I was praising Thomas Frank recently for the fine New York Times op-ed he published on July 16, but this op-ed in today's L.A. Times, on the Democrats' links to Hollywood, is just dumb:

Now, it is an article of faith among American intellectuals that Hollywood movies are populist products; that they are uncomplicated translations of the public's desires into attractive images; that stars are stars because we love them; and that countries like France that resist Hollywood movies do so because they are snobs, dedicated to some daft mission civilatrice in which they will bring culture — in the form of arty, disjointed black-and-white films — to the masses. Masses, that is, who yearn in their hearts for nothing but more Hollywood fare.

"It is an article of faith among American intellectuals that Hollywood movies are populist products"? The hell it is. It is an article of faith among American intellectuals that Hollywood movies are undiluted lowest-common-denominator crap churned out to narcotize the masses and reinforce the existing social order. And France? France loves Michael Moore, who's reviled as a traitor by the most popular news channel in America.

...when Hollywood stars decide to get out there and do their patriotic duty and stump for the candidate of their choice, the candidates they support are usually Democrats.

But somehow it never seems to help.

It never does? Gee, which party won the popular vote in the last three presidential elections?

Frank's self-righteousness derives from one party he just attended in Boston. Here's the guest list that has him so exercised:

The father of a famous comedian was there. A star from a favorite TV drama. A guy from a celebrated Broadway musical. And a member of the famous acting family whom everyone referred to simply as "the Baldwin."

The entertainment B-list is what they hate in Kansas, Tom?

Let me just point out that among the GOP's candidates or proposed candidates in the past decade have been Dennis Miller, Kelsey Grammer, Ted Nugent, Mike Ditka, Charles Barkley, and auto racing superstar Richard Petty. Pro wrestler The Rock spoke at the 2000 Republican Convention. Michael Jackson was honored at the Reagan White House and Mr. T sat in Nancy Reagan's lap. And this is in addition to all the GOP's officeholder/entertainers in recent decades -- Ronald Reagan, George Murphy, Clint Eastwood, Sonny Bono, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Fred Grandy, and Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning.

Both parties like entertainers. One party gets criticized for it.