I haven’t understood anything Sean Penn has said in years but I thought he was great in “Dead Man Walking.” I know he hates President Bush, which many other people join him in. But Penn’s visits to other dictators really turn me off and I’ve pretty much written him off as a California wackjob. (No offense to any normal Californians -are there any?)
But then what sense do I make of this:
Asked if he would be joining other Hollywood A-listers in pledging support for Obama, Penn gave him a less than ringing endorsement and warned that he has an awful lot to live up to.
”I don’t have a candidate I’m supporting and I’m certainly interested and excited by the hope that Barack Obama is inspiring,” he said, but went on to accuse him of a “phenomenally inhuman and unconstitutional” voting record.
”I hope that he will understand, if he is the nominee, the degree of disillusionment that will happen if he doesn’t become a greater man than he will ever be,” Penn said.
There’s no way he could mean what I think he means, can he? Of course my mind jumps to the fact that Obama is so wacky on abortion that he actually voted for infanticide. But can this be what Penn means?
Penn probably hates Obama because Obama isn’t for legalizing hemp or something like that, right? Thoughts?
May 15, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I’m surprised the journalist knew he was saying the word “phenomenally”. I have a hard time understanding anything he says – his mumbles are even garbled.
Could he have been referring to Obama’s vote in the Terry Schiavo bill?
May 15, 2008 at 2:48 pm
There’s no way he’d be making an argument for the sanctity of life. This is the guy who praised Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez.
May 15, 2008 at 2:54 pm
“Dude, I hope that he will understand, if he is the nominee, the degree of disillusionment that will happen if he doesn’t become a greater man than he will ever be,” he said slowly exhaling.
May 15, 2008 at 3:15 pm
John, are you just reliving that precious moment? Or mocking its self importance just by repeating it?
May 15, 2008 at 4:34 pm
That perhaps right before this incomprehensible statement, Mr. Penn inhaled some potent smoke. Hence the “exhale” that John refers to.
Just a thought….
MB
Great website BTW!!
May 15, 2008 at 5:04 pm
potent smoke from an unimportant man.
May 15, 2008 at 5:06 pm
But making fun aside, isn’t there a chance that he’s actually saying the right thing? Isn’t it possible that he’s voicing oppostion to infanticide? Or no?
May 15, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I wondered the same thing, can he possibly mean what I would mean saying such a thing? Nah.
But “What did Sean Penn mean by that?” is not among the questions that keeps me awake at night.
May 16, 2008 at 12:26 am
OK, I’m interested. What does keep you awake at night?