# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/41 "2006-01-10T03:31:51Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > It’s the backpeddling two step, everybody join in! > > Someone slams Bush, you say that people are excusing or applauding “America being shit on.” But, nope, you weren’t implying that people were excusing or applauding America being shit on. > > Nope. > > And do you think that maybe, just maybe, Bush is seen as strongly linked to the American collective psyche because of bootlickers who try to equate any criticism of Bush with “shitting on America?” Back peddling? Please explain. I don’t see it. From what position have I backpeddled, and with what statement? Ah, throw the “bootlicker” in there. Nice. I guess it’s impossible for someone to not be a Bush supporter and believe 1) that Bush and the U.S. are tightly linked, especially overseas. and 2) that an American citizen does not serve this country well by going overseas and shitting on either the country OR the President. (See 1) ---
**Author:** ![AFAIKnow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a6a055/32.png) [@AFAIKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AFAIKnow)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/42 "2006-01-10T03:32:18Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > No confusion. A simple acknowledgement of the fact that the former was elected to be the leader of the latter. And that they are tightly related, especially in the eyes of those in other countries. Hell, Saddam got 99(90?)% of the vote. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/43 "2006-01-10T03:33:10Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > Well Belafonte did call him the “the greatest terrorist in the world”. Which has pissed off the terrorists everywhere; way to go Mr. Banana Boat! ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/44 "2006-01-10T03:33:34Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > I agree with the OP’s sentiments wholeheartedly. Not only do I think Belafonte is an asshole of the highest order, what he did was inappropriate. Or are some of you fans of a notable American going to countries, particulalrly those in turmoil, and fanning the fans of the “America is Evil” chant? > > Must you clowns always excuse, if not applaud, America being shit on? > > Just curious. Gee, do you like to exaggerate and lie about things just to make your “America is always the good guy” schtick? Where in the article is there any evidence that Belafonte said even one word that disparaged the U.S.? Where is any claim that anyone said “America is evil”? Where is any indication that America was “shit on”? Must you clowns always so identify with the president that you actually believe that he is beyond criticism? Do you really think that Bush is the same as the U.S.? Just curious. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/45 "2006-01-10T03:34:43Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > So the president is to be above reproach because people in other countries falsely link the two? That’s more important than our right to dissent? Incredible. There not falsely linked, you acknowledged as much. We evedently disagree on the degree to whcih they are linked. Would you say that it is safe to say that there is a stronger link between the two abroad than here in the U.S.? ---
**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, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/46 "2006-01-10T03:35:23Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > He has embroiled himself in politics. :eek: Send that fucker to Gitmo! Let’s send ALL the fuckers that embroil themselves in politics to Gitmo! Embroil their Gonads in Hot Sauce! That’d teach the UnAmerican BASTARDS. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/47 "2006-01-10T03:36:30Z")
Funny how suddenly the opinions of foreigners suddenly matter when it’s an excuse to try to shut down criticism against Bush. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/48 "2006-01-10T03:37:40Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > A simple acknowledgement of the fact that the former was elected to be the leader of the latter. Not in 2000 . . . not in 2004 . . . What election, exactly, are you talking about? [http://www.projectcensored.org/censored\_2006/#3](http://www.projectcensored.org/censored_2006/#3) ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/49 "2006-01-10T03:37:57Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > Same old bullshit meme, same bullshit dance, same “America haters” hollow rhetoric, same cowardly smear tactics. > > Isn’t it interesting that Bush Apologists have gone from defending his actions to simply attacking his critics? Your post has confused me. It seems to show consistency, not backpeddling, as your prior post claimed. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/50 "2006-01-10T03:39:42Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Your post has confused me. Our job is done. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/51 "2006-01-10T03:42:46Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > There not falsely linked, you acknowledged as much. We evedently disagree on the degree to whcih they are linked. Would you say that it is safe to say that there is a stronger link between the two abroad than here in the U.S.? I don’t know and I don’t care. No matter how closely they are linked, **it’s not more important that our right to dissent**. By what stretch of the imagination are the opinions of people abroad more important than our right to disagree publicly with the president? Do you see _any_ value in the right to dissent? ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/52 "2006-01-10T03:43:23Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Back peddling? Please explain. I don’t see it. From what position have I backpeddled, and with what statement? I wish I could be surprised at your lack of comprehension. Sadly, I am not. People slam Bush. You tacitly accuse them of ‘excusing or applauding shitting on America’. Then you back away from your silly little “America Haters” meme and claim that, oh, it’s not you trying to stifle dissent, it’s because of how _other_ countries would see us. _You_ aren’t accusing people of being “clowns” who excuse or applaud “shitting on America”. Nopers. Not you. Naw awwwwww. > [@magellan01](#): > > Ah, throw the “bootlicker” in there. Nice. I thought so too. > [@magellan01](#): > > I guess it’s impossible for someone to not be a Bush supporter and believe 1) that Bush and the U.S. are tightly linked, especially overseas. It’s possible, and stupid. If America’s populace is vocal in opposing Bush we could hardly be seen to be lockstepping to his agenda, now could we? Baby steps, baby steps. > [@magellan01](#): > > 1. that an American citizen does not serve this country well by going overseas and shitting on either the country OR the President. (See 1) Again, possible and more stupid than the last one. It is because of, yes, UnAmerican bootlickers, that dissent is seen as almost criminal. The _best_ thing for us would be for the world to see that our nation does not support Bush, that he does not speak for us. The worst thing would be for them to see us as a nation of spineless bootlickers who can’t even offer up just criticism of our President. It never fails to amaze me how, almost without fail, when America does something this is bad and needs to be called out, the bootlickers worm their way out of the woodwork to say that criticism of America’s actions equals hatred of America itself and “shitting on” the nation as a whole. It’s the kind of Rambo-meets-cowboy-diplomacy thinking that sees the world in terms of Goodguys and Badguys and sees criticism of America as saying America is a Badguy. It’s the same bullshit that had toadies suggesting that if people thought that Bush shouldn’t invade Iraq then they must think Sadaam was a great guy and would vote for him for president. Like I said. Groupthink and Crimestop. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/53 "2006-01-10T03:50:56Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > There not falsely linked, you acknowledged as much. We evedently disagree on the degree to whcih they are linked. Would you say that it is safe to say that there is a stronger link between the two abroad than here in the U.S.? There is a NEGATIVE link: that is, if you as an American go abroad, the worse you speak about Bush, generally the higher your audience’s opinion of Americans will rise. Speaking negatively about Bush indicates to foreigners that not all Americans support Bush. The sentiment against Bush outside of our country is extremely negative. Belafonte probably did a great deal to improve Venezuelan impressions of the United States by speaking his hyperbole about Bush, **far** more than Bush has ever done to improve Venezuelan attitudes toward the US. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/54 "2006-01-10T03:52:23Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Gee, do you like to exaggerate and lie about things just to make your “America is always the good guy” schtick? > > Where in the article is there any evidence that Belafonte said even one word that disparaged the U.S.? > Where is any claim that anyone said “America is evil”? > Where is any indication that America was “shit on”? > > Must you clowns always so identify with the president that you actually believe that he is beyond criticism? Do you really think that Bush is the same as the U.S.? > > Just curious. Where the FUCK does this come from? > [@](#): > > Gee, do you like to exaggerate and lie about things just to make your “America is always the good guy” schtick? What did I exaggerate about? Please be specific. What did I lie about? Please be specific. If you cannot point to it, I’ll hope for an apology. Who said America is “the good guy”? > [@](#): > > Where in the article is there any evidence that Belafonte said even one word that disparaged the U.S.? > Where is any claim that anyone said “America is evil”? > Where is any indication that America was “shit on”? Bush was clearly shit on. You may think those two are not closely related. I do. especially overseas. How you could have read my posts and not gleaned that is baffling. > [@](#): > > Must you clowns always so identify with the president that you actually believe that he is beyond criticism? I never said that Bush is beyond criticism. He obvioulsy is not. There are times when criticism is inappropriate—unless you don’t mind hurting the country or it’s efforts in the process. I know others disagree. > [@](#): > > Do you really think that Bush is the same as the U.S.? What part of “linked”, “linked—strongly” and “not equivalent” are you having a hard time with? ---
**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, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/55 "2006-01-10T03:53:40Z")
The same people calling Hugo Chavez a dictator, if they lived in Venezuela, would want to beat the crap out of anyone daring suggest such a thing, and question their loyalty to Venezuela. ---
**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, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/56 "2006-01-10T03:56:09Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > First, no one is saying it’s the end of the Replubic. You blow that out of proportion while you seek to minimize Belafonte’s stature. Yeah, that would be because I’m mocking **Clothahump**. I’m deriding him, because I think his argument is stupid. So I exagerate what he’s saying, until it is humorously out of proportion to what he said, so as to create the implication that what he is saying is similarly out of proportion to the actual events. This is what we call _satire_. > [@](#): > > You know damn well he is not just an ex-singer. He has embroiled himself in politics. He has become a spokesman for the hate America, or at least, the hate Bush crowd. Oh, bullshit. He’s the day-o guy. Anyone who takes him seriously is an idiot, and the only people who are doing that are the most extreme edge of liberal America, and conservatives who don’t have anything better to whine about. > [@](#): > > This is not like you, Miller. Sir, I resent your accusation, and demand a retraction. > [@](#): > > I agree with the OP’s sentiments wholeheartedly. Not only do I think Belafonte is an asshole of the highest order, what he did was inappropriate. Or are some of you fans of a notable American going to countries, particulalrly those in turmoil, and fanning the fans of the “America is Evil” chant? I’m not a fan of it, no, but it doesn’t keep me up at night. Celebrities think a lot of stupid things. It’s fun to point and laugh every now and then, but to get as genuinely outraged as you and **Clothahump** are? You’re taking this guy way too seriously. > [@](#): > > Must you clowns always excuse, if not applaud, America being shit on? > > Just curious. I’m not excusing, I’m apathetic. I don’t care what the fuck Harry Belafonte says, because he doesn’t fucking matter. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/57 "2006-01-10T03:56:57Z")
> [@Larry Borgia](#): > > 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… > > 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) Amnesty doesn’t seem to think he’s all that bad. They say the security forces have overreacted to the violence of the protests. That’s definitely a bad road to start down, but I didn’t get any indication he was acting “dictatorially.” It was the CNE that denied the recall election. Bear in mind, the guy hasn’t served his first term. And I remember during the coup that the Bush Administration did not condemn the coup, and was a little embarassed when Chavez came back to power. Maybe the best way to improve uor image abroad would be to stop harassing smaller countries when we don’t like their political system. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/58 "2006-01-10T03:58:01Z")
Yes, this is what makes my SDMB membership well worth the price of admission. I haven’t been this outraged since Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks unpatriotically proclaimed her outrage of being ashamed that she was from the same state as George W Bush. :rolleyes: The fact is, “Dubya” does not engender much respect in a large chunk of America. (If that chunk were just a wee bit bigger, we’d have a different Predident right now). Calling Dubya a terrorist is an exaggeration. From my understanding, terrorists do _not_ join the Texas National Guard. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/59 "2006-01-10T04:03:14Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Where the FUCK does this come from? Crimestop: The faculty of stopping short, as though by instinct, at the threshold of any dangerous thought. It includes the power of not grasping analogies, of failing to perceive logical errors, of misunderstanding the simplest arguments if they are inimical to Ingsoc, and of being bored or repelled by any train of thought which is capable of leading in a heretical direction. In short…protective stupidity. > [@magellan01](#): > > What did I exaggerate about? Please be specific. How many times did I quote you? Your “criticism of Bush = shitting on America” meme can, if one is being charitable, be seen as idiotic hyperbole. If one is not being charitiable, it can be seen as UnAmerican bootlicking from someone who will use global opinion, which is already strongly against Bush, to justify cleaving strongly to Bush. We’ll sure convince those other countries that we don’t support him, why, we’ll do it by supporting him! It’s so crazy it just might work. > [@magellan01](#): > > Bush was clearly shit on. You may think those two are not closely related. I do. especially overseas. How you could have read my posts and not gleaned that is baffling. Confused, baffled, irrelevant. A good summation of your posting I’d wager. > [@magellan01](#): > > I never said that Bush is beyond criticism. Lie. You simply imply that to criticize Bush means one is shitting on America. As if the rest of the world needs Americans to tell them what Bush is doing and come up with an opinion of our foreign policy. > [@magellan01](#): > > There are times when criticism is inappropriate—unless you don’t mind hurting the country or it’s efforts in the process. I know others disagree. More backpeddling. This is fun. Bush isn’t beyond criticism, criticism is just inappropriate. And again: if the country supports Bush then **he is correctly seen as representing the people**. If the country does not, then Bush is seen as acting against the will of the people. Bush is seen as ‘linked’ to America precisely because of bootlickers. > [@magellan01](#): > > What part of “linked”, “linked—strongly” and “not equivalent” are you having a hard time with? I’d wager it’s your halfassed backpeddling. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237/60 "2006-01-10T04:04:10Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > The two are linked. Not equivalent, but linked—strongly. And more so abroad I’d say, than here. You know what’s even _more_ stongly linked to _America_? Our right to criticize our leadership. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-belafonte-sticks-his-head-up-his-ass/339237.md?page=4)