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Penn: Rush, Cheney 'Among Greatest Cowards' Ever

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 21, 2009 10:14 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Sean Penn is a little agitated about all the abuse President Obama is taking for shaking hands with Hugo Chavez. It's nothing but the "posturing of our nation's most bitter and humanly impotent voices," he writes in the Huffington Post. Obama should have been tougher goes the refrain from Newt Gingrich, Dick Cheney, and others. "All wimps think playing a tough guy is done in one-note coldness," he writes. As for Penn, "I applaud an American president who's tough enough—to smile."

Penn considers Chavez a personal friend—"a warm and friendly man with a robust sense of humor (who daily risks his own life for his country in ways Dick Cheney could never imagine)." Obama's move was the smart way to deal with him, despite the critics' assertions. "The Cheneys, down to the O'Reillys and Hannitys and Limbaughs, effectively hate the principles upon which we were founded," adds Penn. "They are among the greatest cowards in all of American history."

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez.
President Barack Obama shakes hands with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez.   (AP Photo/Marianna Kambon, Summit of the Americas Pool)
In this photo released by Mirafores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez listens to President Obama at the recent summit.
In this photo released by Mirafores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez listens to President Obama at the recent summit.   (AP Photo/Miraflores Press Office)
Sean Penn in a file photo from March.
Sean Penn in a file photo from March.   (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
In this photo released by Mirafores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, talks to President Barack Obama during the recent summit.
In this photo released by Mirafores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, talks to President Barack Obama during the recent summit.   (AP Photo/Miraflores Press Office)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
Hip
Apr 22, 2009 11:57 AM CDT
Shaking hands with someone doesn't mean you want to be like them. Anger gets you nothing but war. Leave your country the way it is? Thankfully Obama disagrees. A few more Bush years (you voted for him twice) and "your country" would be a joke.
Doctor-Zaius
Apr 22, 2009 10:40 AM CDT
Does that mean the 69% of Americans who hate Bush are the enemies?
lindamae
Apr 22, 2009 8:29 AM CDT
When I read that Chavez welcomed Obama to the world of socialism, I consider Penn to be the useful idiot. Doesn't he know anything about life in Venezuela? Let him give up all his money to the government and move down there and enjoy all of the sun and lack of freedoms its citizens "enjoy." Those who wish to change our country should just leave it because most of us like it just the way it is. There is a chance to do well here that millions have protected and millions have moved here to enjoy. Go away, Sean.

 
Dick Cheney • Venezuela • Sean Penn • Hugo Chávez • President Obama

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