(Newser)
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The Best Picture winner is unknown, but one thing is certain on Oscar weekend: “Talk radio hosts and conservative columnists will trot out their annual complaints about Hollywood,” and that whole shtick is getting old. First of all, writes Bill Maher in Variety, “You never see Hollywood begging Washington for a handout, like corn farmers, or the auto industry, or the entire state of Alaska.” Second, and perhaps more important, liberal actors know their place: on screen, not in politics.
“Republicans say they hate celebrities who get involved with politics, but you would too if the best celebrities on your side were Chuck Norris and Bo Derek,” Maher continues—and the truth is, “they more than anybody fall in love with any D-list celebrity who happens to lean to the right, to the point where they actually run them for office. You don't find the equivalent of Sonny Bono on the left—or Fred Thompson, or George Murphy, or Congressman Gofer from The Love Boat.” Sure, it’s easy to hate on vocal liberals like Sean Penn—but “they're just people with opinions. None of them hold elective office or are trying to.”
