Bravo to you Ms. Streisand. You might even awaken some people to take a stand and attempt to have their one voice heard. Maybe they will even get out and VOTE. Too many politicians and the media are not held accountable but we Democrats let too much pass thinking we can't change anything. Your P.S. should also be applauded.

P.S. While I hope very much that you direct the "Normal Heart" despite the press rumors and quotes, have you ever considered a remake of "The Children's Hour"?

"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock."
-Thomas Jefferson

Bravo Barbra, you inspire me to dredge on...love your blogs.

Barbra,

Edited, succinct and to the point. Very well done. So you can write too! Is the anything you can't do. This is a good and fast read. If you don't mind I will forward it, you as writer, to people on Twitter and Facebook.

I picked this article up on the Huffington Post. For me this was a new place to find you. I like that your there.

Thanks,
Jack Murphy

As a child, I was taken to your movie 'Funny Girl.' You were FABULOUS! As a vocalist, entertainer and actress, you were born with talent and don't ever stop!

Barak Obama may not be handing out food stamps, but there are 1.5 million people, myself included, who have been forced to collect unemployment for 99 weeks due to being laid off. It's a double-edge sword for me because I'm a republican. However, I am grateful that its' available for me. The last time that I didn't work for 99 weeks was because I was in college. This unemployment term is unprecedented for me, as I'm certain that it is for many.

You are very fortunate to have billions, which puts you in a comfortable place should Obama's socialist goal take effect. I know several Democrats who aren't as fortunate as you and counted on Obama.

My 99 weeks ends in April and I PRAY TO GOD that I have a job or I'm screwed.

You are among several in Hollywood and athletes (endorsements), who'll NEVER be affected by tax increases or medical/dental insurance because your assets will last a few lifetimes.

Most sincerely,

Kimberly Dunn

P.S.S. - I just donated $100 to Planned Parenthood.

I couldn't agree more. I sure hope the upcoming Presidential debates have moderators that'll press (pun intended!) the candidates to actually answer the questions being asked instead of deflecting with their standard talking points, that drives me crazy. The worst I've ever seen was the 2008 VP debate when Palin responded to a question by saying flat out that she wasn't going to answer a specific question and instead was going to say whatever she wanted to--I was astounded the moderator let that slide, but she did. Keep it up Barbra, you're great at cutting through the baloney and laying out the truth. And press, please keep "pressing" these candidates for responses to the questions you're asking, and for goodness sakes please call them on it when they dodge, deflect, or say something that's totally wrong!

I just don't get it, I don't understand why people always have to bring up the fact that Ms Streisand can't, or will never be affected by taxes or anything, or her assets. What does her calling the candidates on the carpet for non- truths have to do with her personal life??

But yet, at the same time people who are struggling to survive can't see that she is trying to get THEM help! That boggles my mind.
She fought to help get people in office who got your benefits extended- but yet then, to turn and say- you are so fortunate- you will never know what it's like for us- is a joke to me. Actually, kind of a slap in the face to her, I would think. She's trying to help give a voice to those of society who are being under represented, or not heard at all- because she has the means, the platform, and the power to do so. Don't attack the messenger.

I just don't get it. I mean, because she was/is successful, does that mean that her conscious is gone? Does it mean that she should not care about her fellow citizens? Women's rights? Please people, not every so called "one percenter" is a crook, or likes to see you suffer. Who do you think funded some of our great universities in history? Philanthropers like Ms Streisand.
I think it is extremely unfair move when people attack her for her success. As if it is something that she should be ashamed of- she earned it, she worked for it- so what, she was born with mega talent- she couldn't help it- it was the luck of the draw, and she used her talent. But it seems like people try to use guilt on her with comments like, "you'll never be affected, you'll never know"- anything can change in life- overnight. Don't get upset with her because she has been a good steward over her life, especially when she is fighting for your rights. Maybe, it's true, some things may not affect her as much as the common man or woman citizen, but it's not like she's stupid or something, and can't see what's happening in the world. Should she turn a blind eye? Seems like she's damned if she does and damned if she doesn't. I know that the economy has been really rough on a lot of folks, and it seems it would be easy for feelings of resentment to set in against those who appear to still have it all. I'm sure after the depression, those who managed to do well were resented by those who weren't. That's human nature to a degree (on a lower level, but never-the- less- it's human nature).
But the resentment should not be projected against the good ones, per say- let's keep our resentment toward those who ACTUALLY lied to us, those who STOLE our children's inheritances, and bankrupted their futures out of PURE GREED. Let's hold them accountable, and not bite the hands that are trying to help us. Sorry, that's just how I see it, but everyone has an opinion- that's just mine.

Dear Barbra,

I can imagine your anger about how journalist`s can be dependent or make themselves dependent on their employer specially when it`s a certain ( not even american ) australian media mogul called Murdoch.
I hope here in Germany no journalist will ever be such coward.

Since September 2009, the White House is in an open conflict with the U.S. news channel Fox News, which has since tried to get Barack Obama more and more into disrepute by this is called a racist, among other things.

Believe me, here in Germany we also watch very carefully whats going on at the moment with the repuclican candidates " touring " the United States and it`s really unbelievable when you listen to some of their statements making people believe them...

I am so happy always when I hear from you, specially when you bring in here your honest statements.

Thank you !

Andreas

P.S. sorry about my bad english

It is undeniable that Ms. Streisand is the preeminent polymath of the last several generations. Her talents are endless and erudition rewarding. In essence, she just simply ROCKS!!!

Looking forward to all she has to offer in the future and of course, thanks for being who you are...

When the mainstream media doesn't do its job, then I applaud people like you who stand up and say, "Enough!" I wish more women would. Especially given last Thursday's fiasco with the hearing on Capitol Hill–a panel of men determining what is best for women's health. I call on you and all other women in front of the microphone, the camera, the congress and the media to do their part and say enough.

I've begun a Facebook page called "Where are All Women?" providing ways in which women can communicate to congress, contribute to non-profits and tell others about the need to have women at the table to support our basic human rights. It's not political. It's not religious. It's necessary. I hope you'll join in and speak up and stand up for us: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Where-are-all-the-women/107749776015953?sk=wall

Very well reasoned and stated. We hear and read about the corrosive influence of money on scholastic integrity -- witness the "experts" funded by the fossil fuel industry and their published "studies" decrying that industry's impact on climate change. But, the corrosive influence of money on journalistic integrity, where the owners of media outlets can shape and influence reportage and editorial content, also menaces the survival of our democracy. It makes you thank God (and the Democrats) for PBS! And appreciate the Occupy Movement. 'Truth to power' is an expression I used to hear on campus in the 60's -- we need it now more than ever.

I’m glad to see that the Barbara Streisand name has finally found the top of her stationary. “Hello Gorgeous.”, “Are we ready to do this?”, “Where is The Fourth Estate when you need them?”

Why, actually…I assume Barbara Streisand intends a little jest of that time she spent as a revolutionary in the war. You see this Country was built of the greater things that were found to be worthless leftovers by even greater men. Those “greater things” were all considered suitable payments for rendered services by the government of some very loyal men. It might seem to us as a Government with a rather odd sense of humor. They had “paid” their most loyal and experienced war veterans with the right to evict and seize the homes of the previous group of veterans. That joke serves well as an historical earmark, marking that transition of one group of Colonial property owners to the other. Don’t find yourself believing that it was ever a mistake, it was a process developed and practiced for many years in France. In fact, Hitler even noticed it, no one in the KK Clan had ever mentioned that there was only one possible Government Job for the only French Guy in the seat of a Government of a British owned town.

I assume Barbara Streisand had the time to learn from the Freemasons, that the Founding Fathers, were a little more careful than most. There pigeon hole of pillage and war booty only consisted of the things that the British Bankers could launder to their relatives at home. They weren’t considered truly British by the knights uncharged with running British Property law and slavery was legal. By the British economic design, they were at one time all forbidden to climb the British social/economic ladder. This was done by the Courts having recorded that they were all men suspected of abusing a “right“ that British officers have. Specifically, their common bond was that in Court they could only be victims of British officers who were somehow skilled in the practiced of interpreting their own mail as money.

The Founding fathers also left us with a rather terrifying definition of readiness. One can see that today in the design of the electoral college. As one might assume, once a group of crooked politicians rise into office, the practice very similar to the past forty years of New York’s Police, their intent is always to change the design of the Electoral College to keep themselves in power or eliminate the proper candidates. However, the Founding Fathers actually took their process from a much more experienced and brilliant design and then taking it a it even a step or two further.

If we were to look for the answer, the correct design for a electoral College, actually arises in a much more powerful and real problem. What was at one time the sworn enemy to the Patriots, had studied the problem with the British Officers’ criminal incompetence, and realized that British Government, from several generations prior, was still intentionally incapable of the differentiation between gross incompetence and normally correct function, were if it were a sickness, any likely British enemy was actually immune. They were very accurate in their studies, which were done without even traveling to the American colonies, of the willingness of the persons who didn’t not have “A brother who is a cop” to believe that they could trust their own Government’s people with reimbursements. They could easily replace any part of The Colonial Government with their own version of efforted incompetence and it would remain forever unnoticed. The design the Founding Fathers “found” (Or should we more accurately say “founded”) for the electoral college is actually much better and terrifying than any of that.

Ready or not, we have already begun.

It scares me that people believe the bull they see on network news, that they don't have the ''time'' to dig deeper, to put it all together, to get the big picture. We are hardly a broke nation. The powers that be that wish to keep the status quo will use fear ala George Bush, to have people band together like roaches in a dark, huddled in fear moving in unison like some bad acting class. Why Why Why do we have to constantly be bombarded with negativity and lies. Twisted truths that make my head spin. I sit here feeling powerless, knowing that the agenda laid before us, to ''keep us in line'', is just not the way I was "brought up" as an American. I believed all of you. I had faith in all of you. All of you politicians that are so egotistical you'll say anything at any time to make yourself look good is as scary as when Dorothy was taken by the tornado. The lies and deception have ripped my guts out. The fact that we, the United States of America, have children hungry, seniors choosing food over prescriptive medications, a generation of hopelessness, does not compute with what I was told to believe in this country, in our leaders, in our media.
Where is the dignity?
Why can't there be a real NEWS program that show us all the marvelous accomplishments we are making as a people, why are we only shown the horrible, unimaginable, ''what the f*ck would I do if that happened to me" stories on the news? Why is that being pounded into my head day in day out. People need to realize that we are all part of the same energy.
Some people chose to lie about this and that to get what they want. In the end it really doesn't matter. When they leave this realm they'll realize they came here to do what they needed to do. Right or wrong, weak or strong.
There was something I think I heard on TV that caught my interest however...Obama said something like ''these characters want to be your president". How any person with connected brain cells can digest and accept what is put out there as truth by the likes of Newt and the rest of them is just beyond my comprehension. To those of you who believe Newt and the rest of the republicant's please don't reproduce. I beg you. Keep it in your pants. Ladies, Just Say No!! LOL. There's a lot to be done in this country. We're not losers, we haven't fallen, we aren't broke. We're depressed as a nation because everything you taught about ''how to do things'', went out the window with a bunch of greedy bastards. But they will never prevail. We are way stronger than them. When the very foundation of what they stand on is built on lies, we all know the outcome. It's up to US to get it together, call them out when they're out of bounds, tell the good ole boys their days are over..I got to record a song for a friend who's 16 year old son came out to her...it's called UPRISING by Muse. It was a private recording so no infringements occured but I got to do it because I changed a lyric from ''and watch our flags ascend'' to ''watch us [Slur Deleted]s'' ascend. It's something I truly believe in...YouTube Levi:MLQ UpPhaging (that's right Martin Luther Queen). It's the first thing in my life my father ever complimented me on....only took 57 years...what can I say, patience.

I was born in 1962 - around the time Barbra was becoming well-known for her obvious talents and signed with Columbia, though I would not know who Barbra Streisand was until I went to see my first movie in an old theater in Newport, NH, in 1975. As I sat in the theater while the roof leaked like a sieve all around me, I laughed hysterically at the comedy of What's Up Doc?. I was most taken by Barbra's acting talent and obvious beauty. Last night I set up a new 120" screen with my wife (also a (jazz) singer) and projected YouTube video after video of Barbra's singing. A day later, and countless hours of getting to know Barbra better, I ended up here at this site, responding to Barbra's post on the reticence of the media to expose the disinformation wielded about by politicians. I am so pleased to see that, despite Barbra's success, she has taken the time to care about those who don't ever have a public voice, because the media these days just doesn't seem to care enough to consider those weak voices in their pursuit of newsworthy coverage.

This reminds me of the many times that I've tried to engage the local and national media to cover newsworthy topics that affect all of us, to no avail. I've been on various radio shows (NHPR - The Exchange; WSMN - "Arnie" Arnesen; WKXL; etc.) to talk about my 'success' in the '90s as an independent inventor who struggled to bring his creations to market, and sort of succeeded - the media loved this sort of story because it gives hope to common people who believe in the American Dream. This so-called Dream works for many, like it has for Barbra, and I believe it can work for many who would, otherwise, never become a success by their own definition in any country that controls its media. It seems that the media is controlled in this country, but not necessarily by our government.

American media seems more interested in profits than truth. This, I've experienced firsthand, because when American companies (no, not Chinese) began stealing my inventions I turned to the media, again to no avail - they simply ignored my contact attempts altogether. My 'new' story just is not the kind that the media is interested in, partially for legal reasons, and my pursuit of exposing the truth has been stymied. Despite that I've invented well over a hundred product designs for my industry, I am still relegated to working my blue collar HVAC business, albeit, with installations of my own inventions that I have manufactured in New England for my own use (http://www.thehvacguru.com/upscale-hvac-project-nh-seacoast-2/). Meanwhile, these companies are making millions annually with my inventions, and they simply keep it that way with lawyers and their friends in the media, who perpetuate propaganda to keep their advertiser cronies in their ill-gotten spoils. Like Barbra clearly stated, "the longer a lie or a half truth is allowed to simmer in the public consciousness without being refuted, the harder it is to correct misconceptions down the line."

I loved Barbra in What's Up Doc? (and a lot of other movies since). I've thoroughly enjoyed going down Memory Lane watching videos of her performances and interviews, and read the entire Wikipedia spiel on Barbra, and her ability to develop her own American Dream. Her success story has greatly inspired me.

Barbra's post, "Where is the Fourth Estate When You Need Them?" has also inspired me, given she obviously doesn't have to help anyone to advance her own cause; she clearly does it from the heart, and to me, this approach is right up there with the best of her achievements.

Thank you, Barbra Streisand, for all of your selfless contributions that you are making to some causes that can affect a better system for many. I wish that your goodness will rub off on those who have benefited by the American economic system, so that things will change for the better in this country, 'cause, boy do we need it.

A devoted fan in many respects,

John Rocheleau

As resident of MA, my question of Ms Streisand (whose music I have always enjoyed, as well as her films) is this:
Why do you write large checks to our state politicians? You don't live in MA and should, respectfully, refrain from impacting the daily lives of those who live here.
While I respect everyone's right to free speech, attempting to change the political landscape 3000 miles from your home is plain & simply wrong.

In response to the query, 'where is the 4th estate?' it resides far more in left-leaning politics than right, so I don't understand the problem.

Please Ms Streisand - with all due respect - buy favor with your local politicians and not ours.

Disclaimer: I am neither Democrat (though I voted for Clinton twice) nor Republican - merely a concerned citizen who was angered by a news story that came across the radio today listing elite west coasters and others who are flooding our state with campaign contributions. (Ms. Warren has received to date 63% of her contributions from out of state. (Brown, 40%) Our system is broken when the cost of a political campaign requires candidates to prostitute themselves in exchange for monetary support.

Indeed. Without an effective, active Fourth Estate, one of the most tragic aspects of today's body politic is that so many ignorant, deceived masses of people prevail in letting the Republican Party persuade them to vote against their own self-interest. The preponderance of political deception in the guise of truth is at the heart of the Republican Party. No wonder Senator Snow of Maine, a moderate Republican, wants out. Who can blame her when the idiots in her party rule the day.

I stopped listening to the national media years ago, I could see how they were being manipulated into saying just what their "Bosses" wanted them to say. Back during the early days of Bush Jr. administration. I got word in my company that we was no longer allowed to keep "notes" everything was to be destroyed! No employee of this major Corporation was ever allowed to bring anything home from work, If anyone was caught with so much as a written record of their schedule at work, they would be prosecuted for stealing company property!
It was also stated that we now had a very special office within the administration of the President and everyone had to be on their best behavior! No one was allowed to run for any sort of office while working at this corporation. It would be seen as conflict and reflect badly on the individual who was representing our Corporation in the Presidents administration. Upon further questioning, I found out that our Corporation Rep needed no special appointment to see the President and could just walk right in to discuss "matters" with him!
This always seemed very unfair to the American people. We are the ones who vote! As an American citizen my rights are supposed to be fully protected! how is this possible when a Rep from a fortune 500 company can get in to "chat" with our president while most of my emails and or letters are being answered by "God knows who - possibly someone who has never even actually met our President face to face!"
This whole process was started by George W. Bush Jr.! it was kept confidential and They had plenty of other major events to hide this from the American Citizens eye! one of my favorite supervisors was forced to resigned from our Corporation because he ran for and won a position as township trustee! A job that paid a mere 5k per year and those within it had no more power than deciding as a group small minor things within the community! The total number of trustees for that township amounted to 9 or so. what they did mainly was hold township meetings and decide what would go for a vote and what would not from those meetings. When I think of it now, I believe that my Supervisor really wanted to rock the boat and somehow, even in his own way... bring attention to what was happening at that time. Soon after that change, I was told that America would one day be like the Roman Empire! I never believed it until these past few years and more events that are now coming into focus!

Sarah Palin taught the Republicans that they can and should yell the loudest. When people are trying to get the truth out, they should start talking louder and ignore that the other person has the floor in order to tell whatever lie they believe will win them that vote and to shout down the truth when someone is trying to point it out.
There are smarter people coming up behind her and working this system in ways that they believe will win. The media is being bought out by corporations who have it in their best interest to control what is in the media and what is tweaked to look very bad for people such as President Obama.

Everyone I talk to knows and believes that President Obama had everything to do with taking out Bin Laden! but yet we get these right wingers who insist that this was a direct result of President Bush and had nothing to do with President Obama. this is how they start these lies.... Years from now, it will be stated again that President Bush took out Bin Laden and every Republican will back that claim! there will be people saying "what a fool, it was President Obama!" but the damage is done because they are spreading the lies now and in the future they can run back the sound bites as "Proof!" even if those sound bites are false!

That is what they did during President Clinton's Administration. Everyone during that time knew it was thanks to President Clinton, yet the Republican Party was putting out word and sound bites claiming credit for what President Clinton achieved! This is why it is very very important to stand up and demand truth from these people when they start telling these lies.

I have half a mind to move into Beohner's District in Ohio and talk everyone into voting him out of office! If I didn't feel it was so very important to keep my voice here for President Obama, I would already be living in Ohio right smack in the center of his district and talking a storm up to get him out of office!

I have always been a strong minded Democrat! I believe that anyone can and will achieve anything they set their minds to if they are given the chance to do that. If you ask most people, they really don't care to be rich, they just want to be comfortable! That was all I ever wanted, I achieved a bit more than that through hard work and determination.

I honestly understand what President Obama means when he talks about from the bottom up! That is how everyone has ever started out. You never start out a success, you start out with a determination to work hard and achieve what ever goals you have set for yourself. Many times you might be told to set achievable goals, then move on to the next goal and so on until you are finally where you want to be. The most important advice I have ever been given is to never forget where I have been in life.

When I mention my role models, I always include You, Barbra... I have watched you over the years and many others closer to me with whom I could confer and ask questions. I still say that America is filled with people who only want the chance to succeed. With a bit of encouragement and some sound advice, These people certainly can and will achieve a great many things.

We really do need to stand strong and spread the truth just as forcibly as these tellers of lies are doing. In doing so we will give others strength and they too will stand strong, then together we are a much stronger force to deal with. This is the America I know, the truth of the real American dream - where anything is possible if you are so willing to do your very best to achieve it.

Barbra, You are certainly living proof of that and I certainly do feel blessed to live in a time in which I can actually be a witness to all of your great achievements.

Best wishes to all,

a very loyal fan.

Not sure if Barbra has time to read all this mail let alone rely to any but you never know, here goes.

Dear Barbra

Could I trouble you for a little advice from here in the UK, I have been thinking of taking up the challenge of becoming an actor but am I too old to start?
( Male in the UK 44 years old )

Although I have had a long life passion in movies and music it seems it did not dawn on me until recently that I really want to become an actor, I seemed to be satisfied watching people like yourself create masterpieces when actually I should of been having a go myself.

I can sing, take off voices and act ( all to what ability I am unsure as I am guilty of doing most of my performances in the shower )
My influences are Your Good Self, Charlie Chaplin, Al Pacino Al Jolson & Robert De niro.

If late is better than never what advice could you offer to someone in my position.

I won't make this mail too long, I am sure you are busy and have a limited time to respond. Thank you for your consideration. Kindest regards Darren

PS Your performance of Somewhere at the age of 43 is magical by the way.