Celebs use status to promote war

“If the so called mainstream media has a hard time figuring out what kind of country we are, it must be even more difficult for the entertainment industry…For decades actors and actresses such as Bo Derek, Marilyn Monroe, Ann-Margret, Connie Stevens, Jill St. John, and Raquel Welch, joined Bob Hope in freely giving of their time to entertain the troops overseas, as did musicians like Louis Armstrong. Filmmakers like John Ford and stars like John Wayne had no problem making pro America, pro military movies. That’s no longer the case. Now Hollywood actors like Robert DeNiro and Gary Sinise, and performers like Wayne Newton, are the exception rather than the rule on a USO tour. Worse still, many of today’s actors are activists against American foreign policy and use their celebrity status to try and drive a wedge between the commander in chief and the troops he leads.” (North p.249-250)

Although the passage we read has been written by who most view, a controversial, conservative political figure, a lot of what Oliver North says rings true… he likes to point out that many years ago it was very common for celebrities to encourage the war, and that now, it’s just simply not the case. Today, Mr. North reminds us, that things are a bit different in that we see more and more high profile figures opposing the war and furthermore, discouraging others from being active. It is also Mr. North’s contention that the United States may win ANY war if the media would just stay out. He believes that the American people and media are the only force that can “beat” the American government.