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.

[Pharmboy]

Another genius weighs in. At least his people can spell better than Streisand's.

[dd5339]

And he's an expert of what....? Other than bad facial hair that is.

Semper Fi

[ConservativeMan55]

I've never heard of this "guy" before.
He looks like some gay hairdresser straight out of Hollywood!
Hold muh curlers alert!!

[1bigdictator]

Where was the BARF ALERT? Lets carve out a little piece of Alaska for Penn, Striesand and Asner to live in. Their country their rules. Soddom returns to earth again.

[gov_bean_ counter]

WGARA what this idiot thinks? I sure don't.

[Pharmboy]

The headline says Barf! all by its lonesome...

[smiley]

Who cares what the little socialist thinks?

[tal hajus]

Stifling debate? Good grief!!!! What planet has this guy been on? Seems like one can't watch t v without somebody somewhere weighing in with their opinion about Bush and Iraq!

[Solamente]

Perhaps I'm immature, but once actors blather their political agenda, I find I cannot get immersed in their subsequent roles.

[RepubMommy]

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

[stop_fascism]

your administration's deconstruction of civil liberties

Sean learned a big word. Unfortunately, he forgot to look up the definition in his dictionary.

[zlala]

I don't care that he's 'voiced' his opinion. What really bugs me it that the media thinks his voice carries more weight than mine. No matter how much money he throws around to show how 'important' he is, his vote holds as much weight as mine. And I'd bet $$ that mine carries more weight cuz I actually get out and vote. I'd love to see how often he votes or even if he's registered.

[Pompah]

Did someone actually ask this little Thespian what he thought about something.?
Or has he been talking to Babs again.

[11Bush]

Why in the world would you want to subject the beautiful state of Alaska to this kind of pollution. Better we send them somewhere that is already covered with crap, somewhere like France maybe.

[Lucas1]

Stifling debate? Guess it didn't stop him from placing a full page ad in the newspapeer.

[nightdriver]

Sean Penn sure is relevant. NOT!!

[Olydawg]

"I beg you, help save America before yours is a legacy of shame and horror," Penn wrote,

Uh, isn't that exactly what Bush is doing? He's essentially doing the opposite of Klintoon who already has a legacy of shame and horror.

By the way, can somebody please remind me why we should care what this douche-bag thinks?

[FreeTally]

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

[ohioman]

Another Hollyweird lib in need of a good 'ole fashioned American Ass Whoopin.

[UB355]

Well, well the ex Mr Madonna bombs the same week as his ex-wife's movie.