DISCLAIMER: I think Sean Penn is a nutjob, hate his politics and sense of self-importance, and have mildly enjoyed some of his acting. Nevertheless, this series of articles that he's writing about his trip to Iran seem pretty interesting. Especially, since it's verboten for most Americans to go there. It's pretty long (skimmed it...will read tonight), and apparently will have multiple installments. Anyway, figure some of you would be interested, and have some comments! http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/22/DDGJUEAF041.DTL&feed=rss.news
Michael Savage read his report on the radio last night and made several good points. "Sean Penn goes to an Islamic prayer service, but when's the last time he set foot in a church? ... Why does he speak so glowingly of a society that hates America?"
Neither of those points is particularly good. Of course he would visit a prayer service...it's a centerpiece of their culture. It's like if you were visiting America, you would attend a McDonald's or Starbucks. I'm not altogether convinced he's speaking "glowingly." But even conceding that point, I have no idea how their society feels. I've never been there. I see what media reports tell me, and I can read their signs that say "Death to America." But, I don't, for a fact, know what they mean (if they mean it literally, or if they don't like our foreign policy.) Hell, I wouldn't like our foreign policy either if I was Iranian. I spent a month in France in 2000, and was absolutely dreading it, based on my perception of French society. Well, I had an incredible trip and the people were, on the whole, very nice. There's a big difference in how people are perceived individually and collectively. I guess this sort of analysis doesn't lend itself to 10 second radio soundbites though.
Note to Penn: Little kids with AK's will not pull the trigger. If you see a childs toy on the side of the road, by all means, pick it up. The best way to get around Iraq is to hitchhike. Muslim women love to have their veils lifted and be kissed on the check. Muslim men don't mind either. The safest place in iraq is right in front of an Iraqi police station. Pay no mind to that abandoned car out front, it's harmless. Fallujah has the best night clubs. Enjoy your visit.
No. It isn't. 40,000 people chanting "Death To America" in a stadium can't possibly be compared to visiting Mcdonald's. I guess I should have recorded the whole show for you and transcribed it here.
You thought the point about not visiting a church in the US was a good one. It's clearly not. Church isn't the center of our culture. It apparently is there. I'm just guessing it followed along the lines of his other "great" points, which could probably be called "pandering to the masses."
:rofl::rofl: I like that advice. However, it should be noted that he was visiting IraN (at least for the sake of this series.) Hopefully he'll return to IraQ and follow your advice though.
Guy is a talk show host in San Francisco. If anyone is less liked in his media market, I don't know who it is. He wrote a book called "Liberalism is a mental disorder". http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1595550062/104-7967036-7615138?v=glance
