Streisand backs stars' rights to talk politics
Outspoken superstar Barbra Streisand has defended celebrities' rights to speak out about politics, insisting there have always been strong links between Hollywood and Washington DC.
Democrat-backing actors, actresses and singers - including Streisand - were criticised for adding their support to Senator John Kerry's campaign at last month's presidential election.
But the singer accuses the Republican party of double standards.
She says: "I find it horrific that this kind of fundamentalist extremist right-wing radical finds no problem with Republican actors taking to politics.
"Arnold Schwarzenegger can become governor, Ronald Reagan can become president, Charlton Heston can become the head of the NRA (National Rifle Association), but if you're a Democrat and a liberal, that's a no-no. Somehow you're put down.
"Everything good in this country came from the liberal agenda, whether it's Medicare, social security, child-labour laws, fighting against racial segregation.
“It's a badge of honour."
