Page 1 of 2

Celebrities and Politics

Posted: August 19, 2004 4:23 pm
by Fins21
I hope that Bubba DOESN'T play in that "Vote for Change" show for one reason, and not it ISN'T because I am a GW Bush supporter, but because I feel that celebrities should stay out of politics. They are just another vote just like us, why should they get to voice their opinion above ours?? For my sake, I hope Jimmy just keeps on doing what he's been doing, and thats his OWN thing and not worry about anything else!
None the less,
KEEP THOSE PHINS UP!!!

Posted: August 19, 2004 4:41 pm
by sailingagain
As long as he keeps his politics out of the usual tour concerts, I couldn't care less.

If politics is what he wants to support and he feels he is in a position to make a difference, he should go for it. That's like someone saying "You aren't a celebrity, so I don't care about your politics. You should stay out of it".

As long as he realizes that we pay to hear his music at his shows and not his political views, he should do whatever he feels is right regardless of whom he chooses to support. Fortunately, he seems to get the difference which is PHantastic. :pirate:

IMHO

Posted: August 19, 2004 4:44 pm
by sunseeker
Ditto SA....

Posted: August 19, 2004 6:57 pm
by Air M'Ville Cap'n
I believe Jimmy feels very strongly about Democrat issues, so he does his part to raise money for their cause

Posted: August 19, 2004 7:00 pm
by Air M'Ville Cap'n
And I agree with ya'll that Buffett should keep politics out of his regular shows, even though I share his views. I dont really think we need to worry though, cause I dont think Jimmy would talk about politics at his shows anyway

Re: Celebrities and Politics

Posted: August 19, 2004 7:03 pm
by Key Lime Lee
Fins21 wrote:but because I feel that celebrities should stay out of politics.
I like my america better than yours. Mine is the one where people are free to do what they want... even if they are "celebrities".

Yours is... well, it's un-american.

Just because a celebrity supports a candidate doesn't mean you have to vote that way or even care.

Re: Celebrities and Politics

Posted: August 19, 2004 7:22 pm
by cartmill72
Key Lime Lee wrote:
Fins21 wrote:but because I feel that celebrities should stay out of politics.
I like my america better than yours. Mine is the one where people are free to do what they want... even if they are "celebrities".

Yours is... well, it's un-american.

Just because a celebrity supports a candidate doesn't mean you have to vote that way or even care.
Amen!

Posted: August 19, 2004 8:33 pm
by Albion03
i heard a radio interview with jimmy a couple weeks back just before LTC was due to come out and somehow they got to talking politcis. i think someone had said something at one of their concerts and she was askin jimmy about it. he said that he keeps his views out of his concerts because the people didnt go to hear his point of view and be told what to think. they paid money to have a good time and to escape the hectic everday life and he understands that. i thought that was pretty awesome of him. i happen to agree with his political stance but i still dont want to discuss politics at a JB concert. got to love it when someone the place that he is doesnt take advantage of it and is still down to earth.

PHINS UP! and see you all in chicago

Posted: August 19, 2004 8:37 pm
by CaptainP
As far as I'm concerned, I don't care if JB is Democrat, Republican, Independant, Communist, Space Alien. Just doesn't matter.

I go to a JIMMY BUFFETT concert, I go hear music, have fun and he doesn't preach. That's what I paid for.

Somebody goes to "Vote For Change" or a John Kerry benefit at which Jimmy is playing, they know to expect politics. That's fine with me. They knew what they were paying for.

I still don't understand why this is such a big deal. You get what you pay for.

Posted: August 19, 2004 8:42 pm
by Key Lime Lee
CaptainP wrote:I still don't understand why this is such a big deal.
I think it's because people are so intolerant these days... Seems most folks can't HEAR the other side of the argument without getting all freaked out.

Hey, even if Jimmy busted out a "Vote for Bush" during a song it wouldn't particularly bother me. Whatever - he's got the right to have an opinion.

Certainly from a business point of view it's not wise - you risk p*** off someone. But even so...

Now if I went to a concert and he rantned about politics (or the environment or anything else) between every song, that just wouldn't be entertaining and THAT would be annoying. He's certainly got the right to do it, but if he's not entertaining, I'm not spending the $$ bext time.

Posted: August 19, 2004 8:48 pm
by CaptainP
I have just decided this...

Since we currently have approximately 43 threads dealing with JB's politics, I will no longer be posting in any of those threads. I've made my opinion known. No need to waste more keystrokes on this topic. 8)

Posted: August 19, 2004 8:53 pm
by Key Lime Lee
CaptainP wrote:I have just decided this...

Since we currently have approximately 43 threads dealing with JB's politics, I will no longer be posting in any of those threads. I've made my opinion known. No need to waste more keystrokes on this topic. 8)
Just wait... tomorrow someone who hasn't read any of them will suddenly find out that JB is playing the hamptons and they'll start another thread ranting about JB and politics and it will eat at you until you respond...

:lol:

And whatever happened to fingers?

Posted: August 19, 2004 8:55 pm
by CaptainP
Key Lime Lee wrote:
CaptainP wrote:I have just decided this...

Since we currently have approximately 43 threads dealing with JB's politics, I will no longer be posting in any of those threads. I've made my opinion known. No need to waste more keystrokes on this topic. 8)
Just wait... tomorrow someone who hasn't read any of them will suddenly find out that JB is playing the hamptons and they'll start another thread ranting about JB and politics and it will eat at you until you respond...

Not Gonna Do It.

Wait....in my head that sounded like Dana Carvey doing George Bush, Sr. Does that count as me being political again? :wink:

Posted: August 20, 2004 8:57 am
by snowcow
I do not mind celebs speaking their views, its their right. What drives me crazy is when they open their months and people do not like what they had to say and they say freedom of speech is gone in this country.

Case in point Whippie Goldberg or The Dixie Chicks. You have the right to say what you want but you better understand, if it is a political comment that half of the people are not going to like what you have to say. A company does not have to keep you employed if they hired you for a spokesperson and then you say things that the company does not like. People may or may not buy your records or go to your movies if they do not like your political views. That does not mean you do not have freedom of speech but that speech has a cost.

Tom Cruise made a move this week to not declose his candidate of choice, could that mean ole Tom is a Bush Backer? If he was for Kerry in liberal Hollywood he would have said. Interesting?

Posted: August 20, 2004 9:22 am
by Key Lime Lee
snowcow wrote:Tom Cruise made a move this week to not declose his candidate of choice, could that mean ole Tom is a Bush Backer? If he was for Kerry in liberal Hollywood he would have said.
Perhaps Tom just doesn't want to endorse either candidate for fear it might affect movie sales.

There are more Bush supporters in Hollywood than you would think.

Posted: August 20, 2004 9:33 am
by snowcow
Maybe, I think it was a kind of cool that he didn't say. Some may say wimpy, but it is his right.

Posted: August 20, 2004 9:38 am
by LIPH
Key Lime Lee wrote:Perhaps Tom just doesn't want to endorse either candidate for fear it might affect movie sales.
Or maybe he doesn't want people voting for a particular candidate, like lemmings, just because some newspaper headline says "Tom Cruise Endorses John (or Jane) Doe". You know there are people out there who would vote for anyone their favorite celebrity is backing.

My Two Cents

Posted: August 20, 2004 9:39 am
by pir8dave
Jimmy has a long history of supporting and doing activism for democratic candidates and environmental concerns especially in my home state of Florida. Just because someone is an "entertainer" or celebrity does not mean they surrender their right to speak out...especially in the current climate where your patriotism is questioned if you dare question or voice your opposition to the current regime, INMO. We have our own American Taliban to watch out for, those self appointed censors and guardians of the "truth." Best to avoid that shoal all together.

JB is also smart as some of the other posts describe...he is not going to do any sort of political activity at his shows...In that vein, I recently read Brooks and Dunn reportedly declined an invitation to play at the upcoming Republican convention because they "don't do politics." Pretty smart, I'd say...

Dave

:pirate:

Posted: August 20, 2004 9:40 am
by Key Lime Lee
LIPH wrote:Or maybe he doesn't want people voting for a particular candidate, like lemmings, just because some newspaper headline says "Tom Cruise Endorses John (or Jane) Doe". You know there are people out there who would vote for anyone their favorite celebrity is backing.
I know - it just scares me, so I try to ignore it. :)

Posted: August 20, 2004 9:54 am
by bubba phan
[quote="sailingagain"]As long as he keeps his politics out of the usual tour concerts, I couldn't care less.

I have always interpreted "Only Time Will Tell" as being a highly politically motivated song...listen to it....it's not even subtle. Does it bother me that he's included it in the current tour's set list?....not one bit! To the contrary, it is one of my favorites, although I do not share Bubba's political views. Artists draw from what they know and your political beliefs are part of who you are. It's bound to be reflected in something an artist creates.

Do I appreciate that he doesn't "preach from the pulpit" to a captive audience (aka The Dixie Chicks)?...absolutely!