But They Support the Troops

The USO is having a more difficult time recruiting Hollywood entertainers to go to Iraq and Afghanistan to entertain the troops. But never question their patriotism or their support for the troops. That would be unpatriotic.

[Wayne] Newton said many celebrities have been wary of going because they think it might be seen that they are endorsing the war. "And I say it's not. I tell them these men and women are over there because our country sent them, and we have the absolute necessity to try to bring them as much happiness as we can."

Fear is also a factor. "They're scared," country singer Craig Morton, who is in Iraq on the USO's Hope and Freedom Tour 2005, told USA Today. "It's understandable. It's not a safe and fun place and a lot of people don't want to take the chance."

Not only do these Hollywood elites thumb their noses at the troops, but they believe their own hype. Iraq and Afghanistan are mostly safe, and no less dangerous than those USO tours that operated in Europe and Asia during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or even the first Gulf War. They are spiteful and hateful of the current administration and groupthink definitely plays a role in not going.

For if they go to Iraq, their fellow Hollywood stars may think that they're endorsing the war or the Bush Administration. And that could endanger their status and ability to get gigs in a Hollywood that steers to the Left of mainstream America.

UPDATE:
Posted to Wizbang's Carnival of the Trackbacks, Michelle Malkin, Right on the Right, The Right Nation, Point Five, TMH Bacon Bits, Macstansbury, and the Uncooperative Blogger

UPDATE:
Others blogging the story include: Newsbusters, Memeorandum, Gateway Pundit, Say Anything, and The Officers' Club