What to do about anti-Americanism among those in the media spotlight?

Cpl Anthony Pearson — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 12:36:34 -0400

It seems that more and more, famous people, large organizations, government officials, etc. are saying and doing things to denounce the United States and the spirit of the American people.

There was a time when it didn't happen much, for fear of losing ones standing in the national spotlight. When it did happen, apologies were usually quick and almost believable.

I don't think that is the case today.

It has pretty much become the cool thing to do in certain circles. It feels calculated. It smells rotten to me, and to many of you, I'm sure.

There is a laundry list of people who smear America and make fun of those who wear it on their sleeves.

My question to all of you is... when you see it happen, or hear it, do you take an action? Do you boycott products? Avoid seeing movies that were produced/directed or contain actors that are known to talk badly about our country? Do you listen to music by musicians who bash America?

I recently read about NIKE in the news, and how they decided to outfit our olympians in colors OTHER than red, white and blue. I admit, on the surface, it seems subtle. In my opinion, it seems very wrong. Olympics are all about national pride, and showing one's countries colors is important. So why ignore it? Is there a message there?

Source: http://nypost.com/2015/07/09/how-nike-made-us-red-white-blue-disappear-at-world-cup/

Ariana Grande is another one. A famous singer, unaware of being video taped, spoke openly about how she hates Americans. Once busted, it was 'tears city' and the apologies are being made. Is that enough? Should she be forgiven? I think not. If I had my way, she would be ignored. Shunned. Record sales would dwindle to a hault. She would become an after thought.

Source: http://www.tmz.com/2015/07/08/ariana-grande-i-hate-americans-donut-shop-video/

But wait, there is more. Much more.

Altman, Robert
Anderson, Gillian
Asner, Ed
Baldwin, Alex
Basinger, Kim
Begley, Ed, Jr
Belafonte, Harry
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
Browne, Jackson
Carroll, Diahann
CCH Pounder
Cheadle, Don
Clayburgh, Jill
Clooney, George
Coyote, Peter
Crouse, Lindsay
Crowe, Sheryl
Cusak, Joan
Cusak, John
Daley, Tyne
Damon, Matt
D'Onofrio, Vincent
Duchovny, David
Dukakis, Olympia
Dutton, Charles S.
Earle, Steven
Elizondo, Hector
Elwes, Cary
Farrell, Mike
Farrow, Mia
Fishburne, Laurence
Flanery, Sean Patrick
Fonda, Jane
Franklin, Bonnie
Garafalo, Jeananne
Gilbert, Melissa
Glover, Danny
Gould, Elliot
Guillaume, Robert
Harrelson, Woody
Harris, Ed
Hawke, Ethan
Howard, Ken
Hunt, Helen
Huston, Angelica
Jackon, Samuel
Kaczmarek, Jane
Kanakaredes, Melina
Kasem, Casey
Kirkland, Sally
Lange, Jessica
Leoni, Tea
Malick, Wendie
Manheim, Camryn
Mason, Marsha
Masur, Richard
Matthews, Dave
Moby
Moore, Michael
Morales, Esai
NIKE
Noth, Chris
O'Neill, Ed
Oprah
Paul, Alexandra
Penn, Sean
Raitt, Bonnie
Redford, Robert
Reiner, Carl
REM
Robbins, Tim
Sarandon, Susan
Shalhoub, Tony
Sheen, Martin
Spacey, Kevin
Steinem, Gloria
Stone, Oliver
Strassman, Marcia
Streisand, Barbara
Swit, Loretta
Terkel, Studs
Tomlin, Lily
Turner, Kathleen
Underwood, Blair
Weaver, Dennis
West, Kanye
Whitford, Bradley
Whitford, Bradley
Whitmore, James
Woodard, Alfre
Wyle, Noah

Many of us have jobs, responsibilities, mouths to feed, bills to pay. Protesting and holding a sign for hours may not be feasible. We also aren't likely to be violent or destructive, nor will our actions grant us media attention in a POSITIVE light, unlike other recent riots.

So how do we fight back? We ignore and shun and make it publicly known that you are against those who are anti-American.

Or, you can read things like this, shrug your shoulders, and do nothing. Status quo. Let future generations deal with the erosion of our culture, pride, and spirit.

I admit, I have done very little. There are shows I love, movies I want to see, music I enjoy listening to... and taking a hard stance would affect those things that I enjoy so much. It won't be easy, but I think I'm pretty much ready to take the leap.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 10 at 2015 12:56 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 12:56:03 -0400

We get as bad a society as we will tolerate. If you don't like their attitudes then don't support them.

It worked with the Dixie Chicks, and it will work with the others.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 10 at 2015 1:03 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:03:34 -0400

I think to even have this discussion, we have to define what "anti-Americanism" actually is. I've seen a lot of people called Anti-American just for challenging certain policies or stating they thought the Iraq war was stupid and misguided. I would add rabid nationalism that brooks no dissent to Anti-Americanism, but that's going to make the list a little longer and more interesting than "dirty liberal hippies."

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 1:05 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:05:02 -0400

Since when is dissenting un-American? There's plenty I don't like about America and the Americans in it; it's my civic duty to recognize the issues and people I don't agree with, and make my voice heard in an attempt to instill a positive change. That's how democracies (and elected representation) work.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 10 at 2015 1:13 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:13:09 -0400

America is founded on the US Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence. Other than that, in my opinion, any "traditional American values" were made as American society progressed. I am not anti-American from the founding sense, but I dislike how the United States is practiced. As a citizen of this great nation, it is my duty to fill in the holes and correct the mistakes that I feel is what is causing damage to the country.

Response by Cpl Anthony Pearson made Jul 10 at 2015 1:35 PM

Cpl Anthony Pearson — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:35:25 -0400

Good comments, everyone. Eye opening.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 1:41 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:41:36 -0400

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 10 at 2015 5:31 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 17:31:44 -0400

For those in media who disparage our country, I hope the country responds by boycotting them.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 10 at 2015 8:32 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 20:32:42 -0400

I hope we examine the question, what have we become?

Response by LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2015 3:19 AM

LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 03:19:49 -0400

It aggravates me when celebrities use their status as a platform for their particular view.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 11 at 2015 3:26 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 03:26:11 -0400

Cpl Anthony Pearson, this is how I feel about these celebrities: