Nicole Kidman: Hot, but not for Hezbollah
posted at 11:10 am on August 17, 2006 by Bryan
Share on Facebook | regular view
I don’t remember Hollywood making a statement of such clarity about al Qaeda, but never mind. Let’s find the positive where we can:
Yesterday, a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times by an A-list of actors denounced the killing of innocents in Lebanon and Israel. They laid the blame exactly where it belongs.
La-la luminaries Nicole Kidman, Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito, Dennis Hopper, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Don Johnson, James Woods, Kelly Preston, Patricia Heaton of “Everyone Loves Raymond,” William Hurt and 73 others said they are “pained and devastated by the civilian casualties in Israel and Lebanon caused by terrorist actions initiated by terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.”
The amount of logic and empathy on display, the willingness to break from prevailing views that Israel’s act of self-defense was “disproportionate” and that Hezbollah should be allowed to fire from within civilian populations, is astonishing.
Indeed it is.
(h/t Instapundit)
Update: About the whole “shut up and sing” thing. I didn’t write that book. We always laud Dennis Miller’s outspokenness on terrorism and the Hollywood left. I’ve always liked the fact that Jimmy Stewart was an Air Force Reserve pilot who flew dozens of combat missions and supported the military his entire life. I like that leftists like Frank Capra and Theodore Geisel made films supporting World War II. I like that Jamie Farr (yeah, Klinger on MASH) was in the same Air Force unit I was in, several decades apart. I like that however batty Tom Hanks might be, he at least gets World War II and the Apollo landings. I like that Ron Silver has been speaking out for years about 9-11 and al Qaeda even though most of Hollywood ignores him. James Woods is another Hollywood patriot. It’s always wise to be cynical when Hollywood types say anything about politics or world affairs. But on the other hand, when they manage to get one right, it’s worth noting.
When a gaggle of Hollywood types get something right, it’s real news, actually, whatever we may think of their motives and whatnot.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages:
I don’t get it. We don’t care what they think when they’re bashing America, but we do care when they bash Hezbollah?
“Shut up and sing” isn’t viewpoint-dependent, is it?
Allahpundit on August 17, 2006 at 11:16 AM
Of course it is. Their viewpoints indicate who you’re dealing with when you fork over the money to watch their portrayals. They affect my viewing habits, for sure. And I never really subscribed to “shut up and sing” … not only because of the obvious oxymoron, but because if they want to risk their popularity with us the little people, they’re entitled, as long as they don’t whine afterwards when popularity drops.
Also, don’t I remember something around here awhile back … yippi-ki-yay, Allah. :)
Anwyn on August 17, 2006 at 11:24 AM
Cool. It’s about time some signs of intelligence are displayed among those in Hollywood and the Entertainment Industry. I’m glad that even these people, (some who’s viewpoints I don’t always agree with), could speak out and recognize the truth about that conflict. I only wish they’d done so MUCH EARLIER!! Late? Yes. Wrong? Nope. It’s a start. But except for Ron Glass Patricia Heaton and Bruce Willis, I have little hope for much of the Hollywood mouths.
DakRoland on August 17, 2006 at 11:39 AM
An A List of Hollywood Royalty experssing veiws that are consistent with my own?!? Am I dreaming? How did this happen?
What is happening in Hollywood? They are almost always so far left of center it is a mircacle they don’t fall off into the ocean from the “left coast”.
Is there really some sanity in Hollywood or is this just an illusion?
omegaram on August 17, 2006 at 11:44 AM
It’s the astonishing bit. i.e., interesting.
It might be. It might be that we don’t care what they think the same way we don’t care what a particular friend or family member thinks, because they’ve made caring impossible.
And I’m with Anwyn, in that I change what I watch and buy according to what these guys are publicly fighting for.
Axe on August 17, 2006 at 11:49 AM
It shouldn’t be …, but it’s nice (and a shade refreshing) to know that Martin Sheen and his offspring don’t speak for all of the beautiful people.
yo on August 17, 2006 at 11:51 AM
But that was a case of bad facts. I don’t go arond quoting Bruce Willis on terrorism, but if someone’s going to throw mud at one of the few righties in Hollywood, I think they guy’s entitled to a defense.
Do you guys really believe this ad is on the level? They really believe we should do anything we need to do to fight terrorism? Really?
Allahpundit on August 17, 2006 at 11:52 AM
I agree with Allah, they should just shut up and entertain. I don’t care if they agree with me or not, they mean nothing to me unless they are on stage or set producing something that I am willing to pay to be entertained by. It’s nice to know that the novelty of having someone in that industry agree with my views exists, but I really don’t think that this would ever have happened had the terrorists not attacked Israel. Being from California I know that quite a bit of Hollywood and the entertainment industry is Jewish (this is absolutely not a ‘knock’ or accusation of any kind, simply stating fact) and so I would be surprised if their views were anything but what was posted in the LA Times.
What we haven’t seen or heard was exactly what was pointed out in the post, support for our own country for going after terrorists and the innocent lives being taken by the IUD’s, guns, and rockets terrorists are firing in Iraq. Arabs killing Arabs and Jews is bad, Arabs killing Arabs and Americans is Bush’s fault. I don’t buy it, it smacks of double-standard.
Shut up and sing.
Grunt2Jag on August 17, 2006 at 11:55 AM
Make that IED’s, I don’t think birth control is blowing up anyone.
Typing = Bad
Grunt2Jag on August 17, 2006 at 11:59 AM
I am glad to see anytime the real truth comes out…
It’s so rare we see and hear that the terrorists are to blame for so many killings, bombings, etc. instead of the apologists for the same terror groups. I’ll take the good news anytime from anyone, esp those with voices that can be heard.
AllahP, might be you should take a vacation?
shooter on August 17, 2006 at 11:59 AM
thanks Grunt2Jag on August 17, 2006 at 11:59 A
best laugh I had all week!!
shooter on August 17, 2006 at 12:01 PM
Unfortunately, there still Americans, which means their opinion counts about as much as ours does. So, although I am not a fan of the Hollyweird when it comes to positive or negative opinions on world events, I can’t join the “shut up and sing faction”. Allahpundit is still the greatest, though.
Brian on August 17, 2006 at 12:03 PM
Hey! I caught it and corrected! No fair!
Grunt2Jag on August 17, 2006 at 12:03 PM
Not sure I understand. Not on the level, how? Like … lying to snag a better box office? Damage control stuff?
Axe on August 17, 2006 at 12:03 PM
:) Still flippin hilarious Grunt
Axe on August 17, 2006 at 12:05 PM
Is my burnout that obvious?
Question. When Nicole Kidman or one of the other signatories inevitable qualifies their fierce animus to terrorism with a statement about Bush’s “unhelpful” foreign policy or the need for a state in “Palestine,” etc etc, what will you say then?
This is like the UN resolution redux. How many times do you need to be fooled before you say “enough”?
Allahpundit on August 17, 2006 at 12:06 PM
I really think the people here trumpetting this have it wrong.
I couldn’t possibly count the number of times people in the entertainment industry have come out against the policy of the Right and I’ve heard the general declaration of ‘They are Hollywood types, who cares?’ or the standard ‘Shut up and sing’. 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, the list of actors, singers, producers, directors, etc would go on for pages. And if the standard reply is valid for dissention there is no reason it should change for agreement. Not being worthy of notice is not being worthy of notice. Period. Change of stance means nothing. It’s nice to know, it’s nice to hear, but it means nothing. To say now that because someone in that industry agrees with us that their opinion matters in any way is pure hypocrisy. Either it matters and counts, regardless of view, or it does not. We can’t have it both ways.
Grunt2Jag on August 17, 2006 at 12:16 PM
Umm, shout as loud as I can “OSLO ACCORDS” “ROADMAP” Remember!?! Wake up.
Other one is the fossil I keep in my pocket for all those you know who’s out there. ;-)
~B
Brian on August 17, 2006 at 12:17 PM
Well, naive I may be, but I’ve never heard political views from the stars named in the article before, so it’s less a case of “fool me 56 times” and more a case of you assuming they’re all the same underneath. Which is why “shut up and sing” can be an unfair blanket to those who have different POVs than the Penn/Sarandon/Clooney crowd. Putting the blame where it belongs, on terrorists, is a good start. Saying we need to stop terrorism at all costs is a good start. Do I believe they’re serious? Sure. It doesn’t cost them much to be serious at this point; they’re not the ones who are going to stop terrorism themselves. I’ll be happy to believe them until/unless they start back-pedaling.
You said the Bruce Willis thing is about bad facts. Don’t you think it’s about bad facts when people try to describe terrorists as something other than? This group seems to have a good start on some good facts.
And saying Allah needs a vacation because he’s cynical is like saying … I can’t think what it’s like saying, but if he listened to that he’d never come back, I’m thinking. :)
Anwyn on August 17, 2006 at 12:21 PM
Remember who runs hollywood, this ad is a little job security…
Theworldisnotenough on August 17, 2006 at 12:23 PM
Not that I won’t use it as a hot poker in some liberals eye when I debate politics.
Theworldisnotenough on August 17, 2006 at 12:23 PM
/puts on tinfoil hat…
Oh… come on….
You know those Jeeeewwwwwssss control Hollywood…
This just prooves it!
Romeo13 on August 17, 2006 at 12:25 PM
The question is, matters to whom?
I already said I don’t go with the “shut up and sing” flow for any celebrity regardless of political stripe. They’re perfectly entitled both to their views and to expressing them. Should their views on policy matter to those who make policy? No more than those of any other voter. *Do* their views, as a practical matter, matter to those of us who watch them for our entertainment? Speaking for myself, of course they do. It is refreshing, at the very least, to find there are some I can watch and think, “Cool, and (s)he has a bit of smarts about the Middle East, too.”
It’s not going to make or break my world or even my TV/movie viewing. But it’s nice.
Anwyn on August 17, 2006 at 12:27 PM
Not sure whether Theworldisnotenough is joking about “who runs hollywood,” but if he/she is not, let me try:
Against Hizbollah = Support Israel = Support Jews = Attack Mel Gibson. It’s all about Mel.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on August 17, 2006 at 12:29 PM
Allah, I DO share some of your cynicism toward this crowd, being a former LA resident. HOWEVER – I’ll no drop names here but over the past two years I have had several political discussions with one of the A-List actors you listed above both in person and on the phone, who has long been pathologically liberal. But a few of my friends, who truly ARE in her inner circle (I’m not, BTW,) began diligently working to provide her enough True information turn her viewpoint. I guess I’m just optimistic enough to think that seeing her name on this list shows some progress is being made in Hollywierd, even if in baby steps.
Benthoven on August 17, 2006 at 12:42 PM
That’s my point of view as well. If I understand Allah correctly, curb your enthusiasm until the other shoe drops, it’s a point taken, but I’m not really that enthusiastic to begin with.
No. Not really.
Axe on August 17, 2006 at 12:53 PM
Oh come on what has happened to this comment thread? Are we that blind to what is important here? I mean if we don’t focus on what is important, then haven’t the terrorists won already?
Allah, can we have a hotness rating?
Rustyw on August 17, 2006 at 12:57 PM
Don’t believe that either, but now I’m just being cynical.
Out of comment tokens.
Axe on August 17, 2006 at 12:58 PM
I’m skeptical about this. Don’t most of these celebs have movies coming out soon? They’re needing Americans to return to the movie theaters.
If she is sincere, I think Nicole did the best thing she could…AGAIN. The first one being she dropped that freaking lunatic Cruise. Yes SURI, Bob.
doingwhatican on August 17, 2006 at 1:17 PM
Actors? Said that? *rubbing eyes* Must be a dream *yawn*
don’t wake me.
darwin on August 17, 2006 at 1:43 PM
Sure we can. If they ever *do* shut up and sing, instead of griping about Bush, *then* we’ll be hypocrites for cheering when they get it right. And only then.
Tanya on August 17, 2006 at 2:26 PM
I am tired of them expressing their opinions. It does affect how I view their subsequent artistic endeavors. I simply now refuse to enrich or support any film with certain actors, I dont listen to certain musical artists and I walked out of on a comedienne this year when 15 minutes into her performance she began pontificating politically instead of telling jokes. I think it is mildly interesting that the above took out an ad but frankly I dont really care.
To use captive audiences to advance your own political agenda after people have paid good money for their ticket to be entertained is false advertising. It is wrong and I dont like it.
labwrs on August 17, 2006 at 2:56 PM
Two thoughts:
- Ad Signers: who the hell are you, and what have you done with the idiot leftists who were using those names for the last twenty years?!
- Allah: IMAO, the Shut Up and Sing movement is led and followed by those who don’t want to feel bad about listening to the Dixie Chicks and Springsteen or watching movies made and starring idiot leftists.
I, for one, can’t do it, and so I don’t follow the movement. I won’t watch their propaganda or listen to their tripe. This leaves me emotionally and intellectually free to praise them — or anyone — who can remove their head from their *** long enough to get something right.
And these nitwits, accidentally or on purpose, got something right. Damn right.
Jaibones on August 17, 2006 at 3:04 PM
Well, there goes THEIR careers. “You’ll never work in this town again!” I agree, Hollywood, shut up and sing, regardless of whose side you’re on. But on the other hand, maybe their lefty fans will take notice now and suddenly realize we’re at war. Hmmm, imagine that.
Tony737 on August 17, 2006 at 3:10 PM
I smell a liberal election year stunt from “most” of the people on that list. I believe Woods, Willis, Hopper are sincere. Woods was supposedly on a dry run of 9/11 a month earlier, Willis a well known conservative and Hopper a newly arrived conservative. I think the others are anti-terrorist like Hillary Clinton. They talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.
RobCon on August 17, 2006 at 3:29 PM
They should’ve run this ad in the New York Times. Some young Muslim male who picked up the paper trolling for national security secrets might’ve gotten a chuckle out of it.
Dave Shay on August 17, 2006 at 3:39 PM
This list of names is going to be my litnus test for whether or not I see a film. If one of them aren’t in the credits, I’ll have to pass. Even Don Johnson. I’m so reaffirmed in my ambition of viewing of Live Free or Die Hard and Rambo IV that it’s not even funny.
Savage on August 17, 2006 at 5:45 PM
I think what’s remarkable is that these actors are being RATIONAL. Forget politics for a moment and let’s take in a collective sip of air and offer bemused smiles that they actually get it this time. *sigh*
Mojave Mark on August 17, 2006 at 6:16 PM
Patricia Heaton was on O’Reilly a year or two ago and she is very conservative. She speaks out strongly against abortion. I wasn’t surprised to see her name.
Rose on August 17, 2006 at 7:31 PM
Rose-
I was going to mention that Pat Heaton is unquestionably one of the “good guys”. Didn’t know about the BOR apprearance…I won’t hold it against her though. I can’t seem to get my hands on the complete list. If anyone has a good link it would be appreciated.
TBinSTL on August 17, 2006 at 8:05 PM
Allah, at the risk of being banned…
I’m so happy that the word ‘cynic‘ evolved because I couldn’t go on thinking of you displaying behaviours from the original stages :)
On topic, though, ’shut up and sing’ applies best to Barbra Streisand. I heard her attempt to speak once and my ears are still in pain. To say she mutilates the English language is an understatement. I’m happy, however, that she speaks for our political opponents.
My favorite in the ‘good’ category is Ben Stein.
Entelechy on August 17, 2006 at 10:18 PM
I tracked down the full list HERE
RobertCSampson on August 17, 2006 at 11:34 PM
Good job Robert – thank you!
Entelechy on August 18, 2006 at 12:34 AM
thank goodness there are some braincells left in hollywood
Defector01 on August 18, 2006 at 1:00 AM
Wow. I’m astonished – they mentioned both Hezbollah and Hamas!
Now, if only they knew what Fatah and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades were – and what that really implies about the so-called peace process and the two-state solution – then we’d really be making progress.
RD on August 18, 2006 at 3:13 AM
I knew I liked Nic.
violet on August 18, 2006 at 4:28 AM
Pat Sajak … heheh … sorry, his name always conjures visions of Martin Short playing Ed Grimley from the old SNL days.
That is an impressive list. It comes to mind that the list includes many of my favorite actors. Some of whom I had always assumed were probably on the liberal side of things because they’re such big names, and it seems most of the big names are usually the ones sucking all the oxygen out of our air lambasting Bush and America itself.
SilverStar830 on August 18, 2006 at 4:32 AM
Patricia Heaton of “Everyone Loves Raymond,
Will Be Outspoken about terrorist and stand up to the morons who choose to bash Bush..
The other freaks is a horse of another color, they just want to be loved like Patricia Heaton and see that people love her
talent and her beliefs..
But anyone who say stupid shit about Israel then they are freaks and shouldn’t be listened to at all even if they talk like they know something…
alyce on August 18, 2006 at 10:43 AM
Looking at list I see kelly preston on it. Isn’t she still with travolta? so where is he? That and who are some of these “people”?
inflo
rojo on August 18, 2006 at 1:12 PM
Actually, folks, there are quite a few conservaticves in Hollywierd, but they get very little air time to express their views, or feel forced to keep quiet……
:/
VonHelton on August 19, 2006 at 3:02 PM
This is a very odd mix of characters. Dennis Hopper, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and James Woods are very recognizable conservatives in Hollywood. I find it unusual they would be joined by people like flaming liberals like Michael Doublas on any topic. DeVito, Kidman and Preston, though pretty liberal are hardly the kind of people I would expect to come to Israel’s defense. I’m sure Streisand is in bed with Hezbollah on this one, kind of odd since she’s Jewish.
stm on August 19, 2006 at 3:22 PM
I only knew of a handful of names on that list, also when was the last time they had a movie or whatever in Hillywood? I frankly dont give a damn most likely a PR idea…
mimi on August 20, 2006 at 4:40 PM
“To say now that because someone in that industry agrees with us that their opinion matters in any way is pure hypocrisy. Either it matters and counts, regardless of view, or it does not. We can’t have it both ways.”
I think its one thing to take out an ad in a public newspaper,and quite another to pay fifty bucks to hear a concert and be forced to listen to an airhead singer like Natalie Maines blather for a half-hour on chimpnazibushitlerburton.One venue is freedom of speech. The other is taking temporary hostages.
lizzee on August 21, 2006 at 9:00 AM
I would like each one of them to publically state beyond the petition their feelings about this war on Islamofascism.
Lord knows we have heard from those who are against it.
RobCon on August 21, 2006 at 2:24 PM
Agreed Ben Stein is excellent!
Agreed allah needs a vacation! I need one!
Glad to hear there are some Americans in Hollywood.
God Bless America.
MarkB on August 21, 2006 at 6:45 PM
I pay attention to the lists because I figure I am forking out my dollars to people who will use them against me.
What Hollywood actor said this:
?
Hint – here is the rest of the sentence
Well not a hollywood actor, but an actor – John Wilkes Booth, who made many rash statements against the President of his day.
entagor on August 21, 2006 at 9:53 PM
Comment pages: