So, Wycleaf Jean announces he is going to run for the Presidency of Haiti and immediately after doing so, Sean Penn goes on CNN and says he does not trust Wycleaf. Now, although Sean can be a cranky guy and is someone I have no desire to ever hold a conversation with or be close to, I will say that he knows a lot about Haiti. Sure, Sean can be an a-hole of epic proportions, just had his divorce finalized because he could not keep it in his pants even when his wife was around and is probably jealous Robin is going to be in Girl With The Dragon tattoo and get to have sex scenes with Daniel Craig. But, all that being said, Sean has been in Haiti almost since the beginning of the crisis and at this point is probably an expert. Although he may have the smallest peen on record, never shower, and smell like a chain smoker who has not brushed his teeth in a year, if Sean says something about Wycleaf being President we should listen.
"This is somebody who's going to receive an enormous amount of support from the United States, and I have to say I'm very suspicious of it, simply because he, as an ambassador at large, has been virtually silent. For those of us in Haiti, he has been a non-presence. I see in Wyclef Jean somebody who could well have been influenced by the promise of support of companies. I think Haiti is clearly vulnerable ... There is a history of American interests coming in and underpaying people. This is a culture of one to two dollars a day, that they were making."
He then went on to fully throw Wycleaf under the bus by saying, "I haven't seen or heard anything of [Wyclef Jean] in these last six months that I've been in Haiti. I think he's an important voice. I hope he doesn't sacrifice that voice by taking the eye off the very devastating realities on the ground," Penn said. "I want to see someone who's really, really willing to sacrifice for their country, and not just someone who I personally saw with vulgar entourage of vehicles that demonstrated a wealth in Haiti that, in context, I felt was a very obscene demonstration."
Wycleaf says Sean should give him a call. That's it? That is all you have after that trashing? Tell him to give me a call? Wow.
Surely you jest about Sean Penn being an authority on Haiti? HAHAHAHAHAHAAA! I don't know what kind of political legitimacy Wyclef has, but surely, he's allowed to run for President of his country of origin without fear of reprisal from Sean Penn.
ReplyDeleteThat is a bloody joke.
maybe he wants to talk about this man to man?
ReplyDeletedoes sean want to run for prez? wyclef is right when he says that it will take businesses/biz leaders to resurrect haiti. imho.
I see Robin Wright's luck is turning around.
ReplyDeleteI hate Sean Penn...he's a total ass...
ReplyDeleteYou go Robin...I am so jealous
Also, I co-sign what Klondykesaid about Wyclef wanting to talk man to man on the phone. What is he supposed to do? Call him out in a gossip like Sean Penn did to him? Pffftt. That would look really horrible considering.
ReplyDeleteSorry, CNN, but I'm not that far off the mark.
ReplyDelete"But, all that being said, Sean has been in Haiti almost since the beginning of the crisis and at this point is probably an expert."
ReplyDelete"if Sean says something about Wycleaf being President we should listen."
This is grossly ignorant. Really, an expert? Is it possible that these two individuals can help this country in their own ways?
i would love to read what your non-white readers have to say on this. get ready...cnn also took bait from faux news to run with an untrue story. makes me wonder what's going on at that network.
ReplyDelete@rebellious etc
ReplyDeleteExactly.
Fuck, I hate to say it, but it's posts like this that really make me question the validity of Ent and what he/she/who? says that they are. Then it makes me question the validity of everything this person says, then it's no fun. I hate when this happens.
My opinion of Sean Penn is so low that I couldn't care less about his opinion of Wyclef Jean.
ReplyDeleteI think anyone that has been paying attention to Jean, Haiti, and his running of the charity that has been dissolved will realise that Jean is not qualified for the job.
I wouldn't say he is wilfully corrupt, but I do think he is egocentric and undereducated.
He brings the celebrity factor, and nothing else.
Being President of a country should mean working for the good of the country and its people, and I've seen no evidence that Wyclef knows what that is, and would be able to put in the necessary work.
Also, I dread to think of him with living with diplomatic immunity.
Ok, while I despise Sean Penn with a loathing that I normally reserve for the likes of Hilton family and the Kardashian litter, I actually think he has a point. Dear God, believe me it pained me to say that. Just yesterday I noticed that CNN was reporting that Wycleaf Jean was running for pres, and I was a little bothered by it. I'm not totally sold on Wycleaf Jean, the caring, compassionate Haitian, who just wants to save his fellow man. He comes across more like the wealthy, power hungry Haitian who sees an opportunity to elevate and exalt himself and is taking it, much like his political predecessors before him. If my memory serves correct, wasn't there some recent significant criticism of how Wycleaf set up his charity? Something about nontransparent bookkeeping, and no real differentiation between his personal fortune and the monies taken in thru said charity. I hope to God, for the people of Haiti, that he has the country's best interest at heart, and not his own.
ReplyDeletedually noted, schomey, but half of the people with diplomatic immunity should scare us all. although some degree of formal education is desired, even bush was 'educated'.
ReplyDeleteso who is Robin Wright playing? is she Ericka Berger?
ReplyDeleteand i think maybe sean penn has a point about the whole issue...then again, maybe he is just jealous because someone else will be getting more attention in Haiti than him.
They're both pompous douchebags with hidden agendas and I don't want to listen to either of them.
ReplyDeleteSean Penn has an opinion, and perhaps a point, but it's not up to him to decide who is an appropriate candidate for the Presidency of Haiti. Once he denounces his American citizenship and takes a Haitian one, then he can make his opinion known by voting against him/ and or runing against him. Until then, he should stfu about something he probably knows nothing about.
ReplyDeleteRobin is doing TGWTDT?! Very cool. Can't wait to see her steam it up with Craig. Actually, I just want to Craig naked and dirty. Robin is the cherry for me.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the word on Lisbeth?
Yeah for Robin! I tried to watch the movie in Swedish, but I just can't do subtitles. Swedish is so funny, one in ten words sounds like English.
ReplyDeleteI would hazard a guess that the great majority of people in politics worldwide are not doing it altruistically for the love of the people.
ReplyDeleteI also don't think that formal education = high intellect and knowledge of governing.
But the world in general, and Haiti in particular, doesn't need its government to be given the celebrity "philanthropist" treatment.
I was hoping, as Haiti is a parliamentary republic, that the President would mostly be a public representative, with the executive power being in the hands of the Prime-Minister.
However, it appears the Haitian government is semi-presidential, so the President shares governing power and duties with the PM.
Doesn't bode well for Haiti.
I think Sean Penn is a douchebag, and I pretty much think Wyclef Jean is a douchebag.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many elements to this story that piss me off.
Is Wyclef even back in Haiti? Does he know enough about the current goings-on to properly run a country? He can't even run a charity in a meaningful and honest way, so I'm pretty skeptical about his presidential qualifications.
Meanwhile, Sean Penn and all his douchery of course lead to U.S. bashing. Of course!
And why do U.S. news agencies/orgnazations look to Sean Penn as being the voice of reason on Haiti. Seriously? Maybe they should speak to residents? Just a thought.
tongue in cheek. looks it up!
ReplyDeleteyou guys seriously took this as a serious post from Enty? the whole paragraph is DRIPPING with sarcasm.
lol!
fan-frickin-tastic. So Sean spends half his time protesting the US's involvement in Iraq. Then he turns around and, as a non-citizen, is basically trying to influence an election in Haiti.
ReplyDeleteHe has the right to express his opinion on our policies, he's a US citizen. But what makes him an authority on who should be president of Haiti? Can't the Haitians handle that?
Sean Pennis is just an egotistical ass and believes he knows all. I'm sure he's done a lot of good in Haiti, but I'll bet he takes some time to let everyone kiss his ring as well.
sunnyside1213 - The Swedish version was remarkably true to the book. That being said, in my opinion, it wasn't a good thing. Too much nonsense and not enough discovery of character.
ReplyDeleteI hope the American writers don't get goofy and end up with something like the remake of The Vanishing.
Yeah, SP is a douche, but he's there busting his ass. WJ is a local hero, but he has some serious credibility issues. Hey, at least someone wants to take care of the place.
Not feelin' the tongue here Jax. Ent is usually not very subtle. Seems more into sarcasm than irony.
ReplyDeleteJust saw the dragon tattoo movie. Really good. I haven't read the book, but it has to be great if it translated that well to the screen.
Craig would work, but they need to scruff him up a bit. He is a strong enough actor,but don't let the looks take away from the part.
No vote for Lisbeth, but she needs to be really intense...great character. Don't see Natalie Portman...needs someone harder, more physical.
ConanOBrien -Wyclef Jean has filed papers to run for President of Haiti. If his politics are as good as his rapping on "Hips Don't Lie", Haiti is saved
ReplyDeleteI think Sean Penn makes a very valid argument. Wyclef Jean is a singer. He is not a politician. And, like MommaBear said, can't seem to manage a charity very well.
ReplyDeleteIf he was so concerned about Haiti, why hasn't he been working as hard as Sean Penn? Show all the good works he has done with his charity. With all the money that was raised worldwide, the people of Haiti are still suffering terribly - being charged $7 for water, no supplies or unknown supplies coming in. A woman dying because of a dental problem? That country is rife with corruption (as usual).
But all this is a moot point, really. He can't run for President. He would need to have been a resident for what, 5 years? Rules will have to be broken for this guy. It was reported on the news last night he doesn't speak French and his Creole is spoken with a heavy accent. How will he communicate with the population?
Michaëlle Jean. If rules are going to be broken about residency, break them for her. She would be a much, much better candidate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michaëlle_Jean
I'm sorry, but I have to side with SP in this instance. He's been down there for six months and knows first hand what is going on.
ReplyDeleteI am originally from Boston, which has the 3rd largest population of Hatians in the country, so I have Hataian friends, and all of them say it's a mixed bag. There is a fear of a Papa & Baby Doc resurgence. It's very, very complicated and this post does not do it justice. At least SP is down there and I thank him for that.
The State Department needs to let them sell their goods again. That's a start.
All of you who question Sean Penn's commitment to and knowledge of Haiti, have you read up on what he's done these last few months? He has created a charity to help the earthquake survivors, been living in a tent in Petionville, has been *on the ground* running that charity, living in a tent amongst the survivors, and even recently had his group named as camp manager of Petionville, which is I belive the country's largest refugee camp. Read this article in Vanity Fair, if you don't think he has a right to make a comment: http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2010/06/hunkered-down-in-haiti-with-sean-penn-humanitarian.html
ReplyDeleteI may hate how Sean Penn treated his wife, but I have tons of respect for what he has done in Haiti. If he says that Wyclef has serious credibility issues, I believe him. Penn knows more about the situation in Haiti than most anyone, because he has been *living it*, on the ground, with the Haitians. He certainly knows what the country needs more than someone who has been living a life of luxury in the United States and just happens to have citizenship in Haiti.
@Shmooey
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I agree with your comment that formal education = high intellect and knowledge of governing. I see what you're saying, but you certainly need some sort of political/economical/sociopolitical-something in regards to education of you want to run a country. That is assuming you are talking about a "democratic" society, which we are. Hurray for us.
@Shakey
ReplyDeleteI don't know if Michaele Jean had any business being GG, let alone President of Haiti.
And to everyone else, if Wyclef isn't fit to run a country cause he is a singer, not that I don't agree, then Sean Penn, being an actor, is not fit to comment on what Haiti needs only being there for six months.
For serious.
Please tell me this entire post is sarcastic.
ReplyDeleteKristen S.
ReplyDeleteI hope not. People are dying down there and this would be a horrible price to pay for humor.
Dear Mr. Pink:
ReplyDeleteHow would you solve the Haiti problem?
I don't know Mr. Pen from a hole in the wall, but if he wants to spend his time bringing light to issues that would ordinarily get washed out by Page Six, then good for him.
Who gives a fuck if he is a douche? What? You're going to let people die because of your opinion? Who is the douche now?
@Sue Ellen: I am saying that although a good degree of formal education should be required, formal education is no guarantee of capacity to govern a country successfully.
ReplyDeleteI am not saying that formal education is dispensable altogether in any way.
Thank you Valerie!
ReplyDelete@Shmooey
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Sorry if I mis-read.
Also, sorry if I went off on one. I just pay money to learn about this stuff, so it's a little offensive when people who don't know what they are talking about are allowed to broadcast their opionions on national (and perhaps international) t.v. People will take it as gospel, and then misinformation spreads.
i remember right after the disaster in haiti. i was listening to cnn or fox news and they were talking with him and his yele haiti. i donated $100. after that, his troubles about his organization were in the news. i emailed asking for reassurance that my donation had, in fact, gone to relief in haiti. i never heard from anyone.
ReplyDeleteif haiti is smart, and this is true, they definitely won't vote him in.
@Cesspool:
ReplyDeleteHis assistance in Haiti is great...no problem there. But he has no right influencing their election. They should have the right and responsibility to pick their own leaders...good or bad (and given our track record that last few elections they shouldn't want our advice).
Penn is an over opinionated ass that should stay out of their state business.
Don't see how I'm killing people. And don't see how Pennis's political opinions are saving them.
with lines like, He then went on to fully throw Wycleaf under the bus ... I'm not sure if Enty's post was tongue in cheek, however Penn strikes me as someone who thinks he is right about pretty much fucking everything. I don't know much about Wyclef Jean but I don't see how a musician can run Haiti satisfactorily just because he is Haitian. I believe he has an agenda, whatever it may be.
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not the only one (surprisingly) taking Sean Penn's side in this (and that pains me to say as he is a douchebag of epic proportions). WJ has some IRS and donation "issues" to figure out before he could be a viable candidate, and I don't think it's going to hurt anybody (except maybe Jean) to publicly call someone out regarding who their backers are. Let's just get the best person in there for Haiti.
ReplyDeleteI think at least Sean really really wants that.
Great post Valerie! ITA with you.
ReplyDeleteSean Penn is an authority on Haiti because he has been there for 6 months? Where was he when the whole country was living in poverty on the doorstep of America?
ReplyDeleteHe needs to realize that Wyclef has had a Haitian charity for years, and has spoken about Haiti for years. He didn't wait for a crisis and then show up and try to do something and blast people who have been working on the issue all along.
What an ass. And shame on you Enty for not seeing that.
Sean Penn is an expert in assholyism. Wyclef Jean is a rapper and producer and has been in the spotlight for over 16 years now. He's at least proven that he's not a crook, a killer or a dictator as many of the past Haitian leaders have been (or a crook or killer like other rappers!). I truly believe he has Haiti's best interest at heart.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Wyclef has been loudly lobbying for Haiti since the 90's. Haiti has never been a fad or cause celebre for him. Sean Penn's hatefulness has officially gotten out of hand.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% with SEan Penn. He is right. But DAYUM, it's 100% discredited coming from him. Wyclef doesn't know anything about government nor business.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Ent, but I believe the only things Sean Penn is an expert on are:
ReplyDeleteStrippers
STD's
Domestic Violence
Seriously, he's been in Haiti for less than a year, and you're ready to label him an expert?? How about the real experts on Haitian politics and culture...you know, the non-celebrities who have worked in that field for most of their professional lives, gaining no media attention and positive PR for their hard work. You gravely insult them by even insinuating that Penn could ever be an expert.
nope kristen s. this post and a few others are proof that enty does not have the intellect for anything outside of celeb gossip.
ReplyDeleteSeems there is some double standard-ness going on among the board here... I'm not saying Sean Penn is a saint or an angel, but since when is saying "I don't think so and so should run for President" influencing their elections? Those who are saying this: you know people in other countries comment on who should and should not be running for president in the US...right?
ReplyDeleteThat being said, i'm not saying Sean Penn's an angel. I DO believe he has done some good works in Haiti. The story in Vanity Fair was pretty impressive. And yes, I realize it's in Vanity Fair so maybe he's just doing it for press, but I don't think so. I think he's definitely involved on a deep level. That being said, Wyclef STOLE MONEY FROM PEOPLE HE WAS ALLEGEDLY RAISING IT FOR by setting up a charity that turned out to be somewhat of a front for his own personal luxuries.
Even Sarah Palin hasn't gone that far.
I really dislike Sean Penn. Really. But I agree with him, and not because I think he's become some kind of expert.
ReplyDeleteHe just happens to be right. Wyclef Jean is an opportunist, little more than a common thug, and is in no way qualified to lead a even a tiny nation. If elected to the presidency, he's likely the next Papa Doc Duvalier.
LOL @ Conan
ReplyDeleteAgree with Penn. Don't think Jean should be President but would think it is great if he helped support a legitimate candidate that had actual experience running a country.