Talk Forum: What You're Saying
The Talk forum was busy discussing last week's episode of Shootout, in which Peter Guber and Peter Bart were discussing whether a celebrity's endorsement of a political candidate influences votes. Kellyo thinks that "Only an idiot would support a candidate based on a celebrity's endorsement." Citing Bono, however, she posited, "I do think people might be influenced by a celebrity endorsement if they respect the celebrity for other reasons such as intelligence..." McGillicuddy was more concerned with what an endorsement says about the celebrity: "I was never going to vote for Huckabee, but I might think twice about seeing the next piece of pop culture that Chuck Norris spits out."
I argued that celebrity's too often take advantage of a public trust and abuse their own influence, to which Kellyo retorted, "If they have some sort of power over others due to public adoration, well it's a benefit bestowed by the foolish and most likely, only felt by the foolish as well."
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Part of the reson this country is so messed up is through the pathetic emphasis that is placed on "celebrities". If the influence of voting for positions of political powers rests on B. Spears or P Hilton or T Cruise OR the sensationalistic press ...then God help us.
Get a backbone and check into the people that are running for yourself.
By NANCIE on March 9, 2008 4:58 AM
Part of the reson this country is so messed up is through the pathetic emphasis that is placed on "celebrities". They are for the most part, immoral, spoiled, self destructive (and with no sympathy by 95% of the public) If the influence of voting for positions of political powers rests on B. Spears or P Hilton or T Cruise OR the sensationalistic press ...then God help us.
Get a backbone and check into the people that are running for yourself.
most celebs have nothing morre than a highschool education. They nothing of history, political affairs and so on. I find most celebs annoying and that is why I don't go to the movies anymore. If celebs were smart they would keep their big mouths shut and act, not lecture.
Part of me agrees with you dave. There's something to be said for the adage, "Funny man, be funny." At the same time, I'm not sure I see anything wrong with a celeb using their fame for something other than personal gain. Maybe they shouldn't have as much influence as they do, but on the rare occasion they use that influence to help others, I find something noble in the gesture. What did Peter Parker's uncle say? "With great power comes great responsibility."
Granted, how they use their celebrity and whether or not that use is noble is very subjective. I'm not sure they should get involved in politics. But if Bono wants to help children in Africa dying of AIDS, more power to him.