Aragorn takes on Sauron
It may just be gossip, but Lord of the Rings star Viggo Mortensen has been taking on President Bush: "I'm not anti-Bush; I'm anti-Bush behavior. In other words, I'm against cheating, greed, cruelty, racism, imperialism, religious fundamentalism, treason, and the seemingly limitless capacity for hypocrisy shown by Bush and his administration."
You go, Aragorn!
(Although, surely, Bush isn't Sauron and the White House isn't Barad-dur. That would be giving them far too much credit -- it's more incompetence than evil that defines them.)
You go, Aragorn!
(Although, surely, Bush isn't Sauron and the White House isn't Barad-dur. That would be giving them far too much credit -- it's more incompetence than evil that defines them.)
posted by Michael J.W. Stickings at
12:40 AM
5 Comments:
I dislike the Bush Administration, but I can't get too excited over an actor preening about how he opposes such and such kind of behavior. For the most part, I suspect Mortensen has nothing but knee-jerk reactions to things and I resent no nothings using their celebrity to advance their own agenda. Frankly, I think you or I could make a far more cogent and nuanced argument against Bush, but who is going to listen to us (other than other bloggers). I have little patience for Hollywood celebrities emoting--whether its Bono or Streisand or whomever. When have you ever heard any of these celebrities actually make an intelligent argument that doesn't rely on ad hominem attacks and overgeneralizations? I couldn't give a good goddam what Viggo thinks--I liked him in Lord of the Rings.
By
Anonymous, at 11:54 AM
So what does him being in hollywood have to do w/ being allowed to have an opinion, and state it? Are you saying if he wasn't in hollywood, but rather sat in his basement in his boxers blogging, his comments and opinions would be ok? He's an American, and has every right to his opinion just as much as anyone else, celebrity or not. In fact what makes O'reilly, Hannity, or even Jon Stewart above actors/musicians? They are all celebrities, why should their opinions count? I've seen Mortenson on TDS and some other stuff, he's pretty highly educated and well read from what I understand. So, talk about knee jerk reaction... please look in the mirror. And don't generalize him w/ Bono who has given more of his own time and tons of money towards aids and hunger. He puts his MONEY where his mouth is, better than most I'd say.
By
Anonymous, at 2:39 PM
I do agree, I liked him in LOTR though.
By
Anonymous, at 2:49 PM
Marc's point is that Mortensen's comments aren't particularly interesting and are thus no more quote-worthy than those of a dude bloggin in his boxers from his basement.
Of course Mortensen has a right to his own opinion, but being a movie-star shouldn't lend him any additional weight/credibility.
Not only did he do a spot-on portrayal of Aragorn, I also thought he single-handedly raised Hidalgo from being a really bad movie to a fairly decent little story.
By
Anonymous, at 4:46 PM
My point was not that Mortensen doesn't have the right to his opinion. My point was that I don't care what his opinion is. He doesn't like Bush--so what? Why is that more worthy of being posted than Joe Schmoe's opinion?
And I'm not really criticizing Mortensen--he was asked questions and he answered them. But I don't see why anyone should particularly care what an actor thinks--it's not like he brings some special insight. Yes, I resent the idea that people will listen Viggo Mortensen because he was in a movie,but they don't listen to others that probably have more to say.
No offense intended to Michael, but I guess I was really questioning why he chose to include Mortensen's comments. Was he just looking to post some anti-Bush comments? I just don't see why Mortensen's comments are worthy of publication.
By
Anonymous, at 11:41 AM
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