Brain Fertilizer

I've used this phrase before, as have many others, and been taken to task for it, as have many others.

There's points by both sides. We do have a country that values the free expression of political opinion, and that surely applies to celebrities. On the other hand, there is something somewhat unfair about someone who becomes rich and famous with the money and support of all citizens using that wealth and fame to disparage and oppose conservative values and promote just one political ideology. Yet back on the original hand, the people who complain about the Dixie Chicks and Barbara Streisand are pretty much the same ones who have no problem with Charlton Heston and Arnold Schwarzenegger....

Well, here's the difference: Credibility.

With great power comes great responsibility. If you are lifted up on the shoulders of others, it isn't right to spit on the people who lifted you up. It's even worse to whine about losing your popularity as a result of your disdain (as the Dixie Chicks learned).
If your fame and wealth come from doing one thing well, then you have credibility in that realm. But to arrogantly assume that money and fame in one sphere automatically grant you influence in another sphere is stupid and worthy of ridicule. And that's where "Shut up and sing/act" comes in.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was never just an actor in the same way Barbara Streisand was only an entertainer. He was a successful businessman before he ever starred in a movie. He married into a political family and showed good politcal savvy before he ever ran for governer.

Ronald Reagan demonstrated politcal acumen as he rose through the political system. The charge that he was "just an actor" was hollow long before he was elected to President.

Heck, even Bono of U2 has gained a great deal of credibility through his involvement in political issues. And Angelie Jolie seems to be approaching it correctly, as well. She understands that if all you bring to an issue is celebrity, you do more harm than good. You need to educate yourself first, understand the issues, discuss them with educated, intelligent, credible people, and then approach the issue with humility.

And that's what most of the stars lack.

We've already mentioned the Dixie Chicks' sour note. Barbara Streisand earned derision, not for expressing her opinions, but by telling career-politician Dick Gephardt how to run his campaign...and for mis-spelling his name. How more presumptuous can you get? Sean Penn provided aid and comfort to Saddam al-Hussein by making a high-profile visit there and then announcing Saddam al-Hussein had no WMD. Perhaps history will prove him correct (I'm still convinced there's some needles waiting to be found in that haystack, even the US govt has decided it is no longer worthwhile to search), but his assertion that his brief visit was of any significance shows how ignorant he really is.

And that's the thing. It is important to understand what you have credibility in and what you don't. I have a great deal of credbility in discussing some issues regarding China, or music, or pre-WWII military surplus bolt-action rifles. Some. I would never pretend that my opinion, as educated as it might be, is the end-all-be-all on any topic. In fact, one of the main goals of my life and this blog is to talk intelligently enough about different issues to gain the credibility to be heard on those topics and others. Perhaps I've failed horribly, but it is still my goal.

Celebrities would help themselves if they understood that. And so, if celebrities display the hubris to name themselves as political experts, I'll be here to tell them again to Shut Up and Sing/Act. Even if they don't listen to me.