Post by Administrator on Mar 20, 2003 11:05:47 GMT -5
Ten of Hollywood's loudest "anti-war" activists were recently invited to debate public policy and military experts about a war in Iraq, but none of them showed up. Frontiers of Freedom (FOF), a non-profit think tank, sponsored the event at the National Press Club. Invited to appear were George Clooney, Matt Damon, Mike Farrell, Janeane Garofolo, Ethan Hawke, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen, Barbra Streisand, and Uma Thurman.
"Six weeks ago we sent an open-ended invitation to these celebrities to appear at a fair and honest debate," said Jason Wright, Vice President of FOF.
"Most never responded at all -- those that did said no. It's one thing to exercise free speech, which we fully support, but when you command attention as they do it is shameful to rattle off inaccuracies and traditional liberal tripe then quickly bury your head in the sand when faced with opposition. In fact, it's shameful," Wright said.
FOF president George Landrith added that Hollywood claims war is never the answer, regardless of the threat. "To those who ask why we're picking on Hollywood, it's simple. They have power and influence on culture but no accountability. They are in a unique position to spout off whatever they like without a challenge. Hollywood stars have no expertise and no sense of history. They regurgitate talking points without a care," Landrith said.
Landrith continued, "As to the issue of Saddam himself, it's not that complicated. The only reason he is feigning cooperation and allowing the inspectors to return is that he does not want the U.S. armed forces to return."
Bob Bevelacqua, former U.S. Army Major and defense consultant, expressed disappointment that Hollywood was not represented at the debate. "I hoped to share with them details of a video I was shown recently in a high-level briefing at the Pentagon," Bevelacqua said.
"I've seen some pretty disgusting things but what I just saw in this video, which I hope will soon be made public, was shocking. Saddam uses rape rooms, keeps prep rooms for the rapists to prepare themselves, even tapes and then edits them to be sent to the families of the raped women. I would like to hear what Hollywood says about that. Bombs, nerve agents, and canisters are one thing, but when you attach faces, it's another story. Is action in Iraq just? It is absolutely just, and the time is now," Bevelacqua said.
Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Chuck Nash compared the situation in Iraq to a disease. "We have been treating this disease with over-the-counter measures. We must make a commitment to stop fighting the disease from afar. We must go to the center, and we must stop fighting the symptoms."
On the issue of human shields, Nash added that most of the young people have left Baghdad, determined not to put their lives at risk. "But over 300,000 other young men and women are in the area," he said. "They are courageously standing, honoring their commitment. United we should and must stand."
"There are a few great 'Hollywood Lies'," concluded Peter Hussey, a veteran of three administrations and a respected defense consultant. "One is that inspections work. Mike Farrell likes to say that the job of inspectors is to go and hunt for these weapons of mass destruction. Yet the latest United Nations resolutions call for Iraq to come clean without digging by the team of Hans Blix. They are not detectives."
"Another lie is Mike Farrell claiming that Iraq is not a threat. How can this be? Recently Saddam gave an interview revealing his goal to rule the region, dominate Israel, and get revenge on the U.S. for the Gulf War. This is not a threat? Look, if we are wrong this time it will be far worse than Kuwait, we will have terrorism with global reach. We must end the threat today," Hussey said.
"Six weeks ago we sent an open-ended invitation to these celebrities to appear at a fair and honest debate," said Jason Wright, Vice President of FOF.
"Most never responded at all -- those that did said no. It's one thing to exercise free speech, which we fully support, but when you command attention as they do it is shameful to rattle off inaccuracies and traditional liberal tripe then quickly bury your head in the sand when faced with opposition. In fact, it's shameful," Wright said.
FOF president George Landrith added that Hollywood claims war is never the answer, regardless of the threat. "To those who ask why we're picking on Hollywood, it's simple. They have power and influence on culture but no accountability. They are in a unique position to spout off whatever they like without a challenge. Hollywood stars have no expertise and no sense of history. They regurgitate talking points without a care," Landrith said.
Landrith continued, "As to the issue of Saddam himself, it's not that complicated. The only reason he is feigning cooperation and allowing the inspectors to return is that he does not want the U.S. armed forces to return."
Bob Bevelacqua, former U.S. Army Major and defense consultant, expressed disappointment that Hollywood was not represented at the debate. "I hoped to share with them details of a video I was shown recently in a high-level briefing at the Pentagon," Bevelacqua said.
"I've seen some pretty disgusting things but what I just saw in this video, which I hope will soon be made public, was shocking. Saddam uses rape rooms, keeps prep rooms for the rapists to prepare themselves, even tapes and then edits them to be sent to the families of the raped women. I would like to hear what Hollywood says about that. Bombs, nerve agents, and canisters are one thing, but when you attach faces, it's another story. Is action in Iraq just? It is absolutely just, and the time is now," Bevelacqua said.
Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Chuck Nash compared the situation in Iraq to a disease. "We have been treating this disease with over-the-counter measures. We must make a commitment to stop fighting the disease from afar. We must go to the center, and we must stop fighting the symptoms."
On the issue of human shields, Nash added that most of the young people have left Baghdad, determined not to put their lives at risk. "But over 300,000 other young men and women are in the area," he said. "They are courageously standing, honoring their commitment. United we should and must stand."
"There are a few great 'Hollywood Lies'," concluded Peter Hussey, a veteran of three administrations and a respected defense consultant. "One is that inspections work. Mike Farrell likes to say that the job of inspectors is to go and hunt for these weapons of mass destruction. Yet the latest United Nations resolutions call for Iraq to come clean without digging by the team of Hans Blix. They are not detectives."
"Another lie is Mike Farrell claiming that Iraq is not a threat. How can this be? Recently Saddam gave an interview revealing his goal to rule the region, dominate Israel, and get revenge on the U.S. for the Gulf War. This is not a threat? Look, if we are wrong this time it will be far worse than Kuwait, we will have terrorism with global reach. We must end the threat today," Hussey said.