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.

[John Lenin]

Claim to Fame: Portrayed perpetually-stoned surfer Jeff Spicoli in Amy Heckerling's Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

I'm so wasted audio

[wardaddy]

I'm about his age. I'd like a few minutes alone with that brooding loud mouthed wife beater just to see if "he's all that". Slapping at photographers laden with camera equipment or beating on Robin Wright or Madonna doesn't impress me much.

[VaBthang4]

[Darlin']

Another example of this punk's gross bad judgement on par with his past decision to marry Madonna.

[SkyPilot]

He looks like George Michael.

[STD]

Why not tell this very talented hosebag what you really think

ragingbull21@yahoo.com

raging idiot is more apropos. FReepers you know what to do!

[Pharmboy]

Your wisdom goes beyond a minute...that's fer sure. Now that you mention it, I'll bet you're right; he could have signed on with the big Sarandon/Asner ad rather than take out his own. Increasing the reach and frequency for the voices of appeasement of the left...

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks this is great!

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

The sickening thing is that these idiots thinks anyone cares what they think.

[Shermy]

"your administration's deconstruction of civil liberties all contradict the very core of the patriotism you claim,"

Another victim of Post-modern Lit 101.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

whose email addy is that?

[johnny7]

Penn is a moron like Sreisand and Belafonte. They are puppets manipulated with a check from the DNC.

When “Harry” insulted Powell and Rice, that was the tip-off.

I'm surprised he didn't insult Justice Thomas while he was at it.

These people don't want Republicans in office... white or black or asian or whatever!

Big government, higher taxes and less individual rights is their goal.

God help us in November!

[alaskanfan]

Lets carve out a little piece of Alaska for Penn, Striesand and Asner to live in.

WHAT IN THE HELL MAKES YOU THINK WE WANT THEM UP HERE!!!

[HamiltonJay]

SO some idiot actor who is better know because he married Madonna than any work he ever did of his own's oppinion matters to the rest of the country because?.......

[dighton]

One for "Essay of the Week" consideration.

[johnny7]

Thanks for the website. I never liked the looks of the guy.

He reminds me of someone I had to punch out behind a bar.

“Deuuud... my nose!”

I said yeah, looks a little crooked and went back in to finish my beer.

Penn is just a aging punk with some fame for playing retards.

[alaskanfan]

Actor Sean Penn 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 of stifling debate and threatening civil liberties.

My father told me that a fool and his money are soon parted. Mr. Penn seems to set a $56,000 example of that.

What is it with the ego of these celebrities that makes them believe anyone cares what they think? Does Mr. Penn have a degree in political science or any other field that might make his comments pertinent? I don't believe so. All he has is money and a mouth.

[PJ-Comix]

Sean Penn is criticizing Bush??? Here is a tidbit about Penn that I got off the Net:

Just after Christmas in 1988, Madonna survived a nine-hour rampage in which Sean [Penn], who was drunk, emotionally and physically abused her; she was gagged and bound in a chair, and then beaten. One week later she filed for divorce.

[Paradox]

I dont know much about that guy really, the only work I've seen of his are the two documentaries about his life, "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and "I Am Sam".

[Junior]

Hey, dude. Let's party!