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Monday, February 1, 2010

International Sean Penn, Haiti, and the American Military

Posted by Will Kelley-Kamp on Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 7:07 AM

While watching Larry King interview Sean Penn and Diana Jenkins, partners in the Jenkins-Penn Haitian Relief organization, I'll admit that I had expected a certain response from the actor to the US military's response to the crisis. Penn often pops up in newsworthy places all over the globe, glad-handing the likes of Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Tariq Aziz of Iraq. His humanitarian streak took him to New Orleans, and now, Haiti. Perhaps I was expecting Penn rail against the militarization of the humanitarian response, or to denounce the American humanitarian response—as one Italian official did—as "pathetic." As the transcript shows, Penn played against type:

As Diana was saying, you know, it's — it's an extraordinary thing to see an army having an agenda of peace. And they do it with such incredible intentions. ... I would like to tell all my lefty friends out there, these guys are doing an amazing job and they're doing it with the greatest intentions in heart and in conjunction with all of the other organizations. It's a — and it is an amazing amount of cooperation.

I give Sean Penn a lot of credit for his willingness to see events in Haiti with a fresh perspective. I and can certain respect Diana Jenkins, a Bosnian by birth who's only complaint against the US military is that "they came too late" to the defense of her native country.

The American presence in Haiti has been greeted by many Haitians, with some demanding that they "take over." Dr. Evan Lyon complained of the large American military presence in the country, declaring "there are no security issues" in the country. An interesting conclusion to arrive at, that's for sure.

Comments (14) RSS

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Who are you and how'd you end up here?

Posted by Maggie on February 1, 2010 at 8:30 AM

i never question the good intentions of our soldiers - i just question why there have to be so damn many of them at such an expense?

Posted by Max Solomon on February 1, 2010 at 9:23 AM

Reread and check grammar before posting. Slog quality is usually higher.

Posted by disappointed on February 1, 2010 at 9:39 AM

So rather than agreeing with the simplistic conclusion that "there are no security issues", you're going to go with the simplistic conclusion that "these guys are doing an amazing job and they're doing it with the greatest intentions".

Despite what Sean Penn says (but it's Sean Penn! Sean Penn!), the situation just might be a little more complicated than that, don't you think?

Posted by Irena on February 1, 2010 at 12:13 PM

how many know the name brock chisholm, from the beginnings of the UN. This is the anniversary of his death, BUT his lectures continue to be believed, anti family, anti christian, anti american. will his thoughts become lessons to be taught in Haiti?

Posted by martha on February 4, 2010 at 11:21 AM

I can tell you this, I was on a federal disaster team that was embedded with the 82Nd Airborne in Petionville Haiti, the soldiers were completely focused and dedicated to serving the people in Haiti. Never did I see a single soldier grumble about the missions which included providing medical care, handing out food and water, providing security for relief workers and to the Haitians themselves. I have no doubt that Sean probably looks at the military in a different light now. I usually do not see eye to eye on politics or the military but I must say I gained respect for him becuase of his service to the Haitians. He spent plenty of money and could have done so from the comfort of Hollywood, New York or wherever he lives but he choose to "be in the trenches in the front", for this I thank him

Posted by disastermaster117 on February 15, 2010 at 5:42 PM

Sean Penn, thank you on behalf of the Haitian People. We dont know how to pay you back for what you are doing in Haiti. This is the time that the world needs everybody. We Are The World.

Posted by RaigeHaiti on February 16, 2010 at 8:09 AM

My partner is in Haiti right now doctoring the the Haitian people and I am glad the 82ND Airborne is there to provide security and transport to those Americans who have gone there on their own dime and time

Posted by coffeegal on February 17, 2010 at 10:42 AM

I was in Haiti during the earthquake and saw the utter disaster and destruction of the country. I myself was caught in a landslide while heading south to a mission in Les Cayes. I think Sean Penn is doing a fabulous job and wish to thank him. Although not Haitian myself, I know the Haitian people appreciate all that we are doing for them. I am heading for a Haitian Fund raiser tonight and will be sponsoring 2 myself. I live in the San Diego area and if youare interested, I will be happy to give you details of our Fund Raiser. We "hand carry" the money we raise each year to a mission in Haiti and in that way, we know that every penny goes to the Haitian people and not to administrative costs, etc. Our organization is "Friends of Haiti" - (760)942-5525. Hope to hear from some of you who may read this comment!
Dotty

Posted by dqueen on February 19, 2010 at 6:57 PM

My wife is currently in Haiti, will be back tomorrow. I support her and Haiti by doing the web work, writing checks and staying employed to do so :-)

We have been involved with this Island Nation for about 10 year, I have been down once, my son, now a Lt. (JG) and duaghter also have been there and my wife, a multitude of times. Perhaps, after this disaster, we as a nation and people can stay committed to helping Haiti!

I was pleased to see Sean Penn and other notables lend their time and garner the good press!

Posted by ed56 on February 27, 2010 at 3:48 PM

Conex containers, used to ship manufactured products to the United States, are an excellent way to provide earthquake-proof shelter to the homeless of Haiti, and they are free, except for the cost of transportation: South of Dallas, there is a huge mountain of them, which appear to be unwanted. In Vietnam, we buried them in the ground, to provide shelter to our headquarters of the infantry divisions. I am certain that these Conex containers are the perfect solution to Haiti's earthquake security problem.

Posted by Wolfgang P. May on March 7, 2010 at 7:21 AM

I want to help Sean's efforts. I think he would find the way to avoid the red tape even if it is through compromise with any authorities. He comes up as a powerful force, smart and passionate and focused, dedicated to tirelessly attend every detail. We can see that in his movie portrayals! Haiti needs people like him, americans or otherwise. They can take over a country if the people wants, but soon go home after helping to re-stablish basic institutions and services. Mmmm...it should be acceptable only if done by a group of celebrities, though.

Posted by Sabrina on March 12, 2010 at 10:42 AM

Sean Penn is a HERO in Haiti!!! Won't someone get him what he needs to move those people he is trying to save? Here we are seeing this problem on CNN. He is there ready to go. Anderson Cooper has the mike and his program talking about the problem. Why can't someone do what is needed? We have Bill Clinton, George Bush, Sean Penn, Anderson Cooper and others including the American military troops ready and willing to help even with lots of funds available. How does this problem get solved? We can't just let these people wash away; get sick and die. Please contact the people who can get things actually done to save these people. Who are they and how do you or we contact them?

Posted by CarolMarie on March 19, 2010 at 7:44 PM

With all of the money that has been donated and all the rhetoric in the beginning about relocating the people of Haiti into tent cities into the areas outside of the city, why has all this time passed and now the rain is here and it is flooding! Everything is politics...all the time. Remember seeing all the medical supplies just sitting at the airport, waiting, and nobody knew what to do. Dr Sanjay Gupta simply went in with a cart, loaded it up with supplies and brought them back to the hospital tents. This kind of thing has to happen more often. I'll bet there are lots of tents just sitting at the airport.....maybe it's worth checking into. I think it's time for Sean Penn to just make a plan, then start moving those people. I'll just bet he could do it.

Posted by callie253 on March 19, 2010 at 9:55 PM