue.  The irony is that actors and musicians are some of the most over paid people in the world.  Will Ferrell,  has absolutely NO RIGHT to complain about insurance executive salaries when he gets paid $20 million dollars each for cellulite trash like "Bewitched" and "Talladega Nights."

What was the harm?

Another fine example is the rush to defend movie director Roman Polanski, who was finally arrested on charges of drugging and raping a 13-year-old child after 32 years in exile.  The tragedy isn't just in the crime, but in Hollywood's defense of this pedophile.   Here is what Polanski said after committing the crime and fleeing the country:  "If I had killed somebody, it wouldn't have had so much appeal to the press, you see?  But f---ing you see, and the young girls.  Judges want to f-- young girls, juries want to f--- young girls, everyone want to f--- young girls!"  Pretty disgusting huh?

So what do people like Whoopi Goldberg, Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese do?  Sign their names to a petition demanding that Polanski be freed.  Whoopi Goldberg went so far as to say "I know it wasn't rape-rape.  It was something else but I don't believe it was rape-rape.  He went to jail and when they let him out he was like 'You know what, this guy's going to give me a hundred years in jail.  I'm not staying,' so that's why he left."  What comedic rock did she crawl out form under?  There is no defense from the left for this kind of self-important crap. They feel that they are above the law and can judge their own actions for what they are.

Hollywood is home to another political tourist who tells us how to live our lives -- Sean Penn.  I don't know if there is another actor who is so polar opposite to everything good in America.  Fortunately, it helps to picture him as Jeff Spicoli -- the surfing, pot smoking Valley Guy loser in "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" -- and completely dismiss everything coming out of his mouth.

Penn prides himself as a peace activist, having criticized President Bush for his involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.  He is a staunch supporter of President Obama, even though the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have spread into Libya and beyond.  Of particular embarrassment to this country are his visits with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a dictator and socialist who is sympathetic to Libya's murderous Muammar Ghadafi and Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.  Penn, who espouses free speech (his free speech) should ask Chavez about Venezuela's crack down on private property, free speech and civil rights.

What does it say about these publicity whores who are so quick to let the press know about the thousands donated or their time spent adopting poor children from Africa?  Wouldn't it be so much better if Tim Robbins, Madonna, Susan Sarandon and Angelina Jolie just donated their time and money without letting Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Tonight know about it?  A number of big names (usually in business) are involved in charity events that go unreported, yet their efforts raise millions for health issues, education and other charities.  Being quiet about it doesn't make it less effective or meaningful.

Television networks have an orgasm when celebrities go on air to provide their opinions on world dictators (why can't we be more like Chavez and Castro), natural disasters (Katrina) and endangered animals cute enough to get their attention (have you seen the Red Panda). Who was the last rock star to go on Good Morning America complaining about this administration's destruction of American jobs?

We know what Willie's smoking

One final example of musicians and actors acting stupid are benefit concerts.  Every year it seems like we have a natural disaster or disenfranchised group needing money.  Ever since Woodstock, I think people have been looking for a reason to listen to some good music while getting stoned and drunk.  Living in Wisconsin, you would think I'd be more sympathetic to farmers, but I'm not.  Farm Aid, which was started in 1985 by John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson to raise money for farming families, recently celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary.

Organizers of these concerts, claim success in drawing attention to AIDS, flood victims and other human right issues.  While that may be the case, I can't help think their motive is to cut a record that promotes their self indulgent music, record companies and organizations.  Some of the more notable benefit events include The Concert for Bangladesh (1971), The Secret Policeman's Ball (1979), The No Nukes concerts (1979), Live Aid (1985), Self Aid (1986), Conspiracy of Hope Tour (1986), Human Rights Now (1988), Live Earth (2007) and Billion Hands Concert (2008).  Can you tell me who benefited the most-- the musicians or the cause?

I leave you with the following quote from a CNN interview with Matthew Bodine, an actor who has been in a few good movies.  Here's what he had to say about Osama Bin Laden before a group of our elite Seals put a bullet in his head (thank God), "Imagine if someone were to really sit down with Osama Bin Laden and say, "Listen, man, what is it that you're so angry at me about that you're willing to have people strap bombs to themselves, or get inside of airplanes and fly them into buildings?"  That would be the miracle if we can get, sit down and talk to our enemies and have a fine way for them to hear us."

'Nuff said.