Tom Hanks Says Mormon Supporters of Prop 8 "Un-American"

Tom Hanks, an Executive Producer for HBO’s controversial polygamist series “Big Love,” made his feelings toward the Mormon Church’s involvement in California's Prop 8 (which prohibits gay marriage) very clear at the show’s premiere party on Wednesday night.


“The truth is this takes place in Utah, the truth is these people are some
bizarre offshoot of the Mormon Church, and the truth is a lot of Mormons
gave a lot of money to the church to make Prop-8 happen,” he told Tarts.

“There are a lot of people who feel that is un-American, and I am one of
them. I do not like to see any discrimination codified on any piece of
paper, any of the 50 states in America, but here's what happens now. A
little bit of light can be shed, and people can see who's responsible, and
that can motivate the next go around of our self correcting Constitution,
and hopefully we can move forward instead of backwards. So let's have faith in not only the American, but Californian, constitutional process.”

When informed of the "Forrest Gump" star's comments, Kim Farah, a
spokesperson for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, told
Tarts, "Expressing an opinion in a free and democratic society is as
American as it gets."

Bill McKeever, a rep for the Mormonism Research Ministry, added,
"Personally, I find it un-American to tell people that they shouldn’t vote
their conscience. Hanks said he doesn’t 'like to see any discrimination
codified on any piece of paper.' Considering that just about every law
discriminates in some form or another, makes this comment ridiculous.
Hanks’ comment shows that he very much believes in discriminating against people with whom he disagrees. I may not agree with Mormon theology, but I certainly defend their right to express their opinion."

 

I concur, and frankly, I hold the political opinions of actors in the same esteem as the political opinions of religious groups.

"Religion is the Opiate of the masses" Marx first said that before moving pictures took hold and the Marquise de Sade said it even before that;

Opium of the People - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If religion is the opiate of the masses then movies are the brain candy and both have eroded the free thinking ability of the world.:vegetate:

I like to jump to my own conclusions and arrive at my own opinions. I don't need to be fed the regurgitated opinions of someone elses religious or political meal that they were given.

Brad

 

I agree with the other posters, who cares what Tom Hanks holds as a political opinion. In his field of expertise (acting) he does a passable job, and is quite entertaining. His opinion on subjects outside of that realm have the weight of feathers to my mind.

 

It's too bad schools of journalism can't teach the difference between celebrities and real experts in any field that requires real education and experience. (and celebrities and real heroes for that matter)

I remember at a Linda Ronstadt concern when after a song, she started to whine about the war (Nam or other? It was a while ago ). Someone yelled out, "Just shut up and sing! No one paid to hear you whine!" The guy got a round of applause and Linda started her next song.

As for Tom, he is a great actor. I too have no concern how he feels about any political, ethical, or moral issue. But I don't want his opinion published just because he's a famous actor. He's got to bring something to the table besides his "being famous".

 

Er, how do you spell "Ronald Reagan"?

 

Reagan made an effort to study political issues, and actually attained a good deal of experience in practical government by becoming involved first in labor unions, and later, as governor of the state of California. His was not an uninformed opinion when it came to political matters.

 

In the 1970's, I never missed Reagan's radio show. I made time for it every morning. The 1980 election was my first ever vote, and I voted for "The Gipper". I had campaigned for him, and campaigned for him again in 1984.

I loved the man and grieved when he died. However,I never saw any of his movies, until recently. I wished I hadn't. His performance was awful, just awful. I turned off the movie halfway through because he annoyed me so badly.

The difference beween Reagan and just about everyone in Hollywood is that Reagan was a man of such conviction that he put his acting career behind him when he ran for office. He is an example of "put up or shut up."

I first saw Tom Hanks in an episode of Taxi. His performance was one of greatest comedy performances I've ever seen. I caught Bosom Buddies from time to time and enjoyed several of his movies.

He really put me off with Saving Private Ryan. Other than the opening sequence, I felt it was a long anti war rant and hanks diminished himself greatly in my eyes with that role. I know what John Wayne would've done with that role and that's why I was so very disappointed.

I'm very selective with the movies I see, and I keep crossing twits like Hanks off my list. I hope they realize that the customer has the right to discriminate on the entertainment that they spend their money on. He has the right to run his mouth. I have the right to keep my money in my wallet.

 

Hi Lias, well said but, for his acting capability-you must see him in movies like: Prisoner of War-in which he did an excellent job, and the following strictly for their entertainment values: Tennessee's Partner, and movies like Santa Fe Trail--which is one that was a norm put-out by the Powers-that-be as Warner Bros, and ones like: The Last Outpost w/ Bruce Bennett and some other recognizable "faces" as well as: Bedtime For Bonzo in which you have to admit he was great in Comedy as well as Drama and Action. Kings Row is another that comes to mind as well as Knute Rockne-All American. There's is another movie he did w/ Errol Flynn, that comes to mind-but I can't think of it's name at this time. This was a typical WB wartime made full of cliches War Movie, but had a great cast including: Raymond Massey, Arthur Kennedy & Alan Hale Sr. I love this movie for many reasons but especially for their "clouded-over views" portrayed in that film. Sadly, it is not yet on DvD, but is a MUST, if your a of any of the actors in this movie. I like them all and God rest their souls.

Im one who always liked him much and had I been old enough to vote for him either time, I would have done so. I too greatly grieved "The Gipper" when he passed away.

Many times I have posted a by-line such as: "God Bless Ronald Wilson Reagan, John Wayne, Pope John Paul II and Robert Edward Lee". ;-))

Best regards--Carl.

PS, he was mainly known as a "B" movies Star with "A" movies quality.

 

Movie stars crack me up! They think that because they are wealthy we should all pay attention to anything they say!

What a bunch of knuckle heads!

 

What these Hollywood/entertainer types fail to realize is that when they get on their soapbox and spout their drivel, they alienate about 50% of their fan base, which by the way is about half of their potential earnings. Everyone can have their opinion, I'm all for that. When they go public with their rantings, that's when polarization occurs. Look what happened to the Dixie Chicks for awhile. Of course they already had a bazillion dollars in the bank, so that drop in popularity and income didn't quite put them in the poor house by no means, but they did get a little humbled over it. The same happened to Linda Rondstadt in Vegas several years ago. Like the saying goes, "if you want to dance, you got to pay the band."

 

For Lias, he name to that movie I couldn't think of when originally posting names to good Reagan movies is: Desperate Journey-which also is another Flynn pic-and the Amis who make up the crew to the British Bomber include: Reagan, Alan Hale Sr. & Arthur Kennedy. I don't know the name of that young crewman. Also, as their chief Nemisis--Raymond Massey--as a German Officer.

 

If I find another Reagan movie in the 3.00 section, I'll snatch it up and give it a try. Thanks for the research Carl.

 

Hi Lias, quite welcome and glad to make things more noticable-and-especially when it comes to a person like Reagan.)

 

Isn't the liberals mantra is to be open-minded? Open to everyone's view, just as long as it's the way they want it to be, the same as theirs. Is it just me, or am I missing something here?

 

This actor should remember that if he lives in a country of free speech where he is allowed to criticize religions, others, precisely, have the right to choose their religious and not listen to his blabla. When he understands that, he may realize that the Mormons are good people( who by the way are also buying his films ) and I don't think this is a greatest way to deal with his public. Run Forest Bump (oops Gump)

 

I will not speak about the folks round here because it would be unfair because I have not gone through enough postings to give a considered opinion. What I can say, is that there is liberal tradition in Britain and it has nothing to do with what a lot of people in Britain and the USA get up to in the name of the liberalism. To show just one example of the utter bankruptcy of their position, the same supposed "liberals" that got Benny Hill stopped from making television programs because it was supposedly insulting to Women, have no problem with Islamofascists stoneing Women to death for the "crime" of being raped. These people have not damaged liberalism, but they have got a new word in to existence i.e. pseudo-Liberal.

And here's one from the Master! Benny Hill.
YouTube - Benny Hill Hospital Complete

Best and Warm Regards
Adrian Wainer

 

Yeah, and what I don't understand about Hanks' rant is that there is nothing more "American" than participating in the democratic process of placing issues on the ballot so that the people themselves, and not their elected representatives, may express their views on the matter.

Does Hanks really mean that he'd rather that the People not be able to participate in a referendum?

 

It appears as such. They want everyone to be THEIR type of Americans, who are unable to form their own thoughts and positions on issues, politically controllable, anti-conservative and PC. Please guys, feel free to add anything that I left out here.

 

I couldn't say it better. We have the same sort of pseudo trendy lobbies here, who behave like sheep and who are all formatized the same way. They look the same, think the same way, ape each other and you know in advance what they are going to say about such and such subject, there is no discussion possible. If you don't agree with them you are banned from their loser club and tey will tell things behind your back. The funniest is when I see those hypocrits alone, they will take off the mask and say something entirely different.