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Actor Sean Penn Lashes Bush over Iraq War Drums
Reuters ^ | 10-18-02 | Anon

Posted on 10/18/2002 10:00:10 AM PDT by 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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: actors; anarchists; appeasement; communists; hollywood; idiocy; socialism; socialists
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To: Pharmboy
I beg you, help save America before yours is a legacy of shame and horror,"

Hmmmmm...Old Sean seems to be projecting on the pain and suffering his 'films' have caused the viewing public.


81 posted on 10/18/2002 12:13:31 PM PDT by Stand Watch Listen
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To: RepubMommy
I thought he did a pretty good job in Hugo Pool or whatever it was called. Didn't say a word. Liked the shots of
him in prison garb and chains in The Falcon and the Snowman. If only Hollywood really mimiced reality...
82 posted on 10/18/2002 12:13:35 PM PDT by Calvin Locke
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To: Pharmboy
OH, go beat your wife, Sean.
83 posted on 10/18/2002 12:15:54 PM PDT by SarahW
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To: Pharmboy
Hmmmmm...first Barbra Steisand, then Rosie O'Donnell, then Jessica Lange, next comes Eric Roberts and now Sean Penn.

The 'intellectual' heavyweights are fast becoming a force within our society. ;-)


84 posted on 10/18/2002 12:17:42 PM PDT by Stand Watch Listen
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To: Pharmboy
Sean Penn is living proof you can make a sow's ear from a sow's ear.
85 posted on 10/18/2002 12:19:20 PM PDT by SerpentDove
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To: Night Hides Not
Penn's idea of war with Iraq would be to send 1000 pizzas to the palaces.

Bitchin'!!!

86 posted on 10/18/2002 12:20:39 PM PDT by Deb
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To: Stand Watch Listen
>>Hmmmmm...first Barbra Steisand, then Rosie O'Donnell, then Jessica Lange, next comes Eric Roberts and now Sean Penn. <<

I was about to say, "First Woody, now Spiccolli. I wonder what Pee Wee Herman thinks we oughta do?"

87 posted on 10/18/2002 12:22:58 PM PDT by SerpentDove
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To: Pharmboy
This is why campaign finance is unconstitutional. It also proves what whores the media are. Why is this NEWS??? A citizen took out and paid for an advertisement in a newspaper. And now it is a NEWS STORY.

OK, let's put it this way. Democrats paid $56,000 to place a single page ad in the Washington Post. Then newspapers across the country reported on the ad, quoting most of its message and even expanding on the message, in news articles. In effect, every newspaper which prints this reuters story has contributed an unreported $56,000 to the democrat party. Talk about SOFT MONEY!! This is pornographic.
88 posted on 10/18/2002 12:26:51 PM PDT by thedugal
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To: Deb
Penn's idea of war with Iraq would be to send 1000 pizzas to the palaces.

LOL!!! I can see it now: PIZZA FEAST FOR PEACE, delivered by Mr. Hand!

Thanks for the reminder, I'd forgotten about the scene where Spicoli had a pizza delivered to class.

89 posted on 10/18/2002 12:36:46 PM PDT by Night Hides Not
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To: Pharmboy
Stick to Spicoli dude. I guess he has been banging his skull with those Vans again.
90 posted on 10/18/2002 1:13:07 PM PDT by Corporate Law
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To: Pharmboy
Sean, come talk to my mother. She is the one that had to talk with United Airlines when they confirmed my father was on Flight 93 that crashed in PA.

Try to tell her why we shouldn't go after the scum that supports and harbors the garbage that murdered my father.

F*ck you, Sean.

chris_in_nj
91 posted on 10/18/2002 1:26:23 PM PDT by chris_in_nj
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To: alaskanfan
My bad, receiving this news must like be winning the lottery for which state gets to become the receptacle unit for our country's nuclear waste.
92 posted on 10/18/2002 1:34:37 PM PDT by 1bigdictator
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To: chris_in_nj
I-got-your-back-let's-kick-his-@ss-bump.
93 posted on 10/18/2002 1:37:03 PM PDT by 1bigdictator
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To: alaskanfan
^ "must be like"-- happy hour started early for me... TGIF.
94 posted on 10/18/2002 1:39:31 PM PDT by 1bigdictator
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To: 1bigdictator
Word up 1Big!!!

chris
95 posted on 10/18/2002 2:02:04 PM PDT by chris_in_nj
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To: Pharmboy
Sean Penn: Another Hollywood answer to a question no one asked.

No repeat after me:
You're just a stupid actor,
Shut up because no one cares!
You're just a stupid actor,
Shut up because no one cares!
You're just a stupid actor,
Shut up because no one cares!
You're just a stupid actor,
Shut up because no one cares!
You're just a stupid actor,
Shut up because no one cares!
You're just a stupid actor,
Shut up because no one cares!
You're just a stupid actor,
Shut up because no one cares!
You're just a stupid actor,
Shut up because no one cares!

96 posted on 10/18/2002 2:17:33 PM PDT by Big Guy and Rusty 99
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To: 1bigdictator
Now why would you want to ruin a wonderful place like Alaska by transplanting those 3 noodle heads and others like them there. California is the place for them, better to build a wall around LA county and let them fester there.
97 posted on 10/18/2002 2:39:10 PM PDT by cavtrooper21
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To: 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.

I doubt Shawn Penn even finished high school. I wonder where he picked up  this lingo. He directed a good movie last year. "The Pledge".

The Pledge (2001): Jack Nicholson, Robin Wright Penn, Patricia ...
... Certain "The Pledge" article data provided by the Movie Review Query ... Movie List
| Celebs List | Legal Disclaimer | Privacy ©1998-2002 by Rotten Tomatoes sm ...
Description: Links to reviews on other sites.
Category: Arts > Movies > Titles > P > Pledge, The
www.rottentomatoes.com/movies/titles/pledge/ - 81k - Cached - Similar pages

98 posted on 10/18/2002 3:37:24 PM PDT by dennisw
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To: Night Hides Not
OH MAN I forgot history teacher name

MR HAND

ALRIGHT I love Mr Hand he was cool only dude that rip Jeff Spioci schedule card CLASSIC
99 posted on 10/18/2002 4:49:17 PM PDT by SevenofNine
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To: Pharmboy
He's got a new film:
DUMB ACTOR TALKING
100 posted on 10/18/2002 6:59:53 PM PDT by willyboyishere
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