Bush throws party for Streisand at White House

This should be rich.

For 31 years, the Kennedy Center has bestowed annual awards on actors, singers, musicians and other entertainers who have made lasting contributions to the performing arts. It is a singular Washington event, featuring dinner at the State Department, a reception at the White House and a gala black tie event at the Kennedy Center with an invite list that puts guests at the intersection of politics and Hollywood.

This year Ken Cen is honoring six people. Actor Morgan Freeman. Country singer George Jones. Choreographer Twyla Tharp. Musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the Who. And, drumroll, actress, singer and outspoken liberal activist Barbra Streisand.

Which means that Barbra will be feted at a reception at the White House by a president she has derided. That she will attend the gala in a box with the president and first lady whose tenure she has worked hard -- with concerts and contributions -- to end. And that presumably she will be accompanied by her husband, James Brolin, whose son Josh stars in a soon-to-be-released Oliver Stone biopic on the president called "W."

Several years ago, in a memo to Democrats titled "Nice Guys Finish Last or Where We Go From Here," Streisand said of Bush, "Not only is he poisoning our air and water -- he's poisoning our political system as well." She asked "How could such a destructive man be so popular with the American people?"

Yesterday the star who is pals with the Clintons said she was "humbled and thrilled" to be honored by the Kennedy Center.

No word yet from the White House.

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[coolrepublica]

I will definitely be watching this year's Kennedy Center Honor. I'm sure Barbara is going to get political when she gets her award. She just can't help herself.

But that Pete Townsend honor got me nervous. Wasn't he caught visiting child porn site and then gave the lamest excuse in Hollywood? I was doing research. Like Eddy Murphy and Hugh Grant were doing research when they got caught with their pants down. I feel really nervous about this one. Really nervous.

[PLovberg]

All I can say is that she better show some class and be respectful and GRATEFUL!

[Howard Gutner]

Streisand doesn't have to SAY anything, and won't. If you've ever watched the Kennedy Center Honors, the recipients sit in a box at the Center and watch the tribute in their honor. They do not make an acceptance speech.

[Phil i am]

We love Babs!!!

[steel1972]

Should be interesting. Important to remember, though, that Bush has nothing to do with it. The Kennedy Center is (finally) honoring her, not the administration. He just happens (unfortunately) to be the president while it is happening.

[Laura]

I have been a huge Barbra Streisand fan for 30 years; many times I've said that I had voice lessons with Barbra as a teen, singing along with her albums, trying to keep up with her tone, vocal control, and breath control. As an adult, I've been horrified by her disgraceful comments about our President. As talented as she is, she has no right to be un-American and disrespectful to our President. Didn't she say she'd move to Canada if Bush was elected? I don't think she's worthy to be in the same room or in the same viewing box as the President and Mrs. Bush. If you're going to be rude and disrespectful, go ahead, move to Canada, or China. Barbra, maybe you should try out the rights of the average Chinese for a change. You're an American, ACT LIKE ONE!

[Eva]

Laura, I must comment on your post. You said, "As talented as she is, she has no right to be un-American and disrespectful to our President. Didn't she say she'd move to Canada if Bush was elected? I don't think she's worthy to be in the same room or in the same viewing box as the President and Mrs. Bush. If you're going to be rude and disrespectful, go ahead, move to Canada, or China."

Laura, it's called "freedom of speech". In fact, Barbra Streisand has the same exact constitutional right to publicly state her opinions about Bush and his failures as a president as does anyone else in this country. She is a citizen and a voter just like you (presumably) and me. Just because you don't happen to agree with her opinion doesn't make her opinion (or expressing it) disrespectful. If you don't think each and EVERY citizen in this country (INCLUDING Barbra Streisand) has the right right to speak out for or against a president or political party, then maybe YOU should move to China. They don't let all their citizens express their opinions over there either. By your standards, Rush Limbaugh would have been sent packing to China back in the days of the Clinton presidency. It works both ways, my dear.

[Rejane]

I too am a Barbra Streisand fan (have all of her albums) however I feel like Elvis said," I'm just an entertainer". I think all celebrities should keep their mouths shut, they can talk to their friends but they shouldn't be blasting politicians, most of them have no real political experience and should quit using their status to try and influence large groups of people. (We have the biased media for THAT). It is especially bad when they try to drag down the president of the U.S. In my book that's like being Anti-American and if you are Anti-American the rest of us real Americans would like you to leave!

Should the stinkin' Democrat who's running for President now win I'll support him once he has the job but until he gets in the White House (God forbid) he's just another liberal wanting to sell this country up the river and have us pay for what ails EVERYBODY no matter what their contribution to this country is and he'll do it with the help of all these liberal movie stars who have POWER!

[Jeff]

You flag waivers are the biggest hypocrits in the world. How can you honestly say you are 'patriotic' when it's in our Bill of Rights to be able to dissent, speak freely for or against our government or call someone who criticizes our government "Un-American?" Barbra Streisand is a very patriotic American, not to mention courageous by speaking out. Why do you believe she should shut up and sing? Is she not an American citizen just like you? You who disagree with Streisand or any other American who speaks out (which, by the way, is THE most patriotic thing an American can do!) always defend your disagreement not with an intelligent argument, rather, you simply say "Shut Up." Do me a favor: Give me a name or two of a Republican entertainer who voices his/her opinion. I wonder if you feel that they, too, should 'shut up' and just entertain. Oh, and please read the Bill Of Rights. Sounds like you never have.
One more thing: Barbra Streisand was just named the third most generous celebrity in America. Google her name to read the articles.

[Robin]

She won't say anything but she will probably give GWB the finger!
She should just shut her mouth except when she is singing.......she is the best singer ever!

Some idiot posted somewhere that she was moving to Canada if Bush were elected and other idiots believe and repeat it. Find me a video or audio recording of her saying it and then I'll believe it. Also, I love you Nazis who think people don't have right to their opinion. Just because their entertainers doesn't mean they don't have brains.

[Matthew Olsen]

Of course she'll be respectful. The best part of her comments over the past 8 years is that they've all been proven to come true. Look at the state of our country and our economy! And of course no one should be really surprised, please look at his history of failing throughout his life with everything he's done.

Why can't Obama be sitting in the box since he'll be the sitting President at the time of the event!

[J. Augugliaro]

Not only is she the greatest entertainer of our time, I am sure that Streisand would agree that her greatest role is as a citizen of this counrty. I suggest that those of you who feel that her being an entertainer somehow negates her personal freedoms afforded us in the First Amendment, study the Enlightenment philosophers and their words championing freedoms. The brilliant forefathers who wrote our enduring Constitution ,no doubt, used those ideas. You might become a better citizen by educating yourself. It is obvious that is what Streisand does. Remember, dissent is the highest form of patriotism. And by the way, Streisand is usually right.

[Juliette]

Rich indeed.