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Stars turn backs on America's troops in Iraq

terpfan1980

Join Date 08/2004

+13

Stars turn backs on America's troops in Iraq

As if we needed yet more proof that many of the so-called "stars" in Hollywood are nothing more than self-centered egomaniacs, how about this article that details that a lot of the Hollywood crowd are turning their backs on our troops in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Before I get ahead of myself here, let me say that some of the names of those that have been visiting our troops are a bit surprising at first, though if you know the history of some of them, perhaps it's not all that surprising. Either way, I'm glad that those individuals -- Robin Williams, Al Franken, and Henry Rollins as examples -- are placing the troops above politics and are visiting the troops via the USO shows. At least those individuals are trying to help support our troops, even as many others turn their backs on them and ignore them while they serve in missions many never really choose to be part of.

Original article snippet follows. Please see original for complete story. Headline is linked.

Stars turn backs on America's troops in Iraq

Danger and anti-war stance keep celebrities away

Shows now depend on Christian hip-hop groups

Jamie Wilson in Washington
Saturday December 24, 2005
The Guardian

During world war two American troops away from home for Christmas were entertained by Marlene Dietrich, Bing Crosby and the Marx Brothers. Even in Vietnam Bob Hope was guaranteed to put in an appearance. But soldiers in Iraq are more likely to get a show from a Christian hip-hop group, a country singer you have probably never heard of and two cheerleaders for the Dallas Cowboys.
Just as the seemingly intractable nature of the war has led to a growing recruitment crisis, so the United Services Organisation, which has been putting on shows for the troops since the second world war, is struggling to get celebrities to sign up for even a short tour of duty
It is a far cry from the days following the September 11 2001 attacks, when some of the biggest names in show business, from Jennifer Lopez to Brad Pitt, rallied to the cause. "After 9/11 we couldn't have had enough airplanes for the people who were volunteering to go," Wayne Newton, the Las Vegas crooner who succeeded Bob Hope as head of USO's talent recruiting effort, told USA Today. "Now with 9/11 being as far removed as it is, the war being up one day and down the next, it becomes increasingly difficult to get people to go."
Newton said many celebrities have been wary of going because they think it might be seen that they are endorsing the war. "And I say it's not. I tell them these men and women are over there because our country sent them, and we have the absolute necessity to try to bring them as much happiness as we can."
{ snip }
Some of the entertainers still willing to travel are die-hard true believers - rock musician Ted Nugent carried a Glock handgun to shows in Iraq last year and said in a radio interview that he manned a machine gun on a Humvee. But many of the USO's regular performers are fierce critics of the war, among them the comic and star of Good Morning Vietnam, Robin Williams, who told USA Today he would like to return to the Middle East in the spring for what would be his fourth tour since 2002. "I'm there for the [troops], not for W," he said in a reference to the president. "Go, man. You won't forget it. You'll meet amazing people," is his message to stars that ask him about the tours. But the comedian said he mostly tries to keep politics out of the show after he did a few jokes about Bush's brainpower at a base in 2003 and got a chilly reception.
Other critics of the war who regularly perform include the leftwing comedian Al Franken (who is headlining the current tour along with Christian hip-hop group Souljahz) and the punk legend and actor Henry Rollins, one of the Bush administrations most vocal critics.
The tradition of beautiful women thrilling the troops has continued - although while Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell showed up in Korea and Vietnam could boast Raquel Welch, in Iraq they have had to make do with sometime pop singer and reality TV star Jessica Simpson.

... more at original article please see original for complete story.

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JillUser

Join Date 11/2003

+17

they have had to make do with sometime pop singer and reality TV star Jessica Simpson.
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I thought that was a crappy thing to say. Why put down someone who is willing to put their welfare on the line to support the troops? I am no Jessica fan myself but saying they have to "make do" with her and then trivialize her career, well, that's just uncalled for. You might not like her but few can deny her sex appeal. I am sure the guys over there don't feel like they are settling with her visits.

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am sure the guys over there don't feel like they are settling with her visits.

No, definately not. Jessica Simpson is not a 'settle for' kind of gal. No, not no way, not no how.

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I am no Jessica fan myself but saying they have to "make do" with her and then trivialize her career, well, that's just uncalled for. You might not like her but few can deny her sex appeal. I am sure the guys over there don't feel like they are settling with her visits.

Anyone who has seen that "These boots were made for walkin'" video ain't gonna feel like they are settlin' either.

Jessica Simpson is nice eye candy.

And yes, I did notice the put down in the original article and didn't comment on same. I'm not sure who the original article author wanted instead, but perhaps that author is a bit generationally challenged and has a grudge against the younger pop-star/model types.

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The reason Hannity, O'reilly, Coulter, and Limbaugh haven't gone to Iraq to entertain the troops is simple: they have no talent! The only thing they know how to do is lie and insult liberals. While Bush sheep might find that kind of thing entertaining, I doubt our soldiers would.

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Haven't seem crap but lies from your face Ben. It must just kill you to know that Franken gets nothing but a "cool reception" when he cracks jokes against Prs. Bush... yet Limbaugh and Hannity enjoy huge ratings from the troops.

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No, but it seems pretty damn important to you.

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Well,unlike kb, I will actually tell you. They have. (dont know about O'Reilly, but dont follow him either). SO you are not only a liar, you are a piss poor one at that! And ignorant to boot.

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No, you see, my family is important to me. Many of the regulars here at JU have become important to me. My guitar is important to me... My country is important to me...

Stating my opinion of your opinion is fun, but nothing about it (other than the right we both enjoy) is "important" at all.

Have a Happy New Year!!!

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I do know that Hannity has went four times. He was bragging about that two weeks ago when blasting at John Murtha.

he musta done a lotta traveling since the democratic convention in 2004 when franken hosted a 25-minute segment with hannity as his guest on air america.

Franken, "How many USO shows have you done?"

"None," Hannity said.

"You don’t have the talent," Franken shot back.

"That was mean and personal," Hannity said.

This maybe splitting hairs here, but Franken asked how many USO shows he had done. Not how many times he has been there. As someone else has said, Hannity is not a stand up comic on a USO tour, like Frankin is when he isn't talking politics. The Army Times did have a review on Franken's first Show. It was not very purity until after he stopped with the political jokes.

Would you have the full transcript of the interview?

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kingbee

Join Date 04/2004

+42

Well,unlike kb, I will actually tell you. They have

just cuz you say so? puhleeeze.

any links to validate your claims?

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Ben....your ignorance is showing, either that or you just can't read! It has already been shown that "both" Rush Limbaugh AND Sean Hannity "have" gone to Iraq to entertain the troops. But unlike you most of our troops are NOT liberals. And they happen to like both Rush and Sean.

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just cuz you say so? puhleeeze.

any links to validate your claims?

I can't find anything on Sean but I have already posted info for Rush! Links? Why so you can say they're full of it? My link was from Rush Limbaugh's own web site. Because of your "attitude" towards Rush, I didn't bother with a link.

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::: Ducks in quick ::: Is it a bad time to admit that I have always thought Franken was pretty funny!! (at least when he wants to be) ::: Ducks back out before the crap flies ::: ;~D

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It must just kill you to know that Franken gets nothing but a "cool reception" when he cracks jokes against Prs. Bush... yet Limbaugh and Hannity enjoy huge ratings from the troops.

But unlike you most of our troops are NOT liberals. And they happen to like both Rush and Sean.

That's prolly why Fahrenheit 9/11 was such a big hit at Bagram last year.

I can't speak to what the troops like (although I feel safe in asserting that the Hooters Calendar Girls were appreciated), and I'm pretty sure you guys can't either, considering that our military is made up of all types of people with all types of political outlooks.

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I can't speak to what the troops like (although I feel safe in asserting that the Hooters Calendar Girls were appreciated), and I'm pretty sure you guys can't either, considering that our military is made up of all types of people with all types of political outlooks.

No I can not say for certain one way or the other. But look at it this way. Do "most" liberals support the war in Iraq? Nope. Since the answer is no, would it not be safe to assume that for the most part those joining the military currently are "not" liberals? Human nature says that if it's something you don't agree with, it's something you won't get on board with.

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It really is excellent when entertainers are willing to play for the troops. This morning on my way into work, I was listening to an interview with Jeffrey Ross, who is a standup comic. Ross has been all over the place, like Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, even Djibouti! He has even accompanied General Myers! What a guy and what a cause. Ross said those were his favorite gigs of all time, playing for the troops overseas. And he recommends the USO to anyone. The USO treated him like a king. First class from LA to Amsterdam then on to Kuwait. Then the bad part: C-130 into Baghdad.

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Well,unlike kb, I will actually tell you. They have

just cuz you say so? puhleeeze.

any links to validate your claims?

And I am supposed to beleive you on your word? I told you to google it and you said "I can't {child whine}". Fine, dont. But the facts are out there for anyone who wants to look at it.

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C-130 into Baghdad.

After a first class ride? That'll ruin anyone's day.

'course, a C-130 ride'll ruin anyone's hearing, much less day.

Having said that ... I always liked the Space-A Transatlantic flights on C-130's out of Ramstein into Mcguire.

Exciting when you're only 11. Not so exciting at 28.

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Having said that ... I always liked the Space-A Transatlantic flights on C-130's out of Ramstein into Mcguire. Exciting when you're only 11. Not so exciting at 28.

I tried to get one at 18 (going to college - Rhein Main to NY), but the greeks and Turks decided to have a spat! So after 10 days in an airport, I hopped a Davis Charter. Never got to ride on a 130.

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:: Ducks in quick ::: Is it a bad time to admit that I have always thought Franken was pretty funny!! (at least when he wants to be) ::: Ducks back out before the crap flies ::: ;~D

Were they laughing with him or at him?

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:: Ducks in quick ::: Is it a bad time to admit that I have always thought Franken was pretty funny!! (at least when he wants to be) ::: Ducks back out before the crap flies ::: ;~D

Were that laughing with him or at him?

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:: Ducks in quick ::: Is it a bad time to admit that I have always thought Franken was pretty funny!! (at least when he wants to be) ::: Ducks back out before the crap flies ::: ;~D

Were that laughing with him or at him?

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kingbee

Join Date 04/2004

+42

And I am supposed to beleive you on your word? I told you to google it and you said "I can't {child whine}". Fine, dont. But the facts are out there for anyone who wants to look at it.

you are pathetic. i didn't say i couldnt google for an answer. i said i'd tried but hadn't been able to find anything reliable. later, when i did find what appeared to be evidence of one trip to afghanistan by the oxycontin kid (who seemed unclear how many days he'd been gone), i mentioned that.

either put up or shut up.

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'course, a C-130 ride'll ruin anyone's hearing, much less day.

and yet we still slept on them before jumping out of them. ;~D

Were they laughing with him or at him?

Probably a little bit of both. ;~D

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and yet we still slept on them before jumping out of them. ;~D

I've thought this before, and I'll say outright this time. You're crazy, Ted.

I was friends with the Rigger School Commander (it falls under the QMCS here at Ft Lee) and I thought he was nuttier than a fruitcake, too. Sheesh.

I've never understood the need to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. That's not saying that I've not done it (any pilot that doesn't train to bail out isn't thinking straight). It's not an activity that I enjoy. Airplanes were designed to fly. Not turn humans into lawn darts.

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