"Liberal Media"/Hollywood give shoutout to trooper

[UnrepentantSinner]

I just saw one of the sweetest ***** things I've seen during the entire coverage of this war a few minutes ago.

Specialist Thomas Zarobinski had received a shout out from his childhood friend 2003 Oscar winner for Best Actor Adrian Brodie.

CBS reporter tracked him down and set up a satellite link between him and his parents in studio in New York. I was moved to tears as his parents lavished love on him and I'm sure Spc. Zarobinski was embarassed as his loving father referred to his mother as "Mommy."

Kudos to CBS, Julie Chen, Adrian Brodie and all three Zarobinski's for this magical moment. I hope they'll have the footage on their website. (http://www.cbs.com)

[Supercharts]

United Way Cancels Sarandon Appearance

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The United Way of Tampa Bay has canceled an upcoming event featuring actress Susan Sarandon (news) after getting some three dozen complaints about her anti-war views.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=514&e=8&cid=514&u=/ap/20030328/ap_on_en_mo/susan_sarandon

[Roadtoad]

I've got a kid in the Gulf right now. When I tell him about family friends who oppose the war, he's actually heartened. These are people he knows, and, as he tells me, "They're the reason I'm here, Dad. So they CAN speak up." Sometimes, your kids humble you.

And then I mention the Hollyweird left, and he hits the roof.

Can't say I blame him. Sean Penn and crew are trying to boost their flagging careers with the blood of our troops. (Geez, I didn't think I Am Sam was that bad....)

[UnrepentantSinner]

I'm guessing no one else caught that segment.

Damn shame, as it was nice to see someone in Hollywood making statement to the troops, especially as personal a one as Adrian Brodie made at the Oscars.

[UnrepentantSinner]

I'm disheartened to see that no one gives an F about such a moving tribute to a trooper from the supposed Hollyweird elite. :(

[DrBenway]

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner
I'm disheartened to see that no one gives an F about such a moving tribute to a trooper from the supposed Hollyweird elite. :(

I don't have TV. Link?

I saw the Oscars, and I saw the shout out that Brodie made. It was pretty cool.

I also saw Michael Moore make an ass of himself. And I saw Sarandon flash the peace sign as she came on stage.

I also saw a segment of the post-Oscar show where Brodie was asked many questions about his friend in the Gulf. Very touching stuff.

I am glad to hear the media hooked the kid up with his parents via satellite. I wish I had seen it. And you are correct when you say he was probably embarrassed abou the "Mommy" thing. You can bet he will get no end of ribbing from his fellow troopers. :D

[kedo1981]

That was cool, yes, but how about Peter O’Tool’s pro USA statement?

[Thumper]

Originally posted by kedo1981
That was cool, yes, but how about Peter O’Tool’s pro USA statement?


Dannng! I missed that. The volume was down, and I couldn't hear what he said.

What did he say?

Originally posted by Thumper



Dannng! I missed that. The volume was down, and I couldn't hear what he said.

What did he say?

Peter O'Toole gave the classiest speech I ever heard.

Near the end, he said he wanted to express his gratitude to the nation which took such good care of him and opened its arms to him and gave him such great opportunities. Only he said it much better than that.

Usually when you see an actor that old, they kind of bumble and mutter and lose their train of thought. But O'Toole was ON! It was awesome.

[Thumper]

He's one of my favorite actors of all time. I was at a bar when he gave his speech (thus I couldn't hear him). Shortly after, I bought a drink for anyone at the bar who could name one of his movies. Unfortunately, only one of them could do it. =(

[Roadtoad]

Anyone remember the scene in My Favorite Year ? When Mark Linn Baker says, "Mr. Swan, I'm about to be unwell..."

"My dear boy, Gentlemen are not unwell, they vomit."

[kedo1981]

The Brits can talk about a bowel movement and make it classy

[gnome]

Originally posted by Roadtoad
Sean Penn and crew are trying to boost their flagging careers with the blood of our troops. (Geez, I didn't think I Am Sam was that bad....)

I think that regardless of whether one agrees with Sean Penn or not, it is quite a stretch to suppose he expects his political commentary to boost his career, especially in the current environment. With that in mind, it also seems unlikely that they are insincere, shallow remarks.

Even if you disagree, can you give him credit for saying what he believes...? Frankly, at the expense of his career.

[Roadtoad]

Originally posted by gnome
Even if you disagree, can you give him credit for saying what he believes...? Frankly, at the expense of his career.

At this point, I don't see how it could be at the expense of his career. Remember, Jane Fonda and others may have had a brief dry spell after their actions regarding Vietnam, but Fonda later carried home Oscars, and wound up a box office queen.

I've got a friend in New York, a college professor, who opposes the war, and does so eloquently, and fairly. He doesn't need to slam the president, nor does he need to insult the troops. There are no cries about war crimes against Americans, nor is he willing to degrade those who serve. But he opposes the war, and the president. That's a far cry from Sean Penn's "fact finding" trip, or Martin Sheen's mouthing off at the head of a crowd, or Michael Moore's posturing at the Oscars.

Penn has every right to say what he believes, gnome. I hope he'll always be able to continue to speak. But, I'd also like to think that with that, people would also have the right to criticize the motives behind the action, as happens when the shoe is on the other foot, nearly every single time. Between the two, I'd rather listen to my buddy who's trying to teach college kids to think, than some loudmouthed actors who think because they've made a couple of movies, they're worth listening to.

Oddly enough, though, I did think Susan Sarandon's flashing a peace sign was rather classy. Made her point without making herself out to be an ass.

[Salad Monkey]

Brody may be a good guy but his whole acceptance speech seeded like a performance to me. He showed everybody why he won Best Actor, eh?

Michael Moore, on the other hand, that big fat hypocrite who wouldn't let his workers unionize, put on a horrible performance. People should stop criticizing him so much cuz in warped MooreWorld, criticism means he's a genius. He does make some important points occasionally but, really, in the end it's all about Michael Moore. His investigative techniques would make even Johnny Cochran's anus convulse in embarrassment. Freakin' idiot.

[gnome]

Originally posted by Roadtoad
Penn has every right to say what he believes, gnome. I hope he'll always be able to continue to speak. But, I'd also like to think that with that, people would also have the right to criticize the motives behind the action, as happens when the shoe is on the other foot, nearly every single time.

Indeed... I agree with that. I'm just not convinced that his motive is anything but having an opinion and using some of his fame to express it. I see no reason to believe it is a cynical career move rather than honest conviction.

Between the two, I'd rather listen to my buddy who's trying to teach college kids to think, than some loudmouthed actors who think because they've made a couple of movies, they're worth listening to.

I'd like to meet your friend, he sounds quite interesting. As for loudmouthing, everyone I know who has an opinion, thinks they're worth listening to. If he really believes it, doesn't he have a moral obligation to use whatever he has (in this case, his own fame) to get the message out? I just don't see why this is a sign of poor character.

On the other hand, nor do I think he should be immune to the consequences of what he says. If someone who doesn't like his message decides to boycott his movies, well, that's the way it goes.