Posted on 08/09/2002 6:58:34 AM PDT by Lazamataz
He's one of Hollywood's hottest actors and, with Natural Born Killers among his starring roles, is no stranger to controversy.
But now Woody Harrelson has taken another brave step - he's passionately defended George Michael over his anti-Bush and Blair single Shoot The Dog.
The 41-year-old star - currently appearing in On An Average Day opposite Kyle MacLachlan at the Comedy Theatre in London - has hit out at the backlash against the song's lyrics which criticise George Bush, Tony Blair and the war on terror since September 11.
At his play's after-show party on Wednesday night, Woody told Jessica: "I saw the Daily Mirror's front page on George Michael and I thought it was brilliant. I've always been a fan but he's right up there now. I think he's a great guy.
"I haven't seen the video for his song but I was fascinated by what he had to say.
"He's incredibly brave to have done that song. Especially when doing something like that could be considered very dangerous in today's world."
Harrelson - who is famous for his role as the dim barman Woody in Cheers and who stunned audiences with his powerful portrayal of a murderer in Natural Born Killers - is the first American to stand up and defend the 39-year-old British singer.
The former Wham! star caused outrage by using the Daily Mirror's Howdy Poodle front page, which poked fun at the special relationship between Britain and the US, on the single's cover.
"I can't believe he got so criticised in America for it. It's so unfair," said Woody. "I hear he's too scared to go over to the States now. What a joke. I'd really like to meet George.
"I want to congratulate him on standing up and speaking out.
"I totally support him and wish him all the best. It would really make my day if you could set up a meeting with me and George. I just want to shake that guy by the hand."
He also had nothing but praise for the Daily Mirror.
"I have one thing to say about the Mirror - it's amazing," he said. "The paper's stance on the war against terrorism is just right. It's so bold.
"The war against terrorism is terrorism. The whole thing is just bullsh*t. What you guys have done is very brave."
Woody - who was with his wife Laura and their two daughters Deni, nine, and five-year-old Zoe at the party at Adam Street private members' club - has been living in London for two months. He has homes in Hawaii and Costa Rica and proclaims to be a vegan, although he was gobbling up the canapes at the party.
"I love it over here, man," he grinned, sipping a pint of beer.
"I've been really busy but now the play has started I want to have a little fun. There's a little spot I go to but I'd rather not tell you where it is."
London cab driver Les Dartnell also attended the play.
In June Woody was wrestled to the ground by policemen and arrested after he went berserk in the back of Les's taxi. The cabbie said the star acted like a "caged animal".
Within minutes of Les picking the actor up from Chinawhite at 2am, Woody had trashed the cab. He then booted the door open and made a run for it.
Les dropped the charges after Woody paid him £542.96 and the two men shook hands after the play. "He said, 'No hard feelings'," said Woody. "He seemed like a nice guy. It's just one of those terrible circumstances."
Thats essentially the recipe for WWIII. The situation we are faced with is one of potential chain-reaction, and the ideology I see is "Good! I don't care - we are RIGHT and thats all that matters!"
This is a having-something-to-prove motivation and not a de-escalation-protection-resolution motivation, in the end it is more expensive, more destructive and more damaging to our interests all so we can 'feel good' about it.
A war on terror should not be a war that insists we ignore its own the manifestation of more terror and more war. We should be acknowleging, investigating and reducing the factors that conjured this war -- because they are going to be the very same ones that, in part, drive the war beyond its proper scope.
Just because your son punched me in the nose doesnt mean I get to come and take your house by force. If you can map that analogy and be realistic about "our" interests in the region and "our" interests expressed in the phrase 'military-industrial-complex', and still can say to yourself, with a clear concious "so what" then I do not know what to say...
A person with that type of moral code is reprehensibly to me. If that makes me 'anti-American' then America is not what it portends itself to be.
Really?
What, is he gonna get his head chopped off by some radical Islamists for saying that?
What an idiot.
This guy is so psycho, I mean *look* at him! or don't, ick!
You moved too slowly. I'm married now. ;^)
Good catch. bump
Honestly you are making me laugh out loud . What in the world can be said to you about the left that has not already be stated ?
I would be happy to " Fish " with you at any other time Rest assured . Perhaps TomB has the time on this particular day .
Also, you make the following comment -
People on the left deserve as much credit for putting aside party ideology as the people on the right. It is a hard thing to do, things like that largely are beyond our true concious control.
Our own thoughts are beyond our control?
No offense, but this comment makes me think that you are the recent product of our "progressive" education system. (Not that there is anything wrong with being young and naive, you have the rest of your life to get over it). I suggest you read Emerson's essay on History - in which he provides the rational for studying history. To paraphrase the argument - history is only worthwhile if we understand two things aobut human beings. First is that we are all part of the same species - so our history is something we all share and is what (that which) has made us the people we are today. In other words, people living 2000 years ago are just the same as we are today, they just lived in a different time. Second is the idea that human beings, through the power of rational intellect, are able to rationalize and understand. In other words, the human capacity for thought gives people the ability to 'walk a mile in another's shoes.' Part of the reason Emerson no longer holds the force in American thought that he once did is because the left has effectively taken over the education system in this country. (These ideas are not conducive to the leftist political strategy of "divide and conquer" among various societal groups.) The point is, in the tradition of Emerson, American thinking has traditionally been a completely "conscious" effort upon the part of individuals.
Anyway, if you don't think people can control their thoughts consciously, then why should we bother engaging in debate or discussion with them? As for your own posts - you sound sincere in your concern for the success of the war effort, the manner in which the war is conducted and what that says about us as a people. Sincerity only gets you so far. What exactly are you proposing? How is the WOT conducted in your ideal world?
Seriously, how can you take anything article seriously when it leads with a ridiculous statement like this.
Would you settle for a little "toe-sucking?"
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