Stars not coming out for troops in Iraq

[buttmunch]

Stars turn backs on America's troops in Iraq

· Danger and anti-war stance keep celebrities away
· Shows now depend on Christian hip-hop groups

Jamie Wilson in Washington
Saturday December 24, 2005
The Guardian


During world war two American troops away from home for Christmas were entertained by Marlene Dietrich, Bing Crosby and the Marx Brothers. Even in Vietnam Bob Hope was guaranteed to put in an appearance. But soldiers in Iraq are more likely to get a show from a Christian hip-hop group, a country singer you have probably never heard of and two cheerleaders for the Dallas Cowboys.
Just as the seemingly intractable nature of the war has led to a growing recruitment crisis, so the United Services Organisation, which has been putting on shows for the troops since the second world war, is struggling to get celebrities to sign up for even a short tour of duty.


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It is a far cry from the days following the September 11 2001 attacks, when some of the biggest names in show business, from Jennifer Lopez to Brad Pitt, rallied to the cause. "After 9/11 we couldn't have had enough airplanes for the people who were volunteering to go," Wayne Newton, the Las Vegas crooner who succeeded Bob Hope as head of USO's talent recruiting effort, told USA Today. "Now with 9/11 being as far removed as it is, the war being up one day and down the next, it becomes increasingly difficult to get people to go."
Newton said many celebrities have been wary of going because they think it might be seen that they are endorsing the war. "And I say it's not. I tell them these men and women are over there because our country sent them, and we have the absolute necessity to try to bring them as much happiness as we can."

Fear is also a factor. "They're scared," country singer Craig Morton, who is in Iraq on the USO's Hope and Freedom Tour 2005, told USA Today. "It's understandable. It's not a safe and fun place and a lot of people don't want to take the chance."

The USO was founded in 1941 as a way of boosting morale for the military. For most of that time Bob Hope, who made his first appearance in 1942 and his last in 1990, was its most recognisable face, famed for putting on Christmas extravaganzas on aircraft carriers and American bases during the Vietnam war. Thousands of performers signed up to play the "foxhole circuit" during the second world war, but the USO has a much smaller list.

Some of the entertainers still willing to travel are die-hard true believers - rock musician Ted Nugent carried a Glock handgun to shows in Iraq last year and said in a radio interview that he manned a machine gun on a Humvee. But many of the USO's regular performers are fierce critics of the war, among them the comic and star of Good Morning Vietnam, Robin Williams, who told USA Today he would like to return to the Middle East in the spring for what would be his fourth tour since 2002. "I'm there for the [troops], not for W," he said in a reference to the president. "Go, man. You won't forget it. You'll meet amazing people," is his message to stars that ask him about the tours. But the comedian said he mostly tries to keep politics out of the show after he did a few jokes about Bush's brainpower at a base in 2003 and got a chilly reception.

Other critics of the war who regularly perform include the leftwing comedian Al Franken (who is headlining the current tour along with Christian hip-hop group Souljahz) and the punk legend and actor Henry Rollins, one of the Bush administrations most vocal critics.

The tradition of beautiful women thrilling the troops has continued - although while Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell showed up in Korea and Vietnam could boast Raquel Welch, in Iraq they have had to make do with sometime pop singer and reality TV star Jessica Simpson.

Wartime entertainers

Second world war 1941 - 1945

Bob Hope
Duke Ellington
The Marx Brothers
Judy Garland


Korean war 1950 - 1953

Bob Hope
Marilyn Monroe
Jane Russell


Vietnam war 1961 - 1975

Bob Hope
John Wayne
Raquel Welch

Gulf war 1990 - 1991

Bob Hope
Steve Martin

Iraq war 2003 - present

Robin Williams
50 Cent
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders

guardian.co.uk

I used to hate those bloody Bob fucking Hope specials. He was so full of shit, with his sanctimonious attitude. Now a days it would be kind of funny to see that crazy fuck Ted Nugent fending off a few insurgents. I bet he's shit himself. Otherwise, it's kind of cool some people are willing to go over but I'm not sure I'd do it.

[bobbysue]

It doesn't surprise me, if there is nothing in it for the Hollyweird star then they won't participate in it. Besides, supporting the troops isn't as glamours and insyle as going to Africa or supporting other causes.

[panda]

Henry Rollins went to Iraq. He had some very interesting stories to tell about his adventure there. Good stories.

[Grimmlok]

I wouldn't want bombs and mortars fired at my head either. Why the hell would I endanger myself by going into an illegal warzone and occupation?

[tofucheesecake]

Kathy Griffin went. She's a very funny comedienne, though not quite the household name. She talked about the experience on her Allegedly show.

I'm wondering what exactly Governator did there...Lift a weight? Teach the troops German?

[buttmunch]

I would love to hear Henry Rollins go off on his experiences. He's great when he does spoken word.

[simone]

Henry Rollins went? I'd love to hear more about this too, and of course, see some pix!!

[pacific breeze]

It doesn't surprise me, if there is nothing in it for the Hollyweird star then they won't participate in it. Besides, supporting the troops isn't as glamours and insyle as going to Africa or supporting other causes.

Most Hollyweird stars would do anything for free publicity. Ted Nugent is a prime example although he's a washed-up rocker, not an actor.

Most people with a brain cell or three between their ears don't support troops in a war that is illegal, immoral and costing U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars every month that could be better spent elsewhere.

The troops there were not drafted, they went of their own free will. That makes a huge difference, IMO.

[Grimmlok]

It's hard to support troops without tacitly supporting the stupidity that sent them to their illegal war.

[lurkur]

Ok, I'm going to stay out of the political stuff but I do have to comment on one thing:

Grouping Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, and Raquel Welch with ---- Jessica Simpson??? Oh no they di'int!

[Wolfwood]

Re: Henry Rollins' Iraqi trip: I found an mp3 last April of his spoken word performance "Shock and Awe" Jan. 18 in Stockholm (three hours 15 min. long! ). He requested to make the return trip there because, despite his widely known stance on President Bush and the war, he can't blame the troops themselves and he actually loved visiting with them.

[buttmunch]

Of course it's not the troops fault. They're just pawns. So, Henry Rollings...over three hours?? Very cool indeed.

[SVZ]

I think you can support the troops without supporting the reasons for the war.

They are people after all.

[panda]

Rollins is so cool. I have seen his spoken word show twice and thoroughly enjoyed every minute! The last show I saw he spoke about the trip to Iraq.

[buttmunch]

I have a CD of his spoken word that is absolutely hilarious as well as thought provoking. He is a bit rough around the edges, but it works for him. Plus, the video for Liar is one of the best and weirdest ever.