Musings on celebrities, opinions and the fourth wall…

There’s always a lot of talk about whether celebrities should or should not share their opinions on politics, and those discussions reach a climax in an election year. People seem to get really offended by celebrities who feel they have a right to throw their opinions into the mix and expect people to listen.

I was thinking about this the other day and I realized that the whole issue just goes to show how personal politics really are. After all, we’re okay with celebrities sharing their opinion in other areas…advertisers bet on it. We look to celebrities to tell us what cars to drive, what clothes to wear, what to name our babies. But when it comes to how to cast our vote, well, that’s just too far.

I’m not saying I think celebrities should share their political opinions, but you can see how they’d get confused. We can’t expect them to take it very well when we invite them into our lives and fawn all over them, then draw a line in sand they didn’t know they were standing in. It just seems so random.

I was reading Jude Cole’s recent blog and he complains about the fourth wall being broken when celebrities share their personal opinions. But does the fourth wall even exist anymore? With tabloids and paparazzi and E! True Hollywood Stories, is it possible to watch an actor on screen and not think about the intimate details of that person’s off-screen life? As I write, The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer is playing on TV. Watching Cary Grant and Myrna Loy, I’m reminded that movie stars aren’t what they used to be. There was a time when an actor’s personal life was kept private in order to preserve their persona. In a way, I think more is required of actors these days because we do know so much about them. If an actor can make you forget about everything else and really believe them in whatever role they’re playing, that’s quite an accomplishment.

In the current cultural landscape, I just don’t see it as a big deal when celebrities want to share their personal opinions. I think it’s okay to share mine with the world (even if it’s just a small corner of it here on this blog), so why shouldn’t they share theirs in whatever way they’re able?

Peace. Out.

Obama…

I don’t generally get too involved, especially here on the blog, in political discussions. I’ve especially avoided them this year because I’ve been a secret supporter of Barack Obama. “Secret” because most people I know and regularly interact with believe he’s (a) the antichrist, (b) a terrorist plant, or (c) generally evil because he’s a Democrat.

I’ve supported him, though, because I’m more of a Democrat myself these days, and I agree with a lot of what he’s said. I read two articles this week, however, that are really making me pause in that support.

I’d rather not get into my personal opinion on abortion here, because it’s a complicated issue and I feel like complicated issues are best discussed in person over several hours rather than in short, pithy sentences that can be very easily misunderstood. But what’s not complicated is that I value people. And “people” to me – at the very least – includes any living thing outside the womb. It’s sad that I can’t say for sure if Obama agrees with that position.

So, what’s a girl to do? More than anything, I find myself leaning toward the camp that asks,  “Does all of this politics stuff really matter?” Especially to Christians? Our call, our mission as individuals and as the Church doesn’t change, no matter what the political landscape looks like. I know my American value system says the right to vote comes with a responsibility to vote. I just don’t know if – given all of the information – my Christian value system supports that. Or has anything to do with it at all.

Peace. Out.

Now that’s how to earn a vote!

Ladies and gentlemen, the next POTUS…

Peace. Out.

YouTube Debate (D)

For anyone who did not catch the CNN/YouTube debate this week, you can check out www.youtube.com/debates for a recap. I think all the major issues were covered, so you can get a lot of info. Most people are calling Barack Obama the winner of the debate and I think they’re right. His charisma continues to outshine the other candidates’. Hilary Clinton and John Edwards also did very well. I’m very curious to see who will ultimately be on the ticket as President and Vice President.

The Republican debate is coming up in September and you can submit questions for the candidates at the YouTube site.

Peace. Out.