Republicans "FURIOUS" at Jessica Simpson; she snubs Chimpolini

[Bluebear]

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Concerned about politicizing her favorite charity, singer-actress Jessica Simpson on Wednesday turned down a invitation to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush, a snub that left Republicans dismayed.

The apparent final word that Simpson would be a no-show at a major Republican fund-raiser with Bush and congressional leaders on Thursday night came after a day of conflicting reports from her camp and organizers of the event.

The blond star of the film "The Dukes of Hazzard" still plans to visit Washington on Thursday to lobby members of Congress on behalf of Operation Smile, a non-profit venture offering free plastic surgery for disadvantaged children overseas with facial deformities.

People close to Simpson said she declined a request to appear that same evening at the gala fund-raiser of the National Republican Congressional Committee — even after she was offered some private face time with Bush — because Operation Smile is a non-partisan group.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1730806

[KyuzoGator]

1. I hate to say this, but it's going to take celebs turning their backs.

We worship celebrities as gods in this country. They are the ones that are shaping society, as much as it hurts me to admit it.

[Peter Frank]

15. Bullshit!!!

I worship my convictions, as does every thinking person on this planet -- celebrities included.

Celebrities do not shape society -- in their capacity, some choose to reflect it! (for good or ill.)

Take control of your life KyuzoGator and know the power of your convictions. Without people of principle -- there would be no support for the more visible of us.

[KyuzoGator]

16. Did I say you or I worship celebrities?

I said "we" as in all of society. If you don't acknowledge that, you aren't paying attention.

I'm in full control of my life, but thanks for your concern.

[vi5]

17. Yeah, you're a lot more optimistic and idealistic than I am...

Many if not most american people are self centered, short attention span buffoons who ARE more concerned about voting for who wins american idol than they are about who wins the presidency or the senate or the house.

Otherwise the circulations for Mother Jones and The Nation would be higher than the circulations for Us Weekly and People.

[Peter Frank]

20. You're part of the problem -- your arrogant pessimism is no different than

Cheney's.

[vi5]

23. Well, then by all means

pass over some of the sunshine cakes and smile fairies that exist in the world YOU live in, and maybe I'll do a little happy dance like you. But until then I live in the world I see around me and it's clearly not the one you live in.

[Peter Frank]

28. Even More Arrogance...

It takes allot more courage to work for the positive than to remain jaded. You have no idea what I've dealt with in the 55 years I've been on this planet.

[vi5]

38. Who says I don't work for it...

You don't know me in real life, nor do you know what I do and don't work for or what I've dealt with. I work for a lot of change and am incredibly active and involved in a lot of things that I hope make a difference. However, I've dealt with a lot of shit in my own life however that makes me a realist about it. Feel free to live life the way you want and see it through whatever lenses you choose to see it through. But please don't assume to know my level of courage or action in real life.

[Peter Frank]

44. We're on the same side...

Let's not either of us assume that we know the depths of each other's experience. Deal?

[blondeatlast]

27. Bet you are fun at a party.

Talk about self-righteous.

[Peter Frank]

37. I'm Pissed off right now (but I actually am fun at parties)...

It just galls me to here jaded poeple who want to make a difference carry around an elitist attitude.

Yeah, life can really suck. If you're stuck there -- get yourself out. But don't cop a superior attitude if you have nothing positive to offer.

[mondo joe]

53. If it galls you, walk away. It's a free country

(or it's supposed to be). You're not the touchstone of how every person should feel.

[Peter Frank]

59. Never said I was...

...only exercising my freedom of speech ;)

[LeftHander]

32. Not exactly...TV and celebs create our culture...

TV has a big influence on the masses.

When celebrities snub the right it is BIG NEWS on TV and the Media....because it is all entertainment.

And American's place a high value on entertainment much to the deteriment of genuine culture and principles.

So the poster is correct. When celebrities snub Bush it cascades into our culture and will change millions of people's attitudes.

Jessica Simson is a prime example of a TV created celebrity. She projects to a culture of consumption to millions of her fans.

I personally find the whole thing repugnent. But when even media shills and plastic TV celebrities can no longer "afford" to align themselves with Bush...then it is the final stages in a total support collapse. Because the TV watchers are the last to learn the truth. Thier world is 100% entertainment and fantasy....that TV fantasy spills into reality and how they live life.

The TV culture - Medicated, covered in make-up, buying all the products repetededly shown in commercials, shopping shopping and more shopping, unhealthy eating habits from overexposure to fast food and junk food advertising the list goes on and on...

Like popular music only becomes popular when it is played on the OC....Mainstream politics becomes mainstream when it comes out of TV culture.

[Peter Frank]

40. I Get That...

...and actually I was very heartened by the report that J.S. refused the RW offer on principle. It means that the king's "old" suit is becoming more & more transparent to more & more people.

I just hate the unproductive people put-downs -- wherever they come from.

[The Backlash Cometh]

43. Actually...

The older we get the less we rely on celebrities to feel connected to society. But, yes, celebrities do have an impact on the young, especially if the young are not news or political junkies, and that's who the Bush Administration was probably trying to reach out to: The young.

As for this old bird, I had a very low opinion of Jessica Simpson until now. The broad showed a lot of saavy with that reply. Republicans keep thinking that they can do the same things they do, and that there will still be a place, like a non-political charity, where we can co-exists. But what they don't realize is that they poison everything they touch and we don't want to be a part of it, whether it's a Thanksgiving feast or an appearance at a non-partisan charity gathering.

[Peter Frank]

46. Well said...

This admin is "Mommy Dearest" to the world; and dissentors are the wire coat hangers.

[Bluebear]

48. Well put TBC

[acmavm]

18. Nonsense. I have my own opinions. I am perfectly capable

of knowing right from wrong, good from bad, legal for illegal, moral from immoral without any celebrity having to tell me what's what. So are most Americans. But celebrities have one thing we don't. Access to public airwaves and newspapers.

[vptpt]

21. You're right

A big part of our population flips the tv past the pictures of what's going on in Iraq to get to Entertainment Tonight. So it's a good thing for us to have George Clooney on their tv screens saying, "Watch me wiggle my head, I'm so cute! DON'T VOTE REPUBLICAN!"

Maybe for the next presidential election, we could rename the process American Political Idol. Maybe they'd pay attention then.

[A Simple Game]

25. Access to airwaves and newspapers, exactly.

And don't forget the supermarket aisle.

They might not mention that the senator from Podunk gave the speech of his life, but they will mention and mention and mention what the celebrity of the hour has to say or do. And Simpson still has some time to go in her hour.

[LeftHander]

34. Most Americans don't know...30 plus hours per week of TV

Many many millions of Amercans are tottally influenced by TV and Media. In fact the vast MAJORITY of Americans. Jessica Simpson is a pure product of Television.

Don't try and kid yourself that when a culture watches 30 plus hours of television a week that that they are NOT influenced and guided by the culture projected by the television.

If you watch that much TV then you are watching WAAAAYYYy to much.

Turn the tube completly off for a month. Then return and watch an hour of prime time....

[Imagevision]

56. Maybe it's best Jess keep her political views to herself...

Like Bush would have really helped with her cause.

[sendero]

2. I find it interesting and telling...

... that this is such a big deal to Republicans.

Aren't they the ones always telling us that we shouldn't be listening to the "Hollywood Elites"? Do they really think a tacit endorsement by an airhead "actress" is going to rescue their useless, failed El Presidente in the polls?

[Iris]

12. well, she's not really elite.

She's just one of "them down-home southern girls".

[chefgirl]

3. I'm floored

Who knew Jessica Simpson had a brain??

-chef-

[Cobalt Violet]

29. I have heard that she is quite smart.

I have no links but I once read a story that she has a very high IQ. If that means anything.

[Dem Agog]

39. I wouldn't go so far as to say she has a brain...

I have always been repulsed by Jessica Simpson because she is a right wing pigdog. I hate her for the same reason I hate Britney. Beautiful bimbos who are too stupid to understand anything, so they follow their "deep Christian roots" and support hateful bigots.

Apparently Jessica's publicist gave her a clue yesterday. She accepted initially. Someone probably told her it only would make her look worse.

So I still can't stand her, but hey good for someone in her "camp" for giving her the half a brain she so desperately needs. It will only improve her image.

[chefgirl]

41. I can't say I disagree

What you say is probably more to the point than Jessica actually having a brain herself, but I'll still give her credit for seeing the sense in that advice.

-chef-

[Crankie Avalon]

4. Just yesterday we had a thread badmouthing her for initially accepting...

...the Republican invitation: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x668670

Well, good for her. I won't deny I don't think she's particularly talented, but I have to respect this bit of good taste and judgement from her.

[blondeatlast]

30. I share your pain, but I gotta give her props, too.

Of course, I think she has management that sees her career and Bush's poll numbers following each other in circles, too.

I'm ever the cynic, I know.

[tecelote]

5. Imagine!

Someone would try to keep their politics to their selves? Is she American? I mean a "real" American?

Doesn't she know we are at war here in America?!

[Missy M]

6. I applaud her for turning the invitation down. Didn't think she...

had it in her but that took guts.

[merbex]

7. Her Father/manager knows what 33% translates into-

=offending 67% who also have cash to spend

[PA Democrat]

11. Exactly! Jessica has a smart manager capable of reading the

political tea leaves. I'm also sure that the impact of supporting Bush on her career figured as much as the impact on contributions to her charity.

[opihimoimoi]

8. KICK

:kick:

[Divernan]

9. Children overseas w/ facial deformities? Like Iraq & Afghanistan?

What do a US shell fragment, or a little ole' splash of white phosphorus, or perhaps major birth defects from parents' exposure to depleted uranium or being caught in a burning or collapsing building from US mortar rounds ALL have in common? Each of them could cause severe facial deformities!

How truly DESPICABLE of Bush to try to piggyback on to this charitable effort - like he or the GOP fundraisers give a flying F*** about children like these. They haven't put in any pork barrel projects to provide free or low cost dental care to US kids, have they? I mean if they were going to help anyone with severe facial deformities, they'd start with sending Condi to an orthodontist.

[Kelvin Mace]

10. Mary Carey is still coming

no pun intended.

[muchacho]

13. you go...

...you moderately talented hot girl!

[vptpt]

24. Moderately talented?

You're a lot kinder than I am, muchacho!

[rpgamerd00d]

42. Um, say what you want about her politics, but she is a great singer

Very, VERY talented. And her hotness is beyond compare.

[Mika]

14. I'm a member of Operation Smile, and I'm happy to hear this.

It wasn't a fundraiser for OS.

[AndyA]

19. One of the few intelligent things she's done

I've never been a fan of hers, and I only caught parts of her show once or twice on MTV. When she acted like she didn't know the contents in a Chicken of the Sea can was tuna and not chicken, that did it for me.

Too stupid to be unsupervised, that's for sure.

This decision to not meet with Bush is the only intelligent one she's made, and it was likely made by someone else, and she's just going along with it. But nevertheless, it sends a message to the Bush Crime Family® that people are on to them, and will not continue to be manipulated.

Unfortunately, this is only because the poll numbers have dropped so much. But better late than never.

[tlsmith1963]

22. I Usually Think of Her as an Idiot...

...but Jessica showed some rare intelligence this time. Hey, I would snub him too!

Tammy

[no_hypocrisy]

26. Good for Jessica, However, you can kiss any money to Operation Smile

good-bye. An elephant never forgets . . .

[Bluebear]

31. I was hoping they would give "Condi" a smile makeover

I guess that is out of the question now.

[meegbear]

33. I take back 75% of the bad things I've said about her ...

you go girl!

[LeftHander]

35. Sure she was advised to not accept by major sponsors...

WOuldn't want to have a downturn in sales because of a "charity" apperance with a unpopular President...

[Bluebear]

47. Whatever it took.

Good to see poor Bush throwing another tantrum. :rofl:

[bunkerbuster1]

36. No surprise to me. Simpson has been pretty enlightened...

"It was unbelievable. They didn't show a lot of what really went on with the enemy attacks and the shelling. There was so much stuff that went on and somehow the tapes got mysteriously misplaced. It put everything in perspective for me. It really did teach me the definition of sacrifice. I can't even fathom being out there right now. I was ready to come home."

from
http://www3.contactmusic.com/news/index16.htm

I've had to remind my better half, when Jessica makes a TV commercial appearance, that we probably shouldn't razz her--she's probably one of the good guys.

[Bluebear]

45. Cartainly better than Brittney "We must support our President" Spears

nt

[The Stranger]

49. Kick it and recommend it.

I thought I hated her, now I love her.

And what's with the flame war, people?

[MadHound]

50. LOL, but hey, as a consolation prize

The Pukes will have that wonderful, wholesome, All American actress Mary Carey in attendance.:eyes:

[Bluebear]

51. More "face time" with Bush for Mary Carey. nt

[MadHound]

52. Oh, you had to go and do that didn't you?

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

And now thanks to you, a vision that I was trying to avoid is going to haunt my nightmares all week! Thanks!

[MrPrax]

54. People are overstating 'celebrity' here:

The really fascinating aspect to pop culture have been TWO distinctive and threatening trends to the Media machine:

One is the one your using, right now... :hi: from a non-celebrity and 'you like me, you really like me' coz your reading this...

The other is this curious phenom that celebrities and their employers are having a problem dealing with...'reality' programming...

If you notice that when the public is actually given an opportunity to escape 'celebrity' marketing, they do so in droves--the public MUCH rather watch people who look and act like themselves...whether it be the tried and true formula of a talent contest, speakers' corners, interesting documentaries about young kids eating MickeyDs or parapelgic rugby players, people like yourself trapped on a desert island, goofey scientists disproving myths, etc...the notion of 'regular' people being involved in their own Media is new and threatening to this group of 'professional' entertainers.

Women like Britney, Paris and Jessica are popular largely because they act and look like the same inarticulate self-absorbed young girls you are likely to meet in an mall....it sure isn't their talent.
Men like sports for the same reason, the various athletes are people you are likely to have known in high school and college. Sports is also the ONLY thing on TV, other than the local news, that is live and that means it's unpredictable (who wins? who loses?) and spontaneous...again these two concepts are an anathema to 'canned' entertainment.

The public has a lot of contempt for the system these days that goes beyond simple partisanship...if anything it has merged into one centrist mass, where most people generally agree on most things.

[Imagevision]

55. Obviously Jess's plans were more important then a Bushy fund raiser.

But there are countless things that are more important then what President Bush may want from a fellow American... what's he done for us lately?

[Beelzebud]

57. Not suprising really. They sent her to Iraq to paint a happy face on war.

And when she returned she spoke out about all the fucked up shit she saw while she was there, and actually did not play into their propaganda BS.

She is a no-talent hollywood brat, but I have to give credit where it's due.

[kayice]

58. I, too, am surprised and impressed by her speaking out.

We should not be so quick to beat the girl down, she is not one of my favorites but she and Nick did go over to Iraq even if it was cheesy, and little did we know she would have the guts to speak out against the conditions.

It is better than her keeping quiet and going along with the charade.

Now, O'Lielly and Rush might want to sign on for a USO tour in Iraq. (Hell would freeze over first, before they get their fat arses outta their chairs.)

[Catherine Vincent]

60. What's the big deal?

She's still a republican right? If Bush was able to run again, she, more than likely, would vote for him again in spite of the failure he is.

[Peter Frank]

61. That seems somewhat shortsighted...

You have to give her credit for standing up to Bu$h; and for setting a good example, don't you?

[RB TexLa]

62. if you are raising money for something, it's pretty stupid to bring

politics into it.