Should Movie and Music stars world view be taken seriously?

[Admin]

With Kanye West's recent comments about the government and media
response to Hurricane Katrina, and other celebrities who speak their
mind about political issues from Bruce Springsteen to Curt Schilling,
there are a few questions that have been raised. Should these people be
taken seriously even if they are not experts on the topics they opine
on? Would you not buy an album, see a movie, ext... of a celebrity whom
you disagreed with politically? When is it appropriate for a celebrity
to speak up?

Personally, I like it when anybody speaks up about what they believe
in; since celebrities have a platform to speak, I support them
exercising their rights. On the other hand if their comments are
foolhardy or not based on facts they have a right to be mocked and
ridiculed. On the other hand, I would still go to a movie of an actor
who I found talented even if I did not agree with their political or
other views. Tom Cruise may be a nut, but he is a great actor, so short
of killing someone I would go see his movies.