Sean Penn Schools Prop. 8 Supporters in Oscar Speech

[babylonsister]

:loveya:

Sean Penn Schools Prop. 8 Supporters in Oscar Speech


Posted on Feb 22, 2009

AP photo / Matt Sayles
Sean Penn holds the Oscar for best actor, which he won for his work in “Milk.” The 81st Academy Awards presentation was held Sunday in Los Angeles.



Lest he miss an opportunity to speak his mind, Sunday night’s Best Actor Oscar winner took a moment on the podium to encourage those who voted last November for California’s Proposition 8, the anti-gay-marriage initiative, to rethink their choice. Turns out the Academy is actually made up of commie, homo-loving sons of guns.

Transcript of the speech from Oscar.com:

Thank you. Thank you. You commie, homo-loving sons-of-guns. I did not expect this, but I, and I want it to be very clear, that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me often. But I am touched by the appreciation and I hoped for it enough that I did want to scribble down, so I had the names in case you were commie, homo-loving sons-of-guns, and so I want to thank my best friend, Sata Matsuzawa. My circle of long-time support, Mara, Brian, Barry and Bob. The great Cleve Jones. Our wonderful writer, Lance Black. Producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks.

And particularly, as all, as actors know, our director either has the patience, talent and restraint to grant us a voice or they don’t, and it goes from the beginning of the meeting, through the cutting room. And there is no finer hands to be in than Gus Van Sant. And finally, for those, two last finalies, for those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone. And there are, and there are, these last two things. I’m very, very proud to live in a country that is willing to elect an elegant man president and a country who, for all its toughness, creates courageous artists. And this is in great due respect to all the nominees, but courageous artists, who despite a sensitivity that sometimes has brought enormous challenge, Mickey Rourke rises again and he is my brother. Thank you all very much.


more...

http://www.truthdig.com/arts_culture/item/20090222_sean_penn_schools_prop_8_supporters_in_oscar_speech/

[pnutbutr]

1. Fast Times

was his best movie evar. He's just a douche now who uses inappropriate times to inject his political ideology and put down others for not thinking like him.

[AlCzervik]

3. no, the douchebags were outside the theater protesting "the gays".

[gratuitous]

4. Har de har har

Perhaps you missed the good folks from the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas out in front of the theater? Well, they're kind of easy to miss, with their demure ways and teeny-tiny signs. Yes, inappropriate as all get out for an actor portraying a murdered gay activist to comment on the people outside the theater in a state that just passed another little hate-o-gram addressed to their fellow citizens.

Ho, ho, ho! You showed 'em, pnutbutr!

[pnutbutr]

6. oh

I didn't know they were there considering the part about gay marriage seemed directed at the majority of voting Californians since they voted on it and not the idiots from Kansas outside who were never mentioned. Penn is still a douche. It's my opinion, I'm glad to have it.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

11. You say that like it's a bad thing.

"directed at the majority of voting Californians since they voted on it"

And?

"not the idiots from Kansas outside who were never mentioned."

You didn't actually watch it before pontificating on it, did you?

Talk about douchery.

[babylonsister]

7. I think if you want to

call anyone douche you should look in the mirror. Was it inappropriate of him to go to New Orleans to help people swallowed by a hurricane survive when the past admin couldn't be bothered?

[pnutbutr]

8. oh shit

There's a douche staring at me in this mirror. :rofl:

His New Orleans stuff was great, that's cool and I have no problem with what he does on his time. Using the forum he chose here to put people down for not thinking like him makes him a douche. There is a time and place for political speech, that was not one of them.

[Obamanaut]

9. Seems to me like that was the ideal time for such a speech. He

had the floor, people were listening and filming, and he had things to say that need to be said.

I say, Splendid!

[AndrewP]

67. It was the time for such a speech, and good for him to have said it.

[NYC Liberal]

10. So, in 2006, if someone from "Crash" won for Best Actor or Actress

and there were racists outside protesting interracial marriage, it would have been inappropriate for whoever won to take a moment to condemn the racists picketing outside?

This is no different.

[pnutbutr]

12. he didn't

comment on the anti gay protest outside. He commented on the shame that California voters should feel right now during an Oscar acceptance speech. Inappropriate forum.

[NYC Liberal]

14. He did comment on the protest. And he condemned those who DID vote for it.

So same question: if a hypothetical Best Actor or Actress nominee from Crash won, and used part of their speech to condemn those who voted for an anti-miscegenation referendum, would that be inappropriate?

And if yes, why? Some movies have a deep message. If we can't talk about that message, especially when accepting an award for that movie, what is the point of the film? Why bother making these films if their message cannot be spread.

[pnutbutr]

16. ok

he did make a passing comment on the protest but his displeasure was directed not at those protesting but Californians. Shame on those Californians for how they voted.

Yes it would be inappropriate because there is no need to put people down which is what he did. If it had been a simple message directed at furthering the cause the movie was about I would be all for it. However it wasn't that type of message. It was negative and had direct recipients of that negative message. He used the forum to belittle others for their political views. Douche, inappropriate, douche.

[antigone382]

24. As opposed to the voteres belittling others for their personal lives...

...and denying them important rights and privileges as a result of blatant prejudice.

The voting majority has frequently sanctioned injust and hateful things...like slavery, the annihilation of Native Americans, the Holocaust, and Jesus's crucifixion, to name a few. They have a right to their political views, and we have a right and--in my opinion--a moral duty to point out what is unfair and reprehensible in those views at every opportunity, including award ceremonies.

[pnutbutr]

30. wow

I wasn't aware that people voted on slaughtering Native Americans, killing jews and spiking Jesus to a cross but ok. :eyes:

When, where and how to express your political views is a personal choice. I disagree with when, where and how Penn did it. I'm exercising my moral duty to point out how reprehensible I feel his choice was.

[kimmylavin]

34. Your moral duty...

Reprehensible?
He won an Oscar for portraying a gay man who was murdered - for being gay! - in a state that just voted for hateful legislation aimed at taking away rights from people - for being gay!

"Reprehensible" would have been NOT saying anything.

How your moral duty is to say that this very outspoken, political progressive should have just got up and said something inane... well, I think you've got your definitions screwed up.

Morals were on display last night, and not here in your whining.

[antigone382]

35. Read the Gospels. Jesus was crucified by popular vote.

As for the other examples, you may or may not find a particular constitutional referendum where citizens directly voted on particular policies, but the majority did support such policies, and elected those whom they knew would implement them. It seems to me that voting to deny people the right to a contractual arrangement that affects insurance coverage, medical choices, inheritence, etc. is far more reprehensible than publicly challenging individuals to re-examine their prejudices and think about the role such people will play in history. I respect your right to an opinion, but I don't really understand where it comes from. Why is it ever wrong to express your deep personal opposition to what you perceive as the perpetuation of grave injustice?

I guess it's slightly off-topic, but do you mind explaining your stance on proposition 8 as well?

[pnutbutr]

37. prop 8 and more

I would have liked to see same sex couples have the same rights as everyone else in California.

I'm not opposed to what Penn said or where he said it individually. It's the combination that upsets me. The negative message directed at a portion of the population during a movie awards ceremony. He could have just as easily presented a positive uplifting message about the man he portrayed in the film and where he hopes to see the issue of gay rights go in the future. That would have been fine with me and I wish that is what he had done. It was the negativity of his statement at a time when he should have presented a positive message and/or outlook on the issues the film addressed that bothered me.

[TommyO]

41. So, you're for equal rights

Just against those who speak out against it (discrimination) publicly.

Gotcha.

[antigone382]

42. OK, I can see where you're going.

You would have preferred if he had used his time at the podium to focus on those who are working towards the cause of marriage equality instead of focusing on those who are opposed to it. To an extent I see your point. Positive reinforcement strengthens positive behavior; negative reprecussions are not as effective at curbing bad behavior...it's the whole build bridges, attract more flies with honey thing...

However, I can also see the motiviation for Penn's tactics. When a society goes off track and slides towards discrimination and injustice, there is potential value in confronting that society with its own negativity. The public could have casually discarded a positive message in support of marriage equality, but directly challenging them to consider how their political choices will be viewed by history requires them to react. Most will react negatively, but a few, even just a handful, may actually stop and think.

[donco6]

53. "Positive, uplifting" message? The guy got shot in the face.

How uplifting is that, exactly?

[TommyO]

40. Prop 8, and anybody who voted to discriminate, are reprehensible

Penn did the right thing in denouncing these bigots.

[Oak2004]

45. A little history lesson:

Americans did vote on slaughtering American Indians, in that they elected politicians who advocated it, and in many cases ran for office on their record as an "Indian fighter". Ever hear of the presidential campaign slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler too"? Check out what "Tippecanoe" refers to.

Hitler was elected to office, after he had published his book, Mein Kampf, in which he explicitly called for the extermination of the Jews. No one voting for him could have failed to have known what they were voting for.

And the Bible itself says a mob was allowed to choose the release of Barabbas over Jesus, thus condemning him to death.

[Zhade]

63. THANK you.

NT!

[donco6]

54. You might want to remove the "eye roll" -

Because people did just that.

[bullwinkle428]

46. So bigotry is now considered a "political view"? Interesting.

[Zhade]

62. What, you think those bigots SHOULDN'T be ashamed of themselves?

NT!

[gratuitous]

15. Well, it wasn't in the bold type above

But just before that, Penn noted, "for those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight . . ." as a preface to his wider comments. This was a direct reference to our friends from Topeka.

For future reference, though, when and where is the proper time and place to speak out against injustice and bigotry?

[pnutbutr]

17. Not at work

I wouldn't use the receipt of an award at my job to inject my political views and belittle others for having views different than mine. Would you?

[TommyO]

18. Then When?

This was a perfect opportunity for Penn to speak his mind, especially since the film was about gay rights.

[pnutbutr]

19. fine and dandy

but it was not the time to belittle half of California. You can speak your mind and present a positive message of hope for your cause. He didn't do that.

[TommyO]

23. It wasn't half of California

it was those who voted for Prop 8. They deserve to be called out and publicly humiliated for their discrimination against their fellow citizens.

[pnutbutr]

25. ok

half of the voting population of California

[TommyO]

32. and they deserved to be called out for their discriminatory vote

Why shouldn't have Penn spoken out about this? You still haven't answered when the right time is to speak out against blatant discrimination. Do you even want this anti-gay amendment talked about or condemned?

[pnutbutr]

38. he can

do it in interviews, on the street, political rallies, newspaper ads, blogs, he could buy TV time for all I care.

[TommyO]

39. Or he can do just what he did

I notice that you didn't address the rest of my post.


Hmmmm.....

[bullwinkle428]

49. Did he ruin your Oscar-viewing experience? Because it sure sounds that way,

if that's the only "inappropriate place" for him to make such a statement.

[FreeState]

56. So nice of you to give him permission

/sarcasm

[gratuitous]

21. Yes, I would

Particularly if my job involved as part of its stock in trade the development and explanation of political views, and the award was given in part due to my work in that specific area. Simply producing a movie based on the life of an activist and politician such as Harvey Milk is a political statement, the actor portraying that character is engaging in a political activity, and the rewarding of that work by the larger industry is a political statement as well.

And I'm not sure where Penn's remarks entail "belittling others." My reading is that he's making a prediction that the folks who have worked so hard and so cynically during the last 20 years to deny basic human rights to a segment of society are going to be ashamed of their efforts in the years to come - and if not them personally, then their children and grandchildren. Since such a thing has happened before within living memory (to wit, the recent apology by Elwin Wilson to Rep. John Lewis of Georgia), and since some virulently anti-gay activists have reversed their position in these last 20 years, I’d say Penn’s remarks have the ring of truth to them.

[bullwinkle428]

47. What "company" does Sean Penn work for? It would seem that he's

more of an independent contractor, earning his money from a variety of sources and employers...

[Zhade]

64. Bigotry that leads to us losing our rights and BEING KILLED LIKE MILK is a "different view"?

Are you kidding me?

[ronnykmarshall]

31. Yes he did.

He also won an Oscar for playing a gay man that I as a gay man is a hero to me.

I think his remarks were right on.

[Zhade]

61. Inappropriate when he won for a film about Harvey Milk?

Gee, do you hate hearing about us fags and our rights? TOO FUCKING BAD.

[gauguin57]

20. Do you ever actually WATCH the Oscars? Proud tradition of political speeches there.

If there WEREN'T a political speech in a given year, I'd consider the Oscars a complete failure.

Vanessa Redgrave's "Zionist hoodlums."

Sacheen Littlefeather (even though she was not actually a Native American).

Michael Moore: "Shame on you, Mr. Bush! Shame on you!"

Richard Gere sending positive energy to get Chinese troops out of Tibet.

Vietnam documentary winner reading a letter from the Viet Cong thanking the country for turning against the Vietnam War (which completely freaked out Repuglicans Sinatra, Hope and Wayne).

And on and on.

[ronnykmarshall]

28. I'm surprised it didn't crack.

[ronnykmarshall]

29. I'm surprised it didn't crack.

[donco6]

33. So, you don't support gay marriage? N/t

[donco6]

36. "Putting people down for not thinking like him."

You speak as if Prop 8 was like choosing between peas and carrots. As if there were no moral imperative one way or the other.

Were those who voted for Prop 8 justified in their vote?

[Oak2004]

43. Human rights are not a "difference of opinion"

You don't "differ" on whether to oppress someone. People who think it's okay to deny human rights to some other group do not hold a respectable point of view with which one "differs". They hold a flat-out wrong point of view. It is always appropriate to oppose such views, and to do so in a manner which makes it clear that they are shameful, dishonorable, disreputable ideas not open to debate.

[Zhade]

65. Hear fucking HEAR!

My life isn't a "different view"!

[malaise]

51. It was the perfect time

Go and watch Milk.

[Howler]

55. Oh get real!!!!

to the person who said that the academy awards was no place for Actors to express their political opinions
Please tell that to all the actors,directors,producers and entertainers that were BLACKLISTED and whose careers were ruined by the McCarthy witch hunts!!!!
Significant art is always provocative and socially relevant.You have read Doctor Seuss I presume.You do understand that even Doctor Seuss stories were packed with social commentary's.paleezzzzzeeeee.

[Zhade]

60. Uh, he has the same right to free speech as you, douchebag.

NT!

[Dukkha]

69. Harvey Milk, Like Penn, didn't wait for an "appropriate time" to speak on injustice

and he was died for it. But I guess he was just a big douche who simply offended people.

oh, and opinions are like assholes.

[TommyO]

13. The movie was about Harvey Milk, a gay rights crusader

I think bringing up Prop 8 was very appropriate.

[cwydro]

26. I think you are missing something.

Really.

[ronnykmarshall]

27. I love Sean for speaking up.

Did you also think that the young man that won for best screenplay is a douche?

Maybe your ass would have been more comfortable outside with Freddie Phelps' gang.

[Zuiderelle]

50. Of course, it's always inappropriate to talk about civil rights.

:eyes:

Sorry, bub, but there is never an inappropriate time to put down bigots.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

57. Aww, poor little bigots.

[Zhade]

59. A reminder: DUers are EXPECTED to support the equal right to marriage.

Those who do not are NOT welcome on DU, per the site founder's own words.

[AndrewP]

68. Exactly. Every opportunity to expose these bastards for what they are should be taken

[Eryemil]

66. Those that voted for Prop 8 deserve no sympathy

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

70. I get annoyed when I read Ted Nugent blather about politics.

So I understand how annoyed you must feel when the likes of Penn speak up.

[MountainLaurel]

2. It was awesome

He got a standing ovation in my living room.

[Howler]

5. Man I am down with a bad case of strep throat But when Penn

came out and delivered his acceptance speech i came up off the couch and cheered!!!! I was so proud of an America that produced Penn,Harvey Milk, The director or producer that reminded our Gay children not to be made to feel lesser then by any church or goverment.......Talk about eloquence Penn embodied it last night.
I was told by a friend of mine that in the after interviews Penn kept beating the drums.

BTW Yes I know America has produced other great people but last night was Milk's night.

[dsc]

22. He was writer and executive producer

and it was lovely.

[Howler]

44. It was Damn Lovely !

Between the strep and the medicine I'm loopy as hell.But it was still a very fine moment that made me feel almost well for a just second.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

48. Yes!

I have the flu but I was cheering for Sean too!

MILK is a great movie.

[Howler]

52. Gawd ! I hope we BOTH feel better soon!!!!

BTW to the person who said that the academy awards was no place for Actors to express their political opinions
Please tell that to all the actors,directors,producers and entertainers that were BLACKLISTED and whose careers were ruined by the McCarthy witch hunts!!!!
Significant art is always provocative and socially relevant.

[Zhade]

58. Good -- they SHOULD be ashamed of their bigotry.

NT!