Dustin Holds Back Oscar Speech

[MacReady]

Taken from imdb (http://www.imdb.com):

"Dustin Hoffman opted out of making an anti-war protest at this year's Academy Awards ceremony - out of respect to the bereaved families of soldiers. While Hollywood stars and Oscar-winners like Michael Moore took the opportunity to speak out against the American-lead attack on Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime, Hoffman decided it was inappropriate to make such an outburst. The Rain Man star says, "I was all too aware that on the night of the Academy Awards, 15 Marines had been killed - kids my son's age. And their families, I'm sure, did not have the Academy Awards turned on that night. I am not comfortable with adding to their misery, and so I prefer to keep my liberal-a**, left-wing limousine-liberal mouth shut until these lives are no longer being spent."

I found this to be quite polite and thoughtful. What's you opinion?

[vtadave]

My opinion:

While I may disagree with Dustin Hoffman politically, he handled the situation correctly. Seems like a no-brainer, but then again, he's always struck me as a classy individual and Michael Moore is a complete jackass so I'm not really surprised at the approaches of both.

[Annie Hall]

I don't necessarily agree with what he believes, but I believe that it shows a lot of class to realize what is appropriate and when. He obviously realizes that the circumstances were too delicate to push, and stuck to cinema. Cheers, Dustin...I always knew you were a good guy.

[FeydRautha]

I have to agree with Annie, Hoffman's definitely a class act, but I'm also a tad perplexed by the mixed reactions of Americans to celebs' viewpoints on the recent war. I didn't see the whole Oscar ceremony this year, but read in local press that people like Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon have been lambasted for doing no more than speaking their minds and flashing peace signs at the cameras on their way in.

I admired Michael Moore for taking the chance to speak his mind at the podium, shame he was booed so badly. And I thought Adrien Brody put it perfectly when he talked about winning a prestigious award at a difficult time, and said he had a childhood friend in the forces in Iraq, and wished him well.

From an overseas point of view, it would appear that in order to stay in the American public's good graces, celebs should keep their mouths shut about their opinions on the recent conflict.

[Nate6]

Well, I do agree with Hoffman and I also agree with his choice to not talk about it. Why? Because it wasn't the time, nor the place. There were likely people watching the ceremony with kids or friends over in Iraq at the time. The Academy Awards are there to celebrate the best in film, not the best in audicious foreign politics. Good for Dustin, very classy move on his part.

[vtadave]

The Academy Awards was also broadcast overseas. Not sure if the troops saw Michael Moore's speech but imagine if they did. Way to support the boys over there fatass.

[bob]

Let's not make this an anti-Moore thread, rather a pro-Hoffman thread.


I definitely think that Hoffman handled the situation nicely, better than Moore, although their opinions are actually probably pretty similar.

[Lynn7]

I agree that there is a time and a place for political dissent. It would be nice to see a return to good manners but I think those days are gone. It is good manners not to use someone else's party to promote a personal cause. It is better to organize a political rally to promote a cause and celebs certainly have the power to do this much more than the average person.

I have always liked Hoffman and I appreciate his consideration. I am more likely to consider another's viewpoint when it is said with respect rather than shouted at me. More flies with honey and all that.