When Rockstars get involved in politics..

[selenius4tsd]

Do you think rockstars (i mean in the widest possible sense - celebrities, people in the music/film/entertainment industry etc.) should stay out of politics? Or should they be allowed to express their opinions?

[Centurion-Lucius-Vorenus]

Everyone should be allowed to express thier opinion. However it is annoying when some self righteous celeb thinks that they're opinion is more important because they are famous, when they really have no idea what they are talking about.

[Freddie]

Everyone should be allowed to express thier opinion. However it is annoying when some self righteous celeb thinks that they're opinion is more important because they are famous, when they really have no idea what they are talking about.

I would give you rep but the rep system isn't working at the moment.

I find it very patronising that some of these people use their power and influence to express their opinions in the most annoying ways.

[Tostig]

Of course not. We should stifle their freedom of speech, their artistic license, and in cases like the Sex Pistols or Rage Against the Machine their entire message. They have the ability to broadcast it to a wider audience than the rest of us, and so must be stopped from doing so!

Further more we should limit the subjects that authors should be allowed to write about. Why should one of China Mieville's wonderful tales, like The Scar, a story about a young woman finding herself in a dashing tale of pirates and spies, be used as a vehicle to express the authors dangerous communist sentiments? Think of the number of young people such treachery and usurpation may have corrupted so far!

This isn't something we have to think about. Public figures are there to entertain us, not to make us think. How dare they tell us their opinions!

[Denny Crane!]

I find it slightly patronising when they use their celebrity status to lambast us with opinions, but then I find the same with certain politicians. Hell certain people shouldn't express opinions to me.

[Erik]

I have no problem with celebrities expressing their political preferences, but I usually don't take them very seriously (except for the few that have good argument to motivate their political preferences).

- So your some "actress" in a soap opera and you are in favor of the animal rights party....how very interesting

I have a bigger issue with celebrities actually going into politics (ie: becoming candidates).
Some might happen to be good politicians, but the vast majority are just populists who only get votes because they are famous and/or because they have a popular radio/TV show where they can make endless self propaganda.

[Tom Paine]

Do you think rockstars (i mean in the widest possible sense - celebrities, people in the music/film/entertainment industry etc.) should stay out of politics? Or should they be allowed to express their opinions?

They have every right to express their opinions; singers like Billy Bragg make their carreers out of singing about their politics, and are very successful; if you don't like their politics, don't buy their stuff. I honestly cannot see any problem with any sort of celebrity expressing their opinion any more than I see a problem with me or you doing so.

[kid]

@Erik: that's not the celebretie's fault though. We have our own duty to educate our fellows on why simple populism is bad, as well as telling them about the evils of China Mieville, Rage Against the Machine and *gasp* the Carebears! Bleedin' heart commies!

[Siblesz]

I don't mind when artists (prophet artists) like Bob Dylan and John Lennon tell us their opinions... I actually greatly appreciate them for it. But it's too funny when I see people like Madonna sermon the public about morals and the meaning of life.

[selenius4tsd]

I don't mind when artists (prophet artists) like Bob Dylan and John Lennon tell us their opinions... I actually greatly appreciate them for it. But it's too funny when I see people like Madonna sermon the public about morals and the meaning of like.

I agree with you there. I dont have a problem with celebrities who give their opinions, so long as it is genuine.
Lol.. Im just remembering how Paris Hilton (Or somebody blonde ) was supporting the campaign in 2004 to get young Americans to vote in the election, and ironically on election day she forgot to vote. That's the sort of thing that I hate to see. Celebrities just doing it for PR.

[alman9898]

I don't mind when artists (prophet artists) like Bob Dylan and John Lennon tell us their opinions... I actually greatly appreciate them for it. But it's too funny when I see people like Madonna sermon the public about morals and the meaning of life.

Perfectly said

[Your Lame Sister]

Of course rock stars should have the right to state their opinions, just like anyone else, but it's just stupid when most of them do it.
"peace and love" comming out of the mouths of wasted rockstars always makes me laugh

[danzig]

No problem with them doing so but the problem is too many of them think because they are famous their views matter more. Also there is a huge tendency of being hypocritical on issues, its amusing when stars will perform for issues like poverty in Africa asking people to give their money but then go and give absolutely nothing themselves. So its amusing when people who are famous somehow think fame = indication of their intelligence. Voicing their opinion is one thing, lecturing as if you are morally superior is another and far too many of them cross that line.

[Big War Bird]

Celebrities ought to aware that most people view them as jesters, whose purpose in life is to entertain, not preach. Getting serious is a big career risk, as one can easily offend big portions of his audience that has plenty of entertainment options.

[KaerMorhen]

I don't belive in anything 'celebs' do, simply cause they doing it for fame and flashes. I even feel sick watching all those "good and rightous" folks when talking about poverty or picturing themselves with african children - and later spending hours to select the "best" pics for magazines. **** them all!!!

[selenius4tsd]

I don't belive in anything 'celebs' do, simply cause they doing it for fame and flashes. I even feel sick watching all those "good and rightous" folks when talking about poverty or picturing themselves with african children - and later spending hours to select the "best" pics for magazines. **** them all!!!

Precisely what I said!

[harm]

You only think celebs hold their opinion higher than everyone elses. But actually they don't, you just hear about their opinion because they are famous. They are just humans like everyone else here in the US.

No one votes Democrat because of George Clooney. lmao, funny that rightwingers actually think that.

[Erik]

I rather have rockstars getting into politics than politicians pretending to be rockstars.

In my country there is currently a trend for politicians to pretend to be gangsta rappers to "appeal to the youths".
I find this highly disturbing.

[Stalins Ghost]

I personally think musicians are a great way to project politics. Think about it, all too many youths couldn't care less about politics, simply because there's no way politics can connect with them. Alternative forms, such as music are brilliant for it. OK, there are a good few who present philanthropic views as an image only. But on the other hand there are some genuinely politically vibrant characters out there.

Take for example Tom Morello, who regularly takes part in Trade Union protests, and who takes part in organisations fighting for social justice everywhere. Or Serj Tankian who work with charities or organisations like Amnesty International.

Admittedly, most of these artists do tend to have a left wing agenda on their hands - I don't personally know many right wing bands, or at least, I choose not to listen to them, since they don't fit my political agenda's.

Hell, if I ever (unlikely ) became famous for music, I would be all too vocal in using it as a way of projecting politics.

On a related note, check out http://www.axisofjustice.org/ . Axis of Justice is a political organisation set up by musicians, so politically inclined musicians can communicate and work towards social justice by helping grass roots political organisations. I personally think highly of their work, even if the majority of it is based in the US. And their Podcast rawks. (Did I just lose all credibility in my arguement with that line? :laugher