[Ben Lahnger]

Yes, I'd agree that Paris Hilton is overexposed. I never have thought she was attractive (particularly after hearing her opine over and over again in a vapidly brainless fashion "That's Hot!") And I couldn't figure what anybody saw in her. But it was just another one of those things where I just shrug my shoulders and ignore it.

And frankly, I could care less if the Paris Hilton's and Pamela Anderson's (I'd DO her once for grins ... definitely .... no redeaming quality to that desire, it's just sport-f@c%ing) get a lot of face time on TV and in the press. As long as they are hawking their latest TV show or perfume or clothing line or book ... who cares.

But if they get on the air and use the access to champion a particular political view, then I have issues with it. For instance. if Carrottop gets 5 minutes of airtime on a newsprogram because he draws thousands of people to his shows every year, and then says to the reporter/interviewer "Yeah, I think Illegal Aliens are bad and should be shot," well, I have a problem with that. (I have no evidence that Carrottop has said any such thing ... it is just a made up example.)

These celebrities, athletes and artists who have an undue amount of access due to their talent and abilities should have to either demonstrate that they've done some homework and are reasonably educated about the position they are expousing, or they should shut up.

And I don't care if I agree with their views or not. For instance, I rarely agree with Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, but when they speak publicly they are eloquent and well-informed. And they are discriminatory about when they speak ... I have seen them on talk shows where the host had to draw them out with probing questions about their beliefs. This is not because they were hesitant or afraid to speak their minds ... they were just being conscientious of not speaking of politics in what was supposed to be an entertainment vehicle. I admire them for that.