Sarandon Disturbed By Event Cancellation

AP ^ | 02-28-03

[veronica]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Actress Susan Sarandon said she was disturbed by a charity's decision to cancel her appearance at a fund-raising event because of complaints about her anti-war views.

The United Way of Tampa Bay was to feature the 56-year-old actress as keynote speaker at an April 11 women's leadership event designed to inspire volunteerism in the community.

But organizers this week scrapped the $75-a-plate event after the charity got three dozen complaints about Sarandon's selection.

Robin Carson, chairwoman of the board of directors, said the event had the potential to become "divisive."

"The focus of our whole meeting had shifted to whether or not we were creating a political platform for Susan Sarandon," Carson said.

In a statement Friday, Sarandon said that "considering the depletion of federal funds for community programs and the faltering economy, it is disturbing to me that the United Way is letting partisanship determine its support base.

"Once again, the shortsightedness of the powerful will end up hurting those in need."

Others disagreed with the decision, too.

Marty Petty, executive vice president of Times Publishing Co., which publishes the St. Petersburg Times, resigned as a member of the United Way board of directors and chair of the 2003 campaign.

"This decision is grounded in my lifelong personal and professional belief that our civic life is made stronger by the expression of all views, including ones that are controversial," Petty wrote in a letter to Carson.

Sarandon's brother, Terry Tomalin, outdoors writer at the St. Petersburg Times, had asked Sarandon to participate six months ago.

Sarandon, who introduced the obituary segment of Sunday's Academy Awards (news - web sites) show, flashed a peace symbol with her fingers while walking on stage at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif.

She won a best-actress Oscar for 1995's "Dead Man Walking."

[visualops]

Now you see how it's just out and out lies and nonsense.
People have a right to believe and say what they want," Tomalin continued. "For us to see this type of censorship and political pressure to control the agenda and personal opinions of what people think is just disheartening."
What censorship?
What control of opinion?
What political pressure?

Sarandon's own behavior has given her the label of an activist who turns every appearance into a platform for her beliefs. It's no surprise the United Way felt she would upstage the event.
There are many people with strong beliefs. How and when you express them is more important that these lamers realize.

[meyer]

"Once again, the shortsightedness of the powerful will end up hurting those in need."

As opposed to letting her perform which would cause roughly 70% of the war-supporting population in the area to decide against giving to the United Way.

[DoughtyOne]

Heh heh heh... I like it.

[Rate_Determining_Step]

Even more encouraging is that 2 dozen calls from concerned Americans did the trick.

That wasn't so hard, was it?

[small voice in the wilderness]

Don't you know that bi*ch shivers every time she SEES her age in print. After all, in her mind, she is still that 26 year old Vietnam War Protestor, with the world yet ahead of her. Lo, these many years later, she seems to have learned absolutely NOTHING of value. Honestly, how can that be?? Doesn't time teach liberals anything?

[DoughtyOne]

Other views are marginalized and dismissed with epithets.

Hey, I resemble that remark. I think both sides are guilty of this, but I've got to tell you, those folks are simply in the wrong nation.

There are plenty of them around that support their views, where they could live in absolute harmony and peach. I encourage them to find one and go for it.

There is only one nation that holds "our" views.

[sweetliberty]

[Overtaxed]

I could be wrong, but I suspect UW is worried contributors might respond by choosing to exercise their own view by opting to contribute to the Salvation Army instead.

Hehehe....the local UW has been crying on the radio this week that they didn't meet their fundraising goal.

[Cultural Jihad]

Looks like the First Amendment works for the "rest" of us as well as the "intellectually elite" (sorry about the oxymoron)!

The First Amendment as amended by Sarandon?: "My right to be heard shall not be infringed."

[sweetliberty]

"it is disturbing to me that the United Way is letting partisanship determine its support base"

When asked to comment, little Tomy Daschle said that he was "deeply concerned...concerned and disturbed and saddened."

[TheSpottedOwl]

"Once again, the shortsightedness of the powerful will end up hurting those in need."

Like Hollywood's all-consuming hatred for the President, and the dismissal of the plight of the Iraqi people?

Lol, go away Susan...

[T'wit]

>> Sarandon Disturbed By Event Cancellation

You only need the first two words.

[visualops]

I can't remember where I originally got that. I redid the text in front because the other had a "DNC" and the waaambulance lettering was hard to read.

[Tax-chick]

Good riddance to bad rubbish. Baby killing Communist wh*r*. FReep the United Way; we give to the Rescue Mission!

[Voltage]

"This decision is grounded in my lifelong personal and professional belief that our civic life is made stronger by the expression of all views, including ones that are controversial," Petty wrote in a letter to Carson

Translation: I prefer anti-American views, and would be very upset if a pro-American was invited.

[JacquesDaschle]

Precisely! Her right to condescend shall not be infringed.
Wouldn't Susan look good in a burka?

[ysoitanly]

How can you mock her obvious pain? /sarcasm

[ChadGore]

Dead (career) Woman Talking

[RippleFire]

BUMP

[Windcatcher]

Nota Bene, Ms. Sarandon: YOU ARE DEAD TO ME.

I will NOT watch your films.

I will NOT watch any TV shows in which you appear.

I will NOT attend any function in which you are present.

Spout off as you will. We Americans, we FREE Americans, are under *NO* obligation to support you in any way. Survive on your own; we are turning our backs on you.