# Harry Belafonte sticks his head up his ass **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 10, 2006, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237 "2006-01-10T00:10:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/1 "2006-01-10T00:10:17Z")
[The story](http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=AnsvoTf1Fxrl3CKoSI9u7R5XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE2NjFrYmM0BGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMgRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZANGNjU1Xzc2/SIG=12ubdp4f3/EXP=1136938128/**http%3a//news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20060109/ca_pr_on_wo/venezuela_us_activists) speaks for itself. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/2 "2006-01-10T00:20:33Z")
**Clothahump sticks his head up his ass** [The lame OP](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=353351) speaks for itself. ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/3 "2006-01-10T00:35:59Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > [The story](http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=AnsvoTf1Fxrl3CKoSI9u7R5XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE2NjFrYmM0BGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMgRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZANGNjU1Xzc2/SIG=12ubdp4f3/EXP=1136938128/**http%3a//news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20060109/ca_pr_on_wo/venezuela_us_activists) speaks for itself. Nope. It doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/4 "2006-01-10T00:45:24Z")
As much as I dislike both Bush and **Clothahump** , I’ll allow that calling Bush both “the worst tyrant in the world” and “the worst terrorist in the world” is some pretty silly hyperbole. That said, couldn’t you have, just once, actually provided some _content_ for one of your posts, **humpy**? These “link with no commentary” threads are really fucking stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/5 "2006-01-10T00:52:28Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > As much as I dislike both Bush and **Clothahump** , I’ll allow that calling Bush both “the worst tyrant in the world” and “the worst terrorist in the world” is some pretty silly hyperbole. That said, couldn’t you have, just once, actually provided some _content_ for one of your posts, **humpy**? These “link with no commentary” threads are really fucking stupid. There was nothing else that needed to be said. The asshole went down and rubbed shoulders with a dictator and called his own President a terrorist. Just out of curiousity, why aren’t the liberals upset about that? Whether you like Bush or not, this episode should have everyone aggravated at both Belafonte for being an asshole and saying something like that and at the media for trumpeting it to the high heavens. Perhaps the left no longer has any sense of pride in our country any more. I don’t know; what about it, libs? When did it become fashionably correct to call our President a terrorist while kissing the ass of a dictator? ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/6 "2006-01-10T00:58:12Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > **Clothahump sticks his head up his ass** > > [The lame OP](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=353351) speaks for itself. Ditto. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/7 "2006-01-10T01:06:02Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > There was nothing else that needed to be said. The asshole went down and rubbed shoulders with a dictator and called his own President a terrorist. The fact that he’s your **own** President has no bearing on the matter. If you support the guy just because he’s your guy, then i’m sorry but that seems somewhat close-minded. > [@](#): > > Just out of curiousity, why aren’t the liberals upset about that? You know, I don’t think Clothahump needs to say this line anymore. It’s just implied by all his posts. I motion that he can shorten it to “WATLU” (Why Aren’t The Liberals Upset) and that’ll save us all some time reading. > [@](#): > > Whether you like Bush or not, this episode should have everyone aggravated at both Belafonte for being an asshole and saying something like that and at the media for trumpeting it to the high heavens. He’s entitled to his opinions. I for one happen to think he’s wrong. And people should be angry at the media for raising up a newsworthy story? Of course! How dare they try to improve their profits and do their job! Scandalous! > [@](#): > > Perhaps the left no longer has any sense of pride in our country any more. I don’t know; what about it, libs? When did it become fashionably correct to call our President a terrorist while kissing the ass of a dictator? Perhaps Clothahump no longer has any sense of decency. I don’t know, what about it, everyoe else? When did it become fasionably correct to immediatly accuse all liberals on the board for not piling on after…42 minutes, in which there were 3 posts - two of which attacking you personally, and one attacking you yet agreeing that Belafonte is an asshat? Good lord, when one person agrees with you and two express no opinion, that MUST MEAN THEY’RE ALL AGAINST YOU. Run for the hills, Clothahump. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/8 "2006-01-10T01:10:20Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Just out of curiousity, why aren’t the liberals upset about that? Whether you like Bush or not, this episode should have everyone aggravated at both Belafonte for being an asshole and saying something like that and at the media for trumpeting it to the high heavens. This story basically boils down to: “Celebrity says/does something stupid. News media report on it, as usual.” Personally, I don’t understand why this is something special or worth getting upset over. ---
**Author:** ![furlibusea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@furlibusea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furlibusea)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/9 "2006-01-10T01:10:36Z")
I am confused. Wasn’t the president of Venezuala elected? Is there perhaps a new definition of dictator I missed? ---
**Author:** ![JonScribe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3be4f8/32.png) [@JonScribe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JonScribe)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/10 "2006-01-10T01:14:41Z")
Chavez is as much a dictator as Bush is a terrorist. Read that any way you please. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/11 "2006-01-10T01:16:04Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > The asshole went down and rubbed shoulders with a dictator … You might want to brush up on the difference between “dictatorship” and “democracy.” ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/12 "2006-01-10T01:18:15Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > You might want to brush up on the difference between “dictatorship” and “democracy.” Well one involves Diebold and the other… Oh, right. Praise the leader! -Joe, praising ---
**Author:** ![Walter\_Windchill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Walter\_Windchill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walter_Windchill)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/13 "2006-01-10T01:18:22Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Just out of curiousity, why aren’t the liberals upset about that? For the record, I’m exactly as upset I’d be if I heard Harry Belafonte called Hugo Chavez a terrorist while dining with George W Bush. Which is to say, not at all. Explain why we should be upset by the irrelevent comments of some washed up easy listening performer, and I’ll see what I can do in the way of getting my blood pressure up. > [@Clothahump](#): > > When did it become fashionably correct to call our President a terrorist while kissing the ass of a dictator? I must have missed the fact that Harry Belafonte either set or represented national trends. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/14 "2006-01-10T01:20:46Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > There was nothing else that needed to be said. The asshole went down and rubbed shoulders with a dictator and called his own President a terrorist. > > Just out of curiousity, why aren’t the liberals upset about that? Whether you like Bush or not, this episode should have everyone aggravated at both Belafonte for being an asshole and saying something like that and at the media for trumpeting it to the high heavens. > > Perhaps the left no longer has any sense of pride in our country any more. I don’t know; what about it, libs? When did it become fashionably correct to call our President a terrorist while kissing the ass of a dictator? 1. Harry is being a jerk, I don’t like Bush and I hate Cheney but Bush is not the #1 terrorist. (of course I am also not a liberal) 2. I have noticed that nobody treats an OP like yours seriously if you don’t provide some details. Spell out in the OP the specific reasons you think Harry Belafonte is being an ass. Don’t wait for your later post. 3. What qualifies Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez as a dictator? He was democratically elected. That aside, I can support Harry’s right to say whatever he wants about Bush and still call it Bullshit. As bad as Bush is, he’s a teddybear compared to Kim Jong-il of North Korea. \*\*Clothahump \*\* I have to basically agree with you on this one. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/15 "2006-01-10T01:26:03Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > As bad as Bush is, he’s a teddybear compared to Kim Jong-il of North Korea. I want the Republicans to adopt that. ‘BUSH! NOT AS BAD AS KIM JONG-IL!’ ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/16 "2006-01-10T01:27:24Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Just out of curiousity, why aren’t the liberals upset about that? Whether you like Bush or not, this episode should have everyone aggravated at both Belafonte for being an asshole and saying something like that and at the media for trumpeting it to the high heavens. Because we’ve got more sense than to listen to what a singer has to say about politics? Harry Belafonte hates George Bush. Big fuckin’ deal. Why don’t you explain to me why I should give a shit. > [@](#): > > Perhaps the left no longer has any sense of pride in our country any more. I don’t know; what about it, libs? When did it become fashionably correct to call our President a terrorist while kissing the ass of a dictator? What I wonder is, when did the right become such a gigantic collection of sobbing pussies? Oh my God! The guy who wrote “The Bananna Boat Song” doesn’t like George Bush! It’s the end of the Republic! Get a grip, you whiny douche. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/17 "2006-01-10T01:28:35Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > I want the Republicans to adopt that. ‘BUSH! NOT AS BAD AS KIM JONG-IL!’ Well Belafonte did call him the “the greatest terrorist in the world”. I think if a poster did this we would quickly call Bullshit also. As I said I don’t like Bush and I actually hate Cheney (or he who pulls the strings). 😉 Jim ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/18 "2006-01-10T01:44:24Z")
Hugo Chavez was democratically elected but that doesn’t mean he isn’t acting dictatorially. He has harrassed and intimidated opposition members, and opposition parties complain that elections are rigged against them. Still, as far as dictators go, he’s pretty small beer compared to, say, the Burmese Junta or Kim Jong Il. Chavez appears to be running a policy of “money for everyone” which normally wouldn’t work but he can get away with because of Venezuela’s enormous oil reserves. Remember, just because a person or party wins an election does not mean they are not dictatorial. The Nazis participated in elections and formed parlimentary coalitions at the beginning of their rise to power. Harry Belafonte is an idiot. I wish Celebrities would shut up about politics, as they are clearly out of their depth. This goes for right wing celebs like Mel Gibson or Ron Silver, as well as lefty celebs like Belafonte and Glover. That said, it’s hardly worth a pit thread. Here’s an amnesty international evaluation of human rights in Venezuela: [http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAMR530052004?open&of=ENG-VEN](http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAMR530052004?open&of=ENG-VEN) ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/19 "2006-01-10T01:57:05Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Oh my God! The guy who wrote “The Bananna Boat Song” doesn’t like George Bush! It’s the end of the Republic! It’s not just that. Mr. Belafonte was [top of the charts in England on Christmas eve 1957](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_No.1_Hits_of_1957) with his song “Mary’s Boy Child”, **and** [appeared with **Moses** on the steps of the Lincoln memorial.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Belafonte) It’s just possible that **Jesus** is on Harry’s side, and that _could_ spell **the end of the republic**. ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/20 "2006-01-10T02:17:42Z")
Well, frankly, I’m more upset about Harry going on about how Americans support the Venezuelan “Revelucion”. Brother, Americans can’t even agree on the issues that face THEM, much less what the fuck goes on down in Venezuela. All most Americans know of Hugo Chavez is that Pat Robertson wants him dead. Really, who gives a shit. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237.md?page=2)