Incredible celebrities

On his radio show today, Bill Bennett got into a discussion with his callers and assistants about musicians and actors who take political stands. Mentioned were Dixie Chicks, Toby Keith (who wrote Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue), George Clooney (spoke during Academy Awards), Johnny Depp (stumped for John Kerry) and others like them.

One caller said he has a hard time enjoying the work of an artist (George Clooney and Johnny Depp) after they have spoken out against the U.S. and the President. He went on to apologize for having a double standard, because he enjoys artists who speak out in support of the country, like Toby Keith.

Bill responded (correctly, I think) that this is not a double standard. There's nothing wrong with liking people who speak out for something you believe in. It makes me uncomfortable as well to know that some people who are enjoying the freedoms of this country are so intent on weakening it.

On the other hand, I am not so upset by performers who make grand pronouncements about politics and foreign policy. I would pretty much go to see any movie Johnny Depp appears in. He is a fabulous actor, and really has that "slightly crazy" persona down pat, as he recently demonstrated in both Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. (I could just be going slightly crazy myself from seeing Chocolate Factory so many times recently, but never mind that.)

On the other hand, he has no credentials as a political pundit, and has not demonstrated (to me) any particular deep insight into matters international. Without those credentials, his opinion counts no more than anyone else's. For him to speak out as if his opinion means something extra only makes him look foolish. Opinions are still like armpits — everybody has them, and most of them stink.

It's like if I'm sitting in my dentist's chair and he starts telling me how to manage my finances, or fix my car. He might be right, he might be wrong, but he really doesn't have any more of a vote than anyone else I bump into on the street, until he demonstrates he has some extra ability in this area. As long as he's speaking within his domain of expertise, he's an authority. When he's not, he's not.

What does bother me is the importance given by others to the spoken opinions of Depp and others. The media treats their opinion as more important (assuming, of course, that their opinion is liberal and gets any press at all), star-struck masses listen and start to believe, and what they say becomes "everybody knows..." knowledge, true or not.

The other difference between the supporters and detractors (on the whole) is that the detractors' actions serve to tear down the reputation and authority of the United States of America on the global stage. Even if they get a Democrat elected President in 2008, that President will have been hobbled in his ability to influence international matters because of the attacks made today against President Bush.

President Clinton's despicable actions in the Oval Office have had the same effect. The image of the POTUS has been tarnished with the image of lechery and abuse of power, and also the belief that we, as a nation, are on the whole, OK with this behavior. It's no wonder the muslim faithful see us as "The Great Satan" and want to destroy us. In an earlier age, Christianity also held high standards. Now we name homosexuals to high offices within the church, and soft-pedal sin.