Actor Sean Penn Lashes Bush over Iraq War Drums

Reuters ^ | 10-18-02 | Anon

[Pharmboy]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Actor Sean Penn (news) on Friday weighed in on the international debate over a possible war with Iraq, paying for a $56,000 advertisement in the Washington Post accusing President Bush (news - web sites) of stifling debate and threatening civil liberties.

Oscar nominated actor Sean Penn (news) on October
18, 2002 weighed in on possible war with Iraq, paying
for a $56,000 advertisement in the Washington
Post accusing President George W. Bush of stifling
debate and threatening civil liberties. The ad,
an open letter to Bush, urges the president to stop
a cycle where 'bombing is answered by bombing, mutilation
by mutilation, killing by killing.' Penn is
seen at a benefit film premiere in Washington in this
January 22, 2001 file photo. (Jeff Synder/Reuters)

In an open letter to Bush taking up most of a page in the main section of the daily newspaper, the Oscar-nominated star of "I Am Sam" and "Dead Man Walking," urged the president to stop a cycle where "bombing is answered by bombing, mutilation by mutilation, killing by killing."

"I beg you, help save America before yours is a legacy of shame and horror," Penn wrote, echoing voices of caution from around the world that have called for a measured response to allegations Iraq is developing weapons of mass destruction.

The letter was signed "Sincerely, Sean Penn, San Francisco, California." A spokesman for the Washington Post confirmed that it was placed by the Hollywood celebrity who has starred in more than 40 movies.

Quoting Bush's declaration that the world was either "with us or against us" in the war on terrorism launched after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Penn, 42, said Bush was marginalizing critics, manipulating the media and promoting fear.

Those actions and "your administration's deconstruction of civil liberties all contradict the very core of the patriotism you claim," wrote Penn, who is married to actress Robin Wright Penn (news), and was formerly married to pop star Madonna (news - web sites).

"Sacrificing American soldiers or innocent civilians in an unprecedented preemptive attack on a separate sovereign nation may well prove itself a most temporary medicine," he said.

[duckbutt]

Well, under the constitution, this idiot is free to speak his mind, no matter how stupid. On the other hand, I don't have to pay good money to see his ugly mug on the screen.....freedom works both ways, but mine inhibits his means of earning a living.....ha!

[Billthedrill]

Oh, great, another self-dramatizing liberal: "oh, they're suppressing dissent, they're taking us to camps, they're stifling my right to speak out" in a full-page advertisement in a major daily. On television. On the radio. Onstage. "Help me, I'm being oppressed!" "Oppressed," my aching sphincter, if there's a problem here it's overexposure and undercerebration.

[TopQuark]

Another genius weighs in. At least his people can spell better than Streisand's. Yes, but can he speak?

[onehipdad]

Well now here's my one beef with Drudge: An almost daily platform of facetime for one or more bigoted narrow-minded under-educated Hollywood types. Who cares what these imbecilic lightweights think?

When you think of who might have a more relevant opinion of anything going on in the world, why would anyone's first choice be someone who's primary talent is the impersonation of someone else?

Sure, everyone's entitled to his or her opinion (under our system that thousands have died to defend of course) but Ed the barber or Barb the checker doesn't have a forum everytime they start yammering about something they read in the paper that morning.

Screw these dimwits and stick to the Real Issues of the Day! (no reflection on you, Pharmboy..)

[avg_freeper]

"Sacrificing American soldiers or innocent civilians in an unprecedented preemptive attack on a separate sovereign nation may well prove itself a most temporary medicine"

Why has it taken until just now for the "Liberal's Word of he Day" calendar to get to sovereignty?

[zlala]

At least he's not lashing photographers and his wife these days.

I'd forgotten about that. Goes to show what a hypocrite he is. It's ok for him to punch out whomever he pleases for whatever reason; but as a nation we should sit on our hands and never touch anyone. The good ol' do as I say not as I do dem syndrome.

[FreedomAvatar]

"I beg you, help save America before yours is a legacy of shame and horror," Penn wrote, echoing voices of caution from around the world that have called for a measured response to allegations Iraq is developing weapons of mass destruction.

Peace in our time, right Sean? Or maybe we should all just convert to Islam. Problem is, they kind of frown on your particular lifestyle...don't worry, we promise not to tell.

[ErnBatavia]

"Cowabunga, dooood!"

[Chi-townChief]

'"Sacrificing American soldiers or innocent civilians in an unprecedented preemptive attack on a separate sovereign nation may well prove itself a most temporary medicine," he said.'

WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT SOUNDS REALLY GNARLY, DUDE!!

[stanz]

Would you pay attention to anyone who married Madonna?

[Mr. Mojo]

Who cares what the little socialist thinks?

Reuters

[dighton]

Just your everyday brain-damaged mean drunk pacifist.

[Night Hides Not]

LOL, whatever. I still can't get beyond the Fast Times At Richmond High image of this fool.

I'm enjoying the vision of Jeff Spicoli jetting over to jam with Saddam!

HEY DUDE! LET'S PARTY!

[philetus]

I'll never pay money to watch a Sean Penn movie again.

We need to stop the "The guys helping to bring down America, But it's a really good movie" cycle.

We can break these Hollywood a**holes at the box office.

[mystery-ak]

It's too bad that the terrorist didn't target Hollyweird on 911 instead of the WTC...

[JessicaDragonet]

Everybody has a right to be wrong....and stupid.

[Callahan]

"I am Sean"--this dope takes method acting to a whole new level. Next up: Corky debates election reform.

[zlala]

LOL

You said what I wished I'd thought of! Best comment here.

[Pharmboy]

Spicoli was his greatest role!

[FreedomAvatar]

I am Sean

LOL!