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Posted on 04/13/2003 8:56:22 AM PDT by Chi-townChief
George W. Bush used to own the Texas Rangers. Maybe he wasn't smart enough to hang on to Sammy Sosa, but of all U.S. presidents, he should at least understand the importance of baseball as a wartime diversion. And where better to escape than in Cooperstown, a sleepy backwoods nook with a glimmerglass lake, hills, an old hotel and, over on Main Street, the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately, I won't be visiting the Hall anytime soon. Nor should you.
We shouldn't because the president of the Hall, Dale Petroskey, is enforcing what appears to be a disturbing mandate of the Bush administration: Silence any and all anti-war dissent, particularly when voiced by high-profile entertainers. He should have no bigger agenda during the Iraqi conflict than to make sure the Hall doors are open at 9 each morning, so people who travel long distances to central New York can enjoy the exhibits, bond in the corridors of history and get away from Wolf Blitzer.
The other day, however, Petroskey abused his power. In what smacks of a blatant conflict of interest, given his former position as White House assistant press secretary under Ronald Reagan, he canceled a Hall-arranged 15th anniversary celebration of the classic baseball movie "Bull Durham" in the wake of anti-war commentary by the film's co-stars, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon. Sounding like an army general more than a museum curator, Petroskey said the "very public criticism of President Bush . . . helps undermine the U.S. position, which ultimately could put our troops in even more danger."
How the opinions of movie stars could endanger the U.S. troops, who are staging the military equivalent of a 73-0 football rout, is beyond my functional analysis. If anything, Robbins and Sarandon are serving a positive role in boosting the spirits of soldiers, who report that "Bull Durham" is among the most popular movies during down time. Obviously, Petroskey is a Republican operative delivering an intimidating message, the same one heard by Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines last month after she condemned Bush during a London concert. "The message is, if anyone disagrees with this administration, you'll be punished," Robbins said. "That is a very unhealthy message at this time. We need to encourage dialogue, not suppress it."
As someone who supported the war when it started and continues to support it as Baghdad falls, I never would condemn an American who opposes it. How dare a Hall of Fame president, who basically is in charge of a public trust for America's traditional national pastime, use the weight of his office to control thought and play sheriff for Bush. If the lords of baseball care about Cooperstown and what it stands for, they will demand Petroskey's resignation immediately and realize he might be less worthy of the Hall than Pete Rose. It should be noted Major League Baseball is detached from his views, saying in a statement it had "nothing to do with the Hall of Fame event." Added Rich Levin, spokesman for commissioner Bud Selig: "It is not our practice to make political statements."
No, this is about one man stepping out of bounds to advance his ideology. Not only did Petroskey send a letter to Robbins and Sarandon, he called the Associated Press to make sure the world knew how he felt. Last I looked, actors and singers are U.S. citizens, too, but in the current climate, they are expected to either support the war or protest in their closets. Among the freedoms defended in Iraq is freedom of speech, yet a Reagan guy from way back is demanding the hypocrisy of silence.
"I didn't know baseball was a Republican sport," Robbins wrote in a rebuttal to Petroskey. "I am sorry that you have chosen to use baseball and your position at the Hall of Fame to make a political statement. I know there are many baseball fans that disagree with you, and even more will react with disgust to realize baseball is being politicized."
After a day in hiding--during which the Hall received 5,000 e-mails, both pro and con--Petroskey responded and claimed he wasn't politically motivated. "I wish the reasoning had been better articulated so it could have been better understood," he said. But in a statement, he also said "a strong possibility existed that [Robbins and Sarandon] could have used the Hall of Fame as a backdrop for their views," which Robbins denies. Whatever the case, the backlash has begun. Roger Kahn, the famed baseball author, canceled an August appearance at the Hall in protest of Petroskey.
Funny thing is, Petroskey only drew more attention to the anti-war campaign of Robbins and Sarandon. No one had heard much about them before the letter, but now they're front and center, much to their delight. We can't help but notice how Petroskey thinks it's perfectly fine to exercise his freedom of speech, while stifling the freedoms of Robbins and Sarandon.
Fortunately, this episode is an aberration. For the most part, sport has carried on without a political stir during wartime. There were boos in Montreal when the U.S. flag was raised, and boos at Wrigley Field when the Canadian anthem was played Tuesday. But the games have continued as a reliable, solid diversion, just as they did after Sept. 11, just as they did during the Gulf War.
Anyone responsible for the preservation of sport should actively block political interference. Sadly, Petroskey injected politics like poison. How great if he were removed from office next week, just in time for the "Bull Durham" celebration to proceed as scheduled April 26-27.
Said Robbins: "Long live democracy, free speech and the '69 Mets, all improbable, glorious miracles that I have always believed in."
He forgot Nuke LaLoosh, but we get the message.
e-mail: jmariotti@suntimes.com
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No. No he wasn't.
Period.
The small range of topics where he may have some competence does not extend to the Hall controversy.
I couldn't get past the bias in the first sentence. What does GWB have to do with this HOF decision?
I wonder what Jay's reaction would be if Marge Schott or John Rocker were scheduled to appear at the HOF. Is there any doubt he would demand they be excluded?
What's happening to Sarandon and Robbins is no different than what happened to Schott and Rocker. Although I disagreed with the excessive punishment given to Rocker, baseball certainly made the right decision to protect itself by reprimanding those that express racist views. And, the HOF is following the example set by MLB, including two people whose views are offensive to most baseball fans.
If anyone doubted Robbins' oppinion isn't political motivated look at his statement: "I didn't know baseball was a republcan sport." Did Petroskey ever mention "republican"? Is the war a "republican" war?
I e-mailed McGuire, told him that disagreeing with Bush on tax cuts was politics; spouting anti-war comments while our troops are in harm's way bordered on treason, and that Sarandon has earned the disrespect of loyal Americans (not Republicans).
Is he effing kidding? This guy's an idiot. Notice how he manages to bring the president into the controversy, while simultaneously questioning his intelligence.
Hey, Jay! Even the lefty press has given up on that , you asshole!
That's a bunch of bull......
Let's support Petroskey!!!
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