# Entertainments that you as a liberal/conservative shouldn't enjoy but do anyway? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 27, 2010, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606 "2010-08-27T00:52:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![whole\_bean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@whole\_bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whole_bean)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/21 "2010-08-27T18:42:21Z")
> [@multimediac17](#): > > You don’t hear much about artists like . . . Willie Nelson etc. appealing much to the (again, stereotypical) gay audience. > [@](#): > > Nelson released the song “Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other”, a song promoting the awareness and acceptance of homosexuality, in reference to gay cowboys, as a digital single through the iTunes Music Store on Valentine’s Day 2006, shortly after the release of the film Brokeback Mountain. The song was encouraged by Nelson’s tour manager and close friend David Anderson, who said “This song obviously has special meaning to me in more ways than one. I want people to know more than anything—gay, straight, whatever—just how cool Willie is and … his way of thinking, his tolerance, everything about him.”[20] Regarding the song, Nelson quoted “The song’s been in the closet for 20 years. The timing’s right for it to come out. I’m just opening the door.” [Cite](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Nelson) ---
**Author:** ![whole\_bean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@whole\_bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whole_bean)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/22 "2010-08-27T18:44:23Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > I’m a liberal, and I think “Sweet Home Alabama” is awesome. > [@](#): > > In 1975, Van Zant said: “The lyrics about the governor of Alabama were misunderstood. The general public didn’t notice the words ‘Boo! Boo! Boo!’ after that particular line, and the media picked up only on the reference to the people loving the governor.”[3] “The line ‘We all did what we could do’ is sort of ambiguous,” Kooper notes “‘We tried to get Wallace out of there’ is how I always thought of it.”[3] Journalist Al Swenson argues that the song is more complex than it is sometimes given credit for, suggesting that it only looks like an endorsement of Wallace.[3] “Wallace and I have very little in common,” Van Zant himself said, “I don’t like what he says about colored people.”[3] > > The final line of the song indicates that it may be against racial discrimination: “My Montgomery’s got the answer.”[citation needed] This is a reference to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which led to a Supreme Court decision declaring Alabama’s racial segregation laws for buses unconstitutional.[citation needed] > > In 1976, Van Zant and the band supported Jimmy Carter for his presidential candidacy, including fundraising and an appearance at the Gator Bowl benefit concert. [Cite](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_Home_Alabama_(song)) ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/23 "2010-08-27T19:09:17Z")
Old school Chuck Norris films. ---
**Author:** ![Disheavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/24 "2010-08-27T20:22:46Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > I’m a Liberal. I like bull fights. Though I must admit my enjoyment decreases in proportion to the number of helpers the matador is allowed. In my ideal world, bull fighting would still be legal, but the matador would only be allowed his (or her) cape and sword. Unreal- I have this exact same fascination with them. One of my favorite childhood memories was going to a bull fight in Mexico and seeing a bull take out 3 matadors (by mild goring) before finally being killed. It was just awesome! I appalled my wife when I stated that I intended to take our kids if we were nearby a ring during an event. In a similar vein, one of my best friend’s dad was chairman of a high level economics department, chairman of the board of TIAA-CREF, and long-time friends with Milton Friedman. My friend and her mother swear that the only reason that they had and have cable TV is so her dad can watch all of the professional wresting that he can find. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/25 "2010-08-27T21:55:41Z")
Bullfights. I don’t care, I like them. Whether the bull temporarily wins or not. ---
**Author:** ![multimediac17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@multimediac17](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/multimediac17)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/26 "2010-08-27T22:17:36Z")
> [@whole\_bean](#): > > > [@multimediac17](#): > > > > You don’t hear much about artists like . . . Willie Nelson etc. appealing much to the (again, stereotypical) gay audience. > > > [@](#): > > > > Nelson released the song “Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other”, a song promoting the awareness and acceptance of homosexuality, in reference to gay cowboys, as a digital single through the iTunes Music Store on Valentine’s Day 2006, shortly after the release of the film Brokeback Mountain. The song was encouraged by Nelson’s tour manager and close friend David Anderson, who said “This song obviously has special meaning to me in more ways than one. I want people to know more than anything—gay, straight, whatever—just how cool Willie is and … his way of thinking, his tolerance, everything about him.”[20] Regarding the song, Nelson quoted “The song’s been in the closet for 20 years. The timing’s right for it to come out. I’m just opening the door.” > > [Cite](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Nelson) I know all about that song - I still stand by what I said, it doesn’t mean Willie Nelson is the type of artist you would expect a stereotypical gay man to like. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/27 "2010-08-27T22:26:57Z")
I’m liberal-with-socialist-tendencies and I used to really dig the late Sam Kinnison. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/28 "2010-08-27T22:38:38Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I’m liberal-with-socialist-tendencies and I used to really dig the late Sam Kinnison. Seconded. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/29 "2010-08-27T22:48:29Z")
I am a fiscally conservative, social leavemealone, NRA Life member, Christian Boy Scout leader. However, I am friends with many university faculty, so to them I am troglodyte. The flip sides: NPR - my commute just is not the same without it. Bill Maher (when he is good - he seems to have been drinking from Dennis Miller’s bottles and lost his edge IMHO). John Stewart and the Daily Show Colbert Report - for its sarcastic goodness The Dead (the iphone in my suit jacket is full of live compilations from some shows I caught in California) ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/30 "2010-08-27T23:58:52Z")
> [@Shadowfyre](#): > > I’m atheist but I love religious Christmas songs. > > O Holy Night is my favorite, especially when a classically trained singer sings it. Oh, that high note towards the end will send shivers down my spine. Most pop singers (rightly) won’t go for that high note, so I don’t listen to those versions. > > I also like Ave Maria. I know its not strictly a Christmas song, but since I don’t spend much time in churches that is the only time I can hear it on the radio. > > I sang tenor in high school, and I can still sing that part to the Handel’s Hallelujah Choir. > > I can also sing the tenor part to the Harry Simone Chorale version of Little Drummer Boy > > The right singer can make my eyes water a bit with Silent Night. Ditto for everything, except that I sing bass. And I’m probably the only repeat-reader of \*Atlas Shrugged \*who consistently votes for Democrats, with one exception: I voted for Gerald Ford, due to total loathing of Jimmy Carter. ---
**Author:** ![oliversarmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/eb8c5e/32.png) [@oliversarmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oliversarmy)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/31 "2010-08-28T04:18:43Z")
We’re supposed to like things based on politics? Well, since I’m a libertarian, I like it all, except opera. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Does taste come into the question? (Actually, I do like some opera.) ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/32 "2010-08-28T06:43:20Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > Bullfights. I’m not horrified by bullfights (maybe I don’t really know much about them) but neither do they fascinate me. I do absolutely loooove matador outfits. (Except when they are way too tight and the testicle tucking is obviously asymmetrical). And I also like bull runs. Which I guess is a mixed thing - a liberal would theoretically like the bull being on top, while at the same time abhorring the violent component. Which makes me wonder, is “Jackass” liberal or conservative? Maybe it’s Libertarian… ---
**Author:** ![alexandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@alexandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alexandra)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/33 "2010-08-29T10:17:03Z")
I’m a lefty, atheist liberal feminist. I like Philip Larkin PJ O Rourke Several hymns The Rolling Stones’ _Under my Thumb_ Occasionally reading the _Spectator_ Dexter (bad guys totally get away with it all the time! The justice system needs to be more biased against the accused!) Julie Burchill (OK, she’s a feminist too, but she’s said all kinds of fucked up shit and I still will read any journalism she writes) [QUOTE=multimediac17] I know all about that song - I still stand by what I said, it doesn’t mean Willie Nelson is the type of artist you would expect a stereotypical gay man to like. [/QUOTE] That’s not really what this thread is about, though, is it. ---
**Author:** ![multimediac17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@multimediac17](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/multimediac17)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/34 "2010-08-29T10:28:53Z")
> [@alexandra](#): > > [QUOTE=multimediac17] > I know all about that song - I still stand by what I said, it doesn’t mean Willie Nelson is the type of artist you would expect a stereotypical gay man to like. That’s not really what this thread is about, though, is it. [/QUOTE] It’s not, I agree, but there were some other similar comments that went in that direction before mine so I commented on it too. Sorry for the hijack, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/35 "2010-08-29T12:15:26Z")
> [@Sateryn76](#): > > I don’t normally let meaningless political labels determine what’s “okay” for me to enjoy. I like what I like, so I listen to both Tavis Smiley and Rush Limbaugh, and read both John Stossel and Eric Schlosser. > > I would lose a lot of respect for someone who refused to get information and viewpoints from sources outside their “acceptable” circle. Having seen / heard samples of some of those shows, as well as Oberman and Maddow, I wouldn’t go so far as to classify them as “information”. Viewpoints, sure. But I consider such programming a source of poor quality viewpoints. I’m interested in cogent analysis, not the viewpoints of talking heads from either side of the political spectrum whose only job is to deliver an audience to advertisers. That said, I’m skeptical and a little amused when someone says, “I’m a liberal, but I listen to Rush Limbaugh to get other points of view.” I suppose that’s fine as an effort to keep tabs on what the other side is thinking, but it’s not really gathering important “information”. To answer the OP’s question, I’ll listen to any decent music regardless of origin. I listened to Charlie Daniels before and after I found out he was a loon. But not so much on the comedy end of things. I keep looking for good comedy from right, and haven’t found a lot. Gotten a few laughs from P.J. O’Rourke, but that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/36 "2010-08-29T12:35:49Z")
I am a liberal who gets a kick out of the movies **Red Dawn** , **The Incredibles** and **The Dark Knight** , all of which come at things from a conservative or libertarian perspective (IMHO). I also occasionally enjoy the music of **Hank Williams, Jr.** , much of which is sorta reactionary. (_Country Boy Can Survive_) ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/37 "2010-08-29T13:12:45Z")
I’m a lifelong atheist, but _It’s a Wonderful Life_ is one of my favorite movies. People are often surprised at this. It’s true that Capra is on record as saying that he made the movie to combat the increase in atheism. But the central premise of the movie is the admonition to help others and act altruistically, and you don’t have to be a believer to agree with that. You admire George for doing things that believers and non-believers alike have done. It also helps that the religious material is light-hearted and non-stigmatizing. Clarence’s reference to the book that Mark Twain (an avowed atheist) is “working on now” is a succinct expression of this openmindedness. Also, Mr. Potter is shown to at least display religious decorum when talking about Peter Bailey (“God rest his soul”), indicating that a person can be religious and still be the only true asshole in town. I might feel differently if there’d been a character named Ivan the Godless, the only person in Bedford Falls (other than Potter) who refused to put money in the basket for George. But there ain’t. Great movie. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/38 "2010-08-29T15:52:42Z")
I’m a conservative and I like Jon Stewart. My opinion of politicians in general is very low which helps. ---
**Author:** ![want2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/39 "2010-08-29T16:16:12Z")
[QUOTE=Shadowfyre] I’m atheist but I love religious Christmas songs. [/QUOTE] Right there with ya. Also, I absolutely _love_ Bing Crosby as Father O’Malley in _Going My Way_ and _The Bells of St. Mary’s_! Progressive/atheist here (sorry, never cared for the label “liberal”.) Other non-“prog” stuff I like: **24** **NCIS** PJ O’Rourke (although he goes after hypocrisy on both sides of the aisle.) Old-time pro wrestling (like the old AWA shows on ESPN Classic) Cop shows where the cops kick ass Larry the Cable Guy (I know, I know, but he always makes me laugh) Andrew “Dice” Clay (in the old days; lately, he’s sounding more like Lenny Bruce reading his trial transcripts) ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606/40 "2010-08-29T16:36:45Z")
I hate hunting\* and trapping, but absolutely love C.J. Box’s Wyoming books, featuring [Joe Pickett, Game Warden](http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Pickett-J-Box/lm/R4F05Q12N7LWM). \*Don’t hurt me. I don’t want to take away your guns or your license, I’d just rather not hear about your weekend in the Catskills and I’ll pass on the venison, but thanks anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainments-that-you-as-a-liberal-conservative-shouldnt-enjoy-but-do-anyway/551606.md?page=3)