Penn joined fellow judge Natalie Portman on the red carpet for the premiere of the first night film, Blindness, a thriller starring Julianne Moore.
At a press conference beforehand, the actor, an outspoken critic of the Bush administration, offered his views on the Democratic nomination race.
Asked if he would be joining other Hollywood A-listers in pledging support for Obama, Penn gave him a less than ringing endorsement and warned that he has an awful lot to live up to.
”I don't have a candidate I'm supporting and I'm certainly interested and excited by the hope that Barack Obama is inspiring,” he said, but went on to accuse him of a “phenomenally inhuman and unconstitutional” voting record.
”I hope that he will understand, if he is the nominee, the degree of disillusionment that will happen if he doesn't become a greater man than he will ever be,” Penn said. “This is the most important election, certainly in my lifetime, and maybe ever.”
Portman, 26, said she would not be endorsing Obama or his rival, Hillary Clinton, but added: “I think it's a very exciting year for our politics, that for the first time in a while we have a choice of who we like better instead of who we hate least.”
Penn said it was impossible to separate film from politics, and promised that the winning film would be a reflection of the current climate.
“One way or another, when we select the Palme d'Or winner, I think we are going to feel very confident that the film-maker who made the film is very aware of the times in which he or she lives.”
There are 22 films in competition for the Palme d'Or and the jury will watch them over the next 12 days. “The idea is to be wide awake with an empty bladder for the start of everything,” explained Penn.
Asked if he was enjoying it so far, he complained that he had been “discouraged from smoking” – France's smoking ban was introduced last year – before lighting up and chain-smoking his way through the press conference.
The opening film, Blindness, is a thriller from director Fernando Meirelles about a town struck down by a mysterious epidemic, leaving Moore the only character with the ability to see.
Based on the novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Jose Saramago, its story of a community hit by disaster and receiving no government help draws obvious parallels with Hurricane Katrina.
Moore said the film was timely: “I think there's sometimes something in the zeitgeist. There's a tremendous amount of tragedy right now, physical tragedy and man-made tragedy, and we are feeling anxious.”
The 47-year-old actress dyed her famous red hair blonde for the role. She said: “I'm a redhead and I'm always a redhead, except for this movie. I don't want to do it again. I didn't like it very much.”
Away from the main competition, comic actor Jack Black launched his latest movie, DreamWorks animation Kung Fu Panda, by performing martial arts moves on the beach in the company of 40 extras in panda suits. Black, who lends his voice to the film along with the likes of Angelina Jolie and Lucy Liu, explained that he was there to create “panda-monium”.
The film creating the most buzz on the Croisette remains Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which has its world premiere on Sunday. Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett and director Steven Spielberg will fly in later this week for the summer's most eagerly-awaited sequel.
I know this article came out a long time ago, but I'm curious about Sean Penn's reference to Obama's �phenomenally inhuman and unconstitutional� voting record. say more. Yes indeed, Obama has shown himself to be inhumane in opposing the Born Alive Protection act. By the way, I don't agree with Sean's politics, but thought he did a fine job directing Into the Wild. Stay with films and out of politics, Sean.
Mr Penn may wish to review my initial blog entry found at www.barackobama.com where, in connection with a Republican smear tactic attempting to malign Obama's good name by association with an ex-con and former Weatherman Willian Ayers, I drop Mr Penn's name by referring to one of his earlier films in which he portrayed a juvenile delinquent.
And how any gentleman can "be a better man then he'll ever be" does seem a rather daunting task at the very least. Mr Penn could do well by refreshing his speaking habits by reading Orwell's "Politics and the English Language."
I was impressed with Penn's efforts during hurricane Katrina. I think his comments about Obama are insightful. I too have been unhappy with Bush, but am very unhappy with the Democratic front runner. I thought we couldn't get anyone worse than Bush - but the saying goes - just when I thought things couldn't get any worse.....
Thanks Sean for being a Patriot who puts his money where his mouth is!
Is it possible that finally someone in Hollywood actually looked into Obama's frightening voting record in the Illinois State Senate. He aggressively and effectively voted for infanticide when he defeated the Born Alive Infants Protection Act, or Induced Infant Liability Act. This was a law created to protect infants who survived a late term abortion. It simply stated that you cannot kill an infant who survives an abortion. The bill was NOT opposed by orthodox liberals such as Ted Kennedy, Barbara Boxer or Hillary Clinton. It was not even opposed by the Nation Abortion Rights Action League. Senator Obama was the only one to speak out against the identical Illinois State version of this law. The law could not be passed in Illinois until Obama left the state Senate to go on to the US Senate. Read more about this by Googling: Obama's top ten reasons for supporting Infanticide-Jill Stanek or View YouTube: Obama's Mad World.
Wake up people.
Go Hillary!
WOW! I had NO IDEA that this was a RIGHT-WING FORUM.
Sounds like a JERRY SPRINGER SHOW!
So much for the civilized British Press.
Sean Penn is an insult to America and there should be a law against an American bashing our President overseas. He not only insults our President but all Americans.
Sean Penn, if you don't like this country, get the hell out!
I'm still trying to wrap my mind around Portman stating that "for the first time in a while we have a choice of who we like better instead of who we hate least.� What?!! No great anybody from any party is exactly the problem. In fact, none embody the ethics, values I'd expect from my neighbor much less the leader of my country in very troubled times. I wish Hollywood would do a double check before it speaks. They spew whatever comes to their script-reading minds, and the rest of the world (with the help of our spun media) thinks this is what we are about. Agreed that they are guilt-ridden liberals...why??? bc/ easy big money in their pockets for doing nothing=actor.
Sean Penn is the kind of idiot that believes the stupid lies told him by his school teachers, his priest, and his government. Ben Laden is a false paradigm run by Western intelligence. Sean Penn is a nitwit with a big mouth.
�I hope that he will understand, if he is the nominee, the degree of disillusionment that will happen if he doesn't become a greater man than he will ever be,� Penn said.
From the words of the caveman on one of the GEICO commercials,
"Yeah I have a comment...Uhh, WHAT??????"
It is really absurd that Sean Penn is talking about American politics.He is an actor whose task is to entertain viewers worldwide.One wonders why he was chosen to head Cannes 2008 jury.
I am appalled by the ignorance of most Americans. We are conditioned from nearly birth to consume, work, consume, work, consume, work......just like little mindless mice running endlessly on a whee. The apathy most feel when it comes to our ability to truly change our political system for the better is an intentionally created effect to keep us out of the way. We allow ourselves to be diverted by numerous temptations, also welcomed by the ruling elite, one of which is "keeping up with the Jones'", along with our self-absorbed and selfish narcissism in caring only for ourselves, family and friends. You may disagree, but tell me honestly what you have DONE for the betterment of our country or the world. Words are cheap. Action is what counts. Sean Penn is first a human being and has as much right to talk about matters that concern him as anyone else does. Are you forgetting the freedom of speech that is the right of everyone everywhere? We have also been very effectively conditioned against socialism and rail against it like the puppets we are, when in fact, we know virtually nothing about it. Isn't it evident to you that capitalism does not work and history has proven that whenever it is used, most of the wealth ends up in the hands of the few, while the majority struggle. I care about my fellows, humankind, and want them to have what they need and deserve. You need to educate yourself right now because what is coming, what we have allowed to occur, is going to be worse than most have any idea of. Start by viewing a film, "America: Freedom to Fascism" free online at restoretherepublic.com. Do it now. Tomorrow may well be too late.
Posted by Mike on May 15, 2008 12:37 PM
Of COURSE Obama's voting record is inhumane. His voting record is the most liberal of all Senators, which by definition makes it inhumane. Obama is effectively a communist. He perpetuates the oppression of most blacks, minorities and poor by continuing to try to create a system to 'take care of' people rather then empowering people to take care of themselves.
Hey MIKE!!! your comment is right on the money.I'm impressed most bloggers here are conservative. It seems that the the OBAMABOTS are the young naive geeks who think Obama is the MESSIAH, sadly he will lead us down a precipice from where there is no turning back.
Penn is an ugly no talent actor but if he doesnt endorse YOMAMA, he has some grey matter left.
Who appointed this dimwit to be chief judge in Cannes??
McCain is the least evil of the 3 choices we have. Go Mc Cain 2008!!!
I don't see that Mr. Penn said anything different from what his own campaign advisors are warning: he is overselling himself beyond the limits of credibility. I can accept Sen. Obama as a hopeful green junior senator offering an alternative to what has gone before, but is he being set up for a fall...by himself? So far, the answer is "Yes."
I do not think even Senator Obama would disagree with Mr. Penn's observations. He is in fact up to his eyeballs now in damage control owing to oversellers and odd allegations, amongst other things.
And I slight no onr who takes a poke at paparazzi. Good on Mr. Penn. Hope he didn't bruise his fists.
And I cannot say at this point I support either Democratic candidate. Their platforms differ not one iota from the Republicans, if you would bother to read them. They ARE online.
I have to say at least he is not jumping on the bandwagon as much as everyone else.
You got to see this post about Sean Penn as allballots.com
http://allballots.com/forum.aspx?id=11
Okay veggiedude, anyone who eats like a rabbit & doesn't think Reagan was one of the greatest presidents ever could use a little education themselves. Pick up a book yourself.
The many "who cares?" posts are missing the point. Like it or not Penn and his ilk are influential- did he not just reiterate his intention to nominate only political films, i.e. politically correct films, for the top prize? Every politician since Lenin has understood the immense power of the lens to shape perceptions and sway the "masses." If you took the time to read the story and post a response, consider yourself swayed.
Amanda, by what you have written i can see clearly that you don't make educated decisions. i am a civil engineer and there is no way in hell buildings and adjoining steel framed buildings can tumble down like that. you know what i'm talking about! as a citizen of this world you and the rest of us should think critically. no one can trust the governments in any country. think for yourself, you have a brain that is capable of critical analysis, use common sense, do research, inquire, ask those who may be more specialized about a subject than you are. also check out the film 'zeitgeist' and see what YOU think! it's full of facts, not fiction, you can even research the topics yourself. i myself am not into conspiracy theories but a lot of what's going on now and in the past may not appear to be as it has been presented to us. THINK FOR YOURSELF, please do not allow others to think for you!
Sean Penn is one of the smartest celebrates I have seen, as he is not rushing to make a commitment before the race is over at the Democratic Convention like so many super delegates who think they are going to pick the candidate for our party, well we the people will pick our candidate, folks.
"Penn said it is impossible to separate politics from movies"...The degree of left wing political paranoia that shows up in a movie is a pretty good predictor of the pSP as an actor. But it seems obvious to me that people who make their living pretending generally have little of interest to say.
The real drama is that hollywood could be making movies that make lots of money, but cannot bring themselves to do so because the message of those movies would contradict their political bias.
Just goes to show you that greed is more a more predictable and trustworthy motivator than ideology.
And the 800 lb Gorilla sits by as you post your brainwash induced ramblings.
9/11 WAS an inside job.
So your world becomes a moot subject.
*sigh* Well, I feel sorry for any film-maker who has a film in competition this year and neglected to make a political tract.
This might come as something of a shock to Mr. Penn and Miss. Portman, but the whole world -- and world cinema -- does not revolve around the United States, its electoral cycle, and the vapid political rhetoric of its celebrities.
why are you all so full of hate?
"Seriously, these people in Hollywood are living a f-ing dream life. They are minimally educated, and have no concept of middle America. Why do they even count in this discussion? "
People who say things like this are often the ones who think Ronald Reagan was the best president ever. Go figure.
Who cares what Sean Penn says. I am glad that he is blasting Obama. The American public is stupid and what anyone to take the place of George Bush. Obama is not the answer this country needs. We do not need a socailist in office. He will do anything proactive for our economy or the war effort. I am by no means a war monger, but I have not forgotten the fact that I am an American and what happend on 9/11 was an act of war. People need to get their heads out of their asses and realize that war is an ugly part of humanity and that as long as we have terrorit fundamentalists we will continue to have theses problems. Everyone hates the US, but have problems coming to us when they need money or aid. I think it is wonderful to be part of a society that is capitalist, I am sorry that other countries have been able to reach this status yet, but that is their leader fault, not ours. I can understand the jealousy that people hold towoards us, but oh well! I know that it is a hard pill for some countries to swallow, because they have been around for centuries and have not accomplised what the US has in a little over two hundred years, sorry England!
for you that knock sean penn, I have been apart of the dirty hands caravan that sean personally organized to spread a message that help is needed all over this country. The busses ended in new orleans where he has supported us in helping out the poorer regions of the city with volunteer work. Meeting Sean and hanging out with him for the trip, I can't think of a more sincere and honest man. He is purely trying to help where many of you critics do nothing but pay out on people. If you want to judge a man that wants nothing than to care for the world and create peace, you need to take a look in the mirror.
for you that knock sean penn, I have been apart of the dirty hands caravan that sean personally organized to spread a message that help is needed all over this country. The busses ended in new orleans where he has supported us in helping out the poorer regions of the city with volunteer work. Meeting Sean and hanging out with him for the trip, I can't think of a more sincere and honest man. He is purely trying to help where many of you critics do nothing but pay out on people. If you want to judge a man that wants nothing than to care for the world and create peace, you need to take a look in the mirror.
I'm sure Obama, a constitutional law teacher from Harvard, will appreciate Penn, a dumbass, telling him what is "unconstitutional". He's probably talking about impeachment or some nonsense. At least he's not voting for Nader this time. He's evolving slowly.
I'm sure Obama is on the edge of his seat waiting for blowhard Penn's endorsement. I've never seen such an overrated movie star revel in his own self-delusional importance.
I'm sure Obama is on the edge of his seat waiting for blowhard Penn's endorsement. I've never seen such an overrated movie star revel in his own self-delusional importance.
I'm sure Obama is on the edge of his seat waiting for blowhard Penn's endorsement. I've never seen such an overrated movie star revel in his own self-delusional importance.
When Sean Penn speaks ... nobody listens. Let's move on.
TO Karen:: Karen, neither canidate had any military experience. Kerry was in Nam for 4 months and 12 days.... that hardly makes him a "man of the military". Especially when he came home to trash all the men that did serve a full 13 months or more in country, and not to mention the ones that did not come home. I served 3 tours of duty in Nam, and Bush was the only candidate. In my opinion,like many other vets, I could not vote for a traitor, so it was a least worst choice election.
JD Houston TO Karen:: Karen, neither candidate had any military experience. Kerry was in Nam for 4 months and 12 days.... that hardly makes him a "man of the military". Especially when he came home to trash all the men that did serve a full 13 months or more in country, and not to mention the ones that did not come home. I served 3 tours of duty in Nam, and Bush was the only candidate. In my opinion, like many other vets, I could not vote for a traitor, so it was a least worst choice election.
JD Houston
Sean Who?..he is an over rated, un attractive wanna be actor..dont spend your hard earned money going to see anything he appears in..My God he is crazy and need therapy..
My words to Sean is go and get some professional training and start with COMMON SENSE. Idiot!
Gotta love how liberal Penn is, yet he then complains about France's politically correct smoking ban, and chain smokes through the presser. TOO FUNNY! I guess Penn is only liberal when it is convenient. Score one for big tobaccie!
In 1926, when Jack Warner's brothers were trying to talk him
into taking the studio into "talking pictures,"
he retorted: "Who in the hell
wants to hear an actor talk?"
Even more true today than then!
How can you people sit there and say this amazing actor is a washed up has been? You are the people who need to get a clue. Mystic River, I am Sam, The Assassination of Richard Nixon, At Close Range, 21 Grams, Dead Man Walking, Hurlyburly, Sweet and Lowdown, Carlito�s Way�the list goes on of the remarkable performances that Sean Penn has been in. He�s the best male actor out there today.
He has always been outspoken against the war in Iraq and spent his own money taking out a full page ad in the New York Times writing a letter to George Bush. All stars should be political because people watch stars...I guess people who are ignorant only want to hear about what shoes stars are wearing. I like his scrutiny of the election, I think Obama is the best candidate and it is only right for people to make him know that he has a lot of hard work ahead of him. Sean Penn rules!!!
How can you people sit there and say this amazing actor is a washed up has been? You are the people who need to get a clue. Mystic River, I am Sam, The Assassination of Richard Nixon, At Close Range, 21 Grams, Dead Man Walking, Hurlyburly, Sweet and Lowdown, Carlito?s Way?the list goes on of the remarkable performances that Sean Penn has been in. He?s the best male actor out there today.
He has always been outspoken against the war in Iraq and spent his own money taking out a full page ad in the New York Times writing a letter to George Bush. All stars should be political because people watch stars...I guess people who are ignorant only want to hear about what shoes stars are wearing. I like his scrutiny of the election, I think Obama is the best candidate and it is only right for people to make him know that he has a lot of hard work ahead of him. Sean Penn rules!!!
Sean Penn is an idiot and the only emotion he is any good at portraying is "anger" as well as chain smoking. He is a Left-Wing simpleton who pretends to be open-minded but won't consider anything outside the confines of Socialism. Rest assured world, his narrow-minded ideals about cigarettes and hookers don't reflect my serious considerations of a presidential election. I take pride in going above and beyond the mainstream media's view of what I should consider when voting. There IS a war on terror even if the rest of the world doesn't want to believe it and if our president doesn't realize it, the rest of the world is going to have to live without our self-depracating movies because we won't be around to bash ourselves.
Oh and one more thing... the fact that one of the judges is specifically looking for socially conscious movies as his "winner" should give us all pause as to the validity of this entire event. Ticket sales are down consistently since Hollywood starting regularly weighing-in on politics and they don't seem to get it. Let me be clear: I DON'T CARE WHAT POLITICAL THEORIES YOU SUBSCRIBE TO BECAUSE THE VAST MAJORITY OF YOU ARE UNEDUCATED AND YOUR "SKILL" HAS NO REDEEMING VALUE. The fact that you vote monolithically Democratic both indicates your clear bias and continues to spur my decision to ignore movies. By the way, I'm not the only one who thinks this way despite the fact that I'm one of the few who can verbalize it.
Oh and one more thing... the fact that one of the judges is specifically looking for socially conscious movies as his "winner" should give us all pause as to the validity of this entire event. Ticket sales are down consistently since Hollywood starting regularly weighing-in on politics and they don't seem to get it. Let me be clear: I DON'T CARE WHAT POLITICAL THEORIES YOU SUBSCRIBE TO BECAUSE THE VAST MAJORITY OF YOU ARE UNEDUCATED AND YOUR "SKILL" HAS NO REDEEMING VALUE. The fact that you vote monolithically Democratic both indicates your clear bias and continues to spur my decision to ignore movies. By the way, I'm not the only one who thinks this way despite the fact that I'm one of the few who can verbalize it.
To Terry--How about getting back to us on those KIA figures (or is that what they are, reallY?) when the war in Iraq is OVER. Looks to me like "Oily Dub" trails "Slick Willy" by less than half, and the Oily Dub lion's share there is with a SINGLE, OFFENSIVE conflict (with another gigantic difference: no extraction plan. What Clinton-era conflicts lasted seven years? Which did he childishly pass on to his successor? Isn't it true--you talk like you're tough enough to admit it--that Clinton eclipses Bush as Commander in Chief when it come to military SUCCESSES? Where's Bin Laden?). Go look up 'spin,' then run to the mirror. You might see a light bulb go off above your head.
As for Sean Penn, while I think he's a good actor, he's also obviously suffering from the guilt and resulting embarrassing and self-conscious earnestness that comes with knowing you probably don't deserve the success you've had. But, we Americans, while disliking abuse of power and oppression, equally dislike humorless holier-than-thous preaching from a position of privilege. It's disingenuous (much like Terry's preachy and spin-infected treatise), and arrogant.
Gosh - how could one not be influenced by the judgement of an uneducated actor who is all for smoking! Jerk!
sean penn: great actor, political moron
Notice that neither Penn nor the anti-american comments contained on this page used "German" or "Russian"...wonder why? One can only hope that "someone" in the world will act to preserve "English" over "Arabic" in certain corners of the world....now, who would possibly take this bold stand?
Who elected that card-carrying communist Sean to a position from which he should be listened to?
Yet another reason for shutting off the microphone when Penn and his fellow travelers start speaking about anything but themselves and their movies.
His comments will not have one iota of influence on the U.S. election nor should they. I do not go to the movies and this type of garbage is a good reason why.
Well, Cannes is all about films, films are all about fiction and the people who work in films believe the fiction that what they have to say is important.
Sean who??
Why is Sean Penn concerned about Barrack Hussein Obama's voting record? Mr. Penn does not seem to think that he needs to abide by the law anyway. That he is above the law.
The words of a fool are often delivered by the ignorant. Thank you Sean Penn...You have proved that statement correct.
Didn't old Penn vote for Madge once?
Anyway, who cares what these celebrities think? Just make a decent film and, politically, belt up. Your twopence worth might have bought you a stick of gum 20 years ago but it doesn't today...
The words of a fool are often delivered by the ignorant. Thank you Sean Penn...You have proved that statement correct.
OH BY THE WAY....SEAN... DOES MICHAEL MOORE SMOKE? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA TAKE HIM WITH YOU.
This is a GEM:
�I hope that he will understand, if he is the nominee, the degree of disillusionment that will happen if he doesn't become a greater man than he will ever be,�
I can quite unequivocally that Barrack Obama will never be a greater man than he will ever be.
But having said that, neither will Sean Penn.
Sean,please shut up and do what you do best,"mimic" somebody who is important and knowledgeable.
The only interesting part of this entire story is:
"Portman, 26, said she would not be endorsing Obama or his rival, Hillary Clinton, but added: �I think it's a very exciting year for our politics, that for the first time in a while we have a choice of who we like better instead of who we hate least.� "
Shaggy...you're an idiot.
I'll try to explain in small words.
I dislike you more than going to the dentist.
I also like the fact there's a choice in this election that doesn't boil down to what color tie either candidate wears.
There's definitely a difference between liking a candidate and hating someone less than another.
Different thing, different package, moron.
Posted by shaggy on May 15, 2008 01:33 PM
Who we like better or who we hate least? Wow Sean, you're a rocket scientist. Isn't that the same thing in a different package? Moron.
"...the degree of disillusionment that will happen if he doesn't become a greater man than he will ever be..."
I'm no fan of Obama but I think that's a tall order bordering on the impossible. Perhaps Penn would prefer Hugo Chavez as a candidate.
to 31 dan. Hilarious! At least he was out in a canoe saving katrina victims. the guy rents a canoe with a hole in it and brings a film crew with him to document his heroic act. With his money and didn't acquire a hire a suitable (large) power boat with supplies. What an opportunistic a-hole
The man has a right to his opinion. Give him a break.
Myanmar junta insists aid effort running smoothly!!!I think he has his countries mixed up. God forbid we should have a disater and no response as he would suggested happened at Katrina. WAKE UP FOOL !
Stay in France Penn!
Call Jane Fonda to come join you!
We don't want you in America...
Traitors!!!!
Re: Terry -
and the statistics on military death
you site includes Suicide, Homicide, and Illness, which combined are much higher than killed-in-combat.
As a veteran keenly involved in veteran issues, I'm well aware how prevalent suicide can be, as well as sickness - I was infected once with malaria.
It does indeed occur under democratic and republican administrations, I'm not sure
if we should be making this partisan issue..
There was a lot of very interesting information on "Terry"'s comment regarding the militry deaths. Unfortunately, following his references it was not accurate.
According to his reference @ FAS.org the deaths during the Clinton administration years totaled 14,000 deaths when in fact there were only 7600 according to Terry's reference. Deaths during George W. Bush's administration totaled 7932 according to Terry's reference when in fact there were 8797 according to the same references.
Seems like Terry is as loose with his facts as others - shoots very large holes into any credibility he may have had.
However, thank you for the references so we can find the truth for ourselves.
There was a lot of very interesting information on "Terry"'s comment regarding the militry deaths. Unfortunately, following his references it was not accurate.
According to his reference @ FAS.org the deaths during the Clinton administration years totaled 14,000 deaths when in fact there were only 7600 according to Terry's reference. Deaths during George W. Bush's administration totaled 7932 according to Terry's reference when in fact there were 8797 according to the same references.
Seems like Terry is as loose with his facts as others - shoots very large holes into any credibility he may have had.
However, thank you for the references so we can find the truth for ourselves.
Myanmar junta insists aid effort running smoothly!!!I think he has his countries mixed up. God forbid we should have a disater and no response as he would suggested happened at Katrina. WAKE UP FOOL !
There was a lot of very interesting information on "Terry"'s comment regarding the militry deaths. Unfortunately, following his references it was not accurate.
According to his reference @ FAS.org the deaths during the Clinton administration years totaled 14,000 deaths when in fact there were only 7600 according to Terry's reference. Deaths during George W. Bush's administration totaled 7932 according to Terry's reference when in fact there were 8797 according to the same references.
Seems like Terry is as loose with his facts as others - shoots very large holes into any credibility he may have had.
However, thank you for the references so we can find the truth for ourselves.
Don't believe the "facts" and "figures" posted by Terry above.....the link he provides shows that what he posted within his message is WRONG!
Total military deaths due to hostile and terrorist action during the Clinton years? 105, per table 5 in that link.
Same total under Bush, through 2006 only? 2651 and counting. As of January 10, 2008, over 3,200 US deaths in Iraq were due to hostile fire, and many accidental deaths there would also not have occurred, as any thinking person would obviously conclude!
Sean Penn is an uneducated punk who hates America. It amazes me that the media give the wacko air time. He and Tim Robbins never say anything of substance.
Sean Penn is an uneducated punk who hates America. It amazes me that the media give the wacko air time. He and Tim Robbins never say anything of substance.
Funny stuff. I am glad to see Sean is now doing Satirical Comedy, because that whole "Listen to me, I am so much smarter than you" thing was getting a bit stale.
I'd tell you to Act And Shut Up if I thought you could act.
So Just Shut UP.
To Vic:
"Shaggy is an example of the typical Bush Supporter - a poor reader and thinker.....It is clear that anyone who supports the Bush Administration is either clearly not a responsible citizen of the US or is naive."
A Bush supporter is a poor reader and thinker? Not a responsible citizen or naive?
The problem with yourself and the liberals of your ilk (no, I don't mean a big deer) is that for someone to be considered a reader or thinker they have to read (and agree with) what liberals write and think how liberals think. Nice try, but I know tripe devoid of facts when I read it and if I started thinking like a liberal, I would hope my family would send me to the screw factory to get re-threaded, because as you probably don't know, being in that state of dementia already, liberalism is a mental disorder, the hallmarks of which are bandwagon "trendy hate", name calling in the face of facts, and the ever so popular slinging mud at the truth hoping that it goes away. As to being a good citizen? Liberals think that to be a good citizen you should gladly fork over your hard-earned scratch to pay for lazy people to get lazier and beget even more lazy people. This is no accident however, it the democrat created welfare-dependant voting stock. A good citizen goes to work, and if they don't like their job, they do what they need to do to improve themselves and thus their own situation, without asking for a handout, and God forbid definately not demanding it as if entitled. A good citizen raises their kids to be responsible, and teaches them a good work ethic well before they graduate high school. Liberals on the other hand need a steady stream of victimization scenarios to explain why anything and everything is not their fault no matter what. Anything they don't have that others do, they covet in maniacal contempt. They don't care that they have the same opportunities to achieve their goals, because that's not what they want.
"They don't want to make it, they want to take it."
....and Who is John Galt?
sean penn is a
Conscientous
Ubiqutious
Noticable
Terminator of out times!
You go girl!
Seriously, the more upset that you get the more attention that you give to him, the more shock value interviews with Penn have for the media. If we spent as much time actually listening to candidates as we do to "actors" (using the term loosely), we would have a much more educated voter that formed their own opinion. Why not do some studying on your own instead of looking to a media that provides more sensationalism now than they did during the origination of yellow journalism (opportunity to educate yourself on how long the media has been this way)?
Penn stated that the movie to win the Palme d'Or would reflect the times and current political situation. Surely you can separate movies from politics, isn't that the pure joy of the Indiana Jones movies? Yet, movies will always comment on the world, or at least any movie that portends toward art. The best ones change the way we relate to our reality. My hope is that Penn will be challenged to see beyond the narrow scope of political commentary and give each movie at Cannes an opportunity to challenge the paradigm through which he sees the world.
http://www.projectmalawifilm.org
Here's an interesting "thought" straight from the mouth of Mr. Penn:
"I hope that he will understand, if he is the nominee, the degree of disillusionment that will happen if he doesn't become a greater man than he will ever be," Penn said.
That would make Professor Irwin Corey sound reasonable.
Sean is sadly and hopelessly lacking in one of the most fundamental of human survival skills -- keeping your mouth shut when you have no idea at all what you're talking about.
But, for the rest of us, it is a good source of amusement. Please, somebody give the poor boy a bucket, and let's at least watch him attempt to bail his way out of this one!
Penn stated that the movie to win the Palme d'Or would reflect the times and current political situation. Surely you can separate movies from politics, isn't that the pure joy of the Indiana Jones movies? Yet, movies will always comment on the world, or at least any movie that portends toward art. The best ones change the way we relate to our reality. My hope is that Penn will be challenged to see beyond the narrow scope of political commentary and give each movie at Cannes an opportunity to challenge the paradigm through which he sees the world.
http://www.projectmalawifilm.org
Sean,
Barack is not going to please everbody and you included, but he is a ray of sunshine to the last 8 years. Give Barack a chance. People need to stop the negative thinking and let's get Bush and Cheney out Wahsington. All of this negative thinking should have been directed at Bush and the John McCain (a Bush clone).
My, My.......
So many postings about comments by someone so irrelevant.
Ahhh the American way.....someone excels at sports or acting and they are immediately sought after for commentary on world events or politics........and taken at their word to be making intelligent sense.
Sean.......you trained to be an auto mechanic......go do that.......
Sean Penn is another Hollywood self-important moron, who thinks he knows what the rest of us need, should have and what we should be. All the time jumping from limo to private jet, to Cannes and back. What a tool.
Who gives a crap what he thinks.
to paraphrase Roy Cohn, I don't understand why so much credence is given to a man whose only provable talent is pretending to be something that he's not
Sean Penn is another Hollywood self-important moron, who thinks he knows what the rest of us need, should have and what we should be. All the time jumping from limo to private jet, to Cannes and back. What a tool.
Who gives a crap what he thinks.
Sean Penn is another Hollywood self-important moron, who thinks he knows what the rest of us need, should have and what we should be. All the time jumping from limo to private jet, to Cannes and back. What a tool.
Who gives a crap what he thinks.
Does anyone really care what this idiot sean penn has to say. He's a nobody.
Robbie, Sean Penn will inform us what Obama votes were unconstitutional once Obama begins informing us what his perception of 'hope' and 'change' are; what are his plans?
Unconstitutional? Inhuman?
I don't know exactly what Penn had in mind, but I imagine it's something along the lines of this:
Obama, along with McCain and Clinton, were members of one of the few institutions that could have checked King George the W's power. None of these three showed any leadership. A few speeches for the CSPAN cameras, yes. But no leadership.
Watching Obama and his colleagues these past years has generally been like watching a dog eat its own feces. Disgusting? Tell me about it.
to paraphrase Roy Cohn, I don't understand why so much credence is given to a man whose only provable talent is pretending to be something that he's not
to paraphrase Roy Cohn, I don't understand why so much credence is given to a man whose only provable talent is pretending to be something that he's not
to paraphrase Roy Cohn, I don't understand why so much credence is given to a man whose only provable talent is pretending to be something that he's not
Who Cares what a washed up actor thinks! is his opionion more valuable than any other american.
Sean Penn is clearly out of his mind when he charges Obama, who's so far left he falls right off the map, of a ?phenomenally inhuman and unconstitutional? voting record. Penn should shut his mouth for once.
�I hope that he will understand, if he is the nominee, the degree of disillusionment that will happen if he doesn't become a greater man than he will ever be,� Penn said.
What the heck does this comment mean? No wonder he likes Obama so much. He can talk with big words and not make one bit of sense.
I haven't seen all of Penn's movies but he seems to me (not are real critic) a very fine actor. I just don't understand why he isn't satisfied with that accomplishment. I suspect that he and other outspoken actors are attempting to achieve the same kind of greatness in the real world as they experience through their characters on screen. Some like Penn do so with political rhetoric others like Angelina Jolie do so by putting their money and their personal efforts out there where it counts. She has succeeded in real world greatness, he has not. And yes, I am a conservative just left of Ghengis Khan.
Who Cares what a washed up actor thinks! is his opionion more valuable than any other american.
Chris Penn has it all over his bloviating bro'...
Terry, don't usually respond to these things but took a look at the numbers you gave and call bs. Based on your source, the six years (2000-2006) recorded more deaths than the prior 8.
What say you?
Who care what this idiot thinks. Since when did a grossly overpaid actor - who only sounds erudite when speaking lines written by others - become a political pundit worthy of the international press?
Sean Penn is an idiot and the only emotion he is any good at portraying is "anger" as well as chain smoking. He is a Left-Wing simpleton who pretends to be open-minded but won't consider anything outside the confines of Socialism. Rest assured world, his narrow-minded ideals about cigarettes and hookers don't reflect my serious considerations of a presidential election. I take pride in going above and beyond the mainstream media's view of what I should consider when voting. There IS a war on terror even if the rest of the world doesn't want to believe it and if our president doesn't realize it, the rest of the world is going to have to live without our self-depracating movies because we won't be around to bash ourselves.
GO SEAN PENN!
IF MORE HOLLYWOOD STARS WENT THIS WAY, WE'D HAVE A BETTER NATION OF MEN,
SIGNED,
I LIKE WHAT HE'S SAYING
Even the worst movie can win this year if it meets Penn's PC ideals.
Hey Sean Penn, fast times at ridgemont high just called, it wants to give you your sense of humor back. stick to making movies. the more you speak the more of the foolishness that is you shines through.
Hey Sean Penn, fast times at ridgemont high just called, it wants to give you your sense of humor back. stick to making movies. the more you speak the more of the foolishness that is you shines through.
"... if he doesn't become a greater man than he will ever be,� Penn said.
Sean, you said something more confusing than you could ever say.
I read the article "Sean Penn blasts Obama's phenomenally inhuman (and unconstitutional) voting record", hoping to see actual votes that Penn considered to be inhuman and/or unconstitutional.
I'm not voting for him anyway, but I always find it educational to see what a socialist considers to be unconstitutional or inhuman.
Once again, nothing of substance from the left. Far left.
It's amazing to me that people who regularly have microphones pushed in their face develop an omnipresent knowledge of all things political, a knowledge that MUST be shared with others. Sean Penn is the most ignorant of these "intelligent" people.
Seriously, these people in Hollywood are living a f-ing dream life. They are minimally educated, and have no concept of middle America. Why do they even count in this discussion? Probably for the same reason homosexuals are all over the TV... agendas! Gays are a VERY small part of the population, but if you watch TV you'd swear every other person you pass in the store is gay! It's just sick. Why create a world...just live in the one we have for what it is. It really amounts to lying, nothing else.
Seriously, these people in Hollywood are living a f-ing dream life. They are minimally educated, and have no concept of middle America. Why do they even count in this discussion? Probably for the same reason homosexuals are all over the TV... agendas! Gays are a VERY small part of the population, but if you watch TV you'd swear every other person you pass in the store is gay! It's just sick. Why create a world...just live in the one we have for what it is. It really amounts to lying, nothing else.
TERRY! (at 4:09 pm)
Did you bother actually looking at the source you provided for those supposed statistics?
Military losses, 1980 through 2006
(http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32492.pdf)
The front page of that document points out that the statistics you are giving are a scam! The military losses during the Clinton years were not anywhere near the level you printed in your comment. Please do not go spreading blatantly false information without at least trying to verify the source. At least take a glance at the very source you are providing! Of course, most people will just read what you wrote and believe it - so the damage gets done anyway. Shameful.
Sean Penn is a monkey, and we all know what monkeys throw around. Would someone please advise this idiot that the public will start taking seriously his comments about politicians, policy-makers and/or their advisers, and foreign policy matters once he has a security clearance or other appropriate credentials that will help him formalize informed opinions about the things he is so beholden to pontificate about. What an idiot!
TERRY! (at 4:09 pm)
Did you bother actually looking at the source you provided for those supposed statistics?
Military losses, 1980 through 2006
(http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32492.pdf)
The front page of that document points out that the statistics you are giving are a scam! The military losses during the Clinton years were not anywhere near the level you printed in your comment. Please do not go spreading blatantly false information without at least trying to verify the source. At least take a glance at the very source you are providing! Of course, most people will just read what you wrote and believe it - so the damage gets done anyway. Shameful.
Sean Penn is a monkey, and we all know what monkeys throw around. Would someone please advise this idiot that the public will start taking seriously his comments about politicians, policy-makers and/or their advisers, and foreign policy matters once he has a security clearance or other appropriate credentials that will help him formalize informed opinions about the things he is so beholden to pontificate about. What an idiot!
Does this mean that obama needs to drop out and that hilary gets the nomination? I mean, if sean penn is not going to endorse obama then that is it for obama. You know, every person that penn has endorsed has gotten elected president.....like ....um......ohhhh.....umm......ahhhhh....hugo chavez. See , he can influance an election!!!!!!!!!!