Quit Using Music Stars As Your Unwitting Political Pawns, Mkay?
WARNING: Some Language
Politics can go eat shit. If that’s what you’re all off into, that’s fine, but leave me and music out of it. I’m not talking about the left side, or the right side, or Hillary Clinton, or Donald Trump, or classified emails, or irresponsible tweets. I’m talking about it all. Rake it up into a big pile and burn it. It’s all bullshit, and one of the beautiful things about music is it’s a space removed for the morass of political ideologies that have only worked to stagnate human progress by polarizing the population and have as all laboring against each other. And how dare you take your dumbass political agendas and lump them on the shoulders of unwitting country stars just because you think it will help forward your cause.
A few weeks ago at a press conference, Dolly Parton was pelted with political questions as she embarked on her Pure and Simple concert tour. Far be it from the media to ask her about fucking music, seeing how she’s one of the most prolific country music songwriters in history, and is a living musical icon standing in our midst. No, let’s instead ask her about the Presidential race and transgender bathrooms. You know, because she’s uniquely qualified to give her opinion on such matters as a bedazzled music performer full of boob jokes.
After being grilled on the massacre in Orlando and transgender rights, someone asked Dolly about what it would mean to have a woman in the White House.
“Lord help us on who’s going to become president!” Dolly responded. “I don’t know, it’s the greatest show on earth. I’ve never seen anything like it. I think Hillary Clinton would — I don’t think it matters if you’re a man or a woman, I think I’ve proven that in show business. I think if you’re qualified it would be wonderful to have a woman president, if she’s qualified to do the job. I don’t know who’s going to wind up being president but we’re going to have PMS either way in the White House: presidential mood swings.”
This was Dolly Parton’s sweet, playful way of avoiding an arguably inappropriate question. Dolly Parton is a friend of all, and doesn’t want or need to be dragged into the political fray. “I really think it’s important that we as a nation, we as a people, try and love each other a little better and try and love each other a little more,” she said earlier in the press conference. She even said when someone asked her if Donald Trump would be qualified as President,
“I don’t know! I’m not going to get into politics. I’ve been thinking about running for president myself — I have the hair for it. We need more boobs in the White House! You know me, I don’t get into political things, I just hope and pray we get somebody wonderful.”
Because of course, we have to hound Dolly fucking Parton to take a political stance so that the body politic can be satiated with knowing her position on the issues. And even though she handled the ridiculous questions with humor and grace, what was the big takeaway from the press conference?
That Dolly Parton had endorsed Hillary Clinton, because she wants to see a woman in the White House. Like 3-year-old’s sharing a secret, by the time the truth got to the end of the line it wasn’t what Dolly said, but what some wanted her to say. And of course this is ultimately paraded around by left-leaning periodicals and pundits as a victory since Dolly Parton is so revered in the traditionally conservative realm of country music. And all of a sudden Dolly Parton is facing a backlash and losing fans because of something she did not say to a question she shouldn’t have been asked in the first place.
What’s worse is that in this particular political year, if you take a political stance on something, you don’t just risk pissing off half the population, you risk pissing off 2/3’rds of them, because the two major Presidential candidates are so unliked. So on Tuesday (7-5), Dolly Parton was forced to come out and make yet another political statement and more boob jokes to counteract the rampant misreporting.
“This morning while I was watching the news I saw many reports that I had endorsed Hillary Clinton. My comment about supporting a woman in the White House was taken out of context. I have not endorsed Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump. I try not to get political but if I am, I might as well just run myself ’cause I’ve got the hair for it, it’s huge, and they could always use more boobs in the race. But seriously, I have not decided who I’m voting for, but no matter what we’re gonna be suffering from PMS, Presidential Mood Swings.”
The whole thing smacks of when a British tabloid tried to wrangle an endorsement of gay marriage from Carrie Underwood a couple of years back. Look, some country artists choose to take political stances, like Charlie Daniels believing were mere moments away from having hordes of invading Muslims pouring over our porous borders to enact Sharia law, or Willie Nelson saying 9/11 was a conspiracy and pot will cure all disease and solve America’s economic woes.
But the thing about music legends is they are legends for us all, and unite individuals with songs that speak to the universal struggles and shared joys that all Americans and humans experience. If an artist decides to enter the political fray, that’s on them. But it never should be foisted upon them so that music can hopefully remain a respite from political spats, and a place where people of all stripes and political ideologies are welcome.
Garrett Roe
July 6, 2016 @ 11:54 am
THANK YOU!!!! You’ve been reading my mind! When I listen to music, I could care less about politics. Good music is good music!! Leave the politics out of it!
JC Eldredge
July 6, 2016 @ 11:56 am
People are so damn crazy right now that there is no way I would make any sort of political statement about anything if I was a celebrity. Everything is taken out of context or edited or just plain changed to fit the agenda of whoever is spreading the shit. After this and that whole McGraw/Currington mess, they should all just state “I have no political affiliation and no opinion on guns” whenever asked so no one can make a meme or storyline out of a partial statement 5 seconds later.
Jen
July 6, 2016 @ 3:23 pm
Please, do tell? Never heard about that one…
JC Eldredge
July 6, 2016 @ 3:47 pm
Sorry, my first response posted at the bottom of the feed. Oops.
This sums it up
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/tim-mcgraw-and-billy-currington-stir-gun-debate-over-sandy-hook-charity-appearance/
Jen
July 6, 2016 @ 4:21 pm
Thanks. That does explain the Sandy Hook thing. I don’t like Tim’s politics, and after he openly campaigned for Obozo, I stopped paying him or Faith much attention. I love his latest single, but still hate his politics.
I’ve met him (very briefly), and he’s a nice guy, but his support for a president I despise certainly didn’t win him any brownie points with me. I’m not going into anymore than that.
I don’t own a gun, because of my son being disabled, and being able to possibly get hold of it and figure out how to fire it. He’s very mobile, and very capable. If it weren’t for that, I would definitely have one.
As for the rest, I think candidates need to be elected by their own merit, not by scandalously parading celebrities in front of our faces, and not by cheating, which has been noted about one of them.
Jen
July 6, 2016 @ 4:27 pm
I meant to mention one more: Ronnie Dunn. I followed him for a few days on FB. That is the whinest bitch man I have ever seen! He makes my trans husband (STBX) seem downright manly!!!
That man is more afraid than any woman I know!
Tezca
July 6, 2016 @ 5:05 pm
Would you mind explaining more on the Ronnie Dunn thing? I haven’t paid him too much attention on his fb and the last time I did he just seemed to be posting pictures and giving us idea of living conditions in Cuba via his pics. I’m just curious cause I haven’t heard being whiny attributed to him before.
Jen
July 6, 2016 @ 7:05 pm
I couldn’t respond to the question about Ronnie Dunn, because there was no actual reply button.
Ronnie Dunn basically whined and moaned about the state of our country, and came off as a whiny little bitch. Charlie Daniels has a soapbox post every Tuesday. He does mention his opinions, but he doesn’t whine about it. His posts seemed very girly, to me, to put it bluntly. I’m more of a positive thinker, because I’ve started following the law of attraction and other positive stuff. Between him and his followeres, all I saw was crying and moaning about everything. It was just ridiculous! I get that these things are happening, but you’re a grown man, so pull up the man-panties and man the hell up! Stop whining about it and do something! I love his music, but that drove me nuts!
Scott S.
July 6, 2016 @ 12:19 pm
Unfortunately many musicians, as well as other public figures, place themselves smack in the middle of politics with their music, movies, and social media postings. Not to mention their frequent appearances on tv shows. Add this with the media’s agenda of questioning stars about whatever they deem to be politically correct, and the ostracizing those who have differing opinions, and I’m afraid it’s inescapable.
Musicians always have the option of simply saying they want to keep their opinion to themselves. Few do.
Greg Green
July 9, 2016 @ 7:10 am
Good point. So many are blathering beyond their area of expertise and experience that reporters may be conditioned to ask.
But good heavens, this is Dolly Parton, a woman with enough non political experiences to fill 3 books. She was the biggest draw at Glastonbury a few years ago, which still amazes and pleases me. A prolific writer and business woman, an amazing life, truly rags to riches, and this is what some reporters think?
Bigfoot is Real (lonesome, on'ry, and mean)
July 6, 2016 @ 12:28 pm
I have to disagree with Dolly on need for more boobs, seems like we have plenty of boobs already. What? Oh not those kinda boobs? The other kind you say? Well then I guess she might be on to something. Carry on.
Jen
July 6, 2016 @ 4:24 pm
Lol! So true!
Kent
July 6, 2016 @ 12:37 pm
Good article: I just like to add: Political elections should be won through debate and arguments it’s the whole idea with democracy…Not by displaying a lot of stars…
FireGuy13
July 6, 2016 @ 12:41 pm
I hate musicians (actually any celebrity in general) that shoves their views on society, politics, or whatever down their fans’ and bystanders’ throats. There’s a difference between sharing your view on a certain topic and shoving your opinion down everyone’s throats whether or not they wanted to hear it.
Jen
July 6, 2016 @ 1:35 pm
I have stopped buying anything knowingly endorsed by any celebrity who opens their mouth about stupid shit, and I’m not getting into that, here, but if you open your big mouth as a celebrity, prepare to lose fans. You are entitled to your opinions, and I’m entitled to keep my money.
The stupidest things spouting out of the mouts of idiots is being parroted by celebrities left and right, and I’m tired of reading about it. I don’t hear about it, because I don’t have a TV and rarely listen to the radio. Unless you get paid for your politics, such as Rush or G Gordon, please refrain from opening your mouth about politics. I’ve stopped watching/paying attention to anything from several former fav celebs, including a country singer who will remain nameless!
I miss Steve Gaines
July 6, 2016 @ 1:39 pm
Touchdown!
FireGuy13
July 6, 2016 @ 2:17 pm
First I would like to say I absolutely agree with you about how everyone is entitled to their own opinion (1st Amendment baby!).
I just hate people the whole mindset of: “You’re gonna listen to what I have to say because I’m really rich and famous and therefore my opinions and viewpoints are far more important than yours. Your opinions don’t mean shit to anyone.”
My frustration with this began during the whole American Sniper twitter fiasco.
Jen MALCOM
July 6, 2016 @ 2:33 pm
Exactly. These morons don’t realize that they have fans on both sides of the aisle,and all they do is alienate and piss off one side, which is possibly literally half of their fan base, and sometimes more.
Tunesmiff
July 6, 2016 @ 4:31 pm
Two words sum it up:
Dixie
Chicks
MOreb
July 6, 2016 @ 11:35 pm
I feel the same way about large companies. If your PR people decide to shoot their mouth off on trendy political bullshit, you lose me as a customer. Period. Disney, the NFL, and many others will never see a dime from me.
Paul
July 6, 2016 @ 1:03 pm
It’s not just in the US either, and it’s not just musicians. Here in the UK during the referendum campaign we saw celebrity after celebrity wheeled out to make sure the little people heard their opinions to help us make up our minds. It’s like the media think we are too stupid to look at the facts, think for ourselves and come to our own decisions.
Frankly, the political and media establishment can go fuck themselves. I apologise for the profanity.
Corncaster
July 6, 2016 @ 1:17 pm
To win a political campaign, you have to give people a reason to vote for you instead of the other person. You have to create distinctions between you and them. And to do that, you find “wedge issues” that are likely to herd voters to your side rather than to the other. Therefore, politics is all about *creating divisions* between people that you then exploit to garner votes and enact your agenda.
I thought music was supposed to bring people together in a feeling or a truth, not drive them apart, or manipulate them in one direction or another.
Talmadge East
July 6, 2016 @ 2:03 pm
I agree that Dolly Parton was used for other people’s political ends in this instance, and that is often the case with these ambushes. That being said, “music is it’s a space removed for the morass of political ideologies?” Really? Forgive me, but I believe the likes of Guy Carawan, Pete Seeger, Joe McDonald, and the aforementioned Charlie Daniels would disagree. None of these people were ambushed and dragged into a fight they weren’t looking for, but to remove ideology from their music is to remove the reason for much of its being. You can choose not to listen to it, but music more broadly is not and should not be insulated from real life if its goal is to accomplish something. In fact, for it to be effective, it cannot be.
Trigger
July 6, 2016 @ 3:13 pm
If Charlie Daniels or Pete Seeger want to broach political subjects in their music, that’s their business, and it’s their responsibility for reaping the rewards or repercussions for sharing those political views. In the case of Dolly Parton, she went out of her way to say that she didn’t want to get involved in political discussions, yet the questions kept coming, and eventually she was misquoted. This is an instance where an artist tried to take the high ground, and got dragged into the political fray against her will by journalists looking for a juicy story. By proxy, Dolly Parton’s fans and country music in general also got dragged into the fight.
If you listen to a Pete Seeger album, or you go to see Todd Snider or Steve Earle in concert, you know what you’re getting into. My concern is where you have artists who are purposely looking to avoid politics, and get dragged into it anyway. It happened with Carrie Underwood, it happened with Dolly Parton, it happened with Tim McGraw a while back when he just wanted to do something nice for the families whose children were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary. All of a sudden it becomes a situation where if you pledge your fandom to a particular artist, you’re making some sort of political statement at the same time. I don’t have a problem with artists bringing up causes in their music. I have a problem with people interjecting politics into music to forward a political agenda. That’s exactly what happened with Dolly.
Erik North
July 6, 2016 @ 5:47 pm
This is strictly my opinion, but I think a good rule of thumb when it comes to celebrities and/or artists of any kind, be it music, movies, or any other form, is: Expect the unexpected. The same goes for political outspokenness in the public square, be it Left, Right, or Centrist.
As for Dolly, yes, she did not deserve to get used in the way she did in this whole Clinton vs. Trump thing. But it was really the media that used her, not Clinton or Trump. The media just seemed to want to get a snappy sound bite from the woman who came up with one of the all-time great things any celebrity has ever said about themselves: “It costs a lot to look this cheap.” And she is incontestably one of country music’s all-time greatest figures (in every sense of the word, of course), so it can be said that she is an easy target for a news media that’s a whole lot less about news now than it is about what passes for “entertainment” these days.
Dolly is also in something of a unique position. I would guess that she tries to stay out of the political fray, which is her business and which I have no problem with. And for the most part (though I am sure people can name the exceptions), country music has by and large been a politically conservative genre throughout its history. But Dolly’s two TRIO pals Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris are quite another story. They both love country music’s traditional and spiritual roots, but they both reject its political conservatism. And since they both came out of the folk music explosion of the 1960s, they also have a natural streak of being outspoken in terms of politics and social causes. They know that it carries the risks of alienating some of their audience, but those are risks they are willing to take; and in any case, anyone who knows anything about them is aware of all this from the start. Dolly likely is, since she’s known Linda and Emmylou since the early 1970s.
However, I am very wary of people who judge artists/celebrities solely on their politics. For instance, I like much of the late Charlton Heston’s acting performances on film, while I disagreed quite strongly with his right-wing politics. Conversely, Madonna may be someone I should appreciate for her fierce liberal politics, but for me that’s largely negated by her penchant for deliberate shock and titillation, not to mention her music, which I have always found bland, boring, and generic.
Bottom line: art and politics have been intertwined in some way or another since at least the socially and turbulent 1960s, and it is what it is, like it or not. One just has to roll with the punches, and not get overheated about it.
Tunesmiff
July 7, 2016 @ 3:18 am
“Bottom line: art and politics have been intertwined in some way or another since at least the socially and turbulent 1960s…”
If I may, art and politics have been intertwined in some way or another since… forever…
The aformentioned Pete Seeger
Woody Guthrie
Aaron Copeland
Walt Whitman
The Battle Hymn of the Republic
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
The Star Spangled Banner
Michaelangelo and the Popes (no, not a punk band)
Whoever painted the pharoahs’ tombs
Now I’m not saying everything carries a political message, but there has always been some relationship between art and politics
RD
July 7, 2016 @ 3:52 am
Charlton Heston was a liberal who first opposed, then came to support the 2nd Amendment. He also demonstrated with communists during the “civil rights” marches, picketed segregated movie theaters, opposed the Vietnam War, etc.
I don’t think that the political leanings of celebrities are any more publicized today than they were in the past. Back in the 50’s/60’s/70’s, everyone knew that John Wayne, Steve McQueen, Walter Brennan, etc. were “conservative” and that Gregory Peck, Burt Lancaster, Paul Newman, etc. were “liberal.” They endorsed candidates, gave speeches, chained themselves to fences, etc. The proportions today are far different, however. 98.9% of celebrities profess to be liberals and profess to support progressive causes, in order to gain approval from the media and their corporate masters, and also because they are dumb, uneducated, and often drug-addled. The list of so-called “conservative” celebrities, comprising 1.1% or less, consists mostly of Octogenarians who support Israel and tax cuts.
AintHurtinNobody
July 6, 2016 @ 2:12 pm
I’ll agree with you that there’s no need to hound musicians about their political views if they don’t choose to share. It’s one more way the media looks for a soundbite/headline to spice up a pedestrian story (and it’s worth noting that my wife mentioned seeing that Parton had “endorsed” Clinton; unless there were other quotes, this was well short of an endorsement).
However, the subtext of this random note is that musicians should keep their politics to themselves (if it’s not, I apologize, but the commenters so far seem to have taken it as that; maybe I’m addressing them?). I do not agree. A similar argument is made all of the time in sports coverage (stick to sports!). But it’s impossible to separate “politics” (as in, the making of policy, etc.) from other facets of our lives. “Politics” are important, and expecting our music to be devoid of them is asking for bland music. Just the other day there was a story here about royalties for music publishing; that’s political by its very definition, because it regards policy.
Someone is not “apolitical” just because they don’t put someone’s campaign sign in their yard. Musicians/athletes/celebrities are no different. Most of us have political opinions, even if we don’t trumpet them. I’m generally wary of anyone who tells me they’re apolitical; more likely they don’t like the partisan bickering (OK, but some things are unfortunately worth arguing about).
So if a musician choose to share their political opinion, I’m cool with that, so long as they’re cool with me adjusting my opinion on them based on their stance. I’d say most of them are.
Trigger
July 6, 2016 @ 3:30 pm
On Saving Country Music, I have a basic principle: Only broach politics when it is directly germane to the music topic at hand. You’re totally right, sometimes you just can’t avoid politics. I had to bring up politics here to tell this story. The issue I have is Dolly Parton throws a press conference to talk about her tour, and five of the six major questions she’s asked about have to do with politics while she was clearly trying to avoid the subject.
Obviously everyone has a right to share their politics, musicians included. But there are right ways and wrong ways to do it. Maybe if you’re playing hardcore punk, you’re trying to alienate people. As Fireguy13 said above:
“There’s a difference between sharing your view on a certain topic and shoving your opinion down everyone’s throats whether or not they wanted to hear it.”
AintHurtinNobody
July 6, 2016 @ 4:13 pm
Again, I agree with your point on Dolly. She didn’t want to share her opinion but they tried to drag it out of her anyway, and then made whatever headline they wanted with what little they got. So we’re on the same page there.
However, I’m not sure where you’d have us draw the line between “sharing” your view and “shoving your opinion down everyone’s throats.” I still think that what most people mean is this: when I agree with you, you’re “sharing” your opinion, but when I disagree with you, you’re “shoving it down my throat.” The original statement that got the Dixie Chicks in trouble would seem to be a “sharing” of a view (“We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.”), But I bet most of their detractors would classify that statement as “shoving.” It’s very much in the eye of the beholder.
I would not classify any statements made by musicians I disagree with politically as “shoving” their view. I just stop listening to them, and, problem solved. My wife’s cousins at this weekend’s family reunion who launch into political diatribes while I silently stew because I need to keep the peace? *That* is a shoved view.
JC Eldredge
July 6, 2016 @ 3:45 pm
This sums it up pretty well Jen
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/tim-mcgraw-and-billy-currington-stir-gun-debate-over-sandy-hook-charity-appearance/
Jen
July 6, 2016 @ 6:27 pm
Well, I did thank you, where’s my comment?! Anyway, that does sum up the Sandy Hook thing.
I stopped paying much attention to a few artists that actively and openly supported a certain politician that I despise. On the flip side, I was following one for a few days on FB, and all he did was whine about the state of the country (and yes, I mean WHINED)! This, from someone I would have thought to be more like CD. That man whimpered and whined and was more afraid than any woman I know!
JC Eldredge
July 6, 2016 @ 6:32 pm
lol I accidentally commented instead of hitting reply earlier so I actually posted this twice. Your other comment is above in the original post.
Dan
July 6, 2016 @ 3:57 pm
Artists and performers should keep their opionions to themselves, unless they happen to agree with me.
In that case I congratulate them on their principled stand for righteousness.
Enjoy Every Sandwich
July 6, 2016 @ 4:38 pm
The people in the press really have no idea why we ordinary folks hate them, do they? What they did to Dolly Parton is plain dishonest. If she decided to never hold a press conference again I wouldn’t blame her.
Mike W.
July 7, 2016 @ 11:54 am
I think we should hate the “gotcha” press people, like the TMZ types that just want headlines. That being said, the “ordinary folks” should not hate the press as a whole, because factions of it are the only thing keeping certain people honest now quite frankly. Especially on the political side. Look at the new Atlanta Braves stadium being built, a lot of people are only NOW just learning how badly taxpayers in Cobb County are getting screwed on that deal because of local press and sites like Deadspin. Same for the new ballpark being proposed in Arlington for the Rangers. Or the cluster-youknowwhat-that is/was Baylor athletics under Ken Starr. The press still plays a vital role in keeping politicians and figures somewhat accountable for their actions. The problem is when you have reporters like the ones at this press conference, that just want to see their name at the top of the fold and will try and force the story to go where they want it to go, instead of asking relevant, important questions. As Trigger noted below, there are plenty of questions regarding Dolly’s business dealings that a good reporter can/should ask her about. This reeks of a reporter who didn’t want to actually dig up facts or information–i.e. WORK–and instead was looking for a quick and easy headline that would draw attention to themselves and their publication. In other words, the worst kind of press/reporter.
Enjoy Every Sandwich
July 8, 2016 @ 2:29 pm
I certainly agree that good journalism is a necessity for society. The problem is that when so many journalists are trying to advance a “cause” rather than find the truth, that damages trust in the institution. Every thing they say has to be run through the BS filter: is this truth or is this somebody pimping an agenda? This mistrust is not irrational.
jimsouls
July 6, 2016 @ 10:06 pm
Okay, let’s have a media that is friends with the people they cover and refuses to ask difficult questions. Would that make everyone happy?
By the way, it would be great if politicians stopped dragging musicians into politics by using their music at campaign rallies without first being granted permission. If there aren’t any good artists that want you to play their songs, just use “Cat Scratch Fever” or “Wango Tango.”
Trigger
July 6, 2016 @ 11:14 pm
You want to ask Dolly Parton difficult questions? Ask her if she lip synced at Glastonbury a couple of years ago. Ask her what happened with her water park deal with Gaylord. Ask her why she’s abandoned the Opry for the last few years. Nobody should be asked about their stance on transgender bathrooms, especially a music artist.
AintHurtinNobody
July 7, 2016 @ 2:02 pm
Have to pick on this last point: once other musicians started boycotting states because of their laws on trans bathroom usage, the precedent was set and other artists are going to be asked about it as well. It became a fair-game issue — which was, no doubt, part of the consideration by those who boycotted.
Trigger
July 7, 2016 @ 2:51 pm
That’s a fair point, and Dolly is also well-liked in the LGBT community, so that’s another reason for them to ask about it. I still don’t think that excuses them from delving into the Presidential stuff, especially when she said she didn’t want to get into it. Ask her if she intents to play North Carolina, and move on.
Enjoy Every Sandwich
July 7, 2016 @ 2:41 am
Difficult questions are fine, but could they perhaps manage to keep them relevant? And surely you’re not defending the press deliberately mischaracterizing what people say just to generate false controversy?
Fat Freddy's Cat
July 7, 2016 @ 6:24 am
And I meant to add: The purpose of difficult questions should be to find the truth, not to trick somebody into saying something that will get them in trouble.
Chris31
July 7, 2016 @ 5:53 am
Saw Dolly when she came to Atlanta f ew weeks ago because my wife is a huge fan. Didn’t think I would enjoy the show as much as I did…she really did a great job.
Felt like she was trying to set the record strait when I comes to her political views in this show though. I kind of felt like she was defending her stance when I didn’t know of anyone who had challenged it. Thanks for your article Trig because I understand now what she was doing. And I hate she had to even do it at all.
Chris
July 7, 2016 @ 10:56 am
I am sitting at my office, which is about 30 miles from Dollywood.
Dolly has been a virtually unparalleled force for good in East Tn and in Appalachia for many years.
This is the first political utterance I have ever heard her make.
Her response disappointed me, and I hope she doesn’t become an overtly politicized celebrity.
I ignore celebrities’ political opinions, because they mean nothing to me.
I was at a Lucinda Williams show a few weeks ago and she made a gushing reference to Bernie Sanders, which made me wonder whether she was going to split the net box office receipts from the show on a pro rata basis or keep as much of the proceeds as she could.
I suspect I know the answer.
Artists, of all stripes, entertain me.
I get higher authority than them when it comes to politics or personal values.
Trigger
July 7, 2016 @ 11:23 am
But she didn’t make a political utterance. She was bombarded with political questions, and did her best to deflect them and let everyone know she would rather avoid getting involved. Her response shouldn’t disappoint you. It should be the questions and how the answers were construed that should disappoint you.
Chris
July 7, 2016 @ 1:22 pm
Trig –
I like you and your blog a lot, particularly your reviews of artists, albums and the music industry.
But when the topic turns to artists and politics (e.g., Bocephus, the Dixie Chicks, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw at the Sandy Hook benefit concert for the pro-gun control group), you have to have the last word on everything and you insist on speaking infallibly as if you’re the Pope.
From a journalistic standpoint, you have a very large blind spot when it comes to politics.
You get so completely absorbed in the politics, the politicians and the issues involved that you lose all objectivity whatsoever.
You have superior wisdom and experience than most of us who follow your blog when it comes to virtually any aspect country music.
But you certainly don’t when it comes to politics.
Your opinions regarding politics are neither superior nor inferior to those of the rest of us.
Dolly stated her perceptions as Hillary Clinton’s qualifications to be President (“I think Hillary’s very qualified”).
That’s a political statement.
You made the point very well that she got ambushed, which the media failed to do and which frames the perspective that she was understandably flustered.
Lastly, you have no business whatsoever telling me how to feel.
Trigger
July 7, 2016 @ 3:00 pm
Chris,
First, I agree I am not qualified to speak on political matters. That’s why I don’t run a political blog.
But I have to disagree with this:
“Dolly stated her perceptions as Hillary Clinton’s qualifications to be President (“I think Hillary’s very qualified”).”
You put quotes around “I think Hillary’s very qualified” like this is something Dolly Parton said. She did not say that. What she said was, and I quote,
“I think if you’re qualified it would be wonderful to have a woman president, if she’s qualified to do the job.”
That seems to state that Dolly is not sure if Hillary is qualified or not. And she’s making no statement for Hillary as President, she’s simply talking about a woman being President. Obviously Hillary is the only woman running at the moment, but you can still be for a woman in the White House, and not be for Hillary.
My intent was not to try and tell you how to feel. My intent was to try and clarify the facts.
Nadia Lockheart
July 9, 2016 @ 2:41 am
One slight correction.
Jill Stein is also running for president as the presumptive Green Party candidate. So it’s not true Clinton is the only woman running. And who knows if Parton is aware of her candidacy.
Otherwise, strongly agree.
Chris
July 7, 2016 @ 4:20 pm
Thanks, Trig.
I quoted verbatim from one of our local tv news websites.
If all you saw is what you quoted, I agree that isn’t a political statement.
One of the many components of Dolly’s presence in the community is her being above the fray in every aspect of her public life.
Her monetary and other contributions to East TN are incalculable.
Chris
July 8, 2016 @ 8:34 am
This is the article I read:
http://www.wbir.com/entertainment/dolly-parton-says-shed-support-hillary-clinton-if-elected-president/263170883
If the link doesn’t work, go to WBIR.com and do a search for Dolly Parton.
I understand that she got ambushed and, to her credit, she clarified after the fact that she was not endorsing anyone.
Greg Green
July 9, 2016 @ 7:04 am
Funny how I just finished reading about the demise of examiner.com, pushed off google searches for inaccurate reporting among other things. And yet the major and minor networks continue to stumble through inaccuracies and forced controversies like this one.
This might be what happens when you pick someone who doesn’t like or know enough about country music to cover Dolly.
It’s sad because I thought Dolly’s answers were cute and non committal enough, but maybe next time she just needs to say I won’t talk about politics, I’m talking about my tour/record/charity, next question.
Trigger
July 9, 2016 @ 8:12 am
I think some of this, just like happened with Carrie Underwood a couple of years ago, is taking advantage of the kindness of Dolly. That’s what infuriates me so much about it. She’s trying to be playful and entertaining because that’s her job, and the media presents themselves in this case like a pack of wolves looking for a political headline. The reason is because the population is so politically charged at the moment, people barely want to read about anything else. So the media feels like they have to include something political in every subject so people will pay attention. But I think it’s up to the media to stay in their lane, and understand that in a few months the election will be over, and people will begin to focus back on other things.
Erik North
July 9, 2016 @ 10:13 am
I agree that the media does need to stay in their own lane. The problem is, however, that they never do, not when it comes to politics. Politics is now a 24/7/365 cottage industry with them; and as far as they’re concerned, business is booming. To a fair extent, I think it is up to the individual to either turn it all off, or be very analytical and make their own judgments about what is and is not important, and not automatically take anything any media outlet says as The Gospel.
yoly
September 27, 2016 @ 11:47 am
How can we trust Hillary to manage our country when she hasn’t been able to control her husband’s serial adultery? How can we trust Hillary to protect our top secrets, when she’s admitted to being “careless” and “making mistakes” when she was just a Secretary of State. How can we trust her stamina when we’ve all seen the video evidence of her having uncontrollable coughing fits, episodic fainting spells, suffered a head injury, has what appears to be mini seizures and spacing out while talking? She also disappears from public and media eye for weeks and months at a time when she’s ill. And let’s not forget she called black males “super predators” . And let’s not forget that she called half of Trumps’ supporters a “basket of deplorables.” Clinton also told Hispanic voters she was just like their “abuela.” Even though Hillary has never had to cross a border. Work as a maid, had to learn English or lived in an apartment with 12 other people. Clinton will have you believe she’s just like you as she’s wearing a 12,000 dollar pants suit and dawning a 200 dollar hair cut. Trump doesn’t pretend to be just like us. He’s proud of who he is, but still has an awareness of what others go through. This is the type of man we want as president. Vote Trump. Hillary has been in politics for over 30 years, and she’s still talking about the same things she’s been talking about for 30 years. All talk. No action. Vote Trump. He’s a real man in so many ways. Thta’s what we all love about Trump. He’s genuine. So was Bernie Sanders, but sadly, Sanders isn’t an option after Clinton’s DNC criminal cohorts made sure Sanders was knocked off the race. The best revenge Sander supporters can take is to vote for Trump.
Psycholigists show Clinton is PHONY: Sanders is GENUINE. BUt CLinton’s people destroyed Sander’s chances via the corrupt DNC. Best revenge: NEVER HILLARY. VOTE TRUMP. http://www.insideedition.com/headlines/14619-sanders-smile-is-genuine-but-clinton-is-hiding-something-body-language-expert-says