The Matt Damon Political Bigotry Thread

[Daverz]

Why anyone would pay an actor any mind in regards to politics in the first place, is beyond me? Although, I suppose it is better than listening to your church but only slightly.

People seem to want to know these things about celebrities.  It reminds me of a Kinks song (there's a Kinks song for every occasion), Top of the Pops:

"Now my record's number 11 on the BBC
But number seven on the N.M.E.
Now the Melody Maker want to interview me
And ask about my politics and theories on religion."

If Damon didn't know that much about Palin back then (but probably knew more than McCain!), we sure know too much about her now.  She has a 33% approval rating in Alaska.

[Daverz]

Brian, do you really have nothing beter to do?

That's a shitty thing to say.  We could all find something better to do.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Finally, if we're going to discuss bigotry, it might help if we all knew what it is.  Wikipedia's definition agrees with my understanding of the term: "A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance and animosity toward those of differing beliefs." 

And you left out the remainder of Wikipedia's definition: "The predominant usage in modern English refers to persons hostile to those of differing race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, various mental disorders, or religion." None of that applies to Matt Damon's assessment of Sarah Palin.

[Josquin des Prez]

I don't know whether Matt Damon is bigoted (i despise Sarah Palin so i'm unconcerned on his thoughts on her), but he is definitely a giant douche bag and this thread is a waste of time.

[Josquin des Prez]

And you left out the remainder of Wikipedia's definition: "The predominant usage in modern English refers to persons hostile to those of differing race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, various mental disorders, or religion." None of that applies to Matt Damon's assessment of Sarah Palin.

Please. That's the Marxist interpretation of the word and is as politically loaded as they come. The dictionary definition is all you need.

[Josquin des Prez]

The only thing about Matt Damon that interests me is his acting skill.

Of which he has none.

[Daverz]

Please. That's the Marxist interpretation of the word and is as politically loaded as they come. The dictionary definition is all you need.

I looked for "bigot" in my dictionary.  Your picture was there.

[Brian]

Please. That's the Marxist interpretation of the word and is as politically loaded as they come. The dictionary definition is all you need.

Oxford English Dictionary
bigot

†1. A religious hypocrite; (also) a superstitious adherent of religion. Obsolete.
2 a. A person considered to adhere unreasonably or obstinately to a particular religious belief, practice, etc.
2 b. In extended use: a fanatical adherent or believer; a person characterized by obstinate, intolerant, or strongly partisan beliefs.

I'll be honest, I did not expect that to be the definition 

[(poco) Sforzando]

Please. That's the Marxist interpretation of the word and is as politically loaded as they come. The dictionary definition is all you need.

Please yourself. You're missing the point, which was that Ross was relying on the Wikipedia definition (not one from a standard dictionary), while leaving out the portion of it that failed to suit his needs.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Oxford English Dictionary
bigot

†1. A religious hypocrite; (also) a superstitious adherent of religion. Obsolete.
2 a. A person considered to adhere unreasonably or obstinately to a particular religious belief, practice, etc.
2 b. In extended use: a fanatical adherent or believer; a person characterized by obstinate, intolerant, or strongly partisan beliefs.

Sounds like a good description of, for example, McCain opposing DADT. It's the qualities of fanaticism, obstinacy, irrationality, and intolerance that characterize your true bigot, Not a good description of Matt Damon on SP.

[Philoctetes]

That's a shitty thing to say.  We could all find something better to do.

I think given Brian's response to that post, that he took it in the way that it was meant. We're all wasting our lives.

[Philoctetes]

Please yourself. You're missing the point, which was that Ross was relying on the Wikipedia definition (not one from a standard dictionary), while leaving out the portion of it that failed to suit his needs.

While I agree with JdP in regards to Damon's dearth of acting talent (even though he's a super sweet dude), the big S makes a good point. It was another case of quote mining.

[(poco) Sforzando]

We're all wasting our lives.

Even John Williams?

[Todd]

Sounds like a good description of, for example, McCain opposing DADT.

Curious, I thought that was more a flip-flop on McCain's part, done out of what he perceives as political necessity.  That seems more pragmatic than bigoted, however much you may not like it.

[greg]

Oxford English Dictionary
bigot

When I double-click the word, my popup dictionary has a better definition:
"A person who is bigoted."

(or maybe not...)

[(poco) Sforzando]

Curious, I thought that was more a flip-flop on McCain's part, done out of what he perceives as political necessity.  That seems more pragmatic than bigoted, however much you may not like it.

Are you actually suggesting John McCain is not a man of principle? "You may think I'm a bigot, but I'm only a bigot out of political necessity!" And yet even after being re-elected, he was as obstinately and implacably opposed to DADT as ever.

[Todd]

Are you actually suggesting John McCain is not a man of principle? "You may think I'm a bigot, but I'm only a bigot out of political necessity!" And yet even after being re-elected, he was as obstinately and implacably opposed to DADT as ever.

He's a politician.  His principles shift in order to get elected, then reelected.  A few years ago he was not opposed to lifting the policy put in place by the last Democratic president.  Things changed, so now he is.  His actions epitomize (political) pragmatism, not bigotry.  Because you don't like it doesn't mean he's a bigot rather than an opportunist/survivalist, unless, that is, you have some evidence as to what he personally believes. 

[Florestan]

Oxford English Dictionary
bigot

2 a. A person considered to adhere unreasonably or obstinately to a particular religious belief, practice, etc.

This would automatically make all Jews bigots because of circumcision, a particular religious practice to which they obstinately adhere, many of them even without being particularly religious. 

And anyway, considered by whom? Whose standard is to be applied?

[Todd]

And anyway, considered by whom?

A different bigot? 

[Josquin des Prez]

I looked for "bigot" in my dictionary.  Your picture was there.

All i care about is the preservation of western civilization. Right now the current iteration of liberalism is the number one enemy to the culture and values i cherish above everything, so being called a bigot by the likes of those who subscribe to this suicidal political philosophy is a badge of honor for me.