Kerry wants to get in the film business

[KB5252]

Does anyone else see a problem with this? As we have seen recently there have been some very prominent politicians (current and former) who show interest in the film business. It does not matter to me whether they are republican, democrat or independent, this is just a horrible idea and is just about as slippery a slope as I can imagine.

What are your thoughts?

Election panel weighs Kerry's bid to produce movie - Welcome to Charter.net

 

[joevol320]

NK dictator is a huge movie buff, he produced all kinds of NK movies. i guest dictators and dems have even more in common.

 

[volinbham]

Using campaign funds for this is clearly wrong, especially since he can profit from their use.

The Ketchup lady has dough - why doesn't he ask her?

 

[KB5252]

Using campaign funds for this is clearly wrong, especially since he can profit from their use.

The Ketchup lady has dough - why doesn't he ask her?

I certainly agree with you about campaign funds. However my concern goes even further here. I don't like the fact that any politician would be involved in any form of media, especially while holding office. There are just too many ways this can be used as propaganda and would certainly given time be used to corrupt a system that is already very corrupt IMO.

 

[The Dude]

I certainly agree with you about campaign funds. However my concern goes even further here. I don't like the fact that any politician would be involved in any form of media, especially while holding office. There are just too many ways this can be used as propaganda and would certainly given time be used to corrupt a system that is already very corrupt IMO.

It's called freedom of speech.

 

[KB5252]

It's called freedom of speech.

I understand this. I just said i don't like the fact that this is happening. One of the big reasons we will probably pass this insane "cap and trade" bill is the propaganda piece Al Gore put out. It was full of bad information and flat out false figures, people bought into it, now we are about to pass this crap that will do nothing for the environment, not a thing! All it will do is further cripple the American public, many of which are already suffering because of the economy, and line the pockets of the wealthy who have a stake in the credits system.

This is just one example of the reasons I do not like our government involved in propaganda machines, it will only lead to bad things, JMO!

 

[Chemvol]

I certainly agree with you about campaign funds. However my concern goes even further here. I don't like the fact that any politician would be involved in any form of media, especially while holding office. There are just too many ways this can be used as propaganda and would certainly given time be used to corrupt a system that is already very corrupt IMO.

Like "Barack Obama: Live from the Apollo Prescription for America"?

 

[The Dude]

I understand this. I just said i don't like the fact that this is happening. One of the big reasons we will probably pass this insane "cap and trade" bill is the propaganda piece Al Gore put out. It was full of bad information and flat out false figures, people bought into it, now we are about to pass this crap that will do nothing for the environment, not a thing! All it will do is further cripple the American public, many of which are already suffering because of the economy, and line the pockets of the wealthy who have a stake in the credits system.

This is just one example of the reasons I do not like our government involved in propaganda machines, it will only lead to bad things, JMO!

If they're using campaign cash to fund the film, I'm against it like you, but otherwise, I don't care. It's his opinion and everyone has a right to state their own.

 

[KB5252]

Like "Barack Obama: Live from the Apollo Prescription for America"?

I think that was a very stupid move for ABC as far as credibility goes.

 

[KB5252]

If they're using campaign cash to fund the film, I'm against it like you, but otherwise, I don't care. It's his opinion and everyone has a right to state their own.

I agree that everyone has a right to state their own opinion, my problem is when opinion is stated as fact, when that opinion (stated as fact) is lent credibility by said person holding, or having held office is where the lines start to blur a little for me.

I don't think they should be banned from doing so, I just think it conflict of interest more or less. Much the same way as any member of congress voting on a bill that will benefit them or their family, friends, etc does. They should abstain from doing so.

 

[The Dude]

I agree that everyone has a right to state their own opinion, my problem is when opinion is stated as fact, when that opinion (stated as fact) is lent credibility by said person holding, or having held office is where the lines start to blur a little for me.

I don't think they should be banned from doing so, I just think it conflict of interest more or less. Much the same way as any member of congress voting on a bill that will benefit them or their family, friends, etc does. They should abstain from doing so.

Eh, most people who truely believe in something, wrong or not, state it as fact. I don't see how people giving them credibility is their fault.

If stating one's opinion through a movie is a conflict of interest, I'd like to read your opinions on politicians who go on cable news or write books.

Seems like you just want opinions you don't agree with to be muted.

 

[hatvol96]

NK dictator is a huge movie buff, he produced all kinds of NK movies. i guest dictators and dems have even more in common.

Remind me what profession Ronald Reagan and The Governator practiced before entering politics.

 

[KB5252]

Eh, most people who truely believe in something, wrong or not, state it as fact. I don't see how people giving them credibility is their fault.

If stating one's opinion through a movie is a conflict of interest, I'd like to read your opinions on politicians who go on cable news or write books.

Seems like you just want opinions you don't agree with to be muted.

Not at all. I would have just as much problem with Bush or Cheney making a movie that promoted their views of Iraq, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, what have you.

I did do some thinking about it though, after hearing your views. I would not have the same opinion on this if it were say a book. My reasoning for this is that most people who would pick up a book these days are a different breed than those who would see a movie and let themselves be convinced of some insane or faulty argument being presented. In other words they are much more likely to be a thinking intellectual type than the mindless followers so many who watch movies are.

I think it is much different for politicians to go on network news outlets. In most cases they are asked for their opinions on the current topics or for insight to some hot topic issue. I guess my problem might be more with the mindless drones out there who will let themselves be absorbed into some movie and believe it to be real life?

 

[KB5252]

Remind me what profession Ronald Reagan and The Governator practiced before entering politics.

I understand the point you are making but it is exactly backwards in those cases. They used the fame from media exposure to parlay themselves a career in politics. They aren't using that media to promote their agenda.

 

[MG1968]

Remind me what profession Ronald Reagan and The Governator practiced before entering politics.

the difference here is that neither Reagan nor Auhnuld used campaign funds to produce a flick while they were in office, or ever.

as far as Kerry goes, that SOB is the last person who should produce a "documentary" on wounded veterans.

 

[hatvol96]

the difference here is that neither Reagan nor Auhnuld used campaign funds to produce a flick while they were in office, or ever.

as far as Kerry goes, that SOB is the last person who should produce a "documentary" on wounded veterans.

Senators have the same First Amendment rights the rest of us do. I agree he shouldn't be using campaign funds. However, he can do whatever he wants otherwise.

 

[hatvol96]

as far as Kerry goes, that SOB is the last person who should produce a "documentary" on wounded veterans.

Are you saying we should leave that to guys with military service records as distinguished as George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, or Newt Gingrich?

 

[droski]

you don't think the "investors" for kerry's film will be the same people funding his campaign?

 

[MG1968]

Are you saying we should leave that to guys with military service records as distinguished as George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, or Newt Gingrich?

no, but neither should leftist boobs who came home and spit on their fellow veterans in the manner that Kerry did.

 

[hatvol96]

you don't think the "investors" for kerry's film will be the same people funding his campaign?

So what if they are? If people watching a film produced by John Kerry are too stupid to realize the movie has an agenda, I hope they get misled. I like seeing the stupid and the naive get screwed.

 

[hatvol96]

no, but neither should leftist boobs who came home and spit on their fellow veterans in the manner that Kerry did.

I tend to agree.

 

[rjd970]

So what if they are? If people watching a film produced by John Kerry are too stupid to realize the movie has an agenda, I hope they get misled. I like seeing the stupid and the naive get screwed.

Agree with this.

 

[KB5252]

So what if they are? If people watching a film produced by John Kerry are too stupid to realize the movie has an agenda, I hope they get misled. I like seeing the stupid and the naive get screwed.

I understand your point of view here, i even agree to an extent. I would however point out that these stupid people who are easily misled gave us the likes of Bush and Obama, we are ALL getting screwed.

 

[hatvol96]

I understand your point of view here, i even agree to an extent. I would however point out that these stupid people who are easily misled gave us the likes of Bush and Obama, we are ALL getting screwed.

The presidencies of Bush and Obama have not had and will not have any substantial effect on my quality of life.

 

[droski]

The presidencies of Bush and Obama have not had and will not have any substantial effect on my quality of life.

the jury is still out on obama. what happens if he goes back to carter level income taxes (as his economic advisors have implied he might do on cnbc)?