“then only artists should comment on the arts. “

Well now that you mention it …. it ain’t a bad idea.

As the saying goes in Art : “nobody likes a critic.”

And as a mater of fact in “Formal Literary review”, like the NYTimes . book section , and the NY Review of Books , (- two very stuffy , nose in the air publications if you ask me **),

most articles of review, the majority even ,, ARE written by other professional writers,, other novelists ,, not just journalists.

( *** http://www.nybooks.com/)
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As well with music ,, this is also often true. Musicians nowadays are often the ones hired to write reviews of music,

Related to this,,

this is why Bob Dylan , Tom Petty , and other musicians , have now their own satellite radio DJ programs.

Because many folks , do not like non-Artist as .critics,

and satellite radio , gives Dylan and Petty a chance to present the music from a Musicians viewpoint.
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“If only lawyers can comment on the law ,,then only artists should comment on the arts. “

Intelligent comments on law , come for people educated in law.

Real Wold comments on law are call COURTS.

Courts , critic laws. Their critic is real-world impact.

Everyone’s non-legal minded comments here about law is meaningless in that context.

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Main Entry: crit·ic

Pronunciation: ˈkri-tik

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin criticus, from Greek kritikos, from kritikos able to discern or judge, from krinein

Date: 1588

1 a : one who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter especially involving a judgment of its value, truth, righteousness, beauty, or technique

b : one who engages often professionally in the analysis, evaluation, or appreciation of works of art or artistic performances

2 : one given to harsh or captious judgment
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Lobbyist for the most are Lawyers.

So yes, “only lawyers can comment on the law” , in the formation of public policy in legislative is mostly true.

In the Courts . legal decisions _- the only commentary that really counts !!!- are written , by Judges.
Judges are lawyers.

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So yes : Being ONLY lawyers comment ‘Formally” and “Realistically” with real world effect on the law…..

…. then only artists should have FORMAL comment on the arts.

A lot of people DO feel this way.

And remember paid Critics are 1] professional writers and/or 2] professional broadcast journalists.
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