COOPERSTOWN CANCELLATION: A HALL OF FAME HOME RUN

NY POST ^ | 4/19/03 | letters column

[Liz]

THE ISSUE: Should the Baseball Hall of Fame have cancelled a tribute to "Bull Durham."

[Paul_B]

> It's horribly ironic that Robbins has spent the better part of the last week whining on every news channel he can find that no one will allow him his freedom of expression.


Classic.

[metesky]

Bull Durham was truly a crappy movie, anyway.

Robbins' pitched like a woman (no offense, Liz) and I always thought that the whole idea of his character wearing garters and stockings under his uniform reflected Robbins' and Sarandon's real personal relationship.

[pave palestine]

Letter to Tim Robbins By Rachel Lucas

I hereby capitulate to the reality that I am running out of ways to rant and therefore have resorted more and more to writing fake "letters" to the asshats I disagree with. Here's the latest, to Tim Robbins, Mediocre Actor and Big Fat Hypocrite.

Dear Tim,

It has come to my attention today that you don't understand some things, such as the English language, the Constitution, logic, or fairness. Al Gore is guilty of the same thing, and I can see how you'd try to model yourself after such an illustrious politician, but really now, I think it's time for you to pull your head away from your buttocks.

Yesterday, you said:

"A message is being sent through the White House and its allies in talk radio...[that] if you oppose this administration, there can and will be ramifications. Every day, the airwaves are filled with warnings, veiled and unveiled threats, spewed invective and hatred directed at any voice of dissent."

If you can, please provide the world with specific examples of such threats and warnings. The reason I ask is because I see people every day on the news saying, "I oppose this administration." But I haven't heard of any ramifications being rained down upon their heads.

You and your wife are perfect examples. You've been travelling all over the world for the past few months saying extremely negative things about Bush and the war, but unfortunately, you look healthy and well to me. Also, I noticed thousands upon thousands of people taking to the streets lately, holding up signs saying "Bush=Hitler", but I guess the news media are just burying the stories about how these people have been sent to gulags. If you could clear that up for us, that'd be super. Thanks.

Anyway, per your claim that the airwaves are filled with "warnings, veiled and unveiled threats": Again, please supply specific examples and then notify the police. I mean, if there are actual threats being delivered, you have a legal case.

Per your insistence that the airwaves are filled with "spewed invective and hatred directed at any voice of dissent": That would be free speech. It is well within any citizen's Constitutional rights to spew invective and/or to hate. Remember, hating is not illegal, despite the best efforts of the Politically Correct cadre. Also, maybe you haven't noticed, but the vast majority of the anti-war protests have consisted of "spewed invective and hatred" directed at Bush and those of us who support the war. I realize you prefer to remain hypocritical, but I'm just pointing this out in case you care about your credibility.

You also said yesterday,

"In this time when a citizenry applauds the liberation of a country as it lives in fear of its own freedom...when people all over the country fear reprisal if they use their right to free speech, it is time to get angry. It is time to get fierce. Any instance of intimidation to free speech should be battled against. Any acquiescence to intimidation at this point will only lead to more intimidation."

That's very helpful advice. But I think your wife and your money have clouded your judgment and your view of reality, because there has been no illegal reprisal against people like you or the rabid anti-war protestors. The only reprisal I'm aware of is, for instance, people boycotting the Dixie Chicks. That boycott is itself free speech. Is that what you insist needs to be "battled against"? Saying, "I wish Tim Robbins would shut up" is free speech. Is it time to "get fierce" with me?

Moving on. You seem to be a tad upset with the National Baseball Hall of Fame because they canceled yours and Susan's appearance at a "Bull Durham" anniversary gala. It seems the guy in charge doesn't like your views on the war, so he disinvited you to his party. You said:

"[The] cancellation of our appearance in [Hall of Fame headquarters at] Cooperstown is not about my views; it is about my right to express those views. I am extremely grateful that there are those of you out there still with a fierce belief in constitutionally guaranteed rights."

I believe your education has failed you. The Constitution does not guarantee your right to speak at a party at the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Baseball Hall of Fame is not obligated in any way whatsoever to provide a forum for you to express your views. The Baseball Hall of Fame is completely incapable of infringing upon your Constitutional right to express your views, unless they send someone to tape your mouth shut.

I hope that clears things up for you. Out here in the real world, we try to familiarize ourselves with the actual laws of the land, our actual Constitutional rights, and the actual meaning of the words "fear", "intimidation", "threats", etc. I realize that in your sheltered millionaire world, anyone disagreeing with you in a less than ass-kissing manner is perceived as threatening and as trying to take away your civil rights. I know it must be difficult to be treated like a superstar for years and then suddenly be unwelcome at a private party, but it would behoove you to reexamine your own paranoia and self-centered worldview.

Otherwise, we will continue laughing at you, mocking you, and calling you an asshat, which you will translate as threatening you, hating you, and trying to go Nazi on you, which will result in us continuing to laugh, mock, and call you an asshat. And so on.

Sincerely, Rachel

P.S. You'll notice I called Susan Sarandon your "wife." I did that to annoy you.

Posted by Rachel at 11:53 AM Category: Asshatted Celebrities

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

There are 64 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame who put down their bats and gloves to fight for America. And then there's Tim Robbins, whose contribution to preserving democracy and freedom is acting like a buffoon in motion pictures. When will he and the rest of Hollywood finally get it? We don't want to hear from you unless you're reading from a script.

They do read from an anti-American script!

[Liz]

That's tellin' 'em.....love the reference to Timbo's "wife"....heheh.

Betcha they went ballistic over that.

[Pharlap]

Memo to Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon:
Since the Bassball Hall of Fame has cancelled you, we need to find a more appropriate forum for you to discuss "Bull Durham" (and, incidentally, your political views such as they are). To our immediate south is a country with a long baseball traditon, as well as great sympathy for your political views (well, except for freedom of speech, which you claim is so dear to you, but you would deny to most others, especially if they do not agree with what you say). So, the answer is simple: go to Havana, hold a symposium on "Bull Durham", make some inane comments about peace (and, Susan, remember to mention Panama City, but be sure to ignore Serbia, as your cohorts at Not In Our Name so carefully do), and rant about freedom of speech to an adoring, hand picked audience. Bon Voyage. Oops, wrong language. Then, maybe not. Do they play baseball in Paris?

[mewzilla]

It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.

Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC

I saw this poem mentioned during the news this morning. The story was about a commercial spot thet former Sen. Fred Thompson has done that had this poem in it. Thought I'd include it here since Sarandon and Robbins are such supporters of the arts.

[battlegearboat]

Ooops, Drudge has baseball apologizing to Robbins...WTF!

[mewzilla]

You have GOT to be kidding. Bob Costas was bad enough. If I'd had HBO I'd've cancelled it. But if MLB is sucking up to these two, I will never watch another baseball game!

[mewzilla]

I just looked. Not MLB apologizing, but the Hall of Fame president. Sort of. And i notice Robbins returned the olive branch with a slap in the face. The hall of Fame head shouldn't have apologized in any way. Wonder who put the arm on him? Hope someone asks. And note the way Robbins responded. Says it all, doesn't it? But if we find out MLB put any kind of pressure in any way on the H of F president...

[chief_bigfoot]

What a crying shame that the Baseball Hall of Fame President, Dale Petrosky, caved and apologized to these two. Just when you thought that some public faces were getting a spine.....
Here's a link to the Hall of Fame if you'd like to tell Mr.Petrosky what you think of his back-peddling>>
http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/contact/email.htm

[Liz]

Thanks, nice post.

[RobFromGa]

the apology is for not calling first before making the letter public. no mention of whether he feels that the decision was right.

I have always liked the movie Bull Durham, more for Costner and Robbins than the Sarandon character.

My actual "wife" and I have been to about fifty Durham Bulls games. My Favorite cheer at the old Durham Athletic Park:

B! U! L! L! S! H! I! T! BULLS! HIT! BULLS! HIT! It was a great atmosphere. Great "Raging Burritos" and $1 beers. And I think Minor League baseball is about as American as it gets.

We took our three kids to one game and after the third inning, a giant toilet named "Ernie's Plumbing" ran the bases. Plunger tosses are a staple at many games. I enjoy Minor Leaugue games more than the Braves in many ways.

Also, Robbins work in "Shawshank Redemption" was fantastic.
But I dislike the views of Robbins and Sarandon, and sincerely wish they would STFU.

[Liz]

I gladly second your suggestion.

[mewzilla]

Stop going to their movies. That will shut them up.

[Anamensis]

I think he only apologized for not asking them first to just keep their traps shut, and then cancelling when they (as they inevitably would have) declined to promise to behave. Still, I wish he hadn't apologized at all. It must be a reaction to the threats and intimidation of those who hate dissent and cause a chill wind to blow through blah blah blah...

[RobFromGa]

Letter from Hall of Fame President Dale Petroskey
Regarding Bull Durham Cancellation

April 18, 2003

 

Dear Friend:

 

          We have received thousands of letters, e-mails, and phone calls about the cancellation of the Bull Durham events scheduled for April 26-27. Thank you for sharing your feelings with us.

 

          The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a very special place - a national treasure - and my responsibility is to protect it.  Politics has no place in The Hall of Fame. There was a chance of politics being injected into The Hall during these sensitive times, and I made a decision to not take that chance. But I inadvertently did exactly what I was trying to avoid. With the advantage of hindsight, it is clear I should have handled the matter differently.

 

          I am sorry I didn't pick up the phone to have a discussion with Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon rather than sending them a letter. 

 

          We are so lucky to have Baseball - a game that unites us as Americans. The events of the past week show us all that The Game burns brighter than ever and continues to stir passions in many people. 

 

          Our wish is that every American will visit Cooperstown and join us in celebrating Baseball, our national pastime and the greatest game of all.

 

My Best Wishes,

 

Dale Petroskey

President

[RobFromGa]

they are still making movies?

[mewzilla]

I want to know if MLB had anything to do with his decision.