"Should celebrities comment on politics" is the wrong question here . . .

[markpkessinger]

Lots of discussion around the 'net today on the question of whether celebrities should comment on politics. But here's the thing: Meryl Streep's comments were NOT ABOUT POLITICS -- not a single word of what she said referenced politics in any way. Trump's behavior, when he attempted to silence a reporter (by mocking his disability and trying to publicly humiliate him) who had called him out on one of his outright lies -- that wasn't 'politics'. It was boorish bullying, behavior that was in violation of every adult norm of human decency our society knows. And that kind of behavior deserves to be called out in any and every forum!

[Iggo]

1. It's a good question. And the answer is Yes. (n/t)

[ffr]

2. Excellent point!

[jodymarie aimee]

3. mark, your post is wonderful

and Meryl is a human being, she is an American, she is a voter. Just like the rest of us. In the old days, folks were much braver, and I can only hope she is setting an example of more to come.

[markpkessinger]

9. Thank you! n/t

[forgotmylogin]

4. Any American citizen should have the right to comment on anything.

[Cha]

5. It's a distracting question.. trying to kill the messenger

to cover up trump's mocking of the disabled reporter and lying about it.

Well said, MK

[Wounded Bear]

6. They don't complain about RW "celebrity" assholes' comments...

I put the word celebrity in quotes because most of the RW celebs we hear from seem to be beyond the peaks of their careers, and out of the public eye. Hitching their stars to a RW asshole with apparent success probably seems like a good career move to get their images back on the screens.

Meryl Streep risked the Dixie Chicks treatment to perform a public good. She has class and dignity, Trump has none.

[niyad]

7. to any reichwinger who makes that comment, I would respond with "reagan, schwarzenegger, trump"

[Caliman73]

8. I think it is a valid question.

I understand what you are saying. Trump's behavior transcends politics and is an affront to basic human dignity and it must be challeged at every turn and in every forum available. Where I disagree is that I think that Streep's comments were about politics as well because like it or not, Trump is now a politician. He is an inept, inexperienced, ill tempered, politician without ethics; but he was elected to office and entered willingly into politics. He will be in charge of executing the laws and policies of the country come January 20th.

People tend to try to separate politics from everyday life, but politics helps to shape everyday life. The policies that are made and enacted affect us and the people who are placed into positions of power shape those policies. Politics has two meanings, one is a narrow focus that deals with the workings of parties and the organization of states. The second, broader one is what is important: politics has to do with the affairs of citizens. What does it mean to be a citizen, what responsibilities do citizens have to their fellow citizen and to the state. What responsibility does the state have to citizens, residents, and people trying to find a better life. Trump, his followers, and the Republican party in general are trying to redefine America by closing it off to certain people. They are trying to, in some ways, take the country back to a time where there was less influence by the national government, where the social order established by wealthy White Christian Males was not able to be challenged so loudly as it is today. Trump's own behavior is the product of an upbringing where money, the right race, and the right gender were deemed enough to obtain anything or excuse anything. He and his ilk are injecting that into society. That is politics.


To the question about celebrities... The only acceptable answer in my opinion is also YES. They have every right, as any citizen, resident, etc... has to comment on what they see. Hopefully, with their resources, they take the time to study and provide informed and intelligent discussion about those serious issues, whether they coincide with my own opinions or not.

[Guilded Lilly]

10. Last I checked, "celebrities" are human beings.

If we have voices, we should use them.
This WAS a magnificent statement about character. Way too few voices in the political world even touch upon that.

And that is why, in large part, we find ourselves with a malignant narcissist Cretin poised to have power wayyyy beyond his capabilities.

[markpkessinger]

11. Quite so! n/t

[Proud Liberal Dem]

12. Somebody should remind anybody making such comments

that celebrities have the same First Amendment protections as everybody else. And we have to endure right-wing/Republican celebrities' comments too when one of ours is in office too.

[DaleFromWPB]

13. Yes ... and No

Why risk alienating a large portion of the population?

Is there anything to gain by speaking out? Will anyone's mind be changed by Meryl Streep's opinion, or Kid Rock's, or Barbra Streisand's or Gary Sinise's?

How many Vietnam vets are still boycotting anything Jane Fonda?
My neighbor LOVED Newsroom until Jane appeared ... then he quit watching.

Look at how the conservative backlash hurt the Dixie Chicks.

They certainly have a right to speak out on anything they want to ... and the public has a right to react anyway they want to.

I'm just saying that if your livelihood depends on public acceptance ... speaking out may not be in your best interest.

If celebrity endorsements and celebrity cameos changed minds HRC would have won in a landslide.

[markpkessinger]

14. Something tells me . . .

. . . that very few, if any, of those who would boycott Meryl Streep over her comments were ever a significant portion of the audience for her movies anyway.

[LanternWaste]

15. Courage of one's own convictions.

"Why risk alienating a large portion of the population?"

Courage of one's own convictions.

[0rganism]

16. after electing a celebrity to the highest office in the land, i think that question's been settled

bigly, as they say

[crazycatlady]

17. I think they have a right to comment on politics

However, I can also appreciate celebrities who keep their mouth shut too that way I can like their acting/music/etc without feeling guilty.