Forget about Saddam; it's Robbins and Sarandon we must fight

The Seattle Times ^ | 4/11/03 | Steve Kelly

[Seattle]

The juxtaposition would be funny if it weren't so serious.

Scenes of joy in Baghdad were on the front pages of every newspaper in the country yesterday.

Iraq, a very literate country, was celebrating in the streets. The population was filled with the hope that maybe, just maybe, it could celebrate the freedoms that have been denied it for a generation.

Freedoms like the freedom of speech.

Meanwhile, on this nation's sports pages yesterday, baseball's Hall of Fame president, Dale Petroskey, was declaring that, because of the politics of actors Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, the Hall was canceling its planned celebration of the 15th anniversary of the release of the baseball movie "Bull Durham."

Petroskey, who just happens to be a former assistant White House press secretary under Ronald Reagan, said in a letter to Sarandon and Robbins: "We believe your very public criticism of President Bush at this important — and sensitive — time in our nation's history helps undermine the U.S. position, which ultimately could put our troops in even more danger."

The decision is all bull and no Durham.

Petroskey said he didn't want Robbins politicizing the event, then he politicized it.

McCarthyism lives.

Does Petroskey think Iraqi soldiers were hunkered in their bunkers outside Basra telling each other, "Sarandon and Robbins are against this war. We must fight on."?

There is a saying that truth is the first casualty of war. Apparently, people like Petroskey believe free speech is the second casualty.

Imagine if Petroskey were the NBA commissioner. Dallas' Steve Nash, who has voiced his sensitive disagreements with the war, probably would be banned from the playoffs.

And Golden State's Adonal Foyal, maybe the smartest man in the NBA, would be suspended for having the audacity to criticize the U.S. government.

Aren't the freedoms Sarandon and Robbins exercise part of what the United States says it is trying to bring to Iraq?

If John Rocker still can pitch in the big leagues — I don't know if he can pitch anymore, but he certainly now has the right to try with Tampa Bay — then can't we celebrate the best baseball movie ever made, even if some find the politics of two of its stars offensive?

Petroskey's Hall is full of miscreants. If he saw the movie "Cobb," he might be inclined to pull down the bust of Ty Cobb the way that U.S. tank pulled down the statue of Saddam Hussein on Wednesday.

If Cobb is in the Hall of Fame, there should be room for Bull Durham.

The movie is such a perfect portrayal of life in baseball's bush leagues. Kevin Costner is the perfect embittered baseball lifer. Robbins' Nuke LaLoosh is like every wild prodigy who ever came into the game.

It's a smart movie that takes some sharp shots at the culture of sports.

It deserves this celebration. We deserve to see its stars and writer-director Ron Shelton and hear them talk about this movie 15 years later.

But Petroskey, a 21st-century Joe McCarthy (the former senator, not the former manager), has decided the beliefs of some of its stars are too volatile for the Hall.

This was supposed to be the celebration of a movie. It was about the art, not the politics, of the artists.

Maybe Petroskey never saw the movie. Maybe he was misinformed and was told that LaLoosh was named Weapons of Mass Destruction LaLoosh.

While Iraqis cautiously leave their houses and come back into the streets, believing maybe the worst of the war is over, Petroskey is fighting his own war against dissent. Maybe he should poll all living Hall of Fame members. Are they for or against this war? Are they Republicans or Democrats?

Maybe he should make all of them sign a loyalty oath.

"As an institution we stand behind our president and our troops," he said in his letter to Robbins and Sarandon.

So as they celebrate the hope of freedom in Baghdad, Dale Petroskey denies it in Cooperstown. It seems you're either with Petroskey or against him. And if you're against him, the doors to the Hall will be slammed in your face.

Steve Kelley: 206-464-2176 or skelley@seattletimes.com

[Jael]

Look, Robbins is slimy dirty right now and it's possible he always will be. No one has to offer up any reasons or excuses for not wanting him around. He's dirt, and he did it to himself.

It's the way the ball bounces.

[Revolting cat!]

Claiming someone's words of opposition essentially kills our troops is rhetoric"

Oh, I see! Ideas have no consequences then. We all should have known that before signing up at this forum!

[GSWarrior]

Stop ragging on Foyle. He's my favorite Warrior. :)

[husky ed]

Another good one is: "Long Gone". It was made for HBO (yes I know, but it is good). Stars: William Peterson.

It's about a minor league team in the south.

[Glacier Honey]

To promoter themselves and Hollywood.

Susan was in the news whining about the backlash they have received. To sum it up she said she beleived it was her responsibility as a star to speak up for the Amercians who had no voice and that the majority of Americans were thanking her and her live in moron boyfriend.

Wonder if Hilary will have the couple at her re-election rallies?

Also, has anyone noticed that BABS has been pretty quiet regarding the war?

Also, some one told me that she Stiedsan (sorry, don't know how to spell her last name) wrote a speach for Tom Daschel? It that true?

[Zebra]

Filed of Dreams.

[Delta 21]

#102 is too funny! Im still laughing!

I didnt read the whole thing so Im just gonna tell ya what I think.

Sarandon and whats his name are good actors which means squat. They are using thier public staure to spout out about things that have nothing to do with why people are supposed to listen to them. I really liked Bull Durham but just like Hunt for Red October and countless others Im pissed at "THEM" for really ruining a good movie(s) and making me wretch every time I find myself remembering how good it used to be.

The fact the the baseball organization is shunnning them for their stupid behavior is Outstanding behavior. Its the American Passtime, after all, and 82% of America know that we are doing the right thing.

I hope a lot more established organizations speak out, through their actions (Because thats what matters), against stupid behavior.

You have the right to act like that, but we have the right to ignore you.

[goodnesswins]

NOOOO.....Mr. Petroskey reconsidered his invitation list and decided to not have a couple of idiots at HIS party. I'd say that's fairly mature....when you get older you realize you don't want to spend much time around losers.

[optimistically_conservative]

The military action puts soldiers in danger, just like all do. Nothing more, nothing less. Claiming someone's words of opposition essentially kills our troops is rhetoric, not unlike that we here from the ACLU, NAACP, the Brady Bunch or Planned Parenthood when it comes to their pet issues.

Joint Pub 3-53
Doctrine for Joint Psychological Operations

The psychological dimension affects those fighting the battle, their military leaders and staffs, the political leaders, and the civilian population. On the field of battle, US forces want to face an enemy that is both unsure about its cause and capabilities and sure about its impending defeat—an enemy who, even if unwilling to surrender, has little will to engage in combat. “To seduce the enemy’s soldiers from their allegiance and encourage them to surrender is of especial service, for an adversary is more hurt by desertion than by slaughter.”

[optimistically_conservative]

Were Sarrandon and Robbins losers when the tribute to "Bull Durham" was decided in the first place?

I'd say their stock value has plunged significantly. But then that's the point, isn't it?

[Bob J]

Steve Kelly believes liberals have a right to fame, fortune and soap boxes from which to hurl their partisan bile. They don't.

[sinclair]

From my profile page: It is my belief that: The religious ideology and militancy of Islam is nowhere near the threat posed by liberal Leftist Americans. Religious and ideological terrorists pose a threat to the lives of individual Americans but liberals/socialists/communists are a more immediate and diabolical threat to the very soul of what is America.

[Zack Nguyen]

Tim Robbins and Michael Moore have freedom of speech. But no one is required to give them a microphone.

Yes! Yes! And again! Leftists think that freedom of speech means everyone is required to listen to what they say.

[optimistically_conservative]

Complete fabrications by the Saddam-controled media does more than the words of Americans to sway the opinion of Iraqis.

Wrong. Complete fabrications are most effective if they reinforce and can further persuade using the pictures and words of Jane Fonda types like Sarandon and Robbins.

I think if you find yourself involved in a propaganda campaign (which street protests, TV interviews and Newspaper purchased ads often are) surrounded by supporters of communists, dictators and terrorists - you should be concerned how your actions are helping the enemy and hurting your own.

Battles occur inside and outside of the combat zone. Words predicate and shape the battlefield. Soldiers die as a result of those words. But then soldiers die every day on and off the battlefield - so your words may not be attributed to every death. But make no mistake, Words can kill:

[fight_truth_decay]

I agree. These stories are just dupicated by every columnist or media talking head.

McCarthyism lives? I didn't know the GOVERNEMENT had censored them, or anyone else for that matter. They expressed their views. Now let em eat Crow!

[fight_truth_decay]

-E (Spell check!)

[fight_truth_decay]

They also had a microphone thrust into their faces by ever liberal and conservative news/host. So many are to blame!
They were as described ,simply "useful idiots".

United we stand..divided we fall!