Harrison Ford blasts US Iraq policy

[mikenycLI]

The political feelings he has, aside......How come these Jokers, always shoot their mouths off, overseas ? Imagine being this guy's "handler".

Don't they think...now, there's an assumption...that a news service will pick it up for the US ? Do they think this is the 1920's or something, and there is NO internet, or all news cable Tv ?

And they also forget that they have a film to sell ? EEeeeesh ! What a MORON !!!!

VERRY IMPORTANT...the last line of the article is a KILLER !!!!

Courtesy of msn....

Harrison Ford blasts US Iraq policy


AFP - 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."

Ford meanwhile admitted to knowing little about Atletico Madrid - Real's poor relations -- but added with a smile: "I don't have the sports gene!".

©AAP 2003

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/Entertainmen ... _51321.asp

[Ron]

I agree with his comments re: the war in Iraq. As regards his Hollywood remarks, well, they do seem at odds with his current and past projects. I've never confused Harrison Ford for either a good actor or real thinker, however.

[mikenycLI]

The love that anti-US stuff, overseas. I guess, he is just giving The People what they want.

It's not about him being a big brain, just using common sense. Without a script, these guys are just lost, anyway.

[lukpac]

The love that anti-US stuff, overseas. I guess, he is just giving The People what they want.

What, do people have to stop talking about US politics when they leave the country?

I don't think it really has all that much to do with being overseas. Not unless you're talking about the reporting of it. If somebody like him says that stuff while on US soil, he's just a lefty kook. If he says it overseas, he's some kind of treasonous evil-doer.

Harrison Ford Says He's Not Pro-Bush

[mikenycLI]

The love that anti-US stuff, overseas. I guess, he is just giving The People what they want.

What, do people have to stop talking about US politics when they leave the country?

I don't think it really has all that much to do with being overseas. Not unless you're talking about the reporting of it. If somebody like him says that stuff while on US soil, he's just a lefty kook. If he says it overseas, he's some kind of treasonous evil-doer.

Harrison Ford Says He's Not Pro-Bush

What the Harrison Ford's of the political spectrum, are doing, is selling their political thoughts to the already converted. Very easy to do for someone, whose living, is giving the people what they want. Not a big intellectual stretch !

The Question, isn't so much, do people have to stop talking about US politics when they leave the country, in societies where there is LESS personal & political freedom, it is, rather...WHY are these Public Personalities, LESS expressive about their political feelings, in their own country, where there is MORE personal & political freedom ?

Strange isn't it ?

I'm sure all of his fans in France, and the European Community, were LOVING IT and EATING all of that UP ! I hope they were going to his new movie !

Methinks it has to do with, 1) preserving their High, "Q", public popularity rating, and 2) preserving and increasing, the steady stream of $$$$$$ into their bank accounts.

Harrison knows how his bread is buttered, especially when he is shilling for a DOG of a movie, he has in theatrical release, here and there.

Let's see, when was the last time he had a hit movie, outside of the Indiana Jones franchise ?

Like they say....Just spell the name right !

[Rspaight]

What the Harrison Ford's of the political spectrum, are doing, is selling their political thoughts to the already converted. Very easy to do for someone, whose living, is giving the people what they want. Not a big intellectual stretch!

Replace "Harrison Ford" with "Michael Savage" or "Ann Coulter" or "Rush Limbaugh" (or "Al Franken" or "Michael Moore" for that matter) and you have an equally true statement. So what else is new? You'll go broke selling red meat to vegans. (Or tofu to dittoheads.)

Besides, Luke's link shows that he's not been exactly hiding his views over here, either.

Let's see, when was the last time he had a hit movie, outside of the Indiana Jones franchise?

If you define a "hit" as $100m+, that would be What Lies Beneath, which grossed $155 million in 2000. Before that, Air Force One made $172 million in 1997. In 1994, Clear and Present Danger made $122 million, and of course The Fugitive rang up $183 million the year before that.

Then you're back to Last Crusade, which made $197 million in 1989.

Hope this helps.

Ryan

[mikenycLI]

Three years is a long time.

[lukpac]

Three years is a long time.

If he was doing four movies a year, maybe, but he's only been in one movie since What Lies Beneath, so I'd say not really.

[mikenycLI]

According to Box Office Mojo.com , Ford has starred in two films since 2000.

Released Title Studio Total Gross Theaters

6/13/03 Hollywood Homicide Sony $30,013,346 @ 2,840 screens

7/19/02 K-19: The Widowmaker Paramount $35,168,966 @ 2,830 screens

http://boxofficemojo.com/actors/harrisonford/

As to what he has said in the US, well, he hasn't really said anything, that I can really understand, or anyone can pin him down about.

What does he say, through is manager, has only said, that he supports a position that ""What I'm for is a regime change on both sides," ".

What does THAT mean, HUH ?

To me, it means that his publicist will take the Fall, if she has to ! "I can just hear him say, "I didn't tell my manager THAT !"

Slick. Hollywood Slick.

To coin, loosely, a phrase from one of his movies, looks like we are getting the "Potomac Shuffle", but Hollywood-Land Style...play it, both ways, and you offend NO ONE, because they can't figure out, WHAT you said !

[lukpac]

As to what he has said in the US, well, he hasn't really said anything, that I can really understand, or anyone can pin him down about.

Well, nothing that's been reported on. That doesn't mean he hasn't said anything, though.

Nevertheless, if he has an audience abroad that he doesn't have in the US, so what? If anything I'd say that just shows most of the US is too shallow to accept any views that are critical of our government.

What does he say, through is manager, has only said, that he supports a position that ""What I'm for is a regime change on both sides," ".

What does THAT mean, HUH ?

Sounds to me like he wasn't against removing Saddam in some form, but wants to see Bush out of office as well. Doesn't seem that complicated to me.

To me, it means that his publicist will take the Fall, if she has to ! "I can just hear him say, "I didn't tell my manager THAT !"

Slick. Hollywood Slick.

To coin, loosely, a phrase from one of his movies, looks like we are getting the "Potomac Shuffle", but Hollywood-Land Style...play it, both ways, and you offend NO ONE, because they can't figure out, WHAT you said !

If his intentions were purely to not offend people, he wouldn't have even opened his mouth.

[mikenycLI]

As to what he has said in the US, well, he hasn't really said anything, that I can really understand, or anyone can pin him down about.

Well, nothing that's been reported on. That doesn't mean he hasn't said anything, though.

Luke, All we REALLY have to go on, is what HIS MANAGER SAID, of what Ford's "feelings" are, and of what Mr. Ford, has, allegedly, said that he feels.

I'm sure Mr. Ford has the ability to talk, and converse. But let's, ALL, see it and hear it....if Mr. Ford, REALLY feels, that strongly about something.

For someone of his considerable acting experience, BEFORE THE CAMERA, his ability to remain camera and print reporter shy, NOW, makes the veracity of his political opinons, and statements, MORE THAN suspect, especially, regarding his forthrightness, and sincerity.

For some reason he seems to be embarassed, about committing himself, while, there are plenty of other colleagues of his, who are more than happy to state a political opinion, and making it VERY public.

Why is Ford, so camera shy and reporter shy ?

Martin Sheen, Harrison Ford Ain't ! At least with Sheen, you know you are listening to someone of integrity and respect. Ford should take some hard lessons, about his film character alter egos, and come out from behind his handler. It would be good for him to, at least, exhibit some courage and fortitude. There's the latest installment of Indiana Jones coming up in 2004, notwithstanding the DVD compilation in November.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, I see now, why, he wants to hide, like The Wizard of Oz, or something !

Nevertheless, if he has an audience abroad that he doesn't have in the US, so what? If anything I'd say that just shows most of the US is too shallow to accept any views that are critical of our government.

If ANYONE is shallow, here, it's Mr. Ford. Cowering behind a handler, is a little smarmy for Indiana Jones ! But, I guess, you can't expect to have something, that just isn't in him, like integrity.

What does he say, through is manager, has only said, that he supports a position that ""What I'm for is a regime change on both sides," ".

What does THAT mean, HUH ?

Sounds to me like he wasn't against removing Saddam in some form, but wants to see Bush out of office as well. Doesn't seem that complicated to me.

It's not "complicated", because HOW can a person be "wrong" or complicated, if he want's to have it "both ways".

He must be a little interesting, to talk to, by having the ability of talking out of both sides of his mouth, like this. Good political timber, as they say ! I can hear him at a restaurant ordering his steak, "well done" AND "rare".

To me, it means that his publicist will take the Fall, if she has to ! "I can just hear him say, "I didn't tell my manager THAT !"

Slick. Hollywood Slick.

To coin, loosely, a phrase from one of his movies, looks like we are getting the "Potomac Shuffle", but Hollywood-Land Style...play it, both ways, and you offend NO ONE, because they can't figure out, WHAT you said !

If his intentions were purely to not offend people, he wouldn't have even opened his mouth.

OF ALL THINGS, Mr. Ford, can't be accused of "offending people". If you believe being on both sides of an argument, how can you offend anyone ?

I have a feeling, we will NOT be hearing from Mr. Ford soon on the Iraqi conflict, OR ANYTHING, other than the new Indiana Jones DVD compilation, and the latest installment, that's due in 2004.

I can see him now in his Indy outfit, cowering behind his manager, hoping this ALL goes away...FAST !

Never underestimate the ability of the public, to have short-term memory loss, on the Stupidity of their Public Personalties, of the caliber of Mr. Ford!

[lukpac]

I still fail to see how he is "embarrassed" or "shy" simply because he hasn't been making tons of waves. He wants to hide? If he wanted to hide, he wouldn't have said *anything*. What's so terrible about talking through an agent? People do it all the time. It doesn't mean he was "cowering". It means he didn't want to bother talking to reporters and had a statement already written.

And of course, he wasn't talking through his agent in Spain, so that entire argument is baseless.

As far as "believing in both sides of an argument", I hardly think saying things are wrong in the Middle East, opposing guns, and wishing the current president were out of office is being wishy washy. I'd say he's being pretty clear, actually. And if his main purpose was to not offend people, HE WOULDN'T HAVE SAID ANYTHING TO BEGIN WITH.

And even disregarding all of that, I still fail to see why it is his "duty" to tell us *anything*. His job isn't to detail all of his political views to us. He has the *right* to detail to us what he wants to, but it doesn't go any farther than that. Some actors like speaking on end about politics. Some don't. Just because you don't mention politics every other day doesn't mean you can never mention it.

[mikenycLI]

Luke,

You are going to hear alot more about this Ford Thing on Cable Tv, because it's a slow news holiday weekend. Can't wait to see him backtracking !

It's plainly evident, that the man realized he goofed or he wouldn't have sent out his manager, to make a public statement of "clarification", on what he said.

To me, ANY PERSON, who goes to a foreign country, is a representative of their country of origin, in whatever deed they engage in, or the words, they care to express about politics and other things. And when he is plainly "sucking up" to his foreign audience, with his anti-US views, to get attention for his failing movie, he is out of line.

He doesn't speak for me, and probably alot of people here. I am a little embarassed, that Mr. Ford, felt he had to fill the silence of his foreign movie junket, with his stupid political theories.

He should leave the statements to his manager, or someone of more intellectual ability to articulate them, for him, and talk for him. That seems to be his style anyway, intellectual coward, that he is !

[lukpac]

Mikey, the "clarification" from his agent was about something several months ago, not the current story. I haven't seen any updates/changes on the current story.

BTW, just because one's views are anti-Bush administration does not mean they are anti-US. Heck, I'd say Bush is ga lot more "anti-US" for the crap he's been pulling. Opposing your country's current policies doesn't mean you are against your country.

And I'm not sure why US citizens should be expected to say only nice things about their country while abroad. Why should they? Should a visitor from China defend the communist system there, just because that's the way things are? Or how about someone from Brazil? If I invite them to speak in my city, should they be expected to defend the clear cutting of the rain forests?

Ford has just as much a right to speak his mind as anyone else. It just happens that he's a celebrity, which means he'll be heard a lot more easily. That doesn't make his view any more important, but by the same token, it doesn't make it any less important, either.

[mikenycLI]

I did not state, or imply, that Ford's political opinions were "anti-Bush". Nor did I state, or imply, that US citizens "...should be expected to say only nice things about their country while abroad."

The statement that I made, is clear. Your interpretation of it, is your own, and unfortunately, incorrect.

Ford does have a "...as much a right to speak his mind as anyone else", however, I personally feel, in this instance, he went over the line of good taste, and, in the context of making his comments, here, he was irresponsible. I also feel, he knew, very well, who he was speaking to, and how his comments would be received.

I hope it was worth it, and he got some ticket buyers for that DOG of a movie, he was shilling for. In the long run, he will regret it. And justly so.