[cuchulainn]

from The Age (Australia)

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/08/27/1061663852052.htmlHarrison Ford blasts US Iraq policy

August 27, 2003

At a safe distance from his homeland, veteran Hollywood actor Harrison Ford launched a broadside at US policy on Iraq, his country's gun laws - and the film industry for producing "video games" for teenagers.

"I'm very disturbed about the direction American foreign policy is going," said Ford, with US post-war casualties having exceeded those during the actual conflict.

"I think something needs to be done to help alleviate the conditions which have created a disenfranchised and angry faction in the Middle East.

"I don't think military intervention is the correct solution. I regret what we as a country have done so far," said Chicago-born Ford, 62.

The veteran star is in Madrid to promote his latest release Hollywood Homicide, a story of two moonlighting Los Angeles policemen, and receive a commemorative pin from Spanish soccer club Atletico Madrid, city rivals of Real, the club having tied up a sponsorship agreement with Colombia films.

Twice-married Ford, who sidestepped questions about his relationship with actress Calista Flockhart, also slammed the film industry for in his view relying on hi-tech wizardry at the expense of thrilling plots - though he himself was involved in the early days of the trend with Star Wars in the 1970s.

"I think American films right now are suffering from an excess of scale. Lots of movies we're seeing now are more akin to video games than stories about human life and relationships," said Ford, while noting "12- to 20-year-olds are maybe the largest economic force in the US movie business".

Asked if his feelings were linked to his veteran status and a longing for the 'good old days', Ford countered: "I'm not a very nostalgic person - but I enjoy a good story".

He admitted that many recent releases, without specifying any in particular, were "not my cup of tea".

"It seems everybody is only going for the big hit, for the most return," said Ford.

However, he used the opportunity to announce he will shortly be back in a big hit of his own in revealing that Indiana Jones IV is now scheduled to hit screens in 2005 - despite reports of problems with the script.

"There is a script in preparation for Indiana Jones IV. It's come a long way. if we can get to be happy with the progress of the script we'll start shooting in the summer of 2004.

"I'm delighted to get back to that character and work with (director) Steven Spielberg again. I'm delighted to revisit Indiana Jones."

Although on screen Ford has starred in many action-packed, gun-toting thrillers - his Hollywood Homicide alongside 25-year-old Josh Hartnett is, in fact, more designed as a comedy - Ford abhors liberal US gun laws.

"I'm very troubled by the proliferation of arms, at the fact so many people in the United States carry guns. It obviously contributes greatly to the crime problems we have. I'm sure gun laws should be strengthened in the United States. I just don't know the correct mechanism."

©2003 AAP

[Bartholomew Roberts]

"I think something needs to be done to help alleviate the conditions which have created a disenfranchised and angry faction in the Middle East.

Call me nutty; but I thought that was exactly what we were trying to do in Iraq.

"I'm very troubled by the proliferation of arms, at the fact so many people in the United States carry guns. It obviously contributes greatly to the crime problems we have. I'm sure gun laws should be strengthened in the United States. I just don't know the correct mechanism."

I know enough about the problem that I am sure that strengthening gun laws will fix it; but not enough about the problem that I could suggest a law that would do it? Why not just admit you are ignorant about the situation and speaking from your gut?

I wish actors would just keep their mouths shut - even the ones I agree with. I don't want to know your political views. I'd prefer policy be made by people who spent some time preparing for that career. I just want to be entertained, not preached to.

[foghornl]

I just don't know the correct mechanism." Part of that mechanism, mr. ford, would be for you to keep your miserable leftist @zz in Madrid....PERMANENTLY. And take bumbling Babs Steisand with you. Along with the Baldwin "Sisters"..Alec-ia, William-ena, Billie-Jean. And pack a bag for Ed 'Lou Grant' ???-ner.

Did I miss any, other than the low-Sheen family i.e Martin & Charlie? ? ?

[tyme]

Whine whine whine.

If tv-personalities are not going to offer potential solutions, they should SHUT UP. Idiots should get off their high horses and realize they're probably not the only ones in the world with ideas, and that the reason their ideas haven't been implemented is that they're probably not such good ideas.

"Guns are evil blah blah. Now go rent Hollywood Homicide. Thanks."

[Leatherneck]

Bartholemew's last paragraph says it all. Beware transfer of authority.

TC
TFL Survivor

[Nightfall]

I too wish Harrison had just kept his damn mouth shut. Now I'm not going to be able to enjoy Indiana Jones or Star Wars anymore knowing the charismatic actor on screen is really a two brain celled, nit wit liberal in reality. :(

Ahh CRAP, does this mean I can't go see the new Indiana Jones movie without supporting this piece of :cuss:?! Maaaannnn... *sigh*

[Mike Irwin]

I don't pay much attention to anyone who sleeps with stick insects...

[Carlos Cabeza]

Gee, if I were a millionare, I would live in a fortress like home with a half mile view in all directions and travel with an entourage of bodyguards who "could" carry weapons to protect me and mine. What a STIFF ONE !:rolleyes:

[Skunkabilly]

You call him Dr Jones, doll!!! :rolleyes: :banghead: :cuss:

Whatsamatter, not making the money you used to so now you gotta blame the US?

[Futo Inu]

What's the plot of Indy IV?

"Indiana Jones and the Glorious Senior Citizen's Discount Pass"

"Indiana Jones and the Search for the Lost Dentures"

"Indiana Jones and the Mystic Prune Juice"


I guess he'll have a bad-azz walking stick instead of a whip this time...

Skunk, was that you as a child actor in Number 2, saying that line? ;)

[Silver Bullet]

This is disappointing, especially knowing that he bought a place in Montana and is undoubtedly polluting the local politics there.

[Tropical Z]

B******!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:cuss:

[Skunkabilly]

Skunk, was that you as a child actor in Number 2, saying that line?

No, but he kinda looks like how I used to look as a kid before I got my buzzcut.

Okeydokey Dr Jones, hord onto your potatoes!!! :D

[Quartus]

Don't complain about the Hollywood left if you support them.


If you watch their crap, you support them.


Pick your side - you can't be on both.

[HBK]

That's pretty damn disappointing. I thought Ford was more intelligent than that.

[Joe Demko]

Isn't this the place where somebody is obligated to say what swell guys Ted Nugent and Tom Selleck are?

Who gives a crap what entertainers say about anything outside their area of expertise? In Mr. Ford's case, that would be giving lifeless, monotonic performances in highly derivative movies.

[meathammer]

I'm with Nightfall on this one.

The more celebrities talk politics, the more I tend to dislike them. Sure, we all have opinions. Fine. At least say something with some merit. I have found it really hard to enjoy the movies these people are in.

Thanks Indiana-Solo, betrayed by one of my childhood heroes.

[Skunkabilly]

My favorite Brad Pitt quote:
"Who cares what I think China should do [about Tibet]? I'm a :cuss: actor ... I'm a grown man who puts on makeup."

[Zundfolge]

I wish actors would just keep their mouths shut - even the ones I agree with. I don't want to know your political views. I'd prefer policy be made by people who spent some time preparing for that career. I just want to be entertained, not preached to.

By that thinking then all of us here should just shut up because very few of us here (if any) are politicians, or have prepared for a career in politics.

Lets not buy into that political elitism ... its cut from the same cloth that says all of us outside of NYC and LA here in "flyover country" are unenlightened boobs who don't know whats best for us.

I disagree with Mr. Ford's ignorant statements, and I don't expect to be able to change his mind, but every time he (or another Hollyweird leftist) opens their mouth, it gives us an opportunity to rebut their insipid sound bites with the truth to the people around us.

I have been able to cause more antis to rethink their position when I take their positions, built on the words of Hollyweird leftist, and poke holes in them with the facts. Bowling for Columbine is so easy to poke holes in it is almost laughable (as an example of anti gun nonesense coming out of Hollyweird).


In addition, I like it when actors and other entertainers tell me what they believe, because you know they are giving money to those causes and when they open their mouth I become an educated consumer.

[BHPshooter]

Oh man, that's why I have never looked to see if Harrison Ford was antigun -- I was too afraid that he was. It's too bad, he's such a good actor and does lots of honorable things, but has such shortsightedness.

But Raiders of the Lost Ark will remain my favorite movie, regardless. :fire:

Wes

[Standing Wolf]

I just don't know the correct mechanism.

Well, he got that much right, anyway. The correct mechanism, obviously, is to make crime stop paying.

[OF]

Argh! Han Solo! Say it isn't so!

I'm going to pretend I never opened this thread...

- Gabe

[AZ Jeff]

Harrison Ford has just joined the list of Hollywood idiots who jump to the erroneous conclusion that, because the public enjoys watching them act in movies, they are equally interested in hearing their opinions on world affairs, social issues, and politics.:rolleyes:

[Hutch]

Well, it seems like every day, I'm forced add a name or two to the list of people who can kiss my fat, hairy....

Self editted. Sorry, mods.

[Ironbarr]

that says:

If you don't like guns, if you want to control guns, if you want to control people who like and want guns - THAT - is your preference/right/whatever -BUT - then you shall not provide, produce, appear in, have your name associated with, derive income, capital, or influence from, or invest capital in any entertainment form (movies, TV airings, stage plays, books, white papers... etc.) wherein one or more guns appear in the story/subject.

In other words, if you are a "public person" and publicly advocate anti-gun sentiments, then you cannot derive a reward from gun-related entertainment.

You cannot publicly influence the disarming of the people while providing the people with activities in which you do not believe.

(Best I can do on short notice.)

[jsalcedo]

I guess when someone enters the Hollywood inner circle they have to be put through a liberal brainwashing camp.

Anyone who breaks free or deviates from liberal causes is forever relegated
to 1-800 collect commercials and has to hang out with MR T, ALF and Carrot Top.

Mr Ford can go fornicate with dead Jawas for all I care. I'm not going to see any more of his frigging movies.

[Bartholomew Roberts]

By that thinking then all of us here should just shut up because very few of us here (if any) are politicians, or have prepared for a career in politics.

Not all of you... ;)

Seriously though, I stand by my earlier comment. I don't watch actors to be informed about policy issues, I watch them to be entertained - waiting to be entertained and having some dolt discuss how he feels about Iraq is like expecting a mouthful of chocolate frosting and getting bean curd instead.

As for policy formulation goes, the American people have every right to make their views known; but one of the points in having a republic, vice democracy is to acknowledge public sentiment without falling into the trap of rule by mob.

Can you imagine what a mess our Iraq policy would be if it were formulated based solely on public opinion? We would never get any lengthy goal achieved.

We have a considerable bureaucracy set up that is designed to provide expert assistance in helping our elected representatives formulate public policy. While there is always the exception to the rule, the guy who has a graduate in Political Science, speaks Arabic and lived in Saudi Arabia carrying out U.S. policy for ten years is going to be better qualified to shape U.S. policy than celebrity actor A or random Internet poster B often enough that I'm going to choose him unless a compelling case can be made to the contrary.

Lets not buy into that political elitism ... its cut from the same cloth that says all of us outside of NYC and LA here in "flyover country" are unenlightened boobs who don't know whats best for us.

I don't think it is elitism to suggest that someone should know what they are talking about before they weigh in on policy - actor or internet poster. Would you let the random guy work on your car without testing his expertise?

Mr. Ford plainly does not have that expertise. The contradictions in his statements make it clear that he has little more than minimal information on the subject. That doesn't disqualify him from being able to express his ignorance; but it certainly doesn't mean I enjoy hearing it.

If anything it is even worse since at least if Mr. Ford's comments were made as a random Internet poster, others would have the opportunity to challenge them and we might all come away better informed.

[Drjones]

Oh no...not him too....:(

Such a great actor with so many good movies.... :( :cuss:

[BHPshooter]

DrJones,
Am I correct in assuming that your screen-name is derived from one of those movies?

Anyway, yes, it sure is sad. So far I've lost respect for Sean Connery, Kevin Costner, and now Harrison Ford -- all some of my favorite actors.

Wes

[SodaPop]

I'm still keeping my signature!!!:D

[Drjones]

DrJones,
Am I correct in assuming that your screen-name is derived from one of those movies?

Nope.

It comes from the band "Aqua." Yes, the "Barbie Girl" band. They ROCK!!!

Their best song is "Doctor Jones."

:D

[Cosmoline]

Australians--please keep this actor. We don't want him back.

[feedthehogs]

"I'm very troubled by the proliferation of arms, at the fact so many people in the United States carry guns. It obviously contributes greatly to the crime problems we have. I'm sure gun laws should be strengthened in the United States. I just don't know the correct mechanism."

He don't know because someone hasn't written it on a script for him and the other human parrots to repeat.

You could put a hundred actors together and not come up with one good idea between them.
After all, they live in a fantasy world both at work and in the castles on the hill that the majority of the world never sees.

[Mike Irwin]

Futo,

I've actually heard that it's called "Indiana Jones and the Depends Undergarments of Doom..."

[tyme]

Who has a castle besides Nick Cage?

[GSB]

Hey Harry: Hokey Hollywood Religions are no match for a good blaster, kid.

[teppo-shu]

I, for one, will never see another Harrison Ford movie. I will also not eat Ben & Jerry's ice cream, nor listen to any song by the Dixie Chicks or Sheryl Crow.

I'm getting real tired of this crap by these Hollywood spokes-holes! But I will see to it, as best I can in my own small way, that a dollar of my money NEVER flows in their direction.

I sincerely hope others are doing the same. I know it's making a difference in France.

Sorry to say so to some of you, but Harrison Ford is a BAD actor anyway. You could put up a cardboard cutout in any role he's played and you'd never know the difference.

[Carlos]

I'm very disappointed. :(

[BHPshooter]

Hollywood spokes-holes!

LOL! I'm going to steal that! :D

Wes

[twoblink]

Bruce Willis is probably the only real man left in hollyweird..

I feel so sad, I like Harrison.. I use to anyways..

When Lara Croft is more of a gun advocate than most of the hollyweird'ers.. It's a sad moment in life..