Video: Spicoli defends Chavez’s shutdown of opposition TV station
posted at 1:00 pm on October 2, 2007 by Allahpundit
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Via Newsbusters. I’m too young to remember the far left apologizing for Soviet crimes but I did get a frisson of phantom nostalgia watching this useful idiot casually endorse the sort of authoritarianism that would have had him nailing himself to a cross if Bush had tried it. True to vintage form, it comes replete with a Big Lie: there’s nothing online that I can find to support his claim that RCTV, the station whose license wasn’t renewed, called for Chavez’s assassination “every day.” The opposition station that allegedly called for his assassination — once — was Globovisión, and even so, the alleged threat was highly ambiguous. RCTV lost its license supposedly because it supported a coup attempt against Chavez in 2002, but there are numerous problems with that theory. Reporters Without Borders investigated the incident earlier this year and found as follows:
Widely condemned abroad, RCTV’s closure was much more than just an administrative measure. It was a political move without precedent in Latin America, a key element in a government takeover of the broadcast media that is part of a determined effort to control and occupy the entire public arena…
The press freedom organisation found that the decisions to close RCTV and transfer its terrestrial broadcast channel to a new public TV station, Televisora Venezolana Social (Tves), were conducted outside of all regular legal channels and in defiance of the jurisprudence established by the Organisation of American States, to which Venezuela belongs.
According to WaPo, RCTV was known most widely for soap operas and for a three-year-old interview program that hammered Chavez regularly for his creeping fascism. Which brings us to our exit question: Did Penn know the truth and choose to suppress it or did he blindly accept el presidente’s version without inquiring further into the matter? Either way, David Letterman’s viewers now think Chavez was simply trying to keep the peace by disarming a radical group with designs on his life. Mission accomplished, Spicoli. Click the image to watch.
Update: HuffPo naturally thought it was just super.
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The left never apologized for the Soviet shut down of news, they just didn’t acknowledge that the Soviets were doing it.
They ignored the controlled news, the police state, the socialism, the corruption on the street, the shutting up dissidents, the demeaning of outspoken critics, the oppressive government control, the dependency of people on the government for hand outs and rations, the take over of companies by the state, the corruption in politics, the favors given to “friends” of the government, the dissappearing of “non’friends” of the government.
Kind of like what the Democrats want to do when they take power…they just ignored it.
right2bright on October 2, 2007 at 1:06 PM
I can accept Spicoli and Letterman being pink and dumb. What is frightening is that on any given night, there is a wide audience of young Americans receptive to and indoctrinated by these fools. Is there any evidence that the audience for the Hollywood punditry is shrinking?
JiangxiDad on October 2, 2007 at 1:07 PM
If only Chevez could convince that left wing loony to become his secretary of state and get the revolting bum out of this country.
rplat on October 2, 2007 at 1:07 PM
What a imbecile……What more can you possible say about the guy?
doriangrey on October 2, 2007 at 1:08 PM
Being a liberal must be fun, you never have to do any research or think
Defector01 on October 2, 2007 at 1:10 PM
Hey Sean — Button your shirt, fix your tie, comb your hair and do a little research… you MESS.
D2Boston on October 2, 2007 at 1:13 PM
Spicoli should go live with his buddy Hugo.
He’d feel better, we’d feel better, Hugo will cop a feel!
Kini on October 2, 2007 at 1:17 PM
Or tell the truth.
infidel4life on October 2, 2007 at 1:17 PM
Sez the man who single-handedly tried to bail out New Orleans from a raft: “I found him [Chavez] a very fascinating guy. Very, you know, he’s done, for the moment, incredible things for the 80 percent of the people that are very poor there.”
And Osama bin Laden is beloved worldwide for building day care centers. And Castro is a genius, and Cuba has the best health care in the world. And the Iraqi people aren’t ready for freedom and were better off under Saddam Hussein.
Just shut the #&$^ up already. Please. Sincerely.
saint kansas on October 2, 2007 at 1:18 PM
He’s drunk
darwin on October 2, 2007 at 1:18 PM
Hmmm…Reminds me of these guys.
Bad Candy on October 2, 2007 at 1:19 PM
Did Penn know the truth and choose to suppress it or did he blindly accept el presidente’s version without inquiring further into the matter?
The guy’s dumb as a box of rocks.
I don’t think he has the brain power to suppress anything, or do any kind of research. Add to that his intense hatred of all things American (except, of course, for the millions of dollars he’s earned on his crappy movies) and he’s all too willing to believe El Presidente.
crazy_legs on October 2, 2007 at 1:21 PM
Augh. Ment to quote that, not italicise.
crazy_legs on October 2, 2007 at 1:21 PM
same is going on now but you here nothing about the way putin is setting up his hand picked successors and is trying to stay as a ruler
trailortrash on October 2, 2007 at 1:22 PM
Sort of. You see the amount of people watching awards shows shrinking by the millions.
You see box office receipts for pretty much any movie that even slightly smells of punditry and preaching shrinking and those movies bombing horrifically. Movies like “Munich” which basically preaches that fighting terrorism only creates more terrorism only get back pats from Hollywood, while bombing at the box office because everyone else simply doesn’t buy it.
You see that even TV shows are hemorrhaging audience numbers at an alarming rate. You see people like the Dixie Chicks losing fans. You watch people roll their eyes when George Clooney or Brad Pitt pontificate about the war or the state of whatever. You hear people making jokes about Angelina Jolie collecting children instead of talking about how “wonderful” it is.
My example is I was watching Conan O’Brien a couple of nights ago and he made a joke about George Bush - dead silence was the audience reaction. People are getting sick of being preached to by a bunch of barely literate high school dropouts who haven’t lived in the “real world” in years, if ever. Hollywood and its ilk wants to pretend that they’re still the “cool crowd” when it’s completely obvious that no one else cares but them regarding what they think.
mjk on October 2, 2007 at 1:23 PM
Ever since Madonna divorced this guy, he’s been on a fascism bender.
Hening on October 2, 2007 at 1:25 PM
He needs his shirt unbuttoned so he doesn’t choke on the brain matter that fills his throat and makes its way through his digestive system every time he speaks.
MrC_5150 on October 2, 2007 at 1:27 PM
! — – moonbat
Why are you posting this about Sean Penn, Allah? Huh? Why don’t you post something about Rush Limbaugh calling the troops “phony soldiers?” Why would you pick on a patriot like Sean Penn when Rush is out there insulting the troops? Huh?
! — – end moonbat
saint kansas on October 2, 2007 at 1:29 PM
At the end of the video :
We can all add a few points to our IQ.
captivated_dem on October 2, 2007 at 1:30 PM
This Fox News bashing is getting boring. These people are allegedly creative. Can’t they come up with a new mantra at least once a year?
JammieWearingFool on October 2, 2007 at 1:34 PM
He is disgusting. Absolutely disgusting, our new Fonda. I wonder when Hugo has to put up the wall to keep people in waht Spicolli will say?
On a poltical science note is interesting to watch a country fall into socialism right before your eyes. The decent into communism should be a hoot.
Theworldisnotenough on October 2, 2007 at 1:34 PM
I saw that Conan episode, too. Hilarious. I love Conan tho’ he’s usually a pretty equal-opportunity fun-poker.
But with regard to the former Madonna beater- do they REALLY allow FOX news in Venezuela? I mean, even in Iraq our troops are forced to watch CNN…
NTWR on October 2, 2007 at 1:41 PM
Fall is officially here.
I can hear the loons.
Spicoli called Chavez “a fascinating guy”? I suppose he thinks Hitler was “an awesome dude”.
fogw on October 2, 2007 at 1:42 PM
Slime. Pure and simple. Nothing but pure and utter hypocrisy and denial.
MadisonConservative on October 2, 2007 at 1:42 PM
Thanks. I’m a grumpy older guy who hasn’t gone to the movies more than once or twice in the last 18 years. And my TV is stuck on baseball. Glad to hear your news.
JiangxiDad on October 2, 2007 at 1:42 PM
Penn is dumber than bag of pine needles.
albo on October 2, 2007 at 1:43 PM
Hey, wait a minute. Chavez has been in power since 1999. But 80 percent of the people there “are very poor?”
What’s up with that? I thought Venezuela was a socialist paradise rich with oil money.
Something smells funny, and it’s not Sean’s jacket.
saint kansas on October 2, 2007 at 1:44 PM
Liars are indignant.
Spicoli needs an Absolute Moral Authority card.
Entelechy on October 2, 2007 at 1:46 PM
Am I hallucinating here? Just what in the hell do you think you’re doing?
Learning about
CubaVenezuela, and having some foodJetBoy on October 2, 2007 at 1:48 PM
All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I’m fine.
Valiant on October 2, 2007 at 1:49 PM
He would be the perfect Goober if a movie version of “The Andy Griffith Show” were ever made.
Brat on October 2, 2007 at 1:49 PM
His face, she is glazed with contented stupidity.
Jewel on October 2, 2007 at 1:51 PM
Simpleton
pat on October 2, 2007 at 1:57 PM
Those who bathe in the moisture of your soiled and blood-soaked underwear, can take that noise and shove it.
saint kansas on October 2, 2007 at 1:58 PM
Only one thing facinates me about this clown. He considers himself a journalist. I crack up every time he says it.
swami on October 2, 2007 at 1:59 PM
http://www.shutuphollywierdos.com
If that isnt an actual website you should be
Kevin43 on October 2, 2007 at 2:05 PM
What a tool.
Nice suit Sean. Ya, um, I’ll have a gin and tonic and the lady will have an appletini. We’ll need a few more minutes to look at the menu.
mojowire on October 2, 2007 at 2:06 PM
He probably misses the black leather clothes and boots.
Catseye on October 2, 2007 at 2:06 PM
If only Dave would be as hard on this jackass as he was with Paris Hilton:
http://www.wwtdd.com/post.phtml?pk=2945
Damian P. on October 2, 2007 at 2:10 PM
He doesn’t read the “context” (ala Levin) either. Of course, he probably wouldn’t understand it anyway… I don’t even know if he can read…
lan astaslem on October 2, 2007 at 2:16 PM
every time i hear him talk i hear his voice like he sounds in “i am sam”
gberez on October 2, 2007 at 2:18 PM
Blind acceptance. He does not have enough glial cells for higher analytical thinking to question whether something is true or not. He did marry Madonna, remember?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 2, 2007 at 2:22 PM
“If I’m here… and you’re here… isn’t it our TV station?”
Jim Treacher on October 2, 2007 at 2:22 PM
:two thumbs up:
Oh, and Sean Penn is an idiot.
2Brave2Bscared on October 2, 2007 at 2:34 PM
Reminds me more of this guy !
JNC1991 on October 2, 2007 at 2:42 PM
Like father like son!
lmj1956 on October 2, 2007 at 2:50 PM
Every time Spicoli shows his face, I am reminded that the Penn part was Hollywood’s match of the century.
Dusty on October 2, 2007 at 2:50 PM
“Dude, that’s my skull.” Lesson for today, don’t repeatedly pound on your head with a shoe.
Kalapana on October 2, 2007 at 2:55 PM
Yeah, that episode was pretty funny. I do like Conan too - he’s usually pretty even handed with making fun of EVERYONE. I just loved that episode because you could kind of see how surprised he was that he didn’t get a cheap laugh from that joke.
Advice to Sean Penn and the like:
You want to basically guarantee that your movie’s going to bomb? Start waxing poetic about Hugo Chavez or how Pres. Bush is like Hitler. That’s a quick way of killing your career. Just ask Rosie O’Donnell.
mjk on October 2, 2007 at 3:03 PM
Penn should not be given any platform to preach his treasonous poison. Too bad, we can’t depatriate him. He deserves it.
apostle53 on October 2, 2007 at 3:05 PM
Hendrix, Morrison, Joplin, Belushi, The King hizself…..I admit that some of my money went into their veins. Can’t say that about Spitoli. Sorry Sean.
Limerick on October 2, 2007 at 3:06 PM
I hope that, the very second that I am dead, this imbecile gets the totalitarian society that he supports. I can hear this misfit now, supporting a futuristic, American Goebbels, or Pravda, or anything else that is hostile, and anathema, to our freedoms.
I hope that he gets his fascist/communist shithole society -and I hope that he’s the first one sent to a camp, or Gulag. I want him to be persecuted, and silenced, by the very type of society that he approves of.
OhEssYouCowboys on October 2, 2007 at 3:11 PM
I’ve read several in depth, complimentory magazine articles about Sean Penn. What I have come away with is that he is a severely dysfunctional alcoholic with some severe Oedipal issues that have never been resolved.
peacenprosperity on October 2, 2007 at 3:22 PM
I don’t know why I do it, some sort of political masochism maybe. But when I see that Penn, Clooney, Sarandon etc, are going to be on anybody’s show I record them and watch them. I also watch Bill Maher’s show for the same reason. I know they’re going to say something stupid that’s going to irritate the hell out of me. Then The left is going to call them brave. But I continue to do it. I can just wait for clips I know. I can stop anytime, really, I can. Is there a 12 step program for this?
PowWow on October 2, 2007 at 3:23 PM
Haha. I do the exact same thing. Watching lefty loons talk and hearing people applaud them really makes me feel better about myself.
Its Tommy on October 2, 2007 at 3:55 PM
Don’t question his (Venezuelan) patriotism!
Neo on October 2, 2007 at 3:57 PM
Hilarious Onion story about Sean Penn:
Its Tommy on October 2, 2007 at 4:03 PM
Channelling Chamberlain a little?
Black Adam on October 2, 2007 at 4:34 PM
Penn somehow manages to cite Pat Robertson, The Bush Administration and Fox News all in less than 2mins.
Awesome! — Totally Awesome!
The Ugly American on October 2, 2007 at 4:46 PM
I agree. It’s time to drain the bong water, penn.
locomotivebreath1901 on October 2, 2007 at 5:12 PM
Shaddup, Spicolli.
thebookkeeper on October 2, 2007 at 5:18 PM
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/44460
Its Tommy on October 2, 2007 at 5:20 PM
The latter, I think. He’s too stupid to just lie, and frankly I think what he does is worse. He listens to a known liar and fascist and then regurgitates what he hears. What a brainless schmuck.
Jaibones on October 2, 2007 at 5:23 PM
“Now pay attention, boys and girls. Sean Penn is what happens when you practice ligature masturbation and kick the chair too far away.” - 7 grade sex-ed tape.
georgej on October 2, 2007 at 6:04 PM
Why doesn’t someone just smack this moron? Seriously.
AntonK on October 2, 2007 at 6:19 PM
The rest of us don’t deserve that. Couldn’t we just encourage him to self-deport?
The Monster on October 2, 2007 at 6:19 PM
The Monster on October 2, 2007 at 6:19 PM
That was a bit mercenary on my part.
Putting on the theme music to The Twilight Zone:
:O)
OhEssYouCowboys on October 2, 2007 at 6:26 PM
That guy has smoked one too many doobs.
TheSitRep on October 2, 2007 at 6:34 PM
STFU, Sean. If 80% of Americans were “very poor,” you’d be publicly attempting to overthrow the U.S. Government. You are, have been and will always be a moron, you a**wipe!
MsUnderestimated on October 2, 2007 at 6:35 PM
His father was a dirty, stinking Red and he’s a dirty stinking Red.
thegreatbeast on October 2, 2007 at 6:36 PM
Watch the pro-Chavez film The Revolution Will Not Be Televised and try to find any evidence that RCTV called for violence or a coup of Chavez. There is none.
The general who took Chavez out of power, you’d think he’d be in prison for treason or something, right? Ah, but you’d be so wrong. He’s one of Chavez’s top diplomats. None of the generals involved in the coup have been punished, and most are still serving for Chavez.
Meanwhile, Chavez’s opponents were jailed, and RCTV has been taken off the air, while Chavez only lost power for a short while.
My, my, my, isn’t that just too good to be true.
Seixon on October 2, 2007 at 6:36 PM
What’s a ‘frisson’? No fair! I want one!
Kevin M on October 2, 2007 at 6:37 PM
Somebody please hit him in the head to take the smugness off his face. My pet rock is smarter than Penn.
SIJ6141 on October 2, 2007 at 7:27 PM
A dorkie face, a dorkie career, and a dorkie life. How anybody would or could pay good money to see this idiot or hear this idiot, is beyond me. I suppose P.T. Barnum was right. Oh well.
oldelpasoan on October 3, 2007 at 5:06 AM
I wonder who tied his tie?
And gave him his hashish suppository.
profitsbeard on October 3, 2007 at 9:54 AM
Penn is a political mutt.
He’s also a great actor.
Funny, huh?
pabarge on October 3, 2007 at 11:14 PM
“I’m so wasted!”
srhoades on October 4, 2007 at 2:53 PM