Sean Penn buys full page in Washington Post to oppose war

["Fred Feldman" <ffeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Actor Sean Penn Lashes Bush over Iraq War Drums

October 18, 2002 12:05 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Actor Sean Penn on Friday weighed in on the
international debate over a possible war with Iraq, paying for a $56,000
advertisement in the Washington Post accusing President Bush of stifling
debate and threatening civil liberties.

In an open letter to Bush taking up most of a page in the main section of
the daily newspaper, the Oscar-nominated star of "I Am Sam" and "Dead Man
Walking," urged the president to stop a cycle where "bombing is answered by
bombing, mutilation by mutilation, killing by killing."

"I beg you, help save America before yours is a legacy of shame and
horror," Penn wrote, echoing voices of caution from around the world that
have called for a measured response to allegations Iraq is developing
weapons of mass destruction.

The letter was signed "Sincerely, Sean Penn, San Francisco, California." A
spokesman for the Washington Post confirmed that it was placed by the
Hollywood celebrity who has starred in more than 40 movies.

Quoting Bush's declaration that the world was either "with us or against
us" in the war on terrorism launched after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks,
Penn, 42, said Bush was marginalizing critics, manipulating the media and
promoting fear.

Those actions and "your administration's deconstruction of civil liberties
all contradict the very core of the patriotism you claim," wrote Penn, who
is married to actress Robin Wright Penn, and was formerly married to pop
star Madonna.

"Sacrificing American soldiers or innocent civilians in an unprecedented
preemptive attack on a separate sovereign nation may well prove itself a
most temporary medicine," he said.


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