It has happened to me with a writer called 'Chopper Reid", a minor gangland criminal who turned writer. The same guy who writes books named things like How to Shoot Friends and Influence People. It is interesting and funny until yo remember that the author is a lying, thieving, murdering criminal who had done the very same sort of things he was describing. I just wasn't interested in finding out what I had in common with him — no matter how well crafted the book. He might have something noble and meaningful to say in there — somewhere — but I'd rather read something else.

There are also lots of things one can completely and utterly disagree with a writer about---a list of writers I like, who've expressed contempt and hatred for the music I like, seems endless---but I'd try to hold out the boycott thing for some extreme and thorough disagreement over something considerably more fundamental and important. (As I stated further back, this comes up for me far more often with the celebrity class than it does with writers.)

This left me feeling really betrayed. Whedon's politics are, of course, his own business, and he has the right to believe whatever he wants. But at the same time, I felt left out. I would have loved to go to this event and hear Joss speak via phone, but to do so, I had to donate money to Kerry. Not like $35 (or whatever it was) would make a big diference to Kerry, but it would to me. I had to make a difficult choice -- was I willing to donate money to a candidate I didn't support, or was I willing to forego the opportunity? I skipped the event, and boycotted Whedon for a while.

My situation is not quite what you were referring to, but in some ways it's actually worse. If an author expresses a non-profit opinion (like OSC), that's one thing. But this, to me, was as if Whedon had said, "All my true fans are Democrats." It really did make me feel like my patronage was unwanted.

However, since reading OSC, I have come to a somewhat different opinion. (I just wasn't aware that there were any major authors out there who could even lay a claim to being moderate.) Maybe it's best that authors speak their mind. By boycotting Joss, I was in essence rejecting a part of his creativity...it was a nifty setup for a fundraiser, I have to admit. And hey, at least if you know their opinions and you disagree, you're ready for it. Forewarned is forearmed, and all that jazz.

On the other hand, Springsteen is (from my point of view) on the wrong side of the fence politically, and I'm reluctant to put money in his pocket for that reason. (And Seeger is on the wrong side of the historical fence---but that hasn't stopped me from enjoying his songs and work (he's one of the few performers I've actually seen in person)).

On the other other hand (if I had another hand), Springsteen hasn't been near as obnoxious about his political opinions as some others.

And on the other other other hand, I understand from a review that he does make a contemporary political swipe on at least one song.