Right on -- in fact, rather similar to the musings (or ramblings) of newspaper columnists whose previous body of work fails to come to mind. Might one say forgettable?

These celebs make their livings pretending. They have no concept of reality. How can we expect them to have a clue about the world we live in.

Sadly if the candidates spoke to the voters in anything above cliches, they would get blank stares and Huh?

Ms. Crowe even got the toilet paper thing wrong. Most of the rolls contain sheets that are not square, they are slightly rectangular. Check it out.

Way to go Doug!! I think that we can put some others actors on your list: Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, George Clooney, Sean (beat the paparazzi to death) Penn (remember his violent-streak?), P-Diddy (what's a P-Diddy, by the way?), and numerous others. Let's not forget our favorite documentary film maker, Michael --the fat slug-- Moore.

Wow, Doug really seems to have his finger on the pulse of pop culture: "I can't remember the names of Cusack's movies, so possibly they were what we critics like to call "forgettable." He's starred in some all time classics. And "Nick Whatshisname"? c'mon...

This is my favorite line to come from a Mormon paper "Cusack plays the role of a political commentator who's utterly convinced that he's got some enlightenment that the rest of us don't have, even though it sounds straight from a script." Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?

What makes you so high and mighty? This rant reeks of jealousy, maybe it's because nobody asked you for YOUR opinion on whom to vote for? Maybe it's because you're still writing for DNews and haven't made it to the "big time" yet?

As Cusak says "I know my opinion doesn't matter more than anyone else's"

Neither does yours Doug. Get over yourself.

Excellent article! Good points.

Re: Kettle
Who's 'high and mighty' here?!?! What celebs do you endorse? Good job Doug.

I'm not a celebrity and have no desire to be that well known. But I have done something that most of the celebs don't do, and that is finish college and speak regularly to my elected officials about my concerns. And I'm willing to bet that I have more inifluence with my local politicians as a result than the celebs do with the nation. Be an informed voter and you'll make all the difference you need.

Sheesh!

'Mormon paper', 'What makes you so high and might?', '...nobody asked for YOUR opinion...'

Looks like someone struck a nerve.

Well-written, entertaining article, Doug.

Re: dubbybear | 11:23 a.m

I don't really endorse any celebs, and I wouldn't look to them for political advice. Which I think was the point of the article but, Doug’s condescending attitude got in the way of what could have been a nicely written article.

Doug’s article had a few good points however it was over shadowed by his arrogant and downright rude comments made towards others. Why wouldn't celebs/actors know about political candidates, the environment, marriage, parenting, or other political causes? Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger seem to know a thing or two about politics? So why not Cusack?

It's possible to not be a politician, and still know a lot about politics. We could also assume that Doug doesn’t know anything about politics, he's just a writer. Right? Wouldn't that be an unfair assumption?

I totally agree with you.

The writer of this article can't even name a Cusack film yet, seems to have a real insight about Cusack's knowledge of politics. Sounds like Doug has not done a lot of research before submitting his article. Seems like a pointless bashing of celebs to make himself feel better.

Kettle, it appears you've been reading Doug's column for quite a while. I complement you on your taste.

Some valid points, but one must apply the same standards to the celebrities of the conservative right. What formal education or recognized credentials do Rush, Glenn Beck, Hannity, et al. have? Did any of them major in economics, history, political science, foreign affairs, or military strategy in college? How many even finished college? (OK, Medved and Savage have PhD's, I know, but Lonsberry dropped out.) Most are not experts, but simply entertainers who know how to work their mouths in a way that successfully and engagingly delivers an audience to advertisers-- an important skill, but not one that necessarily gives them the props to discuss foreign policy credibly. Maybe they are autodidacts. Maybe they have private tutors. Why should we trust the political analysis of some small town DJ who hit the big time any more than a small town actor or singer who made it? I'm just saying that before you dismiss the views of a Hollywood celeb as unschooled and irrelevant, consider that he or she may be as educated on an issue as the pantheon of talk radio. BTW, certain Hollywood types ARE educated. I dare you compare SAT scores with Danica McKellar or Jody Foster.

Lagomorph:
You make a good point. I looked up information on Rush, Glenn, and Sean, and they didn't finish college. Here's the difference though. If I don't want to hear what they have to say, I just don't listen to or watch their shows. But thanks to the media, our lives are pervaded with celebrities. Whatever channel I turn to or magazine I see, there's some celebrity blah-blahing about their political views. While official political commentators get paid to voice their opinion and actually do research on what they're talking about, celebrities get paid to be in movies and TV, and that's it. I bet their managers cringe when they open their mouths without a script to follow.

I can name numerous John Cusak movies, I even sat through "Martian Child" (I bet I am the only person in America that can say that), but aside from his ability on the big screen, I wouldn't trust him any farther than I could throw him with politics. Here is some free advice. Never trust any of the following: Oil company execs, Insurance agents, Pharmacutical companies, Auto mechanics, Politicians, and Actors. They all make their living trying to get something from you (most often your cash) and if you ever find that someone from one group reccomends someone from one of the other groups, RUN! It is a sure fire scam. If an insurance company suggests a drug, bet that there are kickbacks from the pharmacutical boys. And if an actor endorses a politician, you'd better believe that there is something in it for the actor.
Darwin was wrong, it is the greedy, not the strong who survive.

Bigoted, anti-a-specific-religion types have no business criticizing an article deriding celebrities and politics?

Applause to Kettle. Doug Robinson has become the elitist person that he so high and mightily speaks out against. Shut it off Robinson--we've had enough of you since about the time we finished--oh I don't know--maybe college.

Regarding actors, you said:

"Most are not experts, but simply entertainers who know how to work their mouths in a way that successfully and engagingly delivers an audience to advertisers"

Looks like the prototypical, webster definition of a politician to me. Now why are the two so chummy all the time?

"We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together."

--Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961

Obviously, Eisenhower was a liberal loony.

For accurately framing the elitist mentality of celebrities who think that being a celebrity somehow gives them a keener insight into the real world.

It's hard to see the real world, however, whizzing from their mansions to their private jets in their chauffer-driven limosines.

So true! So funny. So sad.

Re: Kettle | 3:17 p.m

So, why don't you do us a favor and tell us who IS allowed to criticize an article deriding celebrities and politics?

What business is it of Doug Robinson's to criticize a persons intelligence? Especially one he's never even met!

To: Re: Kettle | 3:17 p.m. June 17, 2008

Self-righteous name calling isn't very "Christ-Like".

It's true that celebraties can promote short-sighted, self-promoting, misinformation. But so can newspaper columnists.

Mr. Robinson, can you appreciate the great amount of public awareness created for HIV/AIDS by courageous celebraties such as Elizabeth Glass, Rock Hudson, Magic Johnson and Elizabeth Taylor. They had an immense positive influence on the public's desire for factual information and protection from this exceptional disease.

In the future try focusing on the positive aspects of a story. You might be more well received and viewed less as a bigoted, narrow-minded elitist like some of the celebraties that you denounce as being long on advice and low on smarts. Look at yourself before you put pen to paper--it might make a difference on how you come across and how you are received.

Oh, how the glorious wisdom of Doug Robinson ranks right up there with fortune cookies.

Some of the other comments about Dougy Doug were more appropriate but as the Deseret News you hurriedly had to edit them out. Too bad. At least the fortune cookie hits home. When will we be blessed to not hear any more from the elitist hypocrite Doug Robinson.

I think Mr. Robinson and I are like minded on both celebs in politics and our take on John Cusack's politics. Unfortunately, Mr. Robinson delved into poor name calling which to many will invalidate his points.

I certainly would say that John Cusack is a good actor and not "forgettable" as Mr. Robinson tagged him.

Most of Robinson's or my generation (giving Robinson the benefit of the doubt on his age) love the movie "Better Off Dead" and the exploits of Lane Meyer on the K-12!

Cusack's movies have included the critically acclaimed (even by this rag) movies such as "Eight Men Out," "Say Anything" (don't we all remember him holding up the boon box outside serenading his love interest to "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel) "Grifters," "Con Air" "High Infidelity", "Serendipty," "Being John Malkovich", "The Thin Red Line" and my personal favorite "Grosse Point Blank" (which I highly recommend to Mr. Robinson as the ultimate Cusack experience--again I believe the D-News gave it three-and-a-half or even four stars).

Yes, Cusack's opinions on politics are annoying as are many celebs who claim to know all. But again Mr. Robinson demeans his arguments by demeaning Cusack's true artistic abilities.