First up, Bonnie Raitt: What the hell is your problem?

http://www.236.com/images/photos/3679/original/original.jpg (http://www.236.com/news/2007/11/20/todays_quote_tuesday_november_2_2473.php)

Thanks to 23/6 (http://www.236.com/) for making a pretty graphic out of it.

Coming soon: Ric Flair on Mike Huckabee; Chuck Norris on Mike Huckabee (or vice-versa, depending on your definition of stupid); Kane on Ron Paul.

huh? It bothers you that Raitt supports Edwards or that she publicly talks about it?

What is bothersome is the idea that a celeb should be considered an authority on any subject simply because they can throw a ball, or sing a song, or star in a movie.
Does anybody remember Ted Danson speaking to congress about ocean pollution (IIRC)? The man had no background on the matter and it was idiotic to give him the time to speak. I would like to think the human animal has evolved enough to rationally make their own decisions. Yeah right.:rolleyes:

But I listen to family/friends all the time talking about who they are voting for. Why can't celebs? Its just talk.

But I listen to family/friends all the time talking about who they are voting for. Why can't celebs? Its just talk.

Not quite my point. It is just talk and I would be the last one to try to deny them that right. What I object to is the people who allow themselves to be swayed solely because that person happens to have acheaved a measure of fame.
I really cringe when I hear words to the effect " I'm going to do this because famous person is doing it."
In the first post I'd ask "What qualifacations does Bonnie bring to the political process to make me join her in supporting anybody?" Yes, she can talk,, but we should pay her no special attention.

But I listen to family/friends all the time talking about who they are voting for. Why can't celebs? Its just talk.

I think the issue is due to the fact that so many people put so much emphasis on what celebrities say and do. It may be just talk to you, but to some people, what their favourite celebrities say has a lot more influence on their own decisions and how they live their lives, and ultimately, vote. Look at someone like Oprah for example. Her endorsement would garner a lot more support for Obama than he may originally have gotten.

Now if you'll excuse me, I must now go and burn my eyes out with lit matchsticks at the mental image of Raitt getting "ready for that thing called Edwards love".

I think the issue is due to the fact that so many people put so much emphasis on what celebrities say and do. It may be just talk to you, but to some people, what their favourite celebrities say has a lot more influence on their own decisions and how they live their lives, and ultimately, vote.

Sure, but if you had some "sway" with voters, wouldn't you try to get them to vote the way you want, or for your favorite candidate?

Most of us like to complain about voter influence, but it's mostly just jealousy that we can't influence those same voters to OUR way of thinking.

Baron Max

First up, Bonnie Raitt: What the hell is your problem?

What's wrong with it, Tiassa? I mean you've touted your own political stance on this site numerous times ...yet now you seem to be picking on Bonnie Raitt. Why?

Or is it perhaps that they have more influence than you ...and you're jealous?

Baron Max

What's wrong with it, Tiassa? I mean you've touted your own political stance on this site numerous times ...yet now you seem to be picking on Bonnie Raitt. Why?

Because one does the chosen candidate little good if their endorsement is so damnably stupid that people's first response is to just groan and shake their head. It's kind of like the "Be Sharps" joke from The Simpsons. Except this was never funny to begin with.

I made a similar critique of everyday folks who supported Ron Paul (http://www.sciforums.com/showpost.php?p=1633815&postcount=40). And, to make it a little more clear for you, as I've written elsewhere (http://bdhilling.wordpress.com/2007/11/21/celebrity-endorsement-time-v1/):

A note to the stars: If you decide to publicly endorse a candidate, do not embarrass the candidate. And that means don’t embarrass yourself, either.

So, yes, if it really is that important to Ms. Raitt to endorse John Edwards, it would serve them both well if she didn't do it so ridiculously. Really. Seems fairly simple, Max. Sometimes you have to look past the hatred in your own eyes.

Oh my god, Tiassa... I love that news site! I laughed out loud at its catchline: "Some of the news, most of the time".

~String

Because one does the chosen candidate little good if their endorsement is so damnably stupid that people's first response is to just groan and shake their head. It's kind of like the "Be Sharps" joke from The Simpsons. Except this was never funny to begin with.
But most people think they're not stupid. Like you, for example. You think your opinions matter or that your support of a certain candidate shows that candidate in a good light.

In my view, whoever you support is probably the worst candidate of any party. You probably think the same about me.

People don't usually think "hey, I'm stupid, so I should probably not endorse anyone publicly".

Ah, but good ol' Ronnie Reagan and Arnold Schwartzenegger could get up on the soapbox. But then again, they actually got themselves elected and weren't just influencing votes.

But most people think they're not stupid. Like you, for example. You think your opinions matter or that your support of a certain candidate shows that candidate in a good light.

In my view, whoever you support is probably the worst candidate of any party. You probably think the same about me.

People don't usually think "hey, I'm stupid, so I should probably not endorse anyone publicly".

But people should think
" If they want my opinion, they should ask"

But people should think
" If they want my opinion, they should ask"

People, especially celebs, are narcissists who think their opinion is actually worth something.

"The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter." -- Winston Churchill

I think the issue is due to the fact that so many people put so much emphasis on what celebrities say and do.....

but isn't that what makes them a celebrity? Us watching them?
I don't care what they say. I'd have a bigger problem if someone said "I'm voting for Edwards because Raitt likes him" That's just stupid. But its not any stupider than saying "I'm voting for Edwards because my husband is"

Big deal. I'm even less impressed by endorsements by celebrities than I am by a local sanitation worker. At least he/she lives in the real world.

but isn't that what makes them a celebrity? Us watching them?
I don't care what they say. I'd have a bigger problem if someone said "I'm voting for Edwards because Raitt likes him" That's just stupid. But its not any stupider than saying "I'm voting for Edwards because my husband is"

I agree with the first part but not necessarily with the last statement - the husband could be the one in family that pays more attention to politics and the contenders.

I agree with the first part but not necessarily with the last statement - the husband could be the one in family that pays more attention to politics and the contenders.

well, I bet Alec Baldwin pays more attention to politics than I do. I should listen to him then, right?

well, I bet Alec Baldwin pays more attention to politics than I do. I should listen to him then, right?

Nope. Only to someone you know well personally so that you can be certain what their real agenda is. (And if one doesn't know their husband's/wife's position on things, then they have some very serious problems that need dealing with.)

Nope. Only to someone you know well personally so that you can be certain what their real agenda is. (And if one doesn't know their husband's/wife's position on things, then they have some very serious problems that need dealing with.)

oh no, the bigfoot believer and I don't talk politics. He doesn't question anything. And I question everything. For him, if someone says it, it must be true.

People, especially celebs, are narcissists who think their opinion is actually worth something.

"The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter." -- Winston Churchill

Both very true. Sad, but true.

oh no, the bigfoot believer and I don't talk politics. He doesn't question anything. And I question everything. For him, if someone says it, it must be true.

You will note that I said, "not necessarily." Of course there are exceptions.

He doesn't question anything. And I question everything. For him, if someone says it, it must be true.

What do you mean he questions nothing? He is that gullible to beleive everything he hears???????

What do you mean he questions nothihg? He is that gullible to beleive everything he hears???????

If a person seems more knowledgable than him, he believes them.

But I listen to family/friends all the time talking about who they are voting for. Why can't celebs? Its just talk.

Yep, they're free to give their opinion just like anyone else. It's the media that places their opinion higher than others which is why they bother to even make a news report or article out of it (which is usually by "the right" trying to make "liberals" look bad). I wouldn't have known Bonnie Raitt liked Edwards or whoever with whomever if not for the media mentioning it -- otherwise I couldn't care less. Other than proactive celebrities, most don't go out and voice their opinion, they simply respond to a reporter's silly question.

- N

I think Tiassa was hoping for better from Ms Raitt.

As I was from Chuck Norris, in a different way. He's no Clint Eastwood.
"The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter." -- Winston Churchill And celebs are pretty much just average voters, with a little different take on the "home town". A lot of them have actually met the people they are endorsing, after all.

But Churchill was sly, as well as deeper than advertised. That is the best argument against democracy - - - -

But most people think they're not stupid. Like you, for example. You think your opinions matter or that your support of a certain candidate shows that candidate in a good light.

I admit, Otheadp, I'm somewhat surprised by the backlash. Between the conservatives' disdain of celebrity endorsements, alleged liberal elitism, and the swing bloc that doesn't like being patronized, I did not expect people to come out so fiercely in favor of intellect-free, minimal-effort twists on popular slogans.

In Ms. Raitt's case, I would hope her conscience would move her to say something substantial about the candidate instead of hawking a cheap twist reminding us of one of her more popular titles.

And, hey ... I don't really want to think about what's so unique about this thing called Edwards love. Setting aside for the moment the fact that he's British, what if Paul McCartney's endorsement was, "All you need is Edwards love"?

Or how about Bill Gates? "Where do I want to go today? I want a new Vista, and ______ is the candidate to get me there."

Can you imagine if the CEO of Ford, Alan Mulally, came out with, for instance, "Quality is job Giuliani"?

It seems to me that part of the point of celebrity endorsements is to help a candidate's campaign be successful. Insulting the voters' intelligence, especially in this way, doesn't help the candidate.

Yep, they're free to give their opinion just like anyone else. It's the media that places their opinion higher than others which is why they bother to even make a news report or article out of it (which is usually by "the right" trying to make "liberals" look bad). I wouldn't have known Bonnie Raitt liked Edwards or whoever with whomever if not for the media mentioning it -- otherwise I couldn't care less. Other than proactive celebrities, most don't go out and voice their opinion, they simply respond to a reporter's silly question.

- N

It's not just the media. We have largely lost the critical thinking skills needed to see through the hype.