Celebrity Endorsements, Should we care?

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:04 pm

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=23656

deek · Post by **deek** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:25 pm

The simple answer is no, we should not care. Many, if not all celebrities are not living with the same lifestyles as the majority of the population. Granted, most politicians aren't either, but I digress.

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:29 pm

I don't even care enough to read the article.

deek · Post by **deek** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:31 pm

The_Dude wrote:I don't even care enough to read the article.

I read about a paragraph:)

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 6:08 pm

in summary... "Celebrities are about the most unqualified people on earth to tell someone else how to vote..." and "You don't get any clearer picture of the world from the back of a limousine."

Sankofa · Post by **Sankofa** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 6:39 pm

bassjones wrote:in summary... "Celebrities are about the most unqualified people on earth to tell someone else how to vote..." and "You don't get any clearer picture of the world from the back of a limousine."

Celebrities are no more qualified to tell us how to think than the public relations people running major commercial and political campaigns. We've become so accustomed to being approached in a sophisticated manner that we forget we're being manipulated either way. At least with a celebrity, there's some sense of connection.

Charleton tells me about his cold hands and Susan Sarandon does her thing. It's all stand ins for actually thinking anyway.

They're prone to to say things that I don't believe
and I'm known to say things that they won't repeat
so I guess we're even in a childish kind of way
both deaf with conviction

sevesd93 · Post by **sevesd93** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:00 pm

deek wrote:The simple answer is no, we should not care. Many, if not all celebrities are not living with the same lifestyles as the majority of the population. Granted, most politicians aren't either, but I digress.

Morphine Child · Post by **Morphine Child** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:27 pm

I really hate it when most celebrities speak out on politics. Most of them are angry, uneducated idiots with lots of money and aren't affected by most policy anyways. The thing that irks me is that Oprah is going to influence all kinds of people. I don't think he'll actually get the democratic bid, but I think she should shut the hell up anyways.

That said, I want someone to shoot Bono in the face.

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:02 pm

The irony is that you singled out two of the most informed and outspoken celebs to choose from.

What is it about Bono that offends you so?

If he has the ways, means, drive and clout to change things *because* he's Bono, so be it.

You may not agree with his politics but is what he is doing all so terrible?

There are a crapload of more indulgent, stupid, destructive, pointless and wasteful ways he could spend his time, money and life.

Good for Oprah and Bono.

I want more celebs like this.

Al Quandt · Post by **Al Quandt** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:17 am

Oliver's Army wrote:The irony is that you singled out two of the most informed and outspoken celebs to choose from.

What is it about Bono that offends you so?

If he has the ways, means, drive and clout to change things *because* he's Bono, so be it.

You may not agree with his politics but is what he is doing all so terrible?

There are a crapload of more indulgent, stupid, destructive, pointless and wasteful ways he could spend his time, money and life.

Good for Oprah and Bono.

I want more celebs like this.

Why cant the average man stand up? Because no one cares unless you are famous, rich.....

I could stand up in the court yard of the court house and scream the most meaningful and influential words you have ever heard. Some may listen but most would think, "who is he? who cares?" or " I heard him say this about that and I didnt agree, so why would I listen to common sense?"

We are retarded Americans. We love what we dont have so we worship it.

Famous people help. I agree. But why do we rely on them to assist us?

Garr · Post by **Garr** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:23 am

You know which celebrities I would take some serious consideration of? Stand-up comedians. Not all of them, mind you, but some of them scour the news to find material for their bits, and they are forced to think critically of it to find the humor (regardless of your own position) on the matter. Though I know my view is an unpopular one, I tend to enjoy the political ramblings of:

Dennis Miller
David Cross
Lewis Black
Eddie Izzard

I would pay attention of any of them were supporting a candidate, but they're smart enough to know that backing any candidate is backing an ass, so they don't. Pity.

Lewis Black for PRESIDENT!

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:43 am

It's funny. I'm completely unoffended by Bono. Maybe it's becuase he seems to get behind people oriented causes, puts his money where his mouth is and also seems to be extremely well-educated and informed on the subject matter. Maybe it's the fact that both of the last two Presidents and countless other world leaders take him pretty seriously. I like it when celebrities use their influence for good. I hate it when complete morons like Cameron Diaz make statements like "If Bush is re-elected rape will be legal." - OH YES SHE DID!

And Ollie, take it back about Oprah. I can appreciate some of what she's done (Girl's academy), but she's also personally responsible for dumbing down at least 25% of American women. Manipulate by emotions.

Kofa - right on. Carville, Lakof (rhymes with), etc... However, Charleton was actually the president of that organization, not just a celebrity endorser. And that's a long time NRA slogan - "You can have my guns when you pry them from my cold, dead hands." He gave that particular speech at an NRA meeting.

MrSpall · Post by **MrSpall** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:20 am

Celebrity endorsements do little to sway my opinions on any political issue. Most celebrities only make fools of themselves when they enter the political arean anyway. There are exceptions to this rule, Bono being the perfect example.

Oftentimes Bono takes a stance on an issue, but doesn't necesarily implore others to take his side. He mostly uses his status to bring extra attention to an issue which needs it. He's basically using his celebrity power to shine light on an issue and implores others to think about it for themselves.

That's the true power of celebrity. Lots of people won't listen to the news or to politicians anymore. Sometimes it takes a celebrity to bring an issue to the forefront.

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:09 am

Right on. As much as I disagree with George Clooney on most political issues, I appreciate that he's helped bring the situation in Darfur into more of a public light. I knew about it long before he and his buddies started speaking about it, but I do my best to keep well informed of the goings on of this world we call home. I'm sure for most people the first they heard about it was George Clooney. Of course, that means some people will automatically take the opposite position just because they disagree with him about most other things, so Darfur can't possibly be an exception... then again, people do the same thing with Bush...

WBOB · Post by **WBOB** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:29 am

Chuck Norris is backing Mike Huckabee !!