Penn,Sean

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Popular filmstar, who decided to visit Iraq to stop the war. In October 2002, Penn released a full page-advertisment in the Washington Post. In December 2003, Penn visited Iraq for 3 days: "...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 U.S. President George W. Bush of stifling debate and threatening civil liberties. In an open letter to Bush taking up most of a page in the top 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 September 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. "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..." Source: http://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/10/18/iraq.usa.actor.reut/index.html

Sean Penn takes on Bush over Iraq (Friday, October 18, 2002) On December 13th, 2002, Sean Penn started a 3-day trip in Baghdad, which was organized by the Institute of Public Accuracy. "I would hope that all Americans will embrace information available to them outside conventional channels," the 42-year-old actor said in a statement. "As a father, an actor, a filmmaker and a patriot, my visit to Iraq is for me a natural extension of my obligation to find my own voice on matters of conscience." The State Department refused to comment on Penn's trip. Source: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/27063.htm