ACTOR SEAN PENN IN TEHRAN AS JOURNALIST

[sabra]

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http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level.php?cat=Trends&loid=8.0.176222610&par=

IRAN: ACTOR SEAN PENN IN TEHRAN AS JOURNALIST

Tehran, 10 June (AKI) - The Hollywood actor Sean Penn is in the Iranian capital, Tehran, in his new role as a journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle. The actor, who won an Oscar for the film "Mystic River", is in the country to follow the June 17 presidential elections for the American daily. Together with an interpreter, the actor was at a Tehran mosque on Friday morning, where he heard the Ayatollah Ahmad Janna ask the faithful to turn out in large numbers to vote in the elections scheduled for next Friday, to "make America angry."

Many journalists have been denied the necessary accreditation from the Iranian authorities to cover the elections.

In previous years, before and after the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003, Penn travelled twice to the Iraqi capital Baghdad, where he denounced both the war and the Bush administration.

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[knowbody0]

1. good for Sean

[Sgt. Baker]

2. oh

:rofl:

As a journalist

:rofl:

He's a nice guy and all but he is no journalist.

[pfitz59]

4. Penn can write....

He wrote several eloquent letters prior to the Iraq war. If I remember right, his father was a blacklisted writer. As a journalist he's got to be better than the fellating whores who currently wear that moniker.

[Bridget Burke]

6. He's also written for films.

And--how many current "journalists" are worth squat?

[lebkuchen]

10. The ones who write on bathroom walls?

[alfredo]

21. I have to agree. His writing is superb

Admin- This is a public statement, not a copyrighted article.

Sunday, December 15, 2002

Text of Statement by Sean Penn
At News Conference in Baghdad

The actor and director Sean Penn made the following statement at a news conference in Baghdad on Sunday afternoon:

"I am a citizen of the United States of America. I believe in the Constitution of the United States, and the American people. Ours is a government designed to function "of"-"by"-and-"for" the people. I am one of those people, and a privileged one.

I am privileged in particular to raise my children in a country of high standards in health, welfare, and safety. I am also privileged to have lived a life under our Constitution that has allowed me to dream and prosper. In response to these privileges I feel, both as an American and as a human being, the obligation to accept some level of personal accountability for the policies of my government, both those I support and any that I may not. Simply put, if there is a war or continued sanctions against Iraq, the blood of Americans and Iraqis alike will be on our hands.

My trip here is to personally record the human face of the Iraqi people so that their blood -- along with that of American soldiers -- would not be invisible on my own hands. I sit with you here today in the hopes that any of us present may contribute in any way to a peaceful resolution to the conflict at hand.

I thank Norman Solomon and the Institute for Public Accuracy for facilitating my visit."

Sean Penn
December 15, 2002

[Sgt. Baker]

30. meh

I love his passion and that is what gets people behind him but if you actually read his writing he doesn't say much.

I also have to disagree with him saying we should be accountable for what our government does. The current administrations policies in Iraq are not anywhere near what I believe so why should I share the responsibility with them? I'm not the one that Iraqi's hate, our current government is. There is no blood on my hands. How bout yours?

[Sequoia]

31. Then, go strolling on the street over there and get a reaction

Sarge, we're all in this together.

[Toots]

34. You remind me of a sailor in a sinking boat who won't help bail

afterall his part of the boat isn't sinking.

[alfredo]

37. In general we are responsible. If this were a dictatorship, the

responsibility would fall just on the leaders. But we elect our leaders so we have to bear some responsibility for putting a murdering monster in charge. We are responsible if we voted for him, or did not make a good enough case for rejecting him. Of course if the investigators are correct that there was massive fraud in Ohio and Florida, then we need to redouble our efforts to expose the fraud.

We are the government, we are responsible for the actions of our representatives.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

39. Sorry, but no. We had nothing to do with "electing" this government...

...based on the widespread reports of election fraud in 2000, 2002, and 2004. And no, those of us who have rabidly opposed the NeoCons for the last several years are NOT responsible for the reprehensible actions of the NeoCon Junta dictatorship. That may be a distinction that may not be recognized by the citizens of the countries of the Middle East, but it is a distinction nonetheless.

But, we ARE responsible for doing everything we can to restore the US to a Democracy, no matter how long that takes.

[Eloriel]

46. No, as much as I agree re the fraud, it hasn't been universal.

We have STILL elected (honestly and fair and square with NO election fraud whatsoever) far too many people who are little better than fenceposts. We have STILL allowed them to continue without earning their keep, saying irresponsible things, being complicit with this administration and voting the wrong damn way again and again and again.

[alfredo]

53. I did cover that, but I did hedge my bets

because I don't know if there has been a real comprehensive investigation by unbiased prosecutors in Ohio and Florida. I am more concerned with the impeachment of bush then war crime charges being filed against him and his junta.

[Eloriel]

44. Yessiree, Sgt. Baker, there most certainly IS blood on your hands

and mine as well, and on the hands of every American. Our government put it there -- what our government has done was in our name.

For many of us, the blood was acquired unwttingly and unwilling, but you bet your bippy it's there nonetheless.

[acmavm]

45. I'd gladly read anything Penn writes long long long before that well

known and much talked about journalist, Jeff Gannon.

[liberalnurse]

24. Yes, he is indeed quite the reporter/writer.

He has the right attitude as well....not driven by the desire to keep a job verses actually doing ones job.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tempest]

16. He's some piece of work

It was fun to watch him squirm when he was challenged on his "expertise".

[Sgt. Baker]

23. thanks

for bringing that back up.

I think Sean Penn is a good guy with good intentions and I agree with what he is doing but I don't have to like his writing which I don't. I just think he says a lot without actually saying anything.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

36. You mean like your posts on 911 and the FAA?

[stanwyck]

15. You mean like Jeff Gannon/Guckert?

that "journalist"? My point is, Gannon was allowed into press conferences, within inches of Bush, and introduced on Fox News as "distinguished journalist" Jeff Gannon. The man is a total fraud. But, technically, a "journalist".
So...what exactly is a journalist?
Is Anne Coulter a "journalist"?
Rush? Hannity? O'Reilly?
I'd rather hear from the articulate and intelligent Mr. Penn any day than these chickenhawk blowhards.
Mainstream journalism is dead. Killed by corporations and Bush oil money. The only journalism left is on the web.
We're more journalists than anybody on Fox or hate radio.
At least we're educated and informed.

[funflower]

19. Penn is a poet and writer. He's very gifted.

[meganmonkey]

20. This is not a new thing. He's been to Iraq and reported on it (LINK):

more than once:

http://www.truthout.com/docs_02/12.17E.penn.iraq.htm

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/01/14/DDGG048F0G1.DTL

Laugh all you want, but I don't see you going to Iraq and reporting the truth. :shrug:

(on edit: not meaning to imply by my subject line that his work in Iran isn't new - just pointing out to the Sgt. that he has done similar work before - quite well)

[BagEnd]

22. Perhaps he's ACTING like a journalist?

I hear we once had an actor pretend to be President. :-)

In fact... my favorite current president is an actor.

[tkmorris]

27. He is an outstanding writer

As long as he can maintain a detached objectivity he will be an outstanding journalist as well. Actually, now that I think of it, if he is objective at all that would pretty much make him the best journalist in the United States.

[dissent1977]

32. He is more of a journalist than Bill O'Reilly will ever be

Of course we will hear O'Reilly screaming about how Sean Penn needs to shut up. That is the state of American "journalism", and quite frankly I would rather read an article from an intellegent person like Sean Penn than I would from any of the corporate whores who try and pass themselves off as journalists.

[Toots]

33. Maybe Gannon taught him a thing or two

How would you know of his journalistic talents? He is very well spoken and seems quite intelligent. I would venture to guess he is every bit as much of a journalist as what we see on TV nightly.

[brentspeak]

3. He's got more guts than the Bush lovers who bash him

When's the last time Sean Hannity spent some time in Iraq? He probably couldn't even find it on a map.

[mbperrin]

5. Lesseee, is Sean a journalist? Smart guy, successful

career, multiple awards in his field, well-spoken, intelligent.

NO, he is NOT a journalist, thank gawd. We might actually get some NEWS this way!!

Or we could just let the "journos" at Faux or Covering No News handle it!

[gordianot]

11. I think you are on to something here. ("journos" at Faux )

How many of the Fox dick weeds have been to Iraq other than Ollie North or Giraldo (brain damaged in the 90's)? I for one would watch Fox News if they sent Hannity and O'Reilly maybe travel across the country. Colmes could go as water boy or go fetch. Or how about sending a congressional delegation including Tom Delay to round out the group. One condition they would need to do their tour in National Guard Humvees with jury rigged armor.

[mbperrin]

14. PLEASE make this happen!!

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease???

[burythehatchet]

47. I must thank you for using the term "dick weed"

haven't heard that since around 1986, New Rochelle, NY

[gordianot]

54. They used it in Missouri in the late 60's.

Just a common dick weed as opposed to a smeary dick weed. I look at it as a common insult with some sexual connotations.

see link: http://neopoleon.com/FlexWiki/default.aspx/NeoRef.Dic.D

Dickweed (n.) -
Pronunciation: dick-weeeed

Definition: A stupid person in front of you on the freeway.

[lebkuchen]

7. BUY CARPETS

And enjoy a beautiful safe Middle Eastern city while it lasts.

[CJCRANE]

8. Good for him

If he writes original stuff and people want to read it - then he's a jounalist, don't see a problem with that.

[lonestarnot]

12. LOL does he have a kevlar vest?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

38. Because he might get shot by US troops once they invade Iran?

[lonestarnot]

52. Precisely....

[stevedeshazer]

13. That'll give Hannity a safe topic for diversion

[getmeouttahere]

17. More power to Sean Penn....

and love the "Deliver Us From Egos" graphic...I miss Kids in the Hall!

[doodadem]

18. The new Jane Fonda?

That's how he'll be portrayed by the right, I'm sure.

[donheld]

26. Are we at war with Iran?

How can he be compared with Jane? Iran is not our enemy. The Bush administration is more of an enemy to me.

[supernova]

29. Not unless he sits on an Iranian tank

Sean is very much older, and I hope wiser, than Jane was when she visited Viet Nam.

He's going there with a specific job to do, be a reporter, he won't have time to pull publicity stunts.

[doodadem]

43. I don't think it matters

That he's going there to try and do a real job as a reporter. I'm saying, the right will spin it--Hollywood liberal Dem fraternizing with the enemy.

[supernova]

25. Good for Sean Penn!

This could be a very good thing for him.

Can't wait to read what he writes.

[wtmusic]

28. Anyone who wants to bash Sean for this

I have three words:

Bring it on.

Penn is taking a big risk (as he did in Iraq) by even going there. You can be a rich movie star and sit on your ass while your country goes to hell, or you can do something about it. Sean Penn rocks.

:yourock:

[jasop]

35. I absolutely agree and anyone who talks sh*t is a pathetic wannabe

[alarcojon]

40. Absolutely!

We have to give him a lot of credit for doing this, regardless of how we may feel about his body of work.

[Enraged_Ape]

50. Hear, hear. Sean's kind of an a$$, but he's all right in my book.

He's gone over to Iraq before, despite all of the dangers involved. He's actually a very intelligent, lucid writer who respects the truth, and I for one can't wait to read his columns about what's happening over in Tehran. You sure as heck won't get the straight dope from ANY of the usual corporate journalists.

[agincourt]

41. This is why,

The pig jowl RWingers go on and on about decadent hollywood. They're the few rich people left in this country that aren't toadies for the GOP.

[AuntiBush]

42. Now, here's a TRUE PATRIOT AMERICAN whom does not

have to be there, risking his life and career and he is a "family man," nooooo... but I guarantee that WHORE REILLY will be running his lying mouth about it on FAUS News tonight.

Good for Sean Penn. He's got SPINE and his not afraid to speak out for injustices. Amazing, he's going where no one else will go, like our Prez, or Repuk Congress members, or those Spinning Talking Heads on all the networks whom sit on their butts collecting big bucks all in the name of "Corporate America."

Good for Sean. Think I'll subscribe to the San Francisco Chronicle.

[go west young man]

51. Right on! Sean Penn is a true American patriot. I admire his

guts. Of course the right will spin it, but let em. They're track record speaks for itself. Thank god for the Sean Penns, Katherine Hepburns, Angelina Jolies, Bonos, John Lennons, Heather McCartneys. These are good wealthy people using thier fame to raise awareness to make the world a better place. Don't believe the right wing mantra of stars should keep it in Hollywood. How many of these right wing idiots know a thing about politics? Its obvious from the current mess the U.S. is in that the answer is "not many". They dismessed Sean Penn, Scott Ritter, Hans Blix, and Tim Robbins. But guess what the stars were right and O'Reilly and Hannity and all the other idiots were wrong.

[AuntiBush]

63. I have been missing our Stars like Susan & Robbins, Penn, Bli and others.

And out of nowhere comes "Sean Penn." They only reasons the Repuks will spawn him is becaue they hate it when the "left" is "right!"

And.... WE ARE! They should get down on their hands and knees and thank God for these brave souls doing the word their rep's should be.

[Cha]

48. I was just thinking about Sean Penn

yesterday when my mind was roaming at work.

Something he said at the Academy Awards ..and just how fearless he seems!

You are such a ROCKER, Sean!

[Subliminal]

49. The Young Iranians

I hope Sean Penn gets a chance to interview the young 20 something Iranians to help air their viewpoints about their ruling government to the entire world.

[dissent1977]

55. Sean Penn in new role at Friday Prayers in Tehran(Warning: Smear Piece)

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Hollywood actor Sean Penn, adopting the role of a journalist, scribbled in his notebook as Friday prayer worshippers in Tehran chanted "Death to America."

Penn, 44, in Iran on a brief assignment for the San Francisco Chronicle ahead of presidential elections on June 17, may be one of the best known faces in film, but he went unrecognized by the 6,000 faithful at Tehran University.

Working with a translator, Penn took copious notes as hardline cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati urged the congregation to vote en masse "to make America angry."

The actor, who visited Iraq before and after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 and wrote an account of his second trip for the Chronicle, told Reuters he had decided to come to Iran because of growing tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050610/en_nm/odd_iran_penn_dc_2

[knowbody0]

56. i cannot see the "smear"

[dissent1977]

57. Look at the quotes

"Death to America"

"to make America angry."

And they are talking about Penn just sitting there taking notes, without hardly giving any context. Just think about the impression this gives off, it makes it appear as if Sean Penn supports the terrorists.

[knowbody0]

58. ok, i see the quotes

my guess is you'd have to be hannity to spin it so.

[Freedomfried]

59. Its guilt by association

[knowbody0]

60. so being there makes him guilty of...........................?

[Scairp]

61. Gee sorry

Can't see anything but straight reporting of facts, no smearing there. So they quoted the crowd chanting "Death to America"? If that's what happened, why not?

[truthisfreedom]

62. interesting. i really hope he lives through it, and it helps his career.

why do i get the feeling he'll be targeted?

[cire4]

64. He's more likely to get shot in New York than die in Iran.....

Iran is one of the safest countries in the world. He'll be fine....unless of course, his own country decides to target him...

[Cha]

65. Sean isn't there to "help his career"..

he's there to help us.

[mitchum]

66. I respect both his talent and his ideals

[Zerex71]

67. This strikes me as quite the turnaround.

I mean, who in their wildest dreams could have ever foreseen Jeff Spicoli doing such magnanimous work?