Justin Bieber's Litmus Test

I cannot bring myself to write about Justin Bieber at Genre Confusion, so I'm doing it here. It's more about politics, anyway.

So the golden boy of the pop world got asked a bunch of questions that have nothing to do with music, and he may not have answered them like he was supposed to:

"I really don't believe in abortion," the teen idol said. "It's like killing a baby?" When asked if he was still adamantly pro-life in cases of rape, his stance didn't really change. "Um. Well, I think that's really sad, but everything happens for a reason," he said. "I don't know how that would be a reason. I guess I haven't been in that position, so I wouldn't be able to judge that."

So far, so 16-year-old. It's probably not something he's ever really thought about, and he mumbled through it as best he could. Whatever. I neither know nor care what he really thinks enough to criticize him on how artfully he articulates it.

Another point of contention from the interview is the Canadian crooner's admission that he never plans to become an American citizen. "You guys are evil," he joked. "Canada's the best country in the world." The young man even took a dig at the U.S. healthcare system. "We go to the doctor and we don't need to worry about paying him, but here, your whole life, you're broke because of medical bills."

Let's give the kid a little credit here. Sure, he's traveled the world and is in a higher tax bracket than most of us can even fathom, but how many 16-year-olds are even remotely aware of how insanely expensive healthcare can be? The fact that he's cultured and tuned in to the everyday struggles of those surrounding him (he mentions his bodyguard's premature baby and the costly complications stemming from that) is a refreshing glimpse of a Hollywood star that hasn't completely lost touch with reality and everyday people.

This, on the other hand, is just bursting with stupid. Not Bieber's polite and thoughtful opining on the intricacies of health care, that's just the opinion every Canadian is issued at birth. What's stupid is this particluar Popeater claiming that mere chauvinism coupled with declarations of evil reflects maturity and insight.

Justin Bieber doesn't know anything about health care or how much it costs. He doesn't have to: he's Canadian. Debates about health care costs occur above his pay-grade. Somber, credentialed professionals in brightly lit rooms have these debates for him, so that, as he boasts, not a golden hair of his pretty head ever need be disturbed by them.

Justin and his opinions on premarital sex are understandable -- the kid is, after all, a sex symbol to millions of tween girls -- but were the questions about abortion, rape and even politics appropriate given his age and the fact that these topics have seemingly nothing to do with his music, movie or any of the products he sells?

"I think that anyone who has as much sway in popular culture as Justin should be asked all questions," Grigoriadis said. "I agree that he does not bring up these issues in his work at the moment, but it's possible that he will in the future, as he decides that he wants the public to know more about him."

How does one say "bullshit" in Canadian?

Rolling Stone asked these questions for one reason and one reason only: to determine if Frankie Avalon Leif Garret Justin Bieber was one of the Right People with the Right Opinions. If he is, then RS can insert the Teen Idol as More Sophisticated Observer of Human Affairs Than We Would Have Thought angle. If not, so much the better: the Pop Sensation With Troubling, Controversial Opinions angle always sells better (you don't think these thumb-suckers actually like interviewing 50 Cent and Eminem, do you?).

So based on this, I'm guessing he got a C+. Expect continuing coverage for the next several millenia.