Screen Actors Guild Releases Statement Regarding Free Speech

The Screen Actors Guild ^ | 3 March 2003 | SAG Press Release

[MoscowMike]

March 3, 2003

Screen Actors Guild Releases Statement Regarding Free Speech

Los Angeles–Screen Actors Guild released the following statement today:

As our country again considers the possibility of war, it is the fundamental right of citizens to express their support or their fears and concerns. While passionate disagreement is to be expected in such a debate, a disturbing trend has arisen in the dialogue. Some have recently suggested that well-known individuals who express 'unacceptable' views should be punished by losing their right to work. This shocking development suggests that the lessons of history have, for some, fallen on deaf ears.

Over 50 years ago, this nation was faced with a monumental challenge: whether the world's greatest democracy was strong enough to truly allow its citizens the exercise of their rights of free speech and assembly during a time of international tension known as the "Cold War." Most of America failed that test, averting its eyes as the House Committee on Un-American Activities persecuted citizens, destroyed careers, ruined lives and gave rise to the notorious "blacklist".

During this shameful period, our own industry prostrated itself before smear campaigns and witch hunters rather than standing on the principles articulated in the nation's fundamental documents.

Today, having come to grips with its past, having repudiated the insult of loyalty oaths and examined its own failings, our industry, perhaps more than any other, understands the necessity of guarding and cherishing those rights for which Americans have fought and died.

In that spirit, the Screen Actors Guild Board of Directors, appreciating the value of full and open debate and devoted to the belief that the free flow of information, opinions and ideas contributes to the health of our nation, supports the right of all citizens, celebrated and unknown, to speak their minds freely, on any side of any issue, as is their Constitutional right. In the same vein - and with a painfully clear appreciation of history - we deplore the idea that those in the public eye should suffer professionally for having the courage to give voice to their views. Even a hint of the blacklist must never again be tolerated in this nation.

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[MoscowMike]

Howdy

I wholeheartedly agree with the screen actors guild, freedom of speech is a cornerstone of our republic.

I hope the SAG endorses my freedom of speech as well. I intend exercise that liberty to NEVER AGAIN, EVER consume any entertainment product which features the likes of martin sheen, george cloony, susan saranwrap, alec baldwin, meathead, brabra streisand, sean penn, mike farrell, the list goes on.

Let them speak their minds.

Not the first farthing will find its way from my earnings into the accounts of anticapitalist, intolerant, obsolete leftist lunatic elitists who despise America, despise We, The People, and the American Way.

It's all about freedom!

Speaking of freedom of speech, please, fellow freepers, if there is a rogues gallery website of hollywood elitists who hate America, give us the URL.

It would be nice to consult such a resource before heading to the cinema.

[boomop1]

Fu** those bunch of fascist.

[RAT Patrol]

I have only one question for them: What is your opinion of Campaign Finance Reform?

If they can't defend my speech, I won't defend theirs.

[OpusatFR]

SAG is just plain silly. No one said you can't speak!

They just don't realize that other people can criticize.

If I don't chose to see something with Sheen or Clooney in it what's the problem. It's a free country. You may consider that blacklisting. I don't. I consider it a choice.

[Laura Earl]

http://www.celiberal.com/

This link was mentioned on an earlier posting today. It has a list of the Righties as well.

[TXBubba]

They have every right to work and I have every right to boycott their work.

[jz638]

Even a hint of the blacklist must never again be tolerated in this nation

Free speech is far too important to allow discussion of such things.

[GoldHorde]

ATTN:
Screen Actors Guild Board of Directors

I was ethically and academically offended by your statement released on March 3, 2003 ("Screen Actors Guild Releases Statement Regarding Free Speech"). Certainly you should not be unemployed for your view, yet Alex Baldwin goes beyond that and proposes death to Representative Henry Hyde for his views. Death to an elected representative?! Is this what you are proposing to protect? Have you forgotten that Marge Schott (owner Cincinatti Reds) was removed solely for her insensitive statements and views? It is in truth and in fact that people ARE punished for their words and views. Have you punished Alex Baldwin or are death threats okay in Hollywood as long as they against "Non-Hollys"? How is it that you deem yourselves a special brand of free speech?

Your Free Speech statement is rooted in ignorance, falsehood and misinformation. McCarthy went too far and that has been historically acknowledged, that is why he was stopped - but the lessons learned from the Soviet communist infiltration must not be re-written because Hollywood still refuses to this day to accept the factual responsibility that members in it's ranks WERE actively working for Stalin in the communist party in America. It is a historical fact. Where is your right/left balance? Hollywood creates make-believe, must it live in it also? It is much more plausible that you have placed the guilt on the wrong foot - and a squelching of the minority conservative voice is the reality in Hollywood. Stop reading fictitious scripts and read history.

Shame on you.

statement found here: http://www.sag.org/pr/pressreleases/pr-la030303.html

[Drango]

It's funny, I defend their right to free speech! Why don't they defend MY right to criticize their speech?

[MoscowMike]

Howdy

Oh God Bless You!

Thank you SO much, that is exactly what I was looking for.

[Argus]

Mindlessly parroting the propaganda lies of our enemies isn't "dissent" - it's moral idiocy at best, treason at worst.

Besides, the only people being blacklisted in Hollywood today are all conservative Republicans.

[hocndoc]

And, will they use the forum we pay for - the stages and television and movie screens - to spread their propaganda that we shouldn't be able to spread ours?

Will they use their access to the media to speak against political action groups, preachers who speak from the pulpit, and picketers in front of the abortion clinics?

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

What a complete line of B.S.!!!!
Hypocrites, I say, Hypocrites!
They themselves are guilty of the very "blackballing" they claim they are trying to avoid.
Just ask any "conservative" actor, actress, screenwriter, producer, director, etc. if they have ever been “blackballed” due to their politics. I think you’ll find the answer shocking!

[ChadGore]

Dear axis of ignorance,

You're free to speak your mind, but be ready for the majority of the good people of this great nation to excercise *their* right, their duty and their honor to educate, inspire, and enlighten the misguided people of your movement.

Sinceerly,
Everyman USA

[UncleSamUSA]

Every time someone tells a left-wing, America-hating celebrity to shut up because we're not interested, the SAG does a knee-jerk cry of "Blacklist" and "McCarthyism".

These celebrities seem to think that because they appear in roles in Thelma and Louise or Fast Times at Ridgemont High that they thus have a constitutional right to blitz the airwaves day after day with their political opinions.

We say: we heard it once and that was enough. We don't need to hear it repeatedly. And if we do, we can exercise our constitutional rights in a free market society to refrain from patronizing their work.

The concept of a blacklist of left wing liberal airheads in a Hollywood dominated by left wing liberal airheads is a red herring and ridiculous on its face. What these celebs want is to force us to listen to their political rants when we dont want to, and to force us to watch them act in crummy films when we dont want to.

Stalinist, I'd say. Heh heh.
We say: play your

[MoscowMike]

Howdy

Excellent wit there, my knee still stings from the slap.

What a hoot!

Thanks!

[Feiny]

When SAG starts caring about outspoken conservatives who are not allowed to work in liberal Hollywood, maybe I will take them seriously.

But how can one take seriously statements such as these:

"What's happened to Blair? I don't understand his reasoning or his logic. I don't understand his evolution. I can see him being seduced by (former US President) Clinton but don't understand what him and Bush speak about."

Susan Sarandon

“We've killed a million Iraqis since the start of the Gulf war --mostly by blocking humanitarian aid. Let's stop now…I am a father, and no amount of propaganda can convince me that half a million dead children is acceptable ‘collateral damage."

“This is a racist and imperialist war. The warmongers who stole the White House (you call them "hawks", but I would never disparage such a fine bird) have hijacked a nation's grief and turned it into a perpetual war on any non-white country they choose to describe as terrorist."

Woody Harrelson

“I think that people like the Howard Sterns, the Bill O'Reillys and to a lesser degree the bin Ladens of the world are making a horrible contribution [to society]. I'd like to trade O'Reilly for bin Laden. [O'Reilly] is a grumpy, self-loathing joke,"

Sean Penn

[Conspiracy Guy]

Didn't you ever learn? Don't criticize the critic or protest the protestor. It's in the dictionary. Get with the program man. If you criticize them you are threatening free speech, free lunch, and free cheese.

[wimpycat]

Yep, freedom of speech is indeed a cornerstone of our republic.

And when some of these actors' shows start getting cancelled because said shows suck and not enough people are watching them to satisfy the sponsors, or if sponsors decide to pull their ads from certain shows, or if sponsors decide to change celebrity endorsers, that will also be an exercise in free speech.

[Texas_Jarhead]

nice work