Sheen Faces Firing Over War Stance

IMDB ^ | 3-5-2003

[Paul Atreides]

Hollywood star Martin Sheen is facing getting fired from his role as President Jed Bartlett in TV hit The West Wing - because of his outspoken views on war. The Apocalypse Now actor has been the most vocal of a growing number of celebrity names strongly opposed to conflict with Iraq. He has addressed rallies and spearheaded last week's "virtual match" in Washington DC, where legislators were bombarded with a million emails, telephone calls and faxes from protesters. But Sheen's strong political views are causing problems for West Wing bosses at NBC, who fear they face a boycott from advertisers. The actor claims NBC executives have told him his high profile could damage the show and called on him to explain his views. Meanwhile, Sheen and other stars among the anti-war lobby are also facing a public backlash because of their controversial standpoint. While the actor confesses he has received thousands of hate emails, been accused of being a traitor and accosted in the street, an internet organization has been founded to counter the anti-war movement. A message on the Citizens Against Celebrity Pundits declares itself a voice for, "American citizens who stand against wealthy Hollywood celebrities abusing their status to speak for us." It adds, "We believe that celebrities Martin Sheen, Mike Farrell, Tim Robbins, Rob Reiner, Barbra Streisand and others with them are using their celebrity to interfere with the defense of our country."

[Puppage]

Just more press for an wanna be President with no talent.

[chicagolady]

There is a God, There is a God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Richard Kimball]

While the actor confesses he has received thousands of hate emails, been accused of being a traitor and accosted in the street

Translation: Mr. Sheen, I disagree with your stance on the war=hate mail

[ravingnutter]

Impeach President Bartlett!

[Cate]

KEEP THE FREEPING UP ON THESE TRAITOROUS NUTBALLS....
its working...

[Semper Paratus]

"Get away from me, I really am the President, see there's my office, here's my Chief of Staff, my Secret Service, my Press Secratery, get out of here, I have to get back to work.

[battlegearboat]

They most definitly are interfering with the defense of our country!

can someone smarter than I come up with the definitive bumber sticker for these chumps (hint: Registered)?

[sasquatch]

Title change: ^Squad

[The Toad]

It would be great if this was true. I sent the network an email the other day complaining about Sheen's stance--I'd like to think it helped.

[battlegearboat]

Please see post #8.

[rmvh]

This type of human floatsom has always been with us.

He has exactly zero tactical or strategic intelligence which flows by the hour to the military and civilian people charged with our physical safety....Yet Mr. Sheen knows what is best for all of us!

[maxter]

I'm really going to miss him. (sarcasm).

[randita]

Sheen and his cronies are going to shriek to high heaven about this, claiming it's the same as the black-listing of Communist sympathizers in Hollywood during the Cold War.

The end result will be the pitting of the anti-war actors, who love the celebrity their stance affords them, against the producers, who are equally anti-war, but care more about the bottom line than they do about political posturing.

Hollywood implodes--great to see.

[Paul Atreides]

BARTLET KNEW!

[mr.pink]

It would be great if this was true.

I would not want to see Sheen fired over his views. I would prefer if as a consequence of his outspokeness, people just stopped watching his show and it withered and died on the network vine. That may be happening already.

[Judith Anne]

I have never watched the program and never will because of the dem stance. I have no desire to see any liberal propaganda after 8+ years of the Clintons.

[Paul Atreides]

Well, I didn't hear Mr. Sheen jump to John Rocker's defense for mouthing his views and being taken to task.

[MrB]

As Rush says, the only place that liberalism works is in "make believe".

Honestly, why would anyone take these former high school drama students seriously on their opinions concerning geopolitics?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

You and me, too. Never watched. Never will.