Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Hollywood Elites Duck Iraq War Debate
GOP USA ^ | 3-11-2003 | Jeff Gannon

Posted on 03/11/2003 8:28:02 AM PST by buffyt

Hollywood Elites Duck Iraq War Debate
By Jeff Gannon
GOPUSA News
March 11, 2003

WASHINGTON (GOPUSA News) -- Ten of Hollywood's loudest "anti-war" activists were recently invited to debate public policy and military experts about a war in Iraq, but none of them showed up. Frontiers of Freedom (FOF), a non-profit think tank, sponsored the event at the National Press Club. Invited to appear were George Clooney, Matt Damon, Mike Farrell, Janeane Garofolo, Ethan Hawke, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen, Barbra Streisand, and Uma Thurman.

"Six weeks ago we sent an open-ended invitation to these celebrities to appear at a fair and honest debate," said Jason Wright, Vice President of FOF.

"Most never responded at all -- those that did said no. It's one thing to exercise free speech, which we fully support, but when you command attention as they do it is shameful to rattle off inaccuracies and traditional liberal tripe then quickly bury your head in the sand when faced with opposition. In fact it's shameful," Wright said.

FOF president George Landrith added that Hollywood claims war is never the answer, regardless of the threat. "To those who ask why we're picking on Hollywood, it's simple. They have power and influence on culture but no accountability. They are in a unique position to spout off whatever they like without a challenge. Hollywood stars have no expertise and no sense of history. They regurgitate talking points without a care," Landrith said.

Landrith continued, "As to the issue of Saddam himself, it's not that complicated. The only reason he is feigning cooperation and allowing the inspectors to return is that he does not want the U.S. armed forces to return."

Bob Bevelacqua, former U.S. Army Major and defense consultant expressed disappointment that Hollywood was not represented at the debate. "I hoped to share with them details of a video I was shown recently in a high-level briefing at the Pentagon," Bevelacqua said.

"I've seen some pretty disgusting things but what I just saw in this video, which I hope will soon be made public, was shocking. Saddam uses rape rooms, keeps prep rooms for the rapists to prepare themselves, even tapes and then edits them to be sent to the families of the raped women. I would like to hear what Hollywood says about that. Bombs, nerve agents and canisters are one thing, but when you attach faces it's another story. Is action in Iraq just? It is absolutely just, and the time is now," Bevelacqua said.

Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Chuck Nash compared the situation in Iraq to a disease. "We have been treating this disease with over-the-counter measures. We must make a commitment to stop fighting the disease from afar. We must go to the center and we must stop fighting the symptoms."

On the issue of human shields Nash added that most of the young people have left Baghdad, determined not to put their lives at risk. "But over 300,000 other young men and women are in the area," he said. "They are courageously standing, honoring their commitment. United we should and must stand."

"There are a few great 'Hollywood Lies'," concluded Peter Hussey, a veteran of three administrations and a respected defense consultant. "One is that inspections work. Mike Farrell likes to say that the job of inspectors is to go and hunt for these weapons of mass destruction. Yet the latest United Nations resolutions call for Iraq to come clean without digging by the team of Hans Blix. They are not detectives."

"Another lie is Mike Farrell claiming that Iraq is not a threat. How can this be? Recently Saddam gave an interview revealing his goal to rule the region, dominate Israel, and get revenge on the U.S. for the Gulf War. This is not a threat? Look, if we are wrong this time it will be far worse than Kuwait, we will have terrorism with global reach. We must end the threat today," Hussey said.

----------------------------------------

Have a news tip for GOPUSA News? Let us know at newstips@gopusa.com


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: chickens; debate; hollywood; iraq
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-30 last
To: buffyt
Hey lady!! Winter is still alive and well in the Mohawk Valley...and I'm sick of it!!!

Hope all is well with you.

Kathy

21 posted on 03/11/2003 10:30:40 AM PST by mass55th
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: AFreeBird
Same here. I also was looking forward to watching Children of Dune unitl I saw a commerical for it last night. Susan Satanwrap stars in the damn thing, which means that it will not be seen in my house.
22 posted on 03/11/2003 10:37:11 AM PST by ohioman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: buffyt
Each one of these stars :George Clooney, Matt Damon, Mike Farrell, Janeane Garofolo, Ethan Hawke, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen, and Uma Thurman.

They have each profited handsomely from violence. There depictions of violence have netted them each money and political influence.

When will they push for a non violent film category with in the various awards ceremonies?



23 posted on 03/11/2003 10:53:58 AM PST by Kay Soze (F - France and Germany - They are my Nation's and my Family's enemies.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: buffyt
No reels them in = No one reels them in.

I am proof positive that you can't proofread your own stuff. sigh...

I just shook my head as I listened to that schoolgirl. I thought about e-mailing Rush and giving my insight, but I knew he'd never read it. Besides...he steals all his stuff from Free Republic, anyway. :^)
24 posted on 03/11/2003 12:03:12 PM PST by Samwise
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Samwise
Actually, Rush was talking about Hollyweird last week and he said that because Hollywood is based on "make believe" - that's where the majority of Hollyweird people live - in a make believe world. And ... it explains why they are not connected to reality.
25 posted on 03/11/2003 2:55:00 PM PST by CyberAnt ( -> -> -> Oswego!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Semper Paratus
>>What do you do if you can't Put Up?...

Why, if you're a Hollyweirdo, you put up again tomorrow and arrogantly believe those people that heard your brains get rattled today agree wholeheartedly with you like the mind numbed little communist robots you THINK they are.

26 posted on 03/11/2003 3:06:22 PM PST by Wondervixen (Ask for her by name--Accept no substitutes!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: AFreeBird
Dontcha mean SINEAD Sarandon?
27 posted on 03/11/2003 3:12:04 PM PST by Wondervixen (Ask for her by name--Accept no substitutes!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: buffyt
Perhaps RonDog could arrange a FREEP PROTEST of this Screen Actors Guild event which will feature a speech by anti-war activist Mike Farrell (who of course has made fistfuls of $$$ by making a comedy out of the Korean War)? ------

Attention All SAG Hollywood Members

GET INVOLVED! --- LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!

Hollywood Division Mid-Year Membership Meeting** Sunday, March 16, 2003

1pm-3:30 p.m.

Wadsworth Theater

11301 Wilshire Boulevard

(between Veteran Avenue and San Vicente)

Free Parking

Report from SAG President Melissa Gilbert

Remarks from SAG 1st Vice President Mike Farrell

---------

28 posted on 03/11/2003 3:31:52 PM PST by A_Niceguy_in_CA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: buffyt
Did anyone else notice that Martin Sheen, and the West Wing were BLANKED in the SAG Awards after sweeping the TV Catagory every season since the show began?

Ed Harris (another President Bush hater) also was a loser.

SAG members, though most are extremely liberal, were the sole voters of these awards.

29 posted on 03/11/2003 3:50:23 PM PST by A_Niceguy_in_CA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: buffyt
Elitist Leftists don't do debates, they can't, they just don't have the ammunition.

Now, let's follow the logic of listening to an actor. We'll do a little linking here, so you lefties better stop reading this now, it will give you a headache.

These people think that they can control public opinion because they have thier faces in front of the public much of their lives. They think that they are so admired because of some singular "talent" for remembering lines and repeating them on queue with the appropriate facial expressions to go with them. Now think about that. That is all that they do. They deal purely in absolute emotion, with no attached logic. They are used to this, it's become a way of life for them. The live in little private communities of their own kind (other actors) away from everyday living and everyday problems with loads of money to insulate them from the "little people". Very few have degrees in science, economics, political science, and certainly none have the life experiences of a Texas rancher, or a Minnesota farmer. None have ever been exposed to the day to day perils of your average constuction worker. They perform in films, they don't make them, they really don't make a thing. They distract us from our daily burden of raising a family, providing food and shelter for our kids, worrying about next month's mortgage payment. They provide a mere distraction, that's all. Some of their performances may be memorable but most are forgotten quickly. Now, here comes the link, watch for it. Would you rather believe these "play actors" that don't have the attention span of a three year old, or would you trust Dr. Condi Rice, General Colon Powell, Vice President Richard Cheney, & President George W Bush. These people earned their titles because they have the credentials, years of experience and the education to be where they are.

The good actors realize this and keep their views out of the public eye (even if they are conservative). Most good actors realize their limited scope and respect the jobs and responsibilities of the "common folk". Robert Mitchum was "discovered" on a casting call. He was a construction worker. After his rise to stardom someone asked him what he thought of being a "movie star", his reply was priceless. "I didn't even graduate from high school", he said, "Hell, I was working construction and getting $42.50 a week busting my ass. Nobody is going to tell me this ain't the greatest job in the world, cause I know it, and I get down on my knees and thank God everyday that I am lucky enough to do it"! Now that's a man that knew his limitations. This new "breed" in Hollywierd actually think that they are PhDs' in something just because they played one in a movie. Wrong again boys and girls...you're actors, just actors, nothing more than my Saturday afternoon distraction.

By the way, Ronaldus Maximus was this kind of Mitchum "actor". Go figure!

30 posted on 03/11/2003 4:51:12 PM PST by timydnuc (FR)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-30 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson