TallPine
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I know enough to know that I want to stay right here.
Hollywood vs. "Stupid" America
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7.62FullMetalJacket
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While I agree that most Americans are probably not foreign policy wonks, they probably know enough to get by. The real question is whether or not what goes on in the rest of the world that does not directly affect us is high on the relativity scale. Otherwise, it is a question of relativity in a strict sense: is what we are doing in line with what they are doing? I DO NOT CARE
Too many spend too much time worrying about what others are doing. So much so that SCOTUS is now citing foreign courts. Egads! Away with relativism.
Too many spend too much time worrying about what others are doing. So much so that SCOTUS is now citing foreign courts. Egads! Away with relativism.While this may be unfortunate, let's turn it around and say "the vast majority of non-USA people have a pretty good idea of how much cool stuff exists within America and are jealous as heck! Ergo, they hate Americans."
Also note that none of those vocal Hollywood types revoked their citizenship and moved out. Feet of clay.
With the shoe on the other foot, most non-Americans only know as much about the US as they see in Hollyweird movies. Ignorance isn't a bane solely confined to the US.
Think about those children in Pakistani madrasas who know the Koran front to back, yet can't do much more than simple arithmetic and don't even know a man has walked on the moon. They DO know the America is the Great Satan, though.
Of course, they're only children, but the adults are pretty much the same.
Think about those children in Pakistani madrasas who know the Koran front to back, yet can't do much more than simple arithmetic and don't even know a man has walked on the moon. They DO know the America is the Great Satan, though.
Of course, they're only children, but the adults are pretty much the same.MrAcheson
Member
Amen. You would think we as a people would watch enough VH1 Behind the Music and E! True Hollywood Stories to realize that these are not people we want to model our life or economy after. The one constant I have seen from these shows is that movie/tv/rock/comedy stars make tons of money, blow it up their noses/out their livers and then have to work like hell to get a piece of that back and avoid starving to death. Are these the people we want to take moral and financial advice from? Wake up America!
longeyes
member
All nations and societies have a limited focus, concentrating on
what matters most to them. You only know who "knows enough" about
the "right things" when survival is at stake and the relevant cultural
data become critical. Dare I say we are moving toward a moment
where all that will be sufficiently clear? Survivors are never "stupid."
what matters most to them. You only know who "knows enough" about
the "right things" when survival is at stake and the relevant cultural
data become critical. Dare I say we are moving toward a moment
where all that will be sufficiently clear? Survivors are never "stupid."
Mark Tyson
Member
Yes, many Americans are ignorant of foriegn affairs, but:
Have you ever seen what passes for news and commentary in much of the third world? It makes al Jazeera look like a beacon of objectivity. The conspiracy theories, the bizarre rumors resemble nothing less than Nazi propaganda. And I don't employ that overused analogy "Nazi" lightly, either.
Have you ever seen what passes for news and commentary in much of the third world? It makes al Jazeera look like a beacon of objectivity. The conspiracy theories, the bizarre rumors resemble nothing less than Nazi propaganda. And I don't employ that overused analogy "Nazi" lightly, either.
Pilgrim
Member
I have heard from this forum that the movie "The Last Samurai" is a movie well worth seeing. However, having seen Tom Cruise in action on USS Enterprise when the movie "Top Gun" was being filmed, I have no intention of lining his pockets with my hard earned cash.
Pilgrim
Pilgrim
another okie
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Dance, little clown, and I will throw you a coin. Then shut up and go home.
Baba Louie
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Well, so far as I can remember, only one or two actors as of late, decided to run for office and put their words into action and see how hot it really is in the kitchen. One became Governor of CA and later ran for President, the Love boat guy (Fred Harris?) and now Governor S., also of CA.
The rest are by nature, self centered entertainers who've made a boatload of money and feel that their very words are now worthy of our embrace. As Skunk put it quoting one astute young thespian, "Who cares...?"
I will admit that my feelings towards actors and the present media are that they feel they have become the message (thanks Marshall), but how many of them will be willing to give up what they do for a living to actually run in a race where they might lose and if they should win, have the intellect to actually serve their fellow man as an actual leader (or representative at least)... Put their money where their mouth is? Just the few listed above that I'm aware of.
They're just acting. Playing a role with no risk involved. Those that listen to them and follow... mindless minions.
Then again there are the few professional politicians who've never had a real job in their lives (Ed Kennedy and Bill Clinton come to mind) who are "above" the working class and know what's best for them. They're just as bad, if not worse, because they do influence power, pass laws and spend tax dollars.
What was Voltaire's line? "I may not agree with what you say but I'll defend your right to say it..." or something like that. Heck, it may not even be Voltaire, just showing me to be another "Stupid" American.
Adios
The rest are by nature, self centered entertainers who've made a boatload of money and feel that their very words are now worthy of our embrace. As Skunk put it quoting one astute young thespian, "Who cares...?"
I will admit that my feelings towards actors and the present media are that they feel they have become the message (thanks Marshall), but how many of them will be willing to give up what they do for a living to actually run in a race where they might lose and if they should win, have the intellect to actually serve their fellow man as an actual leader (or representative at least)... Put their money where their mouth is? Just the few listed above that I'm aware of.
They're just acting. Playing a role with no risk involved. Those that listen to them and follow... mindless minions.
Then again there are the few professional politicians who've never had a real job in their lives (Ed Kennedy and Bill Clinton come to mind) who are "above" the working class and know what's best for them. They're just as bad, if not worse, because they do influence power, pass laws and spend tax dollars.
What was Voltaire's line? "I may not agree with what you say but I'll defend your right to say it..." or something like that. Heck, it may not even be Voltaire, just showing me to be another "Stupid" American.
Adios
tcdrennen
Member
Baba-
Fred Thompson acted while a senator and has gone back to it full time (Law & Order) since retiring.
Sonny Bono was in a couple of movies, at least in cameos, before being elected to Congress.
The late Senator George Murphy (D-CA) was an actor before election in the '50s, IIRC.
If we count non-actor celebrities, Jim Bunning was a prettty good pitcher for the Phillies before getting elected Senator (Kentucky? Tennessee? Someone help me out here.) And of course there's Bradley of NJ.
To get really obscure, I was a big fan of S. I. Hayakawa's writing before he became a Senator.
Fred Thompson acted while a senator and has gone back to it full time (Law & Order) since retiring.
Sonny Bono was in a couple of movies, at least in cameos, before being elected to Congress.
The late Senator George Murphy (D-CA) was an actor before election in the '50s, IIRC.
If we count non-actor celebrities, Jim Bunning was a prettty good pitcher for the Phillies before getting elected Senator (Kentucky? Tennessee? Someone help me out here.) And of course there's Bradley of NJ.
To get really obscure, I was a big fan of S. I. Hayakawa's writing before he became a Senator.
7.62FullMetalJacket
Member
So that proves that intelligent and competent people can be actors/actresses, but it does not prove that actors/actresses are intelligent or competent.
WvaBill
Member
Don't forget Cooter--?Ben Jones?--on Dukes
Mayor of Carmel, one Eastwood, C.
It's not what these people say, it's their belief that they have an unfettered right to any platform they desire:
Susan Sarandon--actress or Alar expert?
When a celeb loses money because of politics ala Dixie Chicks it's not the free market, it is censorship.
Mayor of Carmel, one Eastwood, C.
It's not what these people say, it's their belief that they have an unfettered right to any platform they desire:
Susan Sarandon--actress or Alar expert?
When a celeb loses money because of politics ala Dixie Chicks it's not the free market, it is censorship.
jimpeel
Member
I find it interesting that while Sheen finds Canada a nice place to visit, he wouldn't want to live there.
jimpeel
Member
Tom Cruise. Now there's a guy who, someday, may get to star in a movie where he is the best there is at what he does.
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