Posted on 05/02/2006 9:38:52 AM PDT by peggybac
Acclaimed American actor/director Tim Robbins blasted the US government's policy on terrorism -- and the US media's failure to examine it critically -- at a news conference in Athens promoting his stage version of George Orwell's "1984".
"We have right now a media that is willfully ignoring the high crimes and misdemeanours of the president of the United States," the star of Hollywood hits including "Mystic River" and "The Player" told reporters.
"Clinton lied about a blowjob, and got impeached by the media and Congress," Robbins said.
"(Bush) got us into (the Iraq) war based on lies that he knew were lies. ... His war has recruited more Al-Qaeda members than Osama bin Laden could ever have dreamed for ... yet no one in the media is calling for impeachment," he said.
Robbins pointed out similarities between current US policies on terrorism and the authoritarian society described by Orwell.
"Unfortunately, the book and the play is more relevant now than it ever has been," he said. "(It) talks about continuous warfare as a means to control the Western economy, and as a way to control rebel elements within society through the use of fear, constant fear."
"In my country we seem to be sanctioning renditioning of innocent people without trial ... put them in jail without telling anyone ... and torture them out of suspicion of what we think they might do," Robbins said.
"This is exactly what Orwell was talking about when he spoke of thought crimes," he added.
Orwell's bleak classic, published in 1949, is based on a futuristic society in which the government, known as "Big Brother", spies on its citizens' every move and tortures them on suspicion of dissent.
The play, which Robbins produces and directs, opened in Athens for a five-day run on Tuesday.
He is hoping to also direct a film version of the play in the fall.
"One more dope to add to the list of actors whose movies not to watch."
Yeah, I agree, but that list is starting to get pretty long. Even Tom Hanks and Ron Howard are on it. Pretty soon, I won't be able to see any movies (until they come on free TV).
Classic...This reminds me of seeing Robbins talk to the National Press Club a few years ago. His speech was televised on CSPAN. He kept railing about how our freedom of speech was being denied by the eeevil government. Apparently the irony was lost on him.
But he didn't lie to Monica, "I won't come in your mouth."
Hey Timmy don't think you'll only hurt the team.
misdemeanors!!!! LOL!!!!
Little Timmy.... get your GED NOW! It's never too late! Are the US troops Jay-walking in Iraq or somethin' ya nitwit!
'Celebrities, is there anything they don't know?' Homer Simpson.
He's such a girly man.
Is this not the guy that is shacked up with his grand mother or some old babe? Do they make a cork big enough to plug up his orafices?
"This is exactly what Orwell was talking about when he spoke of thought crimes"
No it isn't. Maybe I'll send ol' Timbo a copy, since it seems he didn't read it very closely.
But then again, why read it at all when you've already decided what it's going to mean?
When director Alfred Hitchcock referred to actors as mere cattle, he was really on to something.
I dunno what everyone is so upset about. Richard Doofus was out today doing the same thing. Good, let them all, they did soooo much to help Kerry during the last election, not. The more Hollywood speaks, the more they turn America off.
Yep.
I guess we're limited then to Vin Diesel and Ahrrrrrrnold movies.
Ah well.
If Timmy wants to see GW impeached,maybe he should try going to Washington and giving him a blow job
Don't forget Adam Sandler :)
Isn't he the idiot living with Susan Harridan?
Damnit, I used to like him as an actor. When did he start drinkng the Kool-Aid?
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