Thousands of Americans want to oust their president. The anti-war one, that is

The Guardian ^ | Tuesday March 4, 2003 | Duncan Campbell in Los Angeles

[John Lenin]

Thousands of Americans want to oust their president. The anti-war one, that is

Duncan Campbell in Los Angeles
Tuesday March 4, 2003
The Guardian

Pressure is growing for the president to lose his job because of his uncompromising stance on the war. That's President Bartlet, as played by Martin Sheen in the hit television series, The West Wing.

Sheen has been one of the leading figures in the anti-war movement, addressing rallies and spearheading the "virtual match" on Washington last week in which legislators were deluged with a million emails, phone calls and faxes.

NBC is under pressure to sack him from its hit show or face a boycott or withdrawal of advertising. Sheen said in Los Angeles the channel's executives had indicated that his high profile could damage the show and had called on him to explain his views. He had also received thousands of hate emails, been accused of being a traitor and accosted in the street.

Many actors and singers are being lambasted by conservative talk show hosts for expressing their opposition to the war. A website, Citizens Against Celebrity Pundits, has been launched, for "American citizens [who] stand against wealthy Hollywood celebrities abusing their status to speak for us".

The site calls for donations for ads to counter the anti-war movement. "We believe that celebrities Martin Sheen, Mike Farrell, Tim Robbins, Rob Reiner, Barbra Streisand and others with them are using their celebrity to interfere with the defence of our country," says the site.

Last week, Fox News, the conservative cable news station, published a poll which concluded that two thirds of those interviewed wanted celebrities to remain silent on politics.

Organisers of the anti-war ads signed by actors and musicians say they are necessary because the mainstream American media has been reluctant to give coverage to the anti-war movement and the cable news channels are overwhelmingly pro-war.

Last week a full page ad in the New York Times quoted former Nato supreme commander Wesley Clark saying that invading Iraq would "supercharge recruiting for al-Qaida". It was signed by around 50 musicians, including Lou Reed, Sheryl Crow, Massive Attack, and REM.

[John Lenin]

NBC is under pressure to sack him from its hit show or face a boycott or withdrawal of advertising.

If we keep calling, faxing and e-mailing NBC Sheen will be history.

[A CA Guy]

The TV President and TV VP should be assasinated by a TV terrorists. Then a TV kick-ass Republican who was the head of Congress should step in and destroy the TV terrorist.

Should make great ratings and gratification for the current Left/West wing viewers.

[dighton]

Sheen hacked Marlon Brando to death with a machete. He hasn't been quite well since, poor creature.

[Dog Gone]

I'm enjoying watching the dying convulsions of the left.

[ECM]

Where do I send a fax?

[chilepepper]

Impeach Martin Sheen!

[ArcLight]

I'd never do such a thing. I don't watch West Wing, though i'd have started if the rumor about adding Robert Duvall to the cast had come true. In any case, Martin Sheen has a right to his views, and he shouldn't lose his job because of them. If NBC cans him, or silences him, I'll be as outraged as anybody. How's that any better than what happened to Dr. Laura? Disagree with him--heaven knows I do--but leave him alone.

[July 4th]

Fox News, the conservative cable news station

Well, compared to the others at least. It's funny that they're marked this way in the article.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Hey! We need an "IMPEACH BARTLET" bumper sticker!

[AD from SpringBay]

The market is speaking. I look for President Fartlett to soon shut up. His pro-bank account tendencies will override any anti-war sentiment he has feigned to this point.

[Revolting cat!]

NBC don't give a hoot about your faxes and e-mails! Target their advertisers instead! (And no bleeding hearts, please, about defending the scoundrel's right to speak up! He has none! At least none bigger than you or me, and yet he does get a megaphone that is a 1000 times stronger than yours. Is the "right" to a bigger megaphone something we should defend?)

[hoosiermama]

Do you have addresses and phone numbers? Please post.

[Dog Gone]

In any case, Martin Sheen has a right to his views, and he shouldn't lose his job because of them.

It happens all the time. Al Campanis, Jimmy the Greek, Trent Lott, to name a few.

It would be nice to see a few prominent liberals taken down for their views, instead of just offering our own up for offending them. Maybe it would stop the cycle, and we could all express our views without fear.

[JulieRNR21]

If they fail to remove him....we should insist that NBC change the Sheen show's name to THE LEFT WING!

[John Lenin]

I'd love to see this picture on the front page of the Los Angeles Times.

[A Citizen Reporter]

I would like to know why "President Barlett" has been elected to an unending term. Perhaps the market forces will force an election on the "West Wing". Or perhaps, the whole show could go the way of Donahue.

[dts32041]

And what a job that was, old marlon was closer to a whale than a game fish.

[Ethyl]

Hey! We need an "IMPEACH BARTLET" bumper sticker!


Who the heck is Bartlet?

[Revolting cat!]

CAPTION:

"That's all right boys! My bail has been prearranged, and I have a 6 o'clock reservation for 4 at Le Petomane on Rodeo Drive"

[RAY]

Who are the show's sponsor -- who are the advertisers.