I don't know why, but generally I'm not a fan of actors getting into politics. That said, I'm with you Pop on preferring the actor version of Ben.

molli I am with you. I HATE it! I don't care what they have to say politically. Most of them are morons (not all) and I would prefer for them to entertain me. Although I don't like Ben as an entertainer either.

WTF.. he is not even educated on what he is talking about. I am so sick of these do as I say.. but not as I do. hey Ben.. you are so green huh? Last I checked you were tooling around in an audiA8. Yeah such a GREEN CAR!! Maybe the color you picked. HYPOCRITE!!!!

Yes, cine_lover, I too prefer actors to stick to entertaining. I'm all for people expressing their personal opinions, but politics is such a touchy topic. Oh and I don't care if I share the actor's political views or not, I just don't prefer to hear about it.

well at least he can talk about more than just movies...

I actually enjoyed hearing his view point and like that he had the balls to stand up and say how he felt.

I think it is perfectly ok for actors to express their opinions. They are citizens and constituents, and it is actually everyones OBLIGATION to share your opinion on policy, especially if the elected representatives are not standing up for your values.

Regardless of what you think about politics, I think everyone has the right to speak. CEOs and uber rich executives get to use their influence with money, other people have to actually use their voices to spread their thoughts.

He may have the right to speak but he sounds like a total hypocrite: all that stuff about going green and the last time I checked, he has several SUV's and a private jet.

I too like it when the actors entertain us, not lecture or tell us about their personal opinions. It's a turn off to me but hey, some people like it, to each his own. Watch out though, last week I got told I had a Nazi mentality for feeling that way by a rabid Johnny Depp fan. LOL

Oh but Scarlet... he is rich..he does not count. LOL.. Well, I am a citizen and I think he SUCKS as an actor. How can someone make one really good movie and than put out CRAP and still be considered a Hollywood heavy weight? Are we that desperate for male actors? There are soap opera actors that have more talent than him. He is the last one to call anyone a PU$$Y!!!

Does Ben really have a private jet? I don't think he does. It's really Ben's choice to voice his opinion about politics. All people are hypocrites.

Violet is soo cute. A blonde now. Ha.

Jillness, they get to use their money to influence along with their voices. And you are absolutely right, part of what America what it is IS freedom of speech. But I think most celebs are hypocritical, and are uneducated. They jump on the Liberal bandwagon because that is the cool Hollywood thing to do. If you are Liberal that is great, but if you are going to preach know what you preaching. Last election so many celebs were wearing their Kerry buttons, but did no know who the vice president elect was. I think that makes not only them look stupid but reflects very poorly on the Left wing population.

Classy he may not own one, but he rents one often enough.

When they call people names like that, it generally turns a great deal of people off (think how many people he offended by saying those things). Therefore, they lose fans and that is why their people try to keep them quiet.

Oh no, just a thought....now he is going to check into rehab

If he had a point he would not have to use those words in my opinion. Uneducated people turn it into a verbal assault as opposed to stating the facts and having a discussion on topic. Calling people pu$$ies is just sad. But I guess that is how big his vocabulary is!!

Ben didn't need to use the choice words but I think he makes a valid point. Bob Shrum (the campaign manager who coincidentally has sunk 8 presidential campaigns) alleges in his new book that John Kerry made his decision to vote in favor of the Iraq war on politics--not on merit. There was also a report on CNN.com this morning alleging that 94 senators (out of 100, people) did NOT read the report supporting the invasion of Iraq before approving it.

I think Ben just sounds like an average angry citizen who has been heavily involved in politics and is frustrated with the disconnect between the democrats' words and deeds.

More power to actors who give opinions based on experience! And at least Ben votes. The turnout in presidential elections here is pathetic. Someone needs to be loud until people start caring about the process and holding elected officials accountable for the decisions they make.

I agree that actors don't always present their political beliefs in the best way (or the party they affilate with). However, I think we have had waaaaay too much "You shouldn't say that" in our country recently. Maybe it is what we haven't been saying that has landed us in the pickle we are in right now.

I actually saw the show with Ben, and I didn't agree with everything he said, but he did make a lot of really valid points. I can't see the clip Sugar used right now, but he had a lot of vary articulate things to say on the show. (and FYI-I am not a democrat per say...more like a demo-libertarian hybrid)

I agree dropstar, we need more people voting! Less than half vote in the US, compared with 85% in France's last election.

I think people use words like "pu$$ies" when they are passionate about something...if only more people in the US were passionate about their politics!

IMO, politics in the US focus too much on being politically correct and not offending anyone and grammar, that we never move on to the big REAL topics that are harming our country. I would continue, but I am sure no one wants to hear it...

cine_lover... I completely agree and couldn't have said it better.

It's a ridiculously un-American statement to say entertainers should not discuss politics. Why the hell not? I doubt any of you would criticize a rapper's message in his songs--predominately one glorifying bigotry against women, girls, and gays--so why the protest when it comes to actors' politics, especially if it's positive? Every film, album, TV show, etc. expresses a point of view--an opinion--on the world around us, so there's no reason to throw a hissy fit now when an actor says, "This is what I believe..." If you want to call him out on hypocrisy fine, but don't say he shouldn't express his beliefs.
And this is from someone who thinks Affleck is an idiot--on most matters. But, at least, he cares. Back in 2001, he and Matt joined Harvard students protesting for living wages for staff. Ben's parents (or at least one of them) worked as Harvard staff so he understood the issue on a personal level and I was impressed w/ him.

Jillness I could not agree more with the way to much "you shouldn't say that". This country is becoming WAY to P.C. I think neither side wants to listen, they just want to place blame. Be it Liberal, Conservative or anywhere in between. No one REALLY listens or is proactive. And most people don't educate themselves on the topics at hand. It scares me that some people I know base their politics on a Michael Moore documentary, (I am neither Republican nor Democrat as i feel that both sides don't stand for what they are suppose too) or listen to the loudest person out there. Well now I am rambling and off topic. But I feel that if we had great candidates to vote for, people will vote. But in recent years it has been a choice between two evils, so people feel what is the point. But isn't it irritating that people complain about America, yet they don't vote?

Oh, and I'm not fond of his use of slurs, like, p**** (I don't care for "dick" either so I'm no hypocrite). It's no better than Coulter slurring Edwards as a f*****. It's like being a girl is offensive to people.

I don't know why anyone who DOESNT want to hear about political opinions would be watching that show. So why shouldn't he have said something about his political viewpoints on Maher's show? That's what it's for.
That said...I don't watch it anymore because the language was just too much for me.

how vulgar - perhaps the recent rosie/eh debacle has truly turned me off from the entertainer/politician dichotomy, but i really am offended by rants like this...if you have a point, so be it, but don't offend my intelligence with lewd ramblings...seriously, i think its the over-usage of the nsfw language that really has me mad...does he want his daughter to learn to fight with the brashness/offensiveness of her words rather than their content?

canthelp...You are right that Maher is a political show, so if you don't want to hear what actors have to say don't watch it, but many times actors talk about it during the Oscars or events in which I am not watching for political debate.

at least he is passionate about something!!

We here in the US value our right to free speech and I for one think EVERYONE has a right, no duty, to speak out. I don't agree with 99.9% of the drivel spewed by anyone but I sure as hell think everyone deserves a say. I cuss like a damn sailor (mostly cause I'm related to lots of them ) but if you want to engage in real debate & discuss real issues it behoovs you to to not cuss. But I curse out the news all the time in my kitchen with the windows open!

I personally think that there needs to be more FACT out there and less opinion from News sources. Right now, no matter what "side" you are on, there are just too many editorial outlets and not enough resources that are the basis of journalism: Who, What, When, Why, Where, How. News channels have sold their souls to the obnoxious, loud mouthed pundits who make news more "exciting" and far less REAL.

When it comes to individuals who are not getting paid to share the news, I think they have every right to their opinion. I am just so tired of having to watch/read Fox, CNN, MSN, The Wall Street Journal...and then having to sift through all of the contradictory information and try and decipher what is the truth from the butt loads of personal bias that muddies the waters at every source.

I LOVE me some political debate! But only with people I can speak to face to face. My best friend & i get into drunken yelling matches at bars all the time. People think we are insane! esp. when we pay each others tabs & walk out together!

right the eff on Jillness! News should be FACT not opinion. But unfortunatly that isn't the case...

I really dont care what he has to say about politics, Didnt even bother clicking the video. All I care about is the fact that that little girl gets cuter everyday! I wonder why she looks upset though?

Jillness, I could not agree with that statement more. I have the hardest time watching the "news".

Jillness, you are SO right. I think the nation is so divided based on where they get their news from. My family in the midwest has a totally different take on the issues than I do here in California, and it has a lot to do with the headlines and how the issues are protrayed.

Ultimately, I do think that all sides (Dem, Rep, etc.) want the country to thrive and be secure. They just disagree on how to do it. If they wouldn't take it so personally when others disagreed, we might have more direction.

Thanks, guys!

The sad thing is that while we all agree that the facts matter the most, it is probably Ben's opinion that will get the most media coverage tonight!

Sigh...

exactly! I admit that I take things personally sometimes & that is my own fault. BUT politicians & pundits take things WAY too far sometimes... a la Ann Coulter (who, if I ever see face to face, I WILL smack)

Go Ben! For once it is nice to see an actor expressing views that are obviously his own and not following the status quo. Could have done without the language though haha.

Actually that is only a small snippet of the whole show. Yes he used some vulgar language during that portion, but he is obviously very passionate about the subject. If you had watched the whole show...available on YouTube...Ben made several valid points and was very articulate and insightful, especially about the "War on Terror".

Cindy Sheehan said in a statement Monday that many Americans care more about the next winner of American Idol than than the lives of our soldiers. I agree. People will willingly sit and vote over and over for a bunch of lousy singers. But they won't vote in an election that determines the direction of our nation. Almost everyone has an opinion on health care, abortion, education, the Iraq Occupation, taxes, and social security. I wish more people would voice those opinions and then get off their lazy behinds and vote. The Iraq funding bill is a big issue. I was not happy with the way some of my elected officials voted. So, I called their offices and gave them He**. I emailed them in greater length. I also called those whose vote I agreed with and thanked them.
I watched Mahr's show last Friday. While I am not a fan of cursing;I would love to see more people this passionate about our soldier's lives.

I peronsonally love Bill Maher's show (I have been in the audience 3 times). Even though he is a libertarian and tends to agree with the current version of "democrats" the most, he will call out either party if he disagrees with them and will give props to either party if they show common sense. He has republicans on every show, and encourages his audience before the show to be nice to those they might disagree with (aka no booing), because it takes balls to face a mostly left audience.

The former prime minister of Canada was on there a couple times, and boy did she have an interesting persepective. Dang, this has got me CRAVING facts and political talk! Sashak, I am like you! I love political debate! It is hard on the computer though...people can misinterpret passion for pissiness!

Jillness, Janeiro, Liliblu: AMEN!!!

Jillness, You've summed up nicely what I was thinking on most of your posts. Fantastic! I think you get the gold star for the day!

And Sashak, I am so glad to hear that you can have those discussions with your best friend. I find too often that among my friends, any political discussion of any depth is off the table. Actually, I feel like most topics of any depth are off the table lately. Everyone is so worried about not offending someone, and I think to a greater degree, people are just not educated. Maybe people are just so saturated with the weight of the world they don't want to have those conversations.

It is quite depressing that I have to have discussions on the internet to engage in any kind of intelligent discourse. (See: Reddit)

Mahr usually has interesting and entertaining guests. Sometimes I'm surprised by a guest. I love it when a singer, actor, or comedian is well informed on political and social issues. Even when I don't agree with a person's opinion, I respect the fact that they have one.
I often laugh at the Jay Walking clips on the Tonight show, but it's really sad. There are so many people who have no clue about the people running the country. There are people who still think Barbara Bush is the first lady.

AMEN Ben. He is so right on with his analysis. He's a citizen that is interested in politics - just like any of us. He is certainly "allowed" to speak his mind. He was invited on the show to offer his opinions - and he did. He is sooooooooo right. The democrats have wimped out. No one will stand up for our son's and daughter's fighting in Iraq. No one. His commentary is jarring because it's truthful and unspoken in the media.

After work tonight I turn on the news:
* FOX-Hannity and Colmes on Rosie ODonnell
*CNN-Nancy Grace fights for victims rights...as long as it involves something salacious
*CNBC-Donny Deutch-how to be a better businessperson
*MSNBC-To Catch a Con Man

None of these showcase the real and most presssing events! It is like "News Light".

It doesn't appear as if I am alone. I hope somone will notice....

:: cough ::

Citizen Sugar?

I didn't see the entire show. I did watch the clip, and I agree with some of what's being said here.

The last time I checked, this was America, a place where everyone is entitled to their own opinion and free to express it. Just because he's an actor, famous, rich, and a celebrity doesn't make Ben Affleck any less entitled than anyone else to spout off -- however profanity-laden -- his opinion. He did so in an appropriate forum -- Bill Maher's show is a perfectly acceptable medium to use the kind of language and demonstrate the level of energy around the topic that Affleck did. Nothing wrong with what he did. Because he's famous, Ben Affleck is automatically more of a target for this kind of criticism than "regular" people.

As a nation, we are veering into dangerous territory with freedom of expression around a lot of topics, most notably our involvement overseas. Whether or not someone's opinion is for or against the war is not a statement about their patriotism, their loyalty, or their dedication to this country and what it was founded upon. What SHOULD BE considered questionable is the apathy that grips so many of our fellow citizens or their rampant disinterest in voicing an opinion.

When we get to the point of being too afraid to say something out loud, we've reached a very frightening place in our evolution. It's not a path we should be striving to continue walking down. We should be championing anyone brave enough to stand up and say what they think. Forty years ago, that kind of courage created social change. Now, it promotes fear.

What's wrong with this picture?

I'm with the people who don't generally care to hear celebrity political opinions, mainly beacause a) a great deal of them are uninformed idiots (like Paris Hilton who did all that publicity for Vote or Die and then failed even to register much less actually vote in the '04 election) and just because they have a right to speak publicly and the means to do it on an international level doesn't mean they should be spouting off every little thought that comes into their heads, and b) the majority of celebrity opinions (which potentially influence popular opinion) fall mostly on one side of the argument since Hollywood doesn't tend to be what you might call "tolerant" of non-liberal views. That said, I respect Ben Affleck and, though I don't usually agree with him, know him to be someone who is informed and who puts his money and his time where his mouth is. Unfortunately, as someone else mentioned, cussing isn't a great idea when you're trying to make a serious point because it just looks juvenile and as if you don't actually have a valid argument, even if you do. Maybe he'll realize that and speak more eloquently next time.

Jillness, some of us have requested some sort of politically centered Sugar site before. I'm glad you brought it up again, I'd LOVE a forum like that for all of us who enjoy this kind of discussion. And CitizenSugar is a perfect name for it!! HINT HINT to the High Sugars!!!

He's right. The democrats deserve to be cut down because of the lack of backbone. Just because he swears or because he's an actor doesn't mean it isn't true. Personally, I have no problems with actors voicing political opinions, because I find the general masses to be completely ill informed also. Half the time I think some people just shouldn't be allowed to vote at all. At least with Ben he knows some history and he's politically active, instead of most people who sit and complain.

Just saw him on Bill Maher's show the other night - must have gotten him riled a bit up politically.