[Vision2020] Disturbing trends

[Bob Hoffmann]

There is an audio report available on this story at 
http://www.webactive.com/pacifica/demnow/dn20030416.html

Scroll down to "THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME" to start the audio at the proper 
location.  Includes an interview with Tim Robins

The text abstract for the article is below.  My abstract of the abstract: 
We have free speech in this country.  People who can actually be heard must 
exercise their free speech in accordance with the President's position.  So 
sayeth Dale Petroskey.

Story: 
<http://stream.realimpact.net/rihurl.ram?file=webactive/demnow/dn20030416.ra&start=1:23:28.2>THE 
BASEBALL HALL OF FAME CANCELS "BULL DURHAM" CELEBRATION CITING ACTOR TIM 
ROBBINS' OPPOSITION TO WAR. ROBBINS JOINS US IN OUR FIREHOUSE STUDIO

Bull Durham. Jacob's Ladder. Bob Roberts. Short Cuts. The Hudsucker Proxy. 
The Shawshank Redemption. Dead Man Walking. Cradle Will Rock.

These are just some of the films that have made Tim Robbins one of the 
biggest stars in Hollywood over the past decade.

But it hasn't been his acting but his activism that has put Robbins back in 
the headlines recently.

Later this month the Baseball Hall of Fame was set to celebrate the 15th 
anniversary of the film Bull Durham. The film which starred Robbins and his 
future wife Susan Sarandon chronicled life in the minor leagues. It has 
since become a baseball classic.

But the celebration in Cooperstown has been called off.

Last week Dale Petroskey, the president of the Baseball Hall of Fame, 
announced the decision.

Petroskey, who served as an assistant press secretary in the Reagan White 
House wrote to Robbins:

"In a free country such as ours, every American has the right to his or her 
own opinions, and to express them. Public figures, such as you, have 
platforms much larger than the average American's, which provides you an 
extraordinary opportunity to have your views heard -- and an equally large 
obligation to act and speak responsibly.

Petroskey went on to write: "We believe your very public criticism of 
President Bush at this important -- and sensitive -- time in our nation's 
history helps undermine the U.S. position, which ultimately could put our 
troops in even more danger. As an institution, we stand behind our 
President and our troops in this conflict. As a result, we have decided to 
cancel the April 26-27 programs in Cooperstown commemorating the 15th 
anniversary of Bull Durham.


Bob Hoffmann
820 S. Logan St.
Moscow, ID  83843

Tel: 208 883-0642