Another look at Hollywood’s 2004 activism

Patrick GOLDSTEIN’s claim that the strident activism of Michael Moore and other Hollywood liberals during the presidential campaign seriously influenced significant numbers of “everyday Americans” to vote Republican would be laughable if his conclusions were not so simplistic and insulting to both conservatives and liberals in the so-called cultural debate [“Curse of the Limo Liberals,” Nov. 16].

Goldstein would have us believe that “real people” voted for Bush because they felt insulted by the politicking of arrogant movie stars. However, in the exit polls after the election, Bush supporters did not mention Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” as a factor in their decision. Rather, they cited issues like Bush’s record on homeland security and “moral values” such as opposition to abortion and gay marriage. Goldstein insults these voters when he suggests that their disdain for Hollywood’s “limousine-liberals” determined their selection of Bush over Kerry rather than their passion for important issues.

To suggest, as Goldstein does, that “the showbiz world” can connect politically with pro-lifers and born-again Christians by just going out and listening to them is naive at best. Has he really listened to their narrow-minded views (stop abortions but deny low-income children federal healthcare) and to their religious fanaticism (ignore scientific discoveries and read the Bible literally)? If he has, then he is living in the same fantasy world of “fluffy comedies” that he claims America craves.

Stephen Kelley

Los Angeles

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Bush won because of the lies he and his Rovian crowd sold to the uninformed, not because Michael Moore, Al Franken, et al, attempted to counteract those lies.

The job of the Democrats is to educate the people who still believe Saddam Hussein was behind 9/11, not train those who know the truth to speak softly.

Victoria Thompson

Los Angeles

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What a great article; it made my day. The “celebrities” are out of touch with real people. Middle-class Americans, who work for our living, not being paid $5 million to $30 million to “act,” are behind Bush.

Megan Mills

Crestline

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Does Patrick Goldstein enjoy mouthing the same words as the right wing and the Republicans? They must take great comfort in his latest mean-spirited attack on anyone who tries to make a difference in this town.

The easiest thing for any celebrity to do is to do nothing because, that way, no one is offended and your career is safe. Instead of supporting those who choose to stick their necks out for what they believe in, Goldstein blames them for turning off Middle America.

Here’s the truth: Because of the work of people like Michael Moore (who, by the way, comes from the real Middle America) and Jennifer Aniston, Bruce Springsteen and others, a record number of people came out to vote, more than had ever voted for a Democrat in the history of the United States.

If the purpose of Goldstein’s diatribe is to get “Hollywood” to mind its own business and stay out of electoral politics, is he now going to call upon the Terminator to resign? After all, Arnold has the biggest limo in town.

Ari Emanuel

Los Angeles

The writer is Michael Moore’s agent.