Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
Sean Penn has accused Britain of "colonialism" in the Falklands.
"I know I came in a very sensitive moment in terms of diplomacy between Argentina and the UK over the Malvinas islands. ... "
Exactly what the world needs at a very sensitive moment in terms of diplomacy! Sean Penn! Welcome, embajador! I can only thank with brief thanksgiving whatever Gods may be that he's too busy there to show up here.
Anyway, I'm comforted to know that at least British military planners do seem to remember something about history. Thatcher was (properly) excoriated for weak signaling prior to the last Falklands crisis. Obviously no one's making that mistake now:
"[Timerman] went on to show a series of photographs of what he claimed were state-of-the-art war ships, planes and a nuclear submarine he said was Vanguard, flagship of the Vanguard fleet which carries Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent.
He also produced aerial shots of military bases and two runways in the Falkland Islands. The foreign minister also claimed that the British defence budget had been cut in every area except the South Atlantic."
Yes, well, right decision.
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Nov '10
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
"Rally-round-the-flag" is one of the oldest political ploys: a government pointing at some foreign threat to divert attention from its disastrous domestic policy. It was the main reason for the first Falklands war, and stands as an indelible indictment of the Left's craven hypocrisy, akin to the way many simply fell into line with the signing of the Hitler/Stalin pact: one minute, the story on Argentina was the "desaparecidos" and the "Madres de Plaza de Mayo" --the country in the fascist grip of the military-- and the next it was "Malvinas for the Argentines" with scurrilous sexist remarks about Thatcher (and silence from the feminists). It's a wonder they don't all wear permanent neck-braces.
May '10
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
The Penn Principle is: self-determination for all peoples, unless they live in the Falklands.
Edited on February 14, 2012 at 1:24pmApr '11
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
Sean Penn says that Britain's control of the Falklands is a relic of colonialism. You know what else is a relic of colonialism? Argentina.
Aug '10
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
I assume that Comandante Spicoli will be fighting on the side of Argentina ?Or watching from the safety of a Caracas villa ?
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
Not to mention Sean Penn.
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
Actually, I understand that he really did get his hands dirty after the earthquake in Haiti. I make fun of him because this is just so absurd, but as far as I know he can be absolved of the charge of never having left the comfort of his Beverly Hills mansion.
Feb '11
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
This is simply more evidence that Sean Penn is as dumb as a bag of lobotomized hammers.
While it was nice of Mr. Penn to give us this moronic example of his "intellect" - just in case anyone was vexed pondering if he was as dense as he seemed- I have to say I think no more evidence needed.
He had quite plainly shown himself to be an idiot many times before now.
Apr '11
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
I'm sure Claire knows more about this than I do, but in Military Intelligence Blunders it is the Foreign Office that is identified as being unclear in their signals to the Argentinians rather than Mrs. Thatcher.
From what I read, they were quite vague in responding to the Argentine request to renegotiate the Falklands status, and the Argentines took it as tacit approval to invade.
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
There were many blunders in signaling. Defense Minister John Nott had shortly before the conflict recommended the withdrawal of the Endurance, which was the symbol of Britain's commitment to the South Atlantic. ("Of course with the benefit of hindsight we would always like to have acted differently," she later said. "So would the Argentinians.")
Needless to say, if you want to learn more, there's a book I can recommend .
Apr '11
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
Berlinski: "Exactly what the world needs at a very sensitive moment in terms of diplomacy! Sean Penn! Welcome, embajador!"
Okay, I've had my coffee, but now I've got the smile on my face that I can move on with the day. Thank you, Claire!
Honestly, I darn near spit out my coffee.
Aug '11
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
Off topic - I'm impressed Argentina has a Jewish Foreign Minister. Wasn't long ago the place was absolutely rife with anti-Semitism
Apr '11
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
Claire Berlinski, Ed.
[...] Needless to say, if you want to learn more, there's a book I can recommend . · 6 minutes ago
For goodness sakes! Someone has to take up the torch! It's http://www.amazon.com/There-No-Alternative-Margaret-Thatcher/dp/0465002315.
I recommend it highly: It's a wonderful read. I'm currently four chapters in and I'm learning a great deal about someone - and a time - I thought I was already very familiar with. The interviews are fabulous.
Claire, I want to say directly - I love your writing style. It's authoritative and crisp in just the right way and just so pleasant to read. I'm enjoying it so much I've now added two of your fiction works to the queue: Lion Eyes and Loose Lips. Very much looking forward to them.
Edited on February 14, 2012 at 3:01pmNov '11
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
Charles Starnes
Claire Berlinski, Ed.
[...] Needless to say, if you want to learn more, there's a book I can recommend .· 6 minutes ago
For goodness sakes! Someone has to take up the torch! It's http://www.amazon.com/There-No-Alternative-Margaret-Thatcher/dp/0465002315.
I recommend it highly: It's a wonderful read. I'm currently four chapters in and I'm learning a great deal about someone - and a time - I thought I was already very familiar with. The interviews are fabulous.
Claire, I want to say directly - I love your writing style. I'm enjoying it so much I've now added two of your fiction works to the queue: Lion Eyes and Loose Lips. Very much looking forward to them. · 12 minutes ago
Edited 7 minutes ago
You will love then, especially, if I may say so, Lion Eyes. Claire, I hope there is more fiction coming.
Aug '10
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
Sean Penn's ignorance of history would be amusing if it wasn't so painful.
Apr '11
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
Charles Starnes
Claire Berlinski, Ed.
[...] Needless to say, if you want to learn more, there's a book I can recommend .· 6 minutes ago
For goodness sakes! Someone has to take up the torch! It's http://www.amazon.com/There-No-Alternative-Margaret-Thatcher/dp/0465002315.
I was going to tell her sure, and ask if it was hers, but I was busy over on the member side and just got back. Thanks for clearing that up in my absence.
Dec '10
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
Claire,
Margret Thatcher is described by the name, Iron Lady.
Sean Penn is described by the name, PUNK.
Don't even bother.
Regards,
Jim
Sep '11
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
I sat up into the small hours to listen to the House of Commons debate. My recollection is that there was virtual unanimity among MPs in supporting military action. That included the vast majority of Labour MPs. Claire will put me right if I'm mistaken.
I'm not sure the US was as supportive as it should have been. (Again, Claire will correct me if necessary).
The Argentinians should be grateful to the UK for getting rid of Galtieri and his crew, who chucked people out of helicopters and "disappeared" their opponents (whose birth records were removed so that when their families enquired as to their whereabouts, the authorities could say, "Who? No such person"; their babies and small children were given to supporters of the regime).
Aug '10
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
I'm thinking....Naval Attack !!
One exocet or one nicorette can take this baby down !
Sep '11
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
Evidently Sean Penn isn't getting offers for good parts. Making "bold" statements is a time-honored PR stunt in Hollywood. Being upstaged by upstarts? Find a cause--any cause--and make it your own. Get yourself in the headlines--and all your old pals will remember you're still around, and what fun you were on that remote in Barbados, and (you hope) send you a script.
It would be so much more helpful if the media would include "...who has not had a leading role in n years..." with any description of aging stars or starlets making political statements.
Dec '10
Re: Sean Penn Shows Up to Save the Day
Must be another slow work week in Hollywood which is odd given the fact they crank out a lot of trash that celebrates dysfunctional malcontents like him.