People News
Clooney disheartened by current state of affairs
By Stone Martindale Feb 5, 2007, 0:30 GMT
George Clooney REUTERS/Fred Prouser
Actor George Clooney has a solid career both in front of and behind the camera with success in producing projects with his Smoke House shingle, but more than just being the "sexiest man alive," the honor bestowed by People magazine and their readers, Clooney has more serious issues on his mind these days.
The 45-year-old Oscar-winning actor and Oscar-nominated director has firmly stepped into the role of activist. It was a visit to the embattled land of Darfur in 2006 that inspired Clooney to speak out about the rampant genocide currently taking place in western Sudan.
Clooney has addressed the United Nations Security Council, urging it to act in Darfur. In December he traveled to China and Egypt to meet with state officials to put pressure on the government of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. His documentary "A Journey to Darfur," was co produced by Clooney and his veteran journalist father, Nick, debuted on US television.
When asked by Newsweek on why the US lags to deal with these untenable situations of genocide, Clooney responded: "Our problem is that the West and the United States have been able to broker things at other times. Obviously we did not do anything in Rwanda, but we played a big part with NATO in ending the Bosnian situation. We used to be able to do that.
"But [in] our [personal] meetings with all of the heads of government they said to us, "Your policies in Iraq have made it impossible for you now to threaten anything." We have no moral high ground. We have to look to anyone but ourselves to be able to broker some sort of a peace treaty. That is a very frustrating place to be."
Clooney cited his experiences growing up that contributed to his wanderlust and desire for a rich, large life. "I was taught to look at the United States not from the inside out but from the outside in."
Clooney was asked about the European view of Americans and the perception oversees by our traditional allies. "The signs you see are very disheartening. It is probably the worst time ever for us internationally. When you go to Europe, for the most part, they just hate us. Not individually, but they think we are just like these big bullies—and quite honestly, we have acted like that. That has been the most unusual twist in the last few years, having to defend being an American."
Newsweek asked Clooney what he thought of journalists and media today compared to earlier decades standards.
"I just worry that we have lost our balls for reporting. We constantly underestimate the intelligence and interest in the audience. The U.S. press took such a pass on the Bush administration that they are as responsible for us marching into Iraq as the administration. There is no question about it. They were afraid to be marked as unpatriotic."
Read the entire interview here
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Older Talkback
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Republicans goosestep because they have poopypants.
Never vote for a Republican.
Maybe we really should ask the Bush family why they funded Hitler's rise. See: Carlysle Group. AND W's granddaddy's Congressional Order to cease and desist his monetary support after Pearl Harbor.
Funny how rednecks think Europe is the world. Has anyone ever been out of America? The people of America are totally ignorant of the abuses of the CIA and other shadowy us government figures that facilitate the assassination of other nation's presidents, much like Iran's westernized leader they had murdered and replaced with the fanatical Shaw. America loves to make trouble then play the wide eyed innocent, ignoring domino effects like giving Osama Bin Laden 3 billion in aid to get rid of the Soviet Union int he late 80's. Came back to bite us. So will Iraq.
That a man points that out, as rich and priveledged as he is, he goes to these places personally, to Darfur, a very dangerous region overrun by fanatical Muslims, to bring their hardships to international attention, and the self obsessed Americans get ridiculously angry because he says it like it is? I guess it reall y is all about Uncle Sam, just ask Uncle Sam.
Oh, BTW, while you simpletons are screeching the word liberal, a word that you have been taught to hate in a witchhunt like fashion because Mike Gallagher and Rush Limbaugh tell you to think that way, you're rights are being raped and stripped and executive ordered into ancient history. Who'll be your advocate then, when you have to appeal to YOUR very enslavers?
This is it?
No, Mr. Limbaugh just happens to agree with us, and makes a good living stating the obvious. Liberals ar ejust mad they have faile at talk radio so miserably.
. Yes, we are aware of the infamous CIA and their escapades, but liberals like yourself forget about all of the good they have done, as well. They helped win the cold war, free eastern europe, contain communsm, which probably doesn't imprees you since you probably like totalitarians.
As for the Carlyle group, etc. that has about as much to do with the present president as rum running does the Kennedys.
You see, liberals are creating a religion, and republicans are just republicans. If it takes a few dead collaborators to get these guys, so be it. The so called rich also include John Kerry, the Kennedys, Bill Gates, most of the hollywierd libernazis, the power lesbian and gay liberazi, etc. To say we are in the clutches of the rich...perhaps Marc Rich, and look who cut him loose.
I like the acting of Mr.Clooney.And also like his personality.so can u give me his email id.please.I'm one of the big fan of his.
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Sp4: Earth to Ambassador Clooney..Feb 5th, 2007 - 01:20:29
Perhaps, Mr. Clooney, you should ask those people in Europe why it is that we protected them for over 50 years? Or ask how they feel about us winning the cold war, opening up Eastern Europe, keeping safe passage in three oceans, being an utterly stellar trade partner, enriching their economies, sometimes at our own cost, and helping the rest of the world with, utterly, trillions of dollars in order to make their lives better?
If you are going to represent America abroad Mr. Clooney, perhaps you ought to take someone with you who believes in it.
Mr. Bush is trying to keep a genocide from happening in Iraq, just like we did in Bosnia. The only problem is, the democrats only want this when they are in office. Beats me as to why, but that is the truth of it. Perhaps, if they were to back his play, he'd take you seriously.
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