Celebrity politics
From dKosopedia
In the United States, people actually seem to care what celebrity figures from the entertainment world think about politics. This amazes everyone in the civilized world (the whole developed world plus all Blue States) except Los Angeles which for this purpose is considered not a blue state.
(Not) My President
Celebrities that have openly and actively supported Bush policies:
- Charlton Heston,
- Britney Spears,
- Bo Derek who actually appeared to campaign for him on television
Celebrities that have actively spoken up against Bush policies:
- Michael Moore
- Rosie O'Donnell, a strong advocate of same-sex marriage
- Dennis Miller, who was known for rants about the Republican Party
- Lewis Black, whose act includes begging Canada to invade the US
- George Clooney,
- Tim Robbins,
- Woody Harrelson,
- Susan Sarandon,
- Donald Sutherland, Canadian
- Jon Stewart,
- Bono, Irish
- Bob Geldof, British?
Beside each one, try to list causes and organizations that they have been involved in, especially political ones, or issues they have spoken up on.
Specific issues
Celebrities also speak up on issues that concern them or involve them, especially in public service ads. Notably visible in ad for Make Poverty History and Live8, which clearly advocated giving 0.7% to foreign aid:
- Bono, Irish
- Bob Geldof, British?
- Kylie Minogue, Australian
- Liam Neeson, British?
- Chris Rock
As the Bush administration opposes this policy, these people must be seen as anti-Bush.
Involuntary politics
Some celebrities have become involved in politics despite any desire to avoid it. For instance:
- O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson had well-publicized trials in which the many issues associated with 'race' and power were raised
- Kathie Lee Gifford was forced to launch an anti-sweatshop campaign when it was revealed that a clothing line with her name on it had some child labor in it
- Rosie O'Donnell was denied spousal privelege for her same-sex marriage, by a New York court - she had however always been a strong and consistent advocate of equality for these marriages, before this occurred.