Johnny Depp's Comments about the US

I read that as well and was thinking of posting it

i agree with Heidi, he didnt like it so he left. Fair enough, and simple enough. Makes sense.

You can't fault someone for his honest opinion of a place he grew up in( I assume) and left for lack of liking it. He, of anyone, is allowed to say this because he isn't still living there taking advantage of the good things and at the same time dissing the bad.

I kinda agree with the puppy comparison ...and the French Fries thing WAS, well- idiotic. He hit the nail on the head, IMO.

I wasn't bothered by his comments, because they didn't seem mean-spirited. He was simply giving his honest opinion. I really hope there is no backlash against him for this.

I guess he has a right to his opinion just as the rest of us do...and the fact he doesn't live in America anymore shows he stands by his opinion and doesn't just voice it and do nothing. I however do not agree with his opinion...but that is just MY opinion and I still live here!

Geez, put a handsome face to those comments and suddenly everything's fine (Just kidding ladies!)

Seriously, though, I agree with everyone here; he said he doesn't like this country, so he moved out. I can appreciate that kind of honesty and integrity. What I CANNOT appreciate is The Ninth Gate. Ugh, just terrible.

He could have been as ugly as dirt and I still would have posted the same opinon!

At least he has left since he doesn't like it here. We have enough mediocre actors with big mouths.

Heidi, I'm a little fascinated lately by him, too, (completely off topic--he is so darn hot!!) Back to topic, I am glad others aren't as offended by his comments, I don't feel like I'm excusing him because he looks so good. He chose to leave the US, which is his choice.

Yeah, the Ninth Gate was pretty bad, but I am looking forward to Once Upon a Time in Mexico.

I don't mind at all what he said. People shoot their mouths off all the time about everything and that's just part of life. I kind of agree with him about the puppy thing, and it's obvious that he's not anti USA, just anti powers that be. We all have a right to that, even people living here. I personally cannot stand what this administration has done, yet I would never ever tell someone (even a bush lover!) that they can't speak their mind because we're all entitled to that.

I still can't believe the whole dixie chicks thing though, that everyone got so upset about it. It was probably just because of timing..

I don't think I'm a Bush lover ....but I think he was the lesser of two evils!!! (so to speak) And I do appreciate the fact that he seems to look to God for some of his guidance. Not intirely thrilled with some of his actions...but still respect him and think he was doing what he thought was right for his country.

(Not to get off the track there...sorry......Just commenting on the last post)

I hope I didn't offend you! I just meant that even though I really detest Bush I still wouldn't want someone who really supports him not to be able to speak his mind.. I have the utmost respect for the opinions of others even if mine are completely different!

Oh no, you didn't offend me...not in the least...that is what this forum is for...to share different opinons and still respect and like each other in the morning! (so to speak)

Johnny Depp makes most of his money from American movie audiences. It seems a little wrong to me to be putting down the country that feeds him and his family.

IMO

But who can blame Captain Jack Sparrow for speaking his mind? Its what he does best

I was never a huge Depp fan before, but holy CRAP does he make a hot pirate! Cap'n Jack can come pilage my house any day Here's hoping there are sequels, and lots of em!!

Sorry...OT here

I'm not rich, famous and (in the opinion of some people here, obviously) sexy, but I do have one thing in common with Depp (maybe he should change his name: "ein Depp" is an idiot in German!): we are both ex-pats, and I'm sure that he has had the same experience I've had - everybody in our countries of residence seemingly wants to know what we think about U.S. policy, and if we're insulted, hurt, infuriated, etc. by criticism of U.S. policy and public opinion. When you are on the outside looking in, you are more exposed to opinions formed by different histories, geopolitical and economic interests, social values, religious trends, etc., etc.. He also lives in Europe, where people are far more cautious about patriotism, and thus critical of their politicians, because of two World Wars, a history of religious conflicts, and the formation of the European Union. I doubt that he chose to live abroad because he didn't like life in the U.S.: his profession allows him to live wherever he wants while continuing to work, whereas his wife is more or less dependent on a French audience, much like Madonna's situation. My husband and I chose to live in Germany simply because my language skills and job opportunities were better in Germany than his in the U.S. Based on my experience, living abroad for extended periods causes you to cast a more critical eye on both your native country and your adopted country, because you have a basis for comparison that most people lack. I'd like to hear Kelli's opinion on this, as her situation is comparable. And I agree: "Freedom Fries, Toast, etc. = silly!"

I grew up in the U.S., have lived in Germany for almost half my life, and have spent extensive periods in Britain, Hungary, Austria, and Switzerland - believe me, there are positive and negative aspects to living in ANY country. People are people, cats are cats, dogs are dogs, and (most, IMO,) politicians and CEOs are untrustworthy - wherever you live!

I had a thought about this whole subject, why it's acceptable for Johnny Depp to say what he said and not acceptable for what Kate Hudson and the Dixie Chicks said. Johnny Depp seems to have kept his life very private, and anytime he is in the magazines or on TV is when he's out promoting a movie. He's out there selling the product of his job and not out there selling himself. In contrast, we see Kate Hudson or the Dixie Chicks almost daily or weekly in the media, no matter if they have a movie or a CD to promote. So, he's much more like us "normal" people, who live quiet lives away from the spotlight. That's why I think his views are much more acceptable.

Actually I totally believe Depp on what he says there. Reporters always twist words around to get the most sensational story to make it to the front page.

I'm so glad that I'm not quoted on what I say daily, since I would forever be retracting my words to remain 'politically correct'!

I'm glad someone printed a clarification of what he said. I wasn't offended by his comments, in some ways, I see his point. And yeah, that whole Freedom fries thing was beyond stupid, IMO.

I was quoted recently in my local paper, and some of what they wrote that I said was not what I said. It happens, but people sometimes forget that reporters are people, and therefore fallible. We have to remember that not everything we see in print is the whole truth.

Why is it that an American living abroad is often denied the right to say anything critical of the U.S., although people in other countries discount our opinions because we are Americans? And can anyone explain to me why Kate Hudson or the Dixie Chicks are being denied the right (here, too) to express their opinions? The Bill of Rights is an extremely important document, not just for the U.S., but for the rest of the world, so why are so many people here just ignoring its existence?

I think the general public does have the right to disagree with what the celebrities have said. We've seen it here on the forums, and I've seen it on my local news (I don't know what is going on in the rest of the US, so I can only speak about the Cleveland viewing area). The question I still have is why celebrities are attacked for stating their views when I share the same views, expressed them here and didn't have any of the anger and disgust directed at me that they did? Is it because I'm not famous and in the public eye? And does being famous mean that your thoughts and opinions are somehow less worthy than those of us who will never be famous?

Well, it would be interesting if they joined TCS But, as we've seen, journalists are willing to take comments out of context (Johnny Depp) or make things up out of thin air (our own Bren.1). Perhaps Natalie Maines and Kate Hudson do have well thought out rationales behind what they said (well, I hate to say it, but probably not in the case of Kate Hudson). But in our world of the 5 second sound bite, these rationales (or any sign of intellectual thought) are what gets cut out for the 6 o'clock news or Entertainment Tonight. So, in light of this, I'm still honestly confused why Johnny Depp gets the benefit of the doubt while Natalie Maines and Kate Hudson don't.