Sean Penn's open letter to Bush, Cheney, and Rice. What do you think ?

Question

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sean-penn/an-open-letter-to-the-pre_b_44172.html

In a paragraph which have no meaning for Americans (Really thanks to damn CNN\FOX\BBC\etc. + Warner Bros. & Frank Miller) Sean Penn says :

You want to rattle sabers toward Iran now? Let me tell you something about Iran, because I've been there and you haven't. Iran is a great country. A great country. Does it have its haters? You bet. Just like the United States has its haters. Does it have a corrupt regime? You bet. Just like the United States has a corrupt regime. Does it want a nuclear weapon? Maybe. Do we have one? You bet. But the people of Iran are great people. And if we give that corrupt leadership, (by attacking Iran militarily) the opportunity to unify that great country in hatred against us, we'll have been giving up one of our most promising future allies in decades. If you really know anything about Iran, you know exactly what I'm referring to. Of course your administration belittles diplomatic potential there, as those options rely on a credibility and geopolitical influence that you have aggressively squandered worldwide.

Questions:

1st. "Iran is a great country" , what it means?
2nd. [speaking about if US attack Iran] "we'll have been giving up one of our most promising future allies in decades" , why Iran is the most promising future ally of the US ?
3rd. Is the real world what we can see on the TV?

Gee, excuse me I forgot this one :

4th. "But the people of Iran are great people", why "great"?

No, most of you couldn't understand what I'm talking about :

"If you really know anything about Iran, you know exactly what I'm referring to."

This's very very important , I can explain it, but nobody will believe me as I'm Iranian, you should better think about this part. What's it? Bush knows, Sean Penn knows, Cheney knows, Rice knows, most of people in Iran know, but ! most of you do NOT know ! it's important, so think about it and then tell me what do you think ... of course it's so hard as you just see and know the "Iran" through damn media, most of you had never had any talk with an Iranian, not even a "hello". So , I think you should think about this mysterious fact and find it and understand why CNN\FOX\BBC\Warner Bros.\Frank Miller\etc. all what to hide it from you ... I'm not kidding , believe me ....

Answer 1

I have met Sean Penn several times. He is very smart in an elightened way. He does have issues with eloquence from time to time- because his emotions can get the best of him when he is around stupid people. Stupid people are easily influenced and he should be more forgiving- because he knows how effective brainwashing is- which is how he has managed to avoid it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSOOK3tocTk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fprofile%2Emyspace%2Ecom%2Findex%2Ecfm%3Ffuseaction%3Duser%2Eviewprofile%26friendid%3D98060052

In this case he happens to have hit the nail dead on. The relationships we have squandered is incalcuable and it is because of our government and military agressive actions that have led to a worldwide disrespect and hatred.

You can't throw a rock at someone on the playground and then expect them to like you. The best your gonna get is fear and intimidation.

We are told that our ideas are supposed to be better- and many of them are- if we only acted on our better ideas.

Added thoughts to the broken down questions/comments:

I believe that what Sean was referring to in Iranians being great- Is that he has spent time with the people- whereas most Americans have not. Sean is obviously speaking about personal expierience one on one with another human being- who just happens to be Iranian. We as Americans are used to hearing very one-sided information via the television. Now, while most cultural differences may seem cruel and horrible, but when you grow up with it- it seems normal until someone comes along and says hey I have a better way. But to actually get in there and talk to people- like Sean Penn has in this case-he is speaking for the majority. The Iranians are viewed as a percieved threat- and it is very easy to believe it (propaganda) when we never really hear the other side.

Also, this middle eastern conflict has gone on since anyone can remember- Suddenly America steps in and arms their sworn enemies with nuclear weapons and other arms. Well it is easy to see why there is a conflict that we are smack dab in the middle of.

We only hear about the pissed off Iranians burning American flags and taking hostages. We never hear about the beautiful, loving, caring Iranians who pray for peace, who go to work and raise their children the best way they know how. There are always two sides to a conflict- why do we only hear about one?

I am not saying that I think Iranians are great. I am not saying I think Iranians are evil. I think there are both evil people and loving people in the United States and Iran.

Both the United States government and the Iranian government are corrupt and neither speak for the majority of the people. This can probably be said for every government and their public.

I for one think the leaders of the world should stop being such bullying chickenschitz and get into a ring and duke it out themselves- rather than sending innocent people to their deaths over differences that have nothing to do with the actual voices of the people.

80% of the worlds population want peace. Its the other 20% that is phucking everything up. 1% of the population controls the wealth and that 1% is only willing to part (share) with 20%.

This leaves 80% of the world- poor, angry, disillusioned and seemingly powerless- but if we rose up together we could overthrow the odds and change the percentages.

I'll just bet that 20% would blow up the earth rather than share it.

That is really what Sean Penn is talking about. And quite sadly, there are Americans and Iranians that are so decieved by lies- that their only response is to say something tacky like he should just stick to acting.

Listen to the truth about what he said and how he said it. Listen for yourself if you have the courage:

http://podcast.medianext.com/stations/kcbs/media/mpeg/Sean_Penn_s_Letter_to_President_Bush-1174766920.mp3

Sean clearly states truthful messages and dares to ask the askable questions that deserves answers that each of us actually want an answer to. He also poses questions that our troops want an answer. He candidly speaks of the heroic efforts that our troops should be doing as that is what they signed up for in the first place! He speaks of the greatness of our country and the greatness of Iran. He speak of the potential we squander off the bloody backs of disillusioned soldiers. He asks why Bush's daughters are not in uniform. He speaks for the majority of the people of this nation. Have courage and listen- FEEL THE POWER OF THE TRUTH.

We must not get angry with them because they have been decieved, and rather effectively- to the point where they would rather die or kill than face the truth.

The point to all of this is there are some truly great Americans and some truly great Iranians- and neither of these great people are a reflection of our government. True greatness is measurable only by each individual- The upside and a fantastic perk is when together as a group we are able to share a greatness. Greatness benefits both- not just one.

Looking at the truth by taking off the rose colored glasses, is a bit painful at first- but the eyes do adjust- and so does the brain, then the body, then the mouth and before you know it you are walking down the street not having to look over your shoulder.

When Sean Penn walks into a room its with confidence and not arrogance- its with experience and not heresay.

To those of you who have the guts to exceed what you have been taught:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phL0RLKL8bc

and for those of you that are still convinced that what we are doing is right:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVmpFJEZ4ps

If you can still give me a thumbs down... then you deserve what you will get in the end. Which will be the end for you.

I would rather have a bleeding heart- than no heart at all.
I would rather have a bledding heart- than watch a baby bleed from its stomach.

I would rather have a bleeding heart that cries tears of blood for every knife wound you inflict upon us.

You may have your hatred, your ignorance and your pious closed mind. Please keep your arrogance and your ill informed negativity.

As for you TOP CONTRIBUTORS and your callous comments, and your attempt to manipulate the internet we ALL SEE RIGHT THROUGH YOU. You are not a top in anything.

We see with better eyes, and far more share our better vision than you can possibly realize.

We forgive you your stupidity and evils. We love you for your difference. Now its time you die for your beliefs instead of sacrificing us. We dont believe you.

Step up to plate and put your OWN head on the chopping block- lets see how brave you are when your brother swings the axe, then claims to be the hero for taking out the enemy- by chopping your head off.

Finally- perhaps the reason Sean Penn isn't working on a good movie right now is because he is too busy trying to ensure there will be an audience who will be alive to see it!!

Answer 2

I have read Sean Penn's posting several times before attempting to answer this question. Firstly, although I agree with his general point, his overly aggressive and insulting manner towards the neocons could possibly alienate people who would have otherwise treated his comments with the seriousness they deserve.

Regarding the specific paragraph you are querying, I cannot make any comment as to whether Iran is a great country as I have not yet had the chance to be there. What I can say is that Iran has a long and influential history which has contributed greatly to the development of civilisation. I have no idea whether Iran wishes nuclear weapons or just a low carbon (green energy) way of generating power but, given that several of the surrounding countries have nuclear weapons (India, Pakistan, Israel, China) I could see the argument for matching them. Although I am not convinced that either nuclear power or nuclear weapons are justified anywhere.

Are the people of Iran great people? That to me is a huge generalisation unless you accept that all people are great unless forced to be otherwise. Personally, I know a few Iranians and have found them all to be warm, friendly, kind, generous hearted individuals.

Iran is a promising future ally partly due to its geographical location and local influence: it would be better to have that influence supporting you rather than against you: but also because it has a young well educated and forward looking population. Literacy rates and female higher education rates are some of the highest in the world.

Answer 3

Chi Guy --
Iraq was all ready 'used' by the US in an Iraqi war against Iran not many years from when Reagan supplied arms to Iran. At this time Iraq used chemical weapons. Iraq was also supplied with US advisers on the ground and satellite recognizance from above.

Seems like the US is very, very good at making enemies and supporting dictators.

Sean Penn-
He writes a very informed article and writes it very well so I really don't see some of you insulting little brats call him ignorant. I guess that you neocons strike out like vermin when you read views different from your own.

Answer 4

1) Don't know
2) 80% of the population is against the current regime there.
3) I doubt it
4) Why not great? All humans are great until they individually prove otherwise.

Bush likes to demonize people first and then wonder why they don't trust him. Bush should have foresaw that Iraq was the counter weight to Iran.

Who cares what Sean Penn writes to the White House. I've written to the White House as well.

Answer 5

And the Tea Party. I don't care for Palin either. In fact, I voted for Bob Barr because of Palin. But the liberals' mania about her is insane. And Beck is easy to misunderstand. He is so goofy much of the time that it is easy to dismiss much of what he says. So people end up not hearing about the real stuff he talks about.

Answer 6

If Sean Penn really wants to make a difference, he should run for office, put his ideas out there and let the people decide on the voting boot. At least Al Franklen got the guts to do it. you may not agree with him, but he's actually participating on the democratic process and voters will decide if they want him in office or not.

The problem is that Sean Penn is an idiot and nobody cares what he has to say.

Answer 7

That's just great. So Mr. Penn, what should we do about all those great people? I'm sure they are great people. I'm sure they love their kids, have parties, borrow each other's yard tools and go fishing. But sometimes you just have to pick a side. LIfe sucks but there it is. There will always be war, as long as there are human beings. The pigs will always walk.

Answer 8

Great people do great things and rid themselves of poor leaders.

Shouldn't Iran demonstrate how great it is by doing some removal?

Answer 9

I think that Penn's notoriety provide him with an audience that those of us who may hold the same viewpoint, but without a known profile, are prevented from expressing within a forum to gain wide distribution.

Answer 10

I really place no value on the opinions of celebrities. They are no more informed than I am so the fact that they either agree with me or don't is thier problem not mine.

Answer 11

Sean Penn is a delusional wanna be suffering from short man syndrome. If he had done less cocaine and heroin he could have developed at least average intelligence as it is the old phrase "Dumber then a box of rocks" comes to mind.

He should stop talking don a pink ballet tutu and join code pink. The Pepto Patrol will welcome him with open arms.