# Sean Penn brings personal photog on rescue mission
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [September 5, 2005, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193 "2005-09-05T13:16:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Daisy\_Mae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daisy_Mae)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/41 "2005-09-06T00:10:18Z")
> [@Equipoise](#):
>
> Look, I know that Sean Penn is a boogaman to conservative idiots (just like MICHAEL MOORE!! HILARY CLINTON!! BARBRA STREISAND!! _watches conservatives scurry like roaches_) but he did write articles for the San Francisco Chronicle about trips to Iran and Iraq.
>
> [2nd act A year later, Sean Penn returns to Iraq and files a personal, candid report from the front](http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/01/14/DDGG048F0G1.DTL)
>
> [SEAN PENN IN IRAN](http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/22/DDGJUEAF041.DTL)
>
> I would imagine the photographer is for pictures for the Chronicle. Not that I give a fuck. He’s trying to do something instead of chortling on a message board. That’s nice.
My thoughts exactly. He could be home or anywhere in the world doing whatever he wanted to do but he’s there putting his money where his mouth is. Why gosh, he should have just paid to joint the Straight Dope ignorance fighters and submitted his very own Katrina thread to add to the already dozen in the Pit alone. Then he’d really be contributing in a meaningful way because bitching and guffawing on a message board always trumps active participation.
---
### Author:  [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/42 "2005-09-06T00:25:42Z")
Not all of us have the time or finances to travel with an entourage to the middle of a disaster area to make a very public show out of our meager attempts to help out, to make a spectacle of just how much more than the next guy we care, or to remind ourselves of our percieved importance in the grand scheme of things.
No. For most of us, our only and best way to help out consists of making donations of blood, clothing and/or money to the Red Cross, quietly and behind the scenes with no fanfare or press coverage whatsoever.
Shame on us.
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### Author:  [@Daisy\_Mae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daisy_Mae)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/43 "2005-09-06T00:43:20Z")
> [@Casey1505](#):
>
> Not all of us have the time or finances to travel with an entourage to the middle of a disaster area to make a very public show out of our meager attempts to help out, to make a spectacle of just how much more than the next guy we care, or to remind ourselves of our percieved importance in the grand scheme of things.
>
> No. For most of us, our only and best way to help out consists of making donations of blood, clothing and/or money to the Red Cross, quietly and behind the scenes with no fanfare or press coverage whatsoever.
>
> Shame on us.
Spare me the martyr syndrome okay? If you’re someone who is giving what you can, good for you. I guess I just don’t understand the gleeful criticism of someone who DOES have the means who is trying to do something, even if it wasn’t “successful.” If they pulled one person from the water or his presence there got one of his “fans” to give, then he’s done something worthwhile. I’m just confused by the giggles, snorts and bellylaughs by the _enlightened_ folks of the Straight Dope when he is there trying instead of keeping his spoiled, Hollywood ass at home regardless on why they speculate he’s there to begin with.
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### Author:  [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/44 "2005-09-06T00:48:09Z")
**Daisy Mae** , he brought his personal photographer and the rest of his entourage with him. Why the hell is he doing that unless he wants to be photographed “rescuing” someone? And exactly what training has he had in search and rescue?
He’s using this disaster to plump up his own image. If he really wanted to help, he would have written a check or volunteered to serve meals in a shelter, _sans_ photographer. I find his motives suspect and pitiful. How low must his self-esteem be that he has to insert himself in such a public way to be a part of this tragedy?
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### Author:  [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/45 "2005-09-06T00:51:57Z")
[These celebrities](http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/0903people0903.html) (minus Britney Spears, apparently) have managed to help without the photo op.
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### Author:  [@Daisy\_Mae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daisy_Mae)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/46 "2005-09-06T00:55:22Z")
> [@ivylass](#):
>
> **Daisy Mae** , he brought his personal photographer and the rest of his entourage with him. Why the hell is he doing that unless he wants to be photographed “rescuing” someone? And exactly what training has he had in search and rescue?
>
> He’s using this disaster to plump up his own image. If he really wanted to help, he would have written a check or volunteered to serve meals in a shelter, _sans_ photographer. I find his motives suspect and pitiful. How low must his self-esteem be that he has to insert himself in such a public way to be a part of this tragedy?
Well, I’m sure your opinion of him will be a sore blow to his ego to say the least.
He has recently done a few stories for newspapers and other publications and I believe it was already stated (and cited) previously that this was another of those instances.
I still stand by my belief that if anyone benefited from his presence be it leigitmate or otherwise, it is still a BENEFIT regardless of your important opinion of him.
---
### Author:  [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/47 "2005-09-06T00:55:25Z")
> [@Daisy Mae](#):
>
> regardless on why they speculate he’s there to begin with.
How many gallons of water (pre-leak, I mean) were in that boat? How many blankets? How much food? How much medicine?
Bet there was a spare camera, and some extra film, though. :rolleyes:
He was there for purely selfish reasons, or he would have shown up with a doctor, rather than a damn photographer. But go right on defending his motives, since you are so much more _enlightened_. Pardon the rest of us for not buying it, though.
---
### Author:  [@Daisy\_Mae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daisy_Mae)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/48 "2005-09-06T00:57:10Z")
> [@ivylass](#):
>
> [These celebrities](http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/0903people0903.html) (minus Britney Spears, apparently) have managed to help without the photo op.
Ha! But they made damned sure their donations were noted though right? Double standard much? If they really didn’t want the press, they’d have donated anonymously or in someone else’s name, etc.
Good for them for donating, perhaps THEIR fans will be inspired to donate because of them. In this situation I believe any gift is a good gift if it serves the people in need. Obviously you see it differently.
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### Author:  [@Daisy\_Mae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daisy_Mae)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/49 "2005-09-06T00:59:51Z")
> [@Casey1505](#):
>
> How many gallons of water (pre-leak, I mean) were in that boat? How many blankets? How much food? How much medicine?
>
> Bet there was a spare camera, and some extra film, though. :rolleyes:
>
> He was there for purely selfish reasons, or he would have shown up with a doctor, rather than a damn photographer. But go right on defending his motives, since you are so much more _enlightened_. Pardon the rest of us for not buying it, though.
Keep on bleating YOUR disapproval. Seriously, you’re far more informed and have far more insight to the motives of people who are there helping from your chair and keyboard. Seriously, I bow to your smarmy critiques and self righteous arrogance.
Thank goodness the good people of New Orleans have you on their side.
---
### Author:  [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/50 "2005-09-06T01:01:24Z")
> [@Daisy Mae](#):
>
> Well, I’m sure your opinion of him will be a sore blow to his ego to say the least.
>
> He has recently done a few stories for newspapers and other publications and I believe it was already stated (and cited) previously that this was another of those instances.
>
> I still stand by my belief that if anyone benefited from his presence be it leigitmate or otherwise, it is still a BENEFIT regardless of your important opinion of him.
Pull that stick out of your ass, will you? I don’t give a shit about what Penn thinks of my opinion. And writing a few stories for a newspaper does not make him a reporter. Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and the Big Three Networks have that covered without some celebrity trying to put his two cents in.
And as I said, if he really wanted to help, piling a boat with his photographer and an entourage is a lot less effective than writing a check. Donations are pouring in as it is. I doubt a photo of Sean Penn trying to empty a boat with a red plastic cup is going to significantly increase that amount.
He’s a small man trying to make himself part of the story.
---
### Author:  [@Daisy\_Mae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daisy_Mae)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/51 "2005-09-06T01:06:54Z")
> [@ivylass](#):
>
> Pull that stick out of your ass, will you? I don’t give a shit about what Penn thinks of my opinion. And writing a few stories for a newspaper does not make him a reporter. Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and the Big Three Networks have that covered without some celebrity trying to put his two cents in.
>
> And as I said, if he really wanted to help, piling a boat with his photographer and an entourage is a lot less effective than writing a check. Donations are pouring in as it is. I doubt a photo of Sean Penn trying to empty a boat with a red plastic cup is going to significantly increase that amount.
>
> He’s a small man trying to make himself part of the story.
Since you’ve obviously missed it the first few times I stated it, I’ll go ahead again… who cares WHY he’s doing it if it benefits the people who are in need of help? Well, obviously YOU care for some odd reason.
The CNN report I saw said their boat did save at least 3 people. Am I saying Sean Penn is the hero of Katrina? Fuck no but I guess I don’t get why he’s deserving of his own Pit thread. Do you think any of those people pulled from the water said “OH man, fuck this! You’re here for selfish reasons, not to help me! I’m staying for the next boat you pompous Hollywood prick!”
And uhhh, someone who gets an assignment to REPORT on a news event is a REPORTER! Lookitthat!
Get the fuck over yourself. You’re a small woman bitching about a small man trying to make himself part of a story.
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### Author:  [@suzan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suzan)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/52 "2005-09-06T01:28:04Z")
> [@Casey1505](#):
>
> I’m really getting tired of celebrities. Shut up and write a check.
Re. Celine Dion…she did:
[Celine Dion appeared via satellite on the show after pledging $1 million. Diminishing her gift, Dion said fresh drinking water is more meaningful than her cash and issued stinging criticism of the federal response.
“There’s people still there waiting to be rescued. To me that is not acceptable,” she yelled. “I know they have reasons for it. But I don’t want to hear those reasons. … How can it be so easy to send planes in another country to kill everybody in a second and destroy lives. We need to serve our country.”]
from CNN: [CNN.com - Clapton, Connick on King 'help' show - Sep 4, 2005](http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/09/03/king.help/)
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### Author:  [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/53 "2005-09-06T01:29:25Z")
Where’s the ire for Harry Connick, Jr., who’s traveling with his own CAMERA CREW, and has given numerous interviews to reporters?
Ah, it’s because Penn is a known boogaman. Conservatives have to be told what to think of Connick before they can condemn him, and Celine.
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### Author:  [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/54 "2005-09-06T01:34:36Z")
On MSNBC just now, Rita Cosby, right before she interviewed that selfish prick Harry Connick, Jr., said that Penn was there to do a story for Rolling Stone.
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### Author:  [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/55 "2005-09-06T01:39:49Z")
Ah, so.
Missed that part. :smack:
As far as Harry Connick Jr. goes, I think he’s been spared the ire because he is actually from New Orleans (born and raised; his dad was DA of NO until just a few years ago, IIRC), unlike Penn and Dion.
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### Author:  [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/56 "2005-09-06T01:41:13Z")
> [@Casey1505](#):
>
> Ah, so.
>
> Missed that part. :smack:
>
> As far as Harry Connick Jr. goes, I think he’s been spared the ire because he is actually from New Orleans (born and raised; his dad was DA of NO until just a few years ago, IIRC), unlike Penn and Dion.
So, everybody who wasn’t born in NO should get the fuck out and stop trying to help people, I guess.
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### Author:  [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/57 "2005-09-06T01:41:35Z")
Connick Jr was also there pretty early on, possibly the next day.
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### Author:  [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/58 "2005-09-06T01:44:34Z")
Then, anyone who’s gone into the city after the first few days shouldn’t be there then?
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### Author:  [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/59 "2005-09-06T01:47:14Z")
> [@Equipoise](#):
>
> So, everybody who wasn’t born in NO should get the fuck out and stop trying to help people, I guess.
Where’d I say that?
What I was implying was that Connick’s motives, while possibly self-involved, were not as transparent as Penn’s are. Connick’s career began in and is heavily influenced by the New Orleans jazz scene. He’s participated in New Orleans activities throughout his whole life.
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### Author:  [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)
#### Post date: [September 6, 2005, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sean-penn-brings-personal-photog-on-rescue-mission/320193/60 "2005-09-06T01:49:38Z")
Sean Penn may not be the only self serving jackass celebrity but the fact that there may be others does not make him less of one.
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