Celebrities Denounce "Unjust" War on Terror

MediaReseachCenter ^ | Monday, September 23, 2002 10:28:34 AM | staff

[fight_truth_decay]

A bunch of left-wing celebrities, including Ed Asner, Ossie Davis, Jane Fonda, Danny Glover, Casey Kasum, Susan Sarandon, Oliver Stone and Marisa Tomei, helped pay for a full page ad in last Thursday's New York Times denouncing President Bush's war on terrorism.

Also adding their name to the ad: Time magazine contributor Barbara Ehrenreich and Steve Earle, singer of John Walker's Blues. Across the top of the page the ad screamed: "PRESIDENT BUSH has declared: 'you're either with us or against us.' Here is our answer:"

The ad, paid for by a group calling itself "Not in Our Name," screeched below: "We call on all Americans to RESIST the war and repression that has been loosed on the world by the Bush administration. It is unjust, immoral, and illegitimate."

The signers equated 9/11 with the terror inflicted by the U.S. military: "We too mourned the thousands of innocent dead and shook our heads at the terrible scenes of carnage -- even as we recalled similar scenes in Baghdad, Panama City, and, a generation ago, Vietnam."

The Bush administration "put out a simplistic script of 'good vs. evil,'" the signers complained, a formula "that was taken up by a pliant and intimidated media."

An excerpt of the low-lights:

Let it not be said that people in the United States did nothing when their government declared a war without limit and instituted stark new measures of repression.

The signers of this statement call on the people of the U.S. to resist the policies and overall political direction that have emerged since September 11, 2001, and which pose grave dangers to the people of the world....

We believe that people of conscience must take responsibility for what their own governments do -- we must first of all oppose the injustice that is done in our own name. Thus we call on all Americans to RESIST the war and repression that has been loosed on the world by the Bush administration. It is unjust, immoral, and illegitimate. We choose to make common cause with the people of the world.

We too watched with shock the horrific events of September 11, 2001. We too mourned the thousands of innocent dead and shook our heads at the terrible scenes of carnage -- even as we recalled similar scenes in Baghdad, Panama City, and, a generation ago, Vietnam. We too joined the anguished questioning of millions of Americans who asked why such a thing could happen.

But the mourning had barely begun, when the highest leaders of the land unleashed a spirit of revenge. They put out a simplistic script of "good vs. evil" that was taken up by a pliant and intimidated media. They told us that asking why these terrible events had happened verged on treason. There was to be no debate. There were by definition no valid political or moral questions. The only possible answer was to be war abroad and repression at home....

In our name, the government has brought down a pall of repression over society. The President's spokesperson warns people to "watch what they say." Dissident artists, intellectuals, and professors find their views distorted, attacked, and suppressed. The so-called Patriot Act -- along with a host of similar measures on the state level -- gives police sweeping new powers of search and seizure, supervised if at all by secret proceedings before secret courts.

In our name, the executive has steadily usurped the roles and functions of the other branches of government. Military tribunals with lax rules of evidence and no right to appeal to the regular courts are put in place by executive order. Groups are declared "terrorist" at the stroke of a presidential pen.

We must take the highest officers of the land seriously when they talk of a war that will last a generation and when they speak of a new domestic order. We are confronting a new openly imperial policy towards the world and a domestic policy that manufactures and manipulates fear to curtail rights....

President Bush has declared: "you're either with us or against us." Here is our answer: We refuse to allow you to speak for all the American people. We will not give up our right to question. We will not hand over our consciences in return for a hollow promise of safety. We say NOT IN OUR NAME. We refuse to be party to these wars and we repudiate any inference that they are being waged in our name or for our welfare. We extend a hand to those around the world suffering from these policies; we will show our solidarity in word and deed....

Let us not allow the watching world today to despair of our silence and our failure to act. Instead, let the world hear our pledge: we will resist the machinery of war and repression and rally others to do everything possible to stop it.

END of Excerpt

[fight_truth_decay]

TO: Organizations for identification only (Not In Our Name).

This is a partial list that MRC is trying to update. If you don’t see your name, please be patient: Please notify us of any errors.. John Abbick

Susan Abbott, consultant

Hamdiya Fatimah Abdul-Aleem

Rabab Abdulhadi

Erica Abeel, writer

Kim Abeles, artist

Anna Abend

Jennifer Abod

Khaled, Abou El Fadl, professor of law, UCLA

Darren Aboulafia

James Abourezk

David Abram -- cultural ecologist and author

Paula Abrams-Hourani

Dave Abston

As`ad AbuKhalil, Professor, Cal State Univ, Stanislaus

Janet L. Abu-Lughod, Professor Emerita, New School University

Lila Abu-Lughod, Professor of Anthropology, Columbia

Emily Achtenberg

Jesse Achtenberg, filmmaker

David Adams, professor, Wesleyan University

Dennis Adams, artist

Lande Adams

Katrina Adang

Sandra Adickes, writer/teacher

Justin Adler

Kristin L. Adolfson, bookmaker

Julia J. Aegerter

Farhad Afsharvand

Nancy Agen

Delia D. Aguilar, Professor of Women's Studies (retired), Washington State University

Rev. Anne Ainsworth

John M Aiono

Airtrack..........

Too many to take up this space go to the site to read more "http://www.nion.us/CURRENTM.htm"

Banger Sisters is Sarandon's new film..one of the most outspoken of the group.How to respond to a Group where Entertainment lines the pockets in such enormous dollar amounts that by banding together, such ads can be taken in the NY Times..the man or woman going to his Reality job could never place an ad like this..so what can they do?(and won't cost a dime) Maybe just maybe one just doesn't attend the next film of that celebrity..Granted these gifted individuals (sic) have the right to speak out as many men and women have given their lives to allow them to exercise these freedoms..but if we do not agree with their Liberal_isms, then as the President Bush said on combatting terrorism "We stop the money supply!"..well maybe "We just slow down the entertainment business money supply." So when someone says to me they are going to see "Banger Sisters", I just point out this Latest Letter by the "Not In Our Name" to the NY Times and the reply has been.."Maybe I just will see another film."

[mhking]

We could escort the lot of them to the border, give them a hearty "GTFO" and leave it at that...

Except they'd find a way to come back...

[VaBthang4]

5

[weikel]

MARISA TOMEI

Damnit now Im pissed I thought she was cool I liked her.

[thinktwice]

Why aren't these people in Baghdad where they belong?

[1bigdictator]

As a Jew what these people tell me is that it is okay for militant arab culture to slaughter my people and Jews are immoral to respond to this genocidal threat that Arab-backed terrorism represents. These Terror Appeasing Mother F*ckers can go to hell. I hope they all die in an Arab terror attack.

[hchutch]

This has to be a mistake... no way... Marissa Tomei?

[TheBigB]

Half of these frisbee-witted individuals haven't been "celebrities" for years. What's Ed Asner's last project?

[Mr. Bird]

At the risk of sounding like a Monty Python skit: Just who in the hell are we repressing?

I can see it now, Marisa Tomei penning "The Starbucks Archipelago", the riveting account of how dozens of Hollywood millionaires suffered under the Bush regime: Their taxes lowered, property values skyrocketing. The lesser minions toiling in the military so that Will and Grace may be safely viewed without threat of interruption.

Not in your name? Gladly, you ungrateful jackasses.

[JohnGalt]

"I hope they all die in a terrorist attack." is no different than Democratic Congresscritters saying they hope Jesse Helms gets AIDS.

[mombonn]

I couldn't bring myself to read the entire slobbering screed, but couldn't help but wonder if these slimeballs would express the same attitude if the attacks had been against hollyweird and disneyland?

Survivors and families of the victims should BOYCOTT these creeps. I haven't seen a movie in longer than I can remember, and it doesn't hurt a bit.

[Lexington Green]

Definition of "mixed emotions" = watching terrorists wipe out the Academy Awards

[JohnGalt]

It is most unfortunate to see her associating with the 'useful idiot crowd.'

[pistolpackinannie]

I, for one, will never watch another film that this [w]itch is in! Am so sick of these people, also think they are as bad, if not worse, than the terrorists that have invaded our country, they need to live somewhere else!

[heartwood]

Let's give them each a penthouse apartment in the 100 tallest buildings in America. Or a groundfloor apartment in the 100 busiest post offices. Breathe deep now. Ah, how many left, and what could we do with them. Bind them Prometheus-like to bridges and nuke plants, and they can cry peace, peace to speeding planes and boats.

[lavaroise]

It's no use arguing with these kinds of headlines, why would we believe them, godless a$$ holes.

[1bigdictator]

Anybody who wishes to remove my ability to protect myself from pure evil is an accomplice to that evil and represents an equal threat as the primary perpetrator. If wishing to remove this threat makes me immoral, so be it.

[sheik yerbouty]

Being a professional example of senile dementia.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Winning the Oscar made her go nuts, perhaps.

[hchutch]

Oh, man...

*shakes his head*

There has to have been some terrible mistake...

[babygene]

Allthough I understand and even agree with you outrage at these people (if you can call them that), I think your last sentence was out of line...

[Charles Martel]

MARISA TOMEI

I was surprised to see her name listed among those @rseholes. I knew nothing about her politics, but figured that she probably didn't think too deeply about such things. Looks like I was correct.

BTW, there are a few glaring absences; such as Mike Farrell, Rob "Meathead" Reiner, Cher and B.S. - could it be that even some of those left-wing loonies know when to STFU?

Across the top of the page the ad screamed: "PRESIDENT BUSH has declared: 'you're either with us or against us.' Here is our answer:"

Very well... they're against us and have confirmed that fact in newsprint. We won't forget.

[1bigdictator]

Perhaps, but venting my rage helps me.

[austingirl]

If these hypocrits hate America so much, why stay and live the high life in our "corrupt and evil" society and earn a fortune while they're at it? They are mindless, incapable of coherent thought and sickening.

[TheBigB]

How much would it cost...if we all chipped in...to buy one ad. With our names. And have it say up top, "YES...IN OUR NAME". We are not celebrities, nor entertainers, nor self-avowed "intellectuals"...we are Americans. Self-described Average Americans, who work day-to-day, salute our flag, pay our taxes and recognoze that America, as far from perfect as she may be, has always been Earth's shining light. That we, as a nation, have always been there, to defend freedom, to help feed the hungry, and yes, to protect the powerless. We've proven it, time and time again. Now the time has come for us to find out who are allies truly are. We are not the opinion-shapers, but we are the nation-makers. Yes Mr. President, do it...IN OUR NAME."

[weikel]

Carl Reiner

So the meathead shutup huh? Must be eatting my food.

[fight_truth_decay]

Should you take time to read the before mentioned list,,you will find many University Professors..not just the entertainment industry..

[1bigdictator]

Bump... Lets do it. However Liberal Rags like the Times have a history of censuring conservative adds.

[js1138]

http://www.nion.us/CURRENTM.htm

Page is currently unavailable.

I wonder if they are sorry yet.

[zlala]

A good idea, if it takes off let me know.

[steamroller]

Some,like ASSner are so-called Jews-I think their rabbi is Noam Chomsky.I'd like to see the reaction of survivors if a celebrity function was car-bombed.You'd be hearing cries for war loud and clear.I am completely in support of the war on terrorism.I'm not so hot on a war with Iraq because among other things it could hobble the war on terrorism by shutting down cooperation in places like Pakistan and Yemen where there are significant elements who are actually helping us a great deal.

[adam stevens]

What a bunch of losers!

[adam stevens]

Radical Left Watch Ping!

I have begun a Ping list to keep track of the Radical Left. If you are interested in joining or have found a relevant story drop me a line.

[ohioman]

I must admit that, deep down, I would love to beat the hell out of every one of these traitors. However, I am sure that about 100 Million other Americans feel the same way. The actions by these "enemy celebs" should NEVER be forgiven.

[js1138]

Are there any actual celebrities in the list. I don't follow Hollywood much and don't recognise any of them.

[fight_truth_decay]

The add must have been around a half million(seems high but know it is high)..someone might know the cost of a NYTimes ad full page..however with FREEP we could contribute thru donations (not to the Times ..why fill their pockets) and use just those words..good thought!!!!!now I know why they call you The BIGB..;)

[fight_truth_decay]

Its available still on my end from your url posting..thanks..

[js1138]

I got it. the link is good. Maybe we overwhelmed their server. LOL

[lavaroise]

Movie apes hide behind the screen and do not test in the flesh their preaching, same thing with accademic apes who hide behind rhetorical acrobaties. In any case, I have the right to remain silent and ignorant of what these people promote specificaly save that they do not practice what they preach.

[4CJ]

We could escort the lot of them to the border, give them a hearty "GTFO" and leave it at that... Except they'd find a way to come back...

Nah - if we got these clymers out of country, the rush would be on to seal the borders.

[hgro]

Sounds like a good idea.

[IowaHawk]

Behold the concerned voices of ordinary Americans - be they activists, actors, artists, professors, poets, lecturers, haranguers, ragers, Salem hemp grannies for positive homeless change, professors of vegan social justice acting, artistic Quaker poetry activist, graduate scholars of womyn PhD students in social poetry theater education, bag boys at Whole Foods, and traveling hacky sack professionals.

"NION"? This reads more like the "ONION".

[hgro]

"These poor actors---and lousy Americans, joining hands with the muslims---would certainly change their tune if they had a scud shoved up their arses."

The Commie scum never was cleaned out of the left coast.

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

You are either with us or you are WITH THE TERRORISTS.

[Democrap]

Same old crowd

the same old song

the same old Democrap

[TheBigB]

What do you say, JimRob? Any advice on how to make this ad thing come about? Or is it wishful thinking, considering the $$ price?

[AppyPappy]

[fight_truth_decay]

Its a great idea and great lead in

[SunStar]

Across the top of the page the ad screamed: "PRESIDENT BUSH has declared: 'you're either with us or against us.'

Actually, President Bush declared "You're either with us, or you are with the terrorists." 'Nuff said.