Posted on 04/15/2003 7:18:49 PM PDT by jern
Anti-war activist Tim Robbins says his freedom violated by baseball snub Fri Apr 11, 8:40 PM ET Add Entertainment - AFP to My Yahoo!
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - US actor Tim Robbins (news) said that Baseball's Hall of Fame had violated his freedom of expression by scrapping a screening of one of his movies because he publicly criticized the US-led war in Iraq (news - web sites).
The actor and his Oscar-winning partner Susan Sarandon (news) had been invited to attend the 15th anniversary screening of their 1988 baseball movie "Bull Durham" at the New York-based Hall of Fame later this month.
"I was dismayed that the Baseball Hall of Fame decided to use this event to make a political statement," Robbins, 44, said in a statement in which was supported by his pal and "Bull Durham" co-star Kevin Costner (news).
"It is using what power it has to infringe upon my rights of free speech with the hope to intimidate millions of others who disagree with our president," Robbins said in a stinging riposte.
The Hall of Fame's move "dishonors the words 'patriotism' and 'freedom' and disrespects the men and women who have fought wars to keep this nation a place where one can freely express their opinion without fear of reprisal or punishment," he said.
Robbins and Sarandon are among the most visible Hollywood stars to vocally oppose US President George W. Bush (news - web sites)'s attack on Iraq at a time when media speculation is rife over whether high-profile anti-war activists will be punished by Hollywood for views that some Americans feel are unpatriotic.
The pair have led a clutch of US anti-war demonstrations and at last month's Oscar, both war peace badges and flashed peace signs when arriving at the war-muted ceremony.
Robbins received a letter from the Hall of Fame's president, Dale Petroskey, who was on the White House staff during the presidency of Ronald Reagan (news), stating that his public views on the war represented a danger.
"Public figures have platforms much larger than the average American's, which provides you an extraordinary opportunity to have your views heard -- and an equally large obligation to speak and act responsibly," he wrote.
"We believe your very public criticism of President Bush at this important -- and sensitive -- time in our nation's history helps undermine the US position, which could put our troops in even more danger."
Kevin Costner came to the couple's defence saying that freedom of speech was one of the key democratic rights that America battled to ensure.
"I think Tim and Susan's courage is the type of courage that makes our democracy work," he said. "Pulling back this invite is against the whole principle about what we fight for and profess to be about."
The Baseball Hall of Fame tribute to "Bull Durham" had been scheduled for April 26 and 27 in Cooperstown, New York, and Robbins, Sarandon and the movie's director Ron Shelton (news) were scheduled to speak at the event.
Shelton rallied to support arch-liberal Robbins, branding the Hall of Fame's move "ridiculous."
"Baseball is the great American game of language and dissent -- and 'Bull
Durham' is merely a story that tries to connect us," he said in a statement.
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| Our troops give so much of themselves, and we all benefit from their efforts. The next time you look at your bank balance, why not find some way to take some money and put it towards supporting the members of our armed services in some way? Maybe find a family who has someone serving, and buy them dinner, or some groceries, or a gift for their children? Maybe find a way to contribute to a fund for the memory of any of those who have fallen? Our armed forces deserve our support in tangible ways.
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Defamation of character or something like that?
Leni
Somehow, despite an excellent performance in Shawshank Redemption, he just doesn't seem to be able to pull off the victim role in real life. He's better when someone else is writing the lines.
Who gave them the right to demand they be invited to a private place?
hey..don't THEY have free speech too, Tim?
Why does Robbins have a right to his free speech but the Baseball Hall of Fame doesn't? Not showing the movie is their way of disagreeing with him.
Sounds like a typical liberal to me.
How can it be construed as courage if the only consequence of exercising your free speech is a drop in popularity -- and then you try to protest even that? What whiners!
I don't think Hollywood should punish them. I think that pleasure should be reserved for the people they've offended. Any gesture Hollywood makes would be done for strictly business reasons. Who needs 'em?
Was he equally dismayed when Moore used the Oscar ceremony?
[snicker] I am [snortle] deeply [guffaw] saddeneBWAAHAHAAAAAAA...
Unreal. Sure, it's okay for dr. laura to get thrown off the air, but when Robbins gets disinvited from the Baseball hall of fame, all of a sudden he thinks the KGB is knocking at his door...
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