Anybody watch the Academy Awards?

MichiganMan

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Its not surprising many celebs turn out to be airheaded liberals. (Yes Liberal. Remember, none of these antiwar types could be found during the 77 days the Clinton administration was bombing Serbia, "it wasn't hip")

Take a relatively young person, teens to thirties, give them millions of dollars for a couple months "work" and surround them with people and magazines telling them what great artists they are and how much the world loves them. Everywhere they go someone tells them how great they are. Everytime they open their mouth people wait with baited breath. Then tell me this isn't going to skew their perspective on life just a little. Mix fast easy money, a steady diet of adoration and a young adult and you have someone who takes themselves waaaay to seriously in the grand scheme of things. Repeat the process for a few decades and you have Barbara Streisand.

Now match it up with a 55 year old guy who's worth two million because for the past 30 years he's averaged 60+ hours a week in his business that he started with a second mortgage on his house, and who likes not to think about his first business that went bankrupt back when he was 35. BTW, since this guys business can't run itself he employs around 50 people, most making their subsistence from the job. This would be one of "The Rich" that the 30 year old stars get five million+ a pop to villanize/mock in their movie/song. Oh, and they get an academy award nomination for it being so brilliant during their six months work on the project.

And they wonder why some folks have such a visceral response to stars taking themselves seriously.
 

Sigman

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Partial content of an email sent to me:
(Sorry it's a long one...)
---------------------------------------

"The Hollywood group is at it again. Holding anti-war rallies, screaming about the Bush Administration, running ads in major newspapers, defaming the President and his Cabinet every chance they get, to anyone and everyone who will listen. They publicly defile them and call them names like "stupid" , "morons", and "idiots". Jessica Lange went so far as to tell a crowd in Spain that she hates President Bush and is embarrassed to be an American.

So who are these celebrities? What is their education? What is their experience in affairs of State or in National Security? While I will defend to the death their right to express their opinions, I think that if they are going to call into question the intelligence of our leaders, we should also have all the facts on their educations and background:

Barbra Streisand : Completed high school
Career: Singing and acting

Cher: Dropped out of school in 9th grade.
Career: Singing and acting

Martin Sheen Flunked exam to enter University of Dayton.
Career: Acting

Jessica Lange Dropped out college mid-freshman year.
Career: Acting

Alec Baldwin Dropped out of George Washington U. after scandal
Career: Acting

Julia Roberts Completed high school
Career: Acting

Sean Penn Completed High school
Career: Acting

Susan Sarandon Degree in Drama from Catholic University of America
in Washington, D.C.
Career: Acting

Ed Asner Completed High school
Career: Acting

George Clooney Dropped out of University of Kentucky
Career: Acting

Michael Moore Dropped out first year University of Michigan.
Career: Movie Director

Sarah Jessica Parker: Completed High School
Career: Acting

Jennifer Anniston: Completed High School
Career: Acting

Mike Farrell Completed High school
Career: Acting

Janeane Garofelo Dropped out of College.
Career: Stand up comedienne

Larry Hagman Attended Bard College for one year.
Career: Acting

While comparing the education and experience of these two groups, we should also remember that President Bush and his cabinet are briefed daily, even hourly, on the War on Terror and threats to our security. They are privy to information gathered around the world concerning the Middle East, the threats to America, the intentions of terrorists and terrorist-supporting governments. They are in constant communication with the CIA, the FBI, Interpol, NATO, The United Nations, our own military, and that of our allies around the world. We cannot simply believe that we have full knowledge of the threats because we watch CNN!! We cannot believe that we are in any way as informed as our leaders.

These celebrities have no intelligence-gathering agents, no fact-finding groups, no insight into the minds of those who would destroy our country. They only have a deep seated hatred for all things Republican. By nature, and no one knows quite why, the Hollywood elitists detest Conservative views and anything that supports or uplifts the United States of America. The silence was deafening from the Left when Bill Clinton bombed a pharmaceutical factory outside of Khartoum, or when he attacked the Bosnian Serbs in 1995 and 1999. He bombed Serbia itself to get Slobodan Milosevic out of Kosovo, and not a single peace rally was held. When our Rangers were ambushed in Somalia and 18 young American lives were lost, not a peep was heard from Hollywood. Yet now, after our nation has been attacked on its own soil, after 3,000 Americans were killed by freedom-hating terrorists while going about their routine lives, they want to hold rallies against the war. Why the change? Because an honest, God-fearing Republican sits in the White House.

Another irony is that in 1987, when Ronald Reagan was in office, the Hollywood group aligned themselves with disarmament groups like SANE, FREEZE and PEACE ACTION, urging our own government to disarm and freeze the manufacturing of any further nuclear weapons, in order to promote world peace. It is curious that now, even after we have heard all the evidence that Saddam Hussein has chemical, biological and is very close to obtaining nuclear weapons, their is no cry from this group for HIM to disarm. They believe we should leave him alone in his quest for these weapons of mass destruction, even though it is certain that these deadly weapons will eventually be used against us in our own cities.

So why the hype out of Hollywood? Could these celebrities believe that since they draw such astronomical salaries, they are entitled to also determine the course of our Nation? That they can make viable decisions concerning war and peace? Did Michael Moore have the backing of the Nation when he recently thanked France, on our behalf, for being a "good enough friend to tell us we were wrong"? I know for certain he was not speaking for me. Does Sean Penn fancy himself a Diplomat, in going to Iraq when we are just weeks away from N>war? Does he believe that his High School Diploma gives him the knowledge (and the right) to go to a country that is controlled by a maniacal dictator, and speak on behalf of the American people? Or is it the fact that he pulls in more money per year than the average American worker will see in a lifetime? Does his bank account give him clout?

The ultimate irony is that many of these celebrities have made a shambles of their own lives, with drug abuse, alcoholism, numerous marriages and divorces, scrapes with the law, publicized temper tantrums, etc. How dare they pretend to know what is best for an entire nation! What is even more bizarre is how many people in this country will listen and accept their views, simply because they liked them in a certain movie, or have fond memories of an old television sitcom! It is time for us, as citizens of the United States, to educate ourselves about the world around us. If future generations are going to enjoy the freedoms that our forefathers bequeathed us, if they are ever to know peace in their own country and their world, to live without fear of terrorism striking in their own cities, we must assure that this nation remains strong. We must make certain that those who would destroy us are made aware of the severe consequences that will befall them.

Yes, it is a wonderful dream to sit down with dictators and terrorists and join hands, singing Cumbaya and talking of world peace. But it is not real. We did not stop Adolf Hitler from taking over the entire continent of Europe by simply talking to him. We sent our best and brightest, with the strength and determination that this Country is known for, and defeated the Nazi regime. President John F. Kennedy did not stop the Soviet ships from unloading their nuclear missiles in Cuba in 1962 with mere words. He stopped them with action, and threat of immediate war if the ships did not turn around. We did not end the Cold War with conferences. It ended with the strong belief of President Ronald Reagan... PEACE through STRENGTH"
 

pedalinbob

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i think there is another section of that article whitch shows the accomplishments of Bush and his administration. this includes academic history.

as much as the hollywood elite/libs would like to believe it, these guys are not stupid.

Bob
 

James S

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Here's an actor that seems to have his head in the right place. Or don't commedians count?

TRYING TO HELP  -  ARTICLE IN WICHITA FALLS PAPER
BY DENNIS MILLER

All the rhetoric on whether or not we should go to war against Iraq has got my little brain spinning like a roulette wheel.  I enjoy reading opinions from both sides but I have detected a hint of confusion from some of you.

As I was reading the paper recently, I was reminded of the best advice someone ever gave me.  He told me about the KISS method ("Keep it simple, stupid") so with this as a theme, I'd like to apply this theory for those who don't quite get it.  My hope is that we can simplify things a bit and recognize a few important facts.

Here are 10 things to consider when voicing an opinion on this important issue:

1.  Between President Bush and Saddam Hussein ... Hussein is the bad guy.

2.  If you have faith in the United Nations to do the right thing, keep this in mind:  The UN has Libya heading the Committee on Human Rights, and Iraq heads the Global Disarmament Committee.  Do your own math here.

3. If you use Google search and type in "French Military Victories", your reply will be "Did you mean French Military Defeats"?

4. If your only anti-war slogan is "No War for Oil", sue your school district for allowing you to slip through the cracks and robbing you of the education you deserve.

5. Saddam and Bin Laden will not seek United Nations approval before they try to kill us.

6. Despite common belief, Martin Sheen is not the President.  He plays one on TV.

7. Even if you are anti-war, you are still an "Infidel" and Bin Laden wants you dead, too.

8. If you believe in a "vast right-wing conspiracy" but not in the danger that Hussein poses, quit hanging out with the Dell computer dude.

9. We are not trying to liberate them.

10. Whether you are for military action or against it, our young men and women overseas are fighting for us to defend our right to speak out.  We all need to support them without reservation.

I hope this helps.
 

pedalinbob

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alright, here is some info for ya.

guess i hit a nerve, eh libby? you dont get into Harvard or Yale by being a dummy. lookee! he has an MBA from Harvard! so, how are YOU doing, smartie? i bet you will say his degrees were bought, or are fake. or perhaps his grades were poor--even if the grades werent perfect, he still passed!

President George W. Bush: Received a Bachelors Degree from Yale University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He served as an F-102 pilot for the
Texas Air National Guard. He began his career in the oil and gas business in Midland in 1975 and worked in the energy industry until 1986. He was elected
Governor on November 8, 1994, with 53.5 percent of the vote. In a historic re-election victory, he became the first Texas Governor to be elected to consecutive four-year terms on November 3, 1998 winning 68.6 percent of the vote. (Someone began circulating a false story about his I.Q. being lower than any other President. If you believed it, you might want to go to URBANLEGENDS.COM and see the truth.)

Vice President **** Cheney: Earned a B.A. in 1965 and a M.A. in 1966, both in political science. Two years later, he won an American Political Science
Association congressional fellowship.. In his official role as President of the Senate, Vice President Cheney regularly goes to Capital Hill to meet
with Senators and members of the House of Representatives to work on the Administration's legislative goals. In his travels as Vice President, he has seen first hand the great demands the war on terrorism is placing on the men and women of our military, and he is proud of the tremendous job they are
doing for the United States of America. (note: This doesn't even mention his position as SECDEF during period including Desert Storm.)

Secretary of State Colin Powell: Educated in the New York City public schools, graduating from the City College of New York (CCNY), where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in geology. He also participated in ROTC at CCNYand received a commission as an Army second lieutenant upon graduation in June 1958. His further academic achievements include a Master of Business Administration Degree from George Washington University. Secretary Powell is the recipient of numerous U.S. and foreign military awards and decorations. Several schools and other institutions have been named in his honor and he holds honorary degrees from universities and colleges across the country. (Note: He retired as Four Star General in the United States Army)

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: Attended Princeton University on Scholarship (AB, 1954) and served in the U.S. Navy (1954-57) as a Naval
aviator; Congressional Assistant to Rep. Robert Griffin (R-MI), 1957-59; U.S. Representative, Illinois, 1962-69; Assistant to the President, Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, Director of the Cost of Living
Council, 1969-74; U.S. Ambassador to NATO, 1973-74; head of Presidential Transition Team, 1974; Assistant to the President, Director of White House
Office of Operations, White House Chief of Staff, 1974-77; Secretary of Defense, 1975-77.

Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge: Raised in a working class family in veterans' public housing in Erie. He earned a scholarship to Harvard, graduating with honors in 1967. After his first year at The ****inson School of Law, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as an infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for Valor. After
returning to Pennsylvania, he earned his Law Degree and was in private practice before becoming Assistant District Attorney in Erie County. He was elected to Congress in 1982. He was the first enlisted Vietnam combat veteran elected to the U.S. House, and was overwhelmingly re-elected six times.

so...these guys are "major league geniuses"...i agree, E!

Bob
 

FalconFX

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Wow. That's one of the few times Dennis Miller actually sounds believable and bearable (MNF days notwithstanding)...
 

pedalinbob

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ok. i retract my statement calling you a "libby".

i sincerely apologize for that statement.

however, i stand by my assertion that our president and his cabinet are not dimwits.

if, in your opinion, Bush's actions while in presidency define him as less-than-favorable, or not very smart (my phrasings)...well, that is your belief. i have no issue with that.

also, though your info on prior presidents/republicans/democrats is interesting, i was addressing specifically the assertion that Bush and his administration are less-than-bright, based on his academic performance.


your opinions are duly noted.



we can agree to disagree!

Bob

Ps i do find the "nuke-u-lar" thing to be pretty funny! we laugh crazily wen we hear it. i think Carter said it that way too. must be some strange tongue-twistie thing going on...
 

DieselDave

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Labeling the Bush administration dumb, dense or whatever is a follow on attack from the party with no defined agenda. It has been the long standing tradition of this certain party to label any number of Republican Presidents dumb. The idea of offering an alternative plan other than sit and wait another 12 years or until 10's of thousands are killed must be dumb. I am sure nothing the genius Rhodes Scholar Mr. Clinton did helped put us where we are today. I am sure nothing the amazing Mr. Carter is doing exacerbates the problem. No, they are brilliant and had a wonderful foreign policy. I guess some see it as intellectual or brilliant when you do nothing, offer nothing cohesive and spend your waking hours throwing stones. Yes, that's an amazing piece of statesmanship; I am in awe of their sheer brilliance.

John Kennedy won a Pulitzer Prize
Bill Clinton is a former Rhodes scholar
and OJ Simpson won the Heisman. SO WHAT!

Winning an award is no guarantee of anything. My worst flight students in the Military were the ones from the toughest schools with the hardest degree. IQ to at least some extent seems to deplete common sense in some people.

If you needed to trust someone not to stab you in the back, literally or figuratively, would you want it to be one of the above listed people? Not me, no way.
 

e=mc²

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Then I retract my reference to "rightie" as well. I really don't come to CPF to fight or argue. These issues really evoke emotions on even the most stoic citizens (or in this case netizens). I've noticed lot's of heat around the Café lately. Maybe it's just that the war has us (me?) stressed out lately. I have two nephews over there now and all I wish for is that everyone will return home safely once this ordeal is in the past.

Sorry for straying off topic with regard to the anecdotal references to prior administrations.

Everyones opionion is valuable, at least for consideration, as we all benefit from other's perspectives. Yours, mine and the entire CPF community.

I have learned a great deal here.

Ed.
 

James S

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[ QUOTE ]

Ps i do find the "nuke-u-lar" thing to be pretty funny! we laugh crazily wen we hear it. i think Carter said it that way too. must be some strange tongue-twistie thing going on...


[/ QUOTE ]

My theory is that there is one old gentleman who has been working at the white house as the speech coach since about 1965 and has been giving all the presidents the wrong advice on this word. I can't really recall ANY of them getting it right /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 

leddite

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i'm confused why formal education vs life experience is being compared and contrasted so vehemently to life experience and wisdom...

a very successful business man with a high school education is generally applauded for his hard work. there are many a PHD who still work at mchdonalds. also vice-versa.

it doesn't really matter what the education of the president is; he has many advisors whose job descriptions practically require them to be educated and up on facts. now, regardless of how smart they are, they have to know their facts are correct, and filter the data. the president can't possibly handle the raw data. he then gets to make decisions based on that information. "informed decision" is tricky when all the data isn't first hand. mind, i think some of his speech writers and PR people need a thrashing, but he wanted the job, and he's got it.

i recently read that a well known current Pr0n star with a (phd?) from MIT used to work for NASA. an honest to god rocket scientist. he gave that all up to become an "actor". go figure. i can't believe all actors are idiots. they get a chance to see and travel quite a bit too (which is a concern i've heard voiced over many politicians - limited personal world view).
 

pedalinbob

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yes--the war has me on edge a bit too.

darn, i hope things turn out well--least deaths possible, positive outcome.

not sure how/when/if it will be done, but i sure hope it will happen!

Bob

ps "rocket man porn star"! LOL!
 

MichiganMan

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[ QUOTE ]
e=mc² said:
[ QUOTE ]
pedalinbob said:
...as much as the hollywood elite/libs would like to believe it, these guys are not stupid.

Bob

[/ QUOTE ]
Yep. They're major league geniuses. Look at Dubya's performance while in "college".

e-



[/ QUOTE ]

Seen it. Almost identical to Al Gore's grades before he dropped out of divinity school. Funny, we never really heard about Gore's mediochre performance in school, only Bush's... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 

Max

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I don't think that leaders are best judged by their brilliance. An argument can be made that among the most intelligent presidents the U.S. ever had was Jimmy Carter. In my opinion, he was a lousy president, and I have found his recent remarks concerning Iraq and "Just War" to be about the most foolish things I've heard on the subject. I would much rather have a leader of average intelligence whose holds convictions that I share.

If entertainers have any one shared characteristic, generally speaking, it is that they yearn to be loved. Many acheive fame and notoriety because they seek fame and notoriety. A defining characteristic of wishing to be adored by as many people as possible is also not a good quality in a leader, in my opinion. I think Clinton was such a person.
 
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