If you operate within the lofty confines of the entertainment industry, not toeing the leftist political line can be the kiss of death. However, as the lockdown on liberty has become more prevalent, some celebrities appear willing to go public with conservative views. From Hollywood to members of the music industry, the trampling of individual freedoms has finally gotten personal. Some entertainers are putting their talents to use in defense of liberty.
Born To Be Free
Cantankerous Irish musician Van Morrison has been blasting away at the COVID-19 restrictions with such songs as “Born to be Free,” “No More Lockdown,” and “As I Walked Out.” Morrison’s lyrics in “Born” tell the story:
Van Morrison
“Don’t need the government cramping my style
Give them an inch, they take a mile
Take you in with a phony smile, wouldn’t you agree
The new normal is not normal
it’s no kind of normal at all”
In “No More Lockdown” Morrison really let it rip:
“No more lockdown
No more government overreach
No more fascist bullies
Disturbing our peace
No more taking of our freedom
And our God given rights
Pretending it’s for our safety
When it’s really to enslave.”
The folk-soul-rock singer makes no bones about the fact that he believes the government is using the coronavirus to trample on individual liberties. “I call on my fellow singers, musicians, writers, producers, promoters and others in the industry to fight with me on this. Come forward, stand up, fight the pseudo-science and speak up,” Morrison said.
Singer/songwriter Eric Clapton has collaborated with Morrison on yet another song called “Stand and Deliver,” which is intended to raise funds for the Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund. Morrison set up the entity to provide financial aid to musicians during the worldwide pandemic.
Without vinyl or CDs, musicians have been squeezed as technology continues to revolutionize the music entertainment industry. Such as it is, live concerts have become a crucial money-making element for performers. But that has come to a screeching halt during the COVID crisis reducing ticket sales to a trickle and forcing musicians to go bust.
Isaiah Washington
Coming out for liberty and in defense of President Donald Trump is actor Isaiah Washington. Known best for his role on “Grey’s Anatomy,” Washington went on NewsmaxTV to discuss his latest work and riff about being a black conservative in Hollywood. “When I really saw the press coming and attacking me – again – for a narrative, for something I actually didn’t do, I started looking at myself [and saying] it looks like President Trump and I are two wolves on different paths. As a citizen, as a veteran, as a human being, I just thought that it was wrong for the press to be doing what they were doing. I didn’t see it as them being fair.”
In November, legendary actor Kurt Russell took The New York Times bull by the horns, saying that entertainers should zip it when it comes to telling their fans how to think. “I’ve always been someone who felt we are court jesters,” Russell opined. Russell’s longtime partner, Goldie Hawn, chimed in, “The one thing I don’t agree with is that just because we have a platform, we always have to use it,” she asserted. Russell has previously described his political philosophy as libertarian.
Rounding out our top five entertainment contrarians is Jon Voight. In a video, the Academy Award-winning actor spelled out his political leanings. “President Trump,” said Voight, “is the only man who can save this nation.” He went on to say, “We must not allow our nation to crumble. This is what they want: to destroy America.”
Voight’s message was met with a litany of abuses on Twitter. Bishop Talbert Swan tweeted, “Jon Voight can go to Hades with a gasoline soaked jumpsuit.” Filmmaker Andy Ostroy piled on with, “Truly great actor, really awful human,” in response to Voight’s pro-Trump endorsement.
Caution to the Wind
Few celebrities have been willing to throw it down when it comes to their conservative leanings. The ruling class in the entertainment industry does not permit intellectual freedom. Such as it is, these entertainers have demonstrated courage in the face of fierce political opposition. Sometimes it’s nice to see people who just don’t give a damn what others think.
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Read more from Leesa K. Donner.
