Martians Invade Earth
Hollywood Make-Believe
December 18, 2002
When our Founding Fathers penned the Bill of Rights, little did they imagine that a scant 210 years later the First Amendment would be used by a gaggle of post-adolescent brats to stand reality on its head. And…there is nothing wrong with that. After all, the fantasy of a good movie is…well, it’s the stuff that dreams are made of.
But, that is what Hollywood is all about…fantasy. It’s a dreamer’s world with no reality except money…lots of money.
If your body isn’t perfect just throw a bit of money at a cosmetic surgeon and perfection becomes reality…except for the unfortunate conundrum of Michael Jackson’s nose. If the story isn’t right, throw some money at the screenwriters and divine happiness rules the day. Don’t want happiness? OK…kill the hero. It really doesn’t matter because once the cameras stop rolling, the dead hero rises from the set and lunches at Le Dome. The only reality is the money and the perpetual idiosyncrasies of the Merlins who help propel the humdrum lives of masses into the fantasy realms…if only for a brief 120 minutes.
And…perhaps that’s the stuff that arrogance is made of.
With over $200 billion per year in revenues, it is little wonder that even mediocre souls can find themselves relatively wealthy with a few lucky breaks. And the best? Well, Steven Spielberg can do about $300 million in a good year and it is not uncommon for actors like Martin Sheen to rake in about $300,000.00 per one hour episode of West Wing (which might someday be as memorable as My Friend Flicka). Not bad money when you consider that the President of the U.S. is only paid about $400,000.00 per year.
One of the strengths of America, albeit a vastly dubious one, is the ability of minstrels, jesters and bauds to become multi-millionaires by playing make-believe. It doesn’t matter if you are a drunk, drug abuser or pedophile. If you can act a good game of charades, you can at once become rich and attain celebrity (faux royal) status. But does acting a great surgeon make you a great surgeon? Not!
Is it naïveté, stupidity or arrogance that would lead one to believe that play-acting the role of a President qualifies one to make Presidential decisions? Or, perhaps, a combination of all.
Ramon Estevez (a.k.a. Martin Sheen) might think it strange if Bill Gates used his wealth to dictate Hollywood policy. After all, Gates is a software nerd even if he is one of the world’s richest people. Although…Gates would be within his Constitutional rights. Let’s just imagine what kind of childish whining would gush from the post-sunset larynx of Barbra Streisand if a coalition of Gates, Michael Dell and Steve Case tried to influence lyrical content. Oh…the Mimi is screaming.
Yet, with delusional conviction, more than 100 entertainers, including Martin Sheen, signed a letter advising President Bush on Middle Eastern policy. Our gang of Hollywood “activists” devines that a war with Iraq will "increase the likelihood of terrorist attacks, damage the economy and undermine our moral standing in the world." It is reassuring to know that there is so much certainty from Hollywood in such an uncertain world.
Even more reassuring was the paternalistic dictum from Mike (“I once played doctor”) Farrell who said that the, “Hollywood community was speaking out to show average citizens that it is OK to voice dissent.” Oh boy…wow…pow…Hollywood brings Constitutional rights to the great unwashed.
And now there is the case of Sean Penn. Penn, a has-been actor with a criminal record demonstrating no self-control (he served 32 days in jail for slugging a "Colors” extra and apparently enjoys urinating in public) journeyed to Iraq for a three day “investigation” in order to, “pursue a deeper understanding of this frightening conflict.” Maybe Penn will punch-out Saddam if he tries to take Penn’s picture?
Penn, whose only experience with a college campus might have been on a movie set, further alleges that President Bush, “doesn't provoke thought or challenge my head or my spirit.” Well, at least Penn confirms that there is plenty of room for nonsense in a completely empty head.
Hey Hollywood…get real. Although you silver screen celebs have every right to voice an opinion, that opinion on foreign policy has equal standing with a movie review from a proctology convention.
A person can voice almost any opinion they wish (if it passes PC muster) but to orchestrate an almost P.A.C.-like policy initiative with no greater validity than an opinion is irresponsible.
These Hollywood Pucks acting as statesmen have little vested in the argument. If they are wrong, their privileged lives go on. They are nothing more than a dowager aunt always meddling in parental prerogative. There is no recourse to the consequences of their actions.
The political initiatives of Hollywood are as laughable and dangerous as the lobbying of Lieutenant Thomas Keefer (Fred MacMurray) in the Caine Mutiny. Once the proverbial poop hit the fan, Keefer cut and ran leaving Ensign Willie Keith (Robert Francis) holding the bag…and taking the responsibility. Surprise. Surprise…Keefer was an aspiring novel writer. A dreamer within a dreamland.
These celluloid gremlins posing as serious policy pundits are mostly arrogant frauds with self-serving motives. Penn is undoubtedly trying to promote his rapidly sinking latest flick “I Am Sam”. Again it exposes the glitterati’s moral fabric of doing anything for self-aggrandizement and money.
Thanks but no thanks to the Le Dome crowd. I will take my medical advice from a real doctor and my foreign policy advice from real leaders. They are the ones who must bear the real responsibility.
Most entertainers are dreamers in a dreamland. Their pampered and luxurious lives are lived-out in an atmosphere of fantasy. And they live the high-life with billions of dollars harvested from the pockets of working stiffs. The concept of an over-paid minstrel or jester paternalistically enlightening the masses and dangerously meddling with the enemy spells a capital “ARROGANCE”. Aren’t they happy enough with entitlement?
Having said this, I will now settle down on the couch for some pizza and a video because like the rest of the working stiffs, I need a little fantasy. After all, that is why Hollywood exists.
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