Sean Penn has wrapped filming of "Milk," a biopic of slain gay San Francisco politician Harvey Milk, and when filming a climactic scene, Ruthe Stein of the San Francisco Chronicle reported, Penn gave an "impromptu speech Milk would have loved," which included heavy Fox News-bashing:
"I almost wish Jerry Falwell were alive to see this. Almost," Penn shouted to the crowd. After dropping some names of conservatives who are still with us - "Bill O'Reilly, who is too stupid to talk about," and "Sean Hannity, the butt boy of Rupert Murdoch," Penn said, "We know something more. We know their end is near."
Does that mean the end of their influence? Or is Penn encouraging something more final?
At ABCNews.com, Susan Donaldson James reported that Penn "narrates a new anti-war documentary that alleges U.S. presidents since Kennedy have manipulated the public to wage wars."
This week, "War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death" has been released for home entertainment to distributors like Amazon and Best Buy and on Netflix. The film premiered in New York City, Saturday.
Penn, 47, has toured Iraq twice -- once just before the Bush administration stepped up drumbeats for the war in December 2002, and also as a correspondent for the San Francisco Chronicle...
Penn has been a growing political force in Hollywood. That is no surprise, considering Penn's roots: His father, actor and director Leo Penn, was blacklisted in the 1950s for his support of Joseph Stalin.
The film is based on a book by far-left activist and author Norman Solomon, who has accompanied Penn to Iraq.
Late in the piece, James interviewed MRC's Rich Noyes for an alternative point of view:
"The left has claimed that the media didn't do enough to stop the war in its tracks," he told ABCNEWS.com. "But if you go back to the questions asked and the articles that were written and the news that aired, there were great skeptics, adversarial coverage and even hostile news coverage."
The most aggressive, Noyes said, was Peter Jennings of ABC News. "We have pages and pages of quotes."
Despite the media's attacks, Noyes said the media historically has had a "liberal tilt."
Since the onset of the war, the media have been even more anti-government, according to Noyes. By 2004, with coverage of scandals like Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse, the negative stories "more than outstripped the coverage of Medals of Honor winners and Silver Stars," he said.
"The vast array of coverage showed soldiers as anonymous or victims of policy perpetrators or misdeeds," said Noyes. "This sort of bad news hurt the morale of the country."
(Hat tip on the SFGate article: Thomas Stewart)
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Sean, keep on shoveling that
March 20, 2008 - 10:51 ET by marpelSean, keep on shoveling that water out of the boat with that Dixie cup....
That would be Rhodes
March 20, 2008 - 13:32 ET by motherbeltThat would be Rhodes Scholar Seah Penn, right? (scholarship on political science) talking about "stupid?" As for his Hannity remark, just more proof that liberals simply CANNOT have an argument without getting personal and insulting. (Although I think Penn has really raised the bar for offensive remarks here).
After this, what on earth will liberals have to accuse conservatives of, in order to get some ink or camera time?
Yeah, that Penn is a real
March 20, 2008 - 10:57 ET by bassndudeYeah, that Penn is a real gem. His command of the english language is astounding. And that intellict! </sarc/>
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Why does anyone care what
March 20, 2008 - 11:01 ET by charlietexasWhy does anyone care what Penn says??? He's a second rate actor, none
of his movies have ever done very well. He can't keep his
marrage together. Were they even "married"? Now he's dating
someone young enough to be his daughter. He's a loser.
Buttt......keep talking Sean, we love to laugh.
Why does anyone care what
March 20, 2008 - 11:05 ET by balboaWhy does anyone care what Penn says???
Apparently Newsbusters cares. Not sure why.
You know, I've wondered the
March 20, 2008 - 11:33 ET by Chris NormanYou know, I've wondered the same thing about Brittany Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and "The Real Housewives of Orange County".
You guys are interested in
March 20, 2008 - 11:37 ET by balboaYou guys are interested in what they say, too?
Yes, intensely so. Look
March 20, 2008 - 11:46 ET by Chris NormanYes, intensely so. Look under the appropriate chat rooms for those topics.
I would say it's because
March 20, 2008 - 12:47 ET by mattmI would say it's because Hollywood can influence public opinion, and since 95% of what comes out of H'wood is from the Left, that represents the bias NB is exposing, and Mr. Penn is a representative of H'wood, and thus provides an example of the Leftist tilt of H'wood.
Penn
March 20, 2008 - 11:08 ET by iveseenitallMentally, Penn is still in that "Fast Times..." high school movie he made long ago. Then again, he does have a ninth-grade diploma in his resume. Ignoramous!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Right...as columnist Debbie
March 20, 2008 - 16:08 ET by motherbeltRight...as columnist Debbie Schlussel likes to say when Penn presumes to educate us: "Spicoli Speaks."
A film about Harvey
March 20, 2008 - 11:03 ET by FreakyBoyA film about Harvey Milk?
What uber Hollywood genuis greenlighted this sure fire bomb?
The
goverment gives the film industry some of the best tax incentives and
credits, the least they could do is attempt to make films people will
actually pay to see.
Hollyweird
March 20, 2008 - 15:36 ET by LionKingWhat would really be awesome is if Sean Penn also produced this film.
Sean Penn, member of Film Actors Guild
WORD to Penn:
March 20, 2008 - 11:10 ET by drillanwrO`Reilly and Hannity and FNC in general are far from being "near their end" ...
THE most current TV ratings (drudgereport.com yesterday):
FOXNEWS O’REILLY 3,040,000
FNC HANNITY/COLMES 2,337,000
FNC GRETA 1,862,000
FNC SHEP 1,583,000
FNC HUME 1,508,000
CNN DOBBS 1,227,000
CNN KING 983,000
CNN COOPER 976,000
MSNBC OLBERMANN 962,000
CNN BLITZER 839,000
CNNHN GRACE 663,000
MSNBC HARDBALL 604,000
When you men get home and face an anti-war protestor, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend because she knows she’s dating a pussy… ~ Attributed to General Tommy Franks
"Sean Hannity, the butt boy of Rupert Murdoch," Penn said
March 20, 2008 - 11:13 ET by kdizzydazeWas I the only one that almost fell out of my chair laughing thinking that Penn, while making a movie about a slain gay rights activist in San Francisco made this statement in front of scores of (more than likely) homosexuals?
Sean Hannity, the butt boy of Rupert Murdoch?
WOW!!! You have got to be kidding me that he got away with this. Thus the blindness of rage and hatred that is the liberal left in the world (mostly the USA) today.
He essentially called Sean Hannity a fag in front of a bunch of - - - - well, you know.
And what is the backlash to this? Anyone? Anyone? (Bueller, Bueller?) Oh man, this is just too great.
One sign of a mental
March 20, 2008 - 11:31 ET by Chris NormanOne sign of a mental weakness is the inability to recognize irony - especially the self-generated kind. :)
KDD
March 20, 2008 - 13:05 ET by RESTLESS 1Yeah, I noticed the irony in that too. Glad I read through the thread before posting about it.
It goes to the extreme hypocrisy on the left that they make movies, TV shows, etc... that show homosexuality to be no stranger than heterosexuality, but always use this odd sexual orientation as a put down to those they don't like.
Of course, no one would ever accuse the left of being bright.
Seinfeld alert!!
March 20, 2008 - 16:10 ET by motherbeltThat is too funny, kdizzy...I didn't realize where he had said it!
He should have said the butt-boy of Rupert Murdoch....Not that there's anything wrong with that!!
No kidding.....This needs
March 21, 2008 - 01:29 ET by owlpelletsNo kidding.....This needs to be talked about loudly and often. This hypocrytical twit is a perfect example of the rabid dunce parrot left.
I always wanted to get into politics, but I was never light enough to make the team.
More love from the
March 20, 2008 - 11:17 ET by mattmMore love from the compassionate Left.
I wonder how many poor people could have been fed with the money it's taking for Penn to make his cinematic piece of crap...
Sean Penn/Dumb Ass
March 20, 2008 - 11:31 ET by American TaxpayerWell it is nice to know Sean Penn is still around acting on the same intelectual level as Mr Spickoly of Ridgemont High. Oh by the way Sean say hello to your anti American buddy Hugo Chavez. I wonder how many people he has killed this week.
Increasingly Lamebrained
March 20, 2008 - 11:32 ET by CobraMan"a correspondent for the San Francisco Chronicle"
Sean Penn, an "Increasingly Lamebrain" actor for an "Increasingly Lamebrain Paper."
So Sean believes that an increasingly manipulative Hollywood will actually shed light on the manipulative MSM in America? Talk about the Pot calling the Kettle black! Sean’s been smoking a little too much Pot.
This is just sad....
March 20, 2008 - 11:42 ET by dronetekJudging by those ratings, its pretty funny how the Left wing media is always declaring what the American people want or think.
Hey take it easy
March 20, 2008 - 11:51 ET by theduck6you are referring to a world reknowned arms inspector if you will recall.
He was type cast in " I Am Sam"
"...considering Penn's
March 20, 2008 - 11:47 ET by Jack BauerAnd what's wrong with that.??
It's not like Stalin murdered millions or anything. Sheesh, talk about guilt by association.
Jack, Having made it at
March 20, 2008 - 11:58 ET by Chris NormanJack,
Having made it at least okay to have been accused of being a communist symphathizer, if not deserving of a medal, now they try to get it to cover being a Stalin supporter. "Sheesh", is right.
Chris .. on refelection I
March 20, 2008 - 12:35 ET by Jack BauerChris .. on refelection I should have said Guilt By Communization...
Isn't having a dad who supported Stalin eaxactly the same as having a dad who supported Hitler? A family shame?
Whoops... that was Teddy Kennedy. Sheesh, again!
Spot on, Jack.
March 20, 2008 - 12:49 ET by lotrSpot on, Jack.
I think, for some, support
March 20, 2008 - 13:41 ET by Chris NormanI think, for some, support of communism in the twenties up to the fifties was (and is, now) a sign of intellectualism and even sophistication - "Stalin Chic" - like there were no horrific consequences.
Yes. This bad news hurts morale
March 20, 2008 - 12:12 ET by JWFThe Bush Administration has been on point, on message the whole time.
The dinosaur media has utterly failed to educate the public on why the mission must be finished.
Instead, it has been extreme bias and polls. "The war is bad." "The war is bad.""The war is bad.""The war is bad.""The war is bad.""The war is bad." "The war is bad."
Poll question: Sir, How do you think the war is going?
The good news is that Susan
March 20, 2008 - 12:15 ET by maggieqpublicThe good news is that Susan Donaldson James of ABCNews.com bothered to interview Rich Noyes.
And, yes, I am a guilty fan of Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
one more thing
March 20, 2008 - 12:16 ET by JWFSean,
Bush will be gone in 9 months.
Still not gonna watch anything you are in FOREVER plus one day.
JWF
March 20, 2008 - 12:54 ET by lotrSmart move -- money talks, even with a rich, famous, elitist, self-righteous, "peace-loving" pacifist like Sean Penn.
Oh that Penn...what a
March 20, 2008 - 12:38 ET by bigtimerOh that Penn...what a whizbang....he ought to run for something.....
Any ideas?
Dog catcher doesn't count....my pick is.... the hills.
I've noticed something
March 20, 2008 - 12:52 ET by c5thenLiberals who are unsure of their philosophy / ideology and a little self conscious about their views, tend to call people who disagree with them "stupid".
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
Sean Penn
March 20, 2008 - 12:55 ET by LionKingI thought he did his best work in I am Sam ... all he had to do was be himself.
Coincidence ?
March 20, 2008 - 13:00 ET by socal4patrickSean's fixation with Hannity's "butt" and O'Reilly's "end" speaks volumes. Perhaps this last acting role is more truth than fiction for Mr Penn.
"If you want to save the world you must be willing to make others sacrifice" ....Dogbert the green consultant
Sean Has-Been
March 20, 2008 - 13:20 ET by wizardjrAs the sheriff once said, "You oughta be on a stage. There's one leaving in ten minutes."
{really bad I know, but it really fits} :-))
wiz... LOL...I loved
March 20, 2008 - 13:47 ET by bigtimerwiz...
LOL...I loved it!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide"
"I almost wish Jerry
March 20, 2008 - 14:12 ET by Hero SquadI almost wish Chris Penn were alive to see what a joke his brother has become. Almost.
Oldest Penn brother Michael remains far and away the most talented.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Sean of the Film Actors Guild
March 20, 2008 - 14:14 ET by greenfairieThe more this guy opens his piehole, the more America hates his guts. No wonder he now has to date a foreign model.
Keep wallowing in that America hate you grew up with, you Red Diaper Doper Baby. Your pops would rather have lived in Hollywood luxury than actually live under his idol Joseph Stalin, just as you'd rather leech off the U.S. of A. than go live with your butt buddy Hugo Chavez.
I haven't watched a movie with him in it in years and never will again.
He said "butt boy" after
March 20, 2008 - 14:26 ET by rbosqueHe said "butt boy" after filming a pro-gay film???
Yeah, I noticed that,
March 20, 2008 - 15:00 ET by fitzfongYeah, I noticed that, too. How ironic that Penn would so casually toss out a gay slur (as an insult) while in San Francisco filming an homage to one of the iconic martyrs of the gay community. I suppose he'll have to employ the "Twinkie Defense"...it worked once.
"Butt boy"? How old is Sean Penn?
March 20, 2008 - 15:18 ET by JnobleAre we back in 3rd grade now? What's next, "poopie face"?
Besides, that sounded awfully close to a slur against the homosexual community. He needs sensitivity training ASAP. (sarcasm off)
The end
March 20, 2008 - 15:54 ET by BeanManHe said "We know their end is near" and considering he was working on a piece about Harvey Milk, a gay man, and was referring to conservatives. I'm thinking Sean has taken up with the other side.
Since government is coercion, politics is largely the exercise of deception regarding the intended use of coercion - George Orwell
Sean Penn worst actor actor in Hollywood by far the ugliest.
March 20, 2008 - 17:19 ET by raw40Penn is the butt boy for the commie party. Don't you wish he would get out of the USA .
Proof positive
March 20, 2008 - 18:39 ET by catnamedjakeWho needs scientific proof that marijuana affects brain cells? Sean Penn is the proof. Even in "fast times" he aggravated me. What a complete idiot.
Anybody else
March 20, 2008 - 18:39 ET by drillanwrBEYOND ready to trade England half the (American) Hollywood actors and MOST of the democrat politicians of the States for our own newsbusters resident Jack Bauer?
Our JB is a hell of a lot more "patriotic American" than [those] supposed Americans ...
When you men get home and face an anti-war protestor, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend because she knows she’s dating a pussy… ~ Attributed to General Tommy Franks
drillnwr
March 20, 2008 - 18:43 ET by MrShy"I'm all for that."
- Cary Grant, NORTH BY NORTHWEST, 1959
* * * SOCKS THE CAT '08 * * *
For REAL Change
Hey Penn - there's another flood going on!
March 20, 2008 - 18:44 ET by m36b1Hey Sean - there's flooding in the midwest, perhaps you should hop in a canoe again with your film crew like 'Nawlins. Oh wait. It's the midwest - no story there folks - flyover country to him.
Would that be the brilliant
March 20, 2008 - 19:18 ET by USA4freedomWould that be the brilliant Sean Penn that went to Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, California (studied Auto Mechanics and Speech)?
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Romney / Jendil 2012 (if,we survive)
The Future Senator Jeff Spicoli?
March 20, 2008 - 20:42 ET by CapeCodScott"All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine." And this is the voice we are to listen to for serious political commentary?... Oh, did I mention he is a "Method Actor", you need to address him "in Character".
Hey Mr. Penn, here's some advice: Keep your arms up, that way it will be harder to get you when they throw the net over you!
"The Future Senator Jeff
March 20, 2008 - 20:57 ET by stratman"The Future Senator Jeff Spicoli?"
Sure. He can bunk with the other useful idiot Al Franken in DC.
RRAM Tough!
Sean Penn will justify his
March 20, 2008 - 20:55 ET by stratmanSean Penn will justify his imbecility using the "Twinkie Defense".
RRAM Tough!
"I almost wish Jerry
March 21, 2008 - 09:02 ET by misterbee241"I almost wish Jerry Falwell were alive to see this. Almost,"
Cant you just FEEL the liberal love? The thing of it is, conservative Christians (which I am one) like Jerry Falwell had Penn's number. In most cases they (we) just considered the source.
His father, actor and director Leo Penn, was blacklisted in the 1950s for his support of Joseph Stalin.
So now I know - Sean's hatred of America and everything good America stands for comes naturally. He's a red diaper baby.
There is none so blind as they that won’t see. Jonathan Swift 1667-1745
Sean Penn can't open a movie?
March 21, 2008 - 22:06 ET by lareeThis reminds me of all the anti war bomb movies...that came out last fall, they all failed why? they sucked. Sean Penn is in San Fransico (comfort zone) and he bashes Fox oh what an original idea to get some press for his movie, which doesn't sound interesting, this is what he does with his time? Sean Penn a legend in his own mind. I don't watch Sean Penn movies, mainly because he is in them :)
I know, I know...
March 24, 2008 - 14:06 ET by TheDeuce<Sarcasm on>
Shockingly, no mention of Dan White's party had been posted to the 'popular' website.
Courage...
<Sarcasm off>
Wikipedia has its own bias problems, but I felt obligated to add that White was a democrat. Milk, Moscone, and the others who were rumored to be White's other targets were prominently noted as such. In the dkos version, White is repeatedly called 'conservative' but never 'democrat'. Milk and others were all 'liberal and 'democrat'.
Is that right? I had
March 24, 2008 - 14:25 ET by fitzfongIs that right? I had always assumed that Dan White was a Republican. But then again, when you consider that Dianne Feinstein and Ron Pelosi were frequently labelled "conservative" for often being in opposition to the likes of Milk and Moscone, I guess it shouldn't come as a huge surprise. We were shown "The Life and Times of Harvey Milk" in college, and I don't remember Dan White being identified as a Democrat...they just portrayed him as an off-beat, flag-draped, ex-firefighting conservative caricature who quit his City Hall job after the Briggs Initiative failed. Frankly, White was a nut-job who got away with murder...but it's irritating the way he and lunatics of his ilk are often dishonestly portrayed as standard symbols of conservative thought by the left...the rule rather than the fringe exception.
I've never edited a
March 24, 2008 - 19:32 ET by TheDeuceI've never edited a wikipedia entry, but every victim in the whole White affair was labeled as democrat, and the killer gets a free ride, even labeled conservative.
You gotta know if he were a pub, that woulda been all over the entry.
I've never edited a
March 24, 2008 - 19:32 ET by TheDeuceDarn double-clicking...