It seems Celebrities have shut up?

[Chuckiechan]

There dosen't seem to be as much noise coming from Martin Sheen, Jeanen Garafalo, George Clooney, Susan Sarandon, etc.?

The Dixie Chick is apologizing fast and furious to save her career!

What has changed? Certainly not politics, is it simply money? Afraid not one will do see their movies? Did they sell out? Where are their principals? Was it the political wind? Started watching Fox News? New script?

I'm shocked at the wishey-washiness of these weaselly waskels!

As Kevin Spacey said:
" Being an actor dosen't make you lose your right to free speech. I choose to say nothing."

Smart guy!

[daveleau]

The media criticizing the celebs is not losing freedom of speech, which is a common misunderstanding that many people make. (I am not saying you made this mistake Chuckiechan). Criticizing someone for their comments, is something we have the right to do. When someone passes legislation that they can not speak out, then there is a problem.

Personally, I think they got tired of hearing the bad publicity about themselves resulting from their comments and their motivation to retain their stardom made them fall silent, for now.

[Knothead]

Huh! I hadn't noticed, Chuck, but now that you mention it, yes, it's been a bit quiet!

I would view this as an indication that the probability of war (at least this time around) is very popular with the American public. Being a star and criticising it, or GWB for that matter, is career damaging, perhaps?

Well, here I listen to Country Music (can you believe that one Knot? ) Yesterday was Dixie Chick Free Friday. And they get a lot of air time most days. They disappointed a lot of conservative people (and their biggest fans) with those comments. Then tried to say they support the soldiers but not Bush. I don't see how the 2 can be separated.

[Mike]

Then tried to say they support the soldiers but not Bush. I don't see how the 2 can be separated.

I don't quite understand this statement...

[Theophylact]

Commercial contrition. I'm sorry they felt they had to apologize. But there's a propaganda steamroller out there, and they got in its way.

I don't see why there's a problem with supporting the troops and opposing Bush. The troops have to do their job, and it's a difficult and dangerous one; their opinions about the correctness of the war can't count, unless they're called upon to commit war crimes or crimes against humanity. In that case the Nuremberg rules would demand that they defy an illegal order. Short of that, they have no legal choice; they just have to do their duty, and I have a lot of sympathy for them.

Bush, on the other hand, has the only opinion that seems to count, and it's easy for me to oppose that.

[daveleau]

Regardless of what celebrities think or say in the US, they should NOT go overseas and badmouth the US there. It undermines not only the position they are against, but all positions the US tries to gain in international diplomacy. And no one can deny that the US does more good for the world than anyone, regardless of their stance on any certain political topic.

Say what you want in the States, but keep your mouth shut outside!

Well, the conflict is our troupes work for Bush. Isn't that were commander and chief comes from? How can you expect someone to feel support when they are told. "You're doing great but I'm ashamed of the person you work for." To me that also equates to therefore I'm ashamed of you and what you chose for your profession.

[Theophylact]

daveleau, I'd like to see the United States try some diplomacy. Mostly, it seems, the Bush administration ignores treaties it doesn't like (for example, the ABM treaty), refuses to sign treaties almost all the rest of the world agrees with (the International Criminal Court, the Kyoto Protocol) and treats with utter contempt old allies who happen to disagree with it on a single issue (Iraq).

Since the Administration seems to be doing its best to shut up critics here, I see no reason why one can't let the rest of the world know that not all Americans agree with Bush or stand silently by while he prepares the first war the US has ever taken against a country that hasn't attacked us.

Frankly, I think it's healthy to let foreigners know that Americans have a diversity of views, and, unlike Iraqis, we aren't in "100.00% agreement" with our Government. It's hardly the same thing as Jane Fonda going to Hanoi, you know.

[Kuasimodem]

The ABM treaty was rejected long before the current administration, the International Criminal Court treaty content infringes on national sovereignty, and the Kyoto accords (not treaty) would punish more developed nations (read USA) while allowing "third world" countries to polute pretty much without restriction or punishment.

And as for the old ally, if a friend of yours started destroying your property and endangering your family members, would they still be considered a friend?

Iraq may not have sent its military to directly attack the United States, but it is a proven training ground for islamic terrorists who have been operating all over the world. Covert ops are just as bad as open attacks. At least we will be targeting military and government sites, not the general public.