Should Entertainers Express Their Political Views?

As Dolly Parton suggests here, celebrities take their careers in their hands when they express their political views, but is it wrong for them to do so if they wish?  I’ve heard people make this claim, but it seems unAmerican insofar as it’s anti-free speech.

Personally, I question the sanity of Jon Voight, who said “President Lincoln, who sits here with us, I’m sure is smiling knowing America will be saved by an honest and good man who will work for all the people, no matter their creed or color.” Yet I’m sure lots of people question the sanity of Meryl Streep, Bette Midler, Rob Reiner, Bruce Springsteen, Robert De Nero and the rest.

Who would Trump be if he weren’t so outrageous that people can’t stop talking about him?  He’s gotten a lot of mileage via his nonconformity to political norms.  His problem is that he’s crossed a line that runs between showmanship and criminality.

One comment on “Should Entertainers Express Their Political Views?
  1. marcopolo says:

    Craig,

    In the word’s of another President, “there y’go again”.

    What criminality? The real and only criminality committed by President Trump in the opinions of his critics was to be elected.

    In the words of one prominent Democrat politician, “2016 was to important an election to be left in the hands of the voters”.

    We have seen a parade of angry government officials, law enforcement and intelligence officials appear before the House of Representatives expressing their hurt feelings, anger and outrage that President Trump ignored their policies and admonitions, preferring instead to conduct the nation’s business in accordance with his own policies and judgement.

    Many expressed their pride in forming a “resistance’ to obeying the “dictates” from elected authority and candidly admitted pursuing a campaign of thwarting, spying, and sabotaging presidential decisions and policies.

    Some senior officials have even boasted of supplying the political allies of the former administration with deceptive or misleading information, leaked confidential documents, and other conspiratorial acts to embarrass or unseat the elected President.

    Robert DeNero is a famous actor and American citizen. he’s entitled to say whatever he pleases, (however obscenely).

    His remarks may not be very coherent or add much to political debate and civil discourse, but he’s still entitled to his opinion.

    But, as Bob Dylan pointed out many years ago, “if you expect to obtain a profound understanding of political philosophy from a folk singer or entertainer of any kind, you’ll be very disappointed”!

    So, maybe Dolly Parton has a point….