Martin Sheen's Positive Advocacy!
Actor Martin Sheen, the anti-war darling who taped his mouth shut during a recent protest has shown a side that makes more sense than his political posturing. He recently used his star power to influence Congress to take action on one of the major plagues facing this country - drug and alcohol abuse.
Sheen testified in Washington recently on behalf of millions of addicts, telling a personal story that motivated him to take political action. Sheen told Congress about how a California Drug Court saved the life of a friend of his who was self-destructing from drug and alcohol abuse.
Sheen also appeared with George Stephanopoulos in an interview that aired on ABC's "This Week" to relate the story of his friend, whom he did not name, as an example as someone whose addiction could have led to death. Sheen would have had to deal with it, had it happened. "At a critical point, I had to decide who would speak at the funeral, who should carry the casket," he said. "You have to be prepared to say 'I did everything that I possibly could.'
"Well, I had not yet. I had one more option, and that was Drug Court. That's what saved his life, and mine," Sheen said. He said a large percentage of prison inmates are incarcerated for committing crime under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
"So it's a very serious problem and very costly," he said. "And the monies that are spent on Drug Court and training and in rehab, the dollars are the biggest bargain you can possibly get in public health."
The actor was in Washington to lobby Congress to provide funding for the Drug Courts. The courts are a last stop and provide addicts with a system that understands the difficult struggle all addicts face. Rather than lock them away in prison, without hopes of getting clean, the system provides addicts with lifesaving alternatives to prison.
This is the type of advocacy that entertainers should be engaging in. Angelina Jolie has been working with the United Nations for years, making a difference for orphaned children. Nicole Kidman is focused on ridding the world of anti-personnel mines. There are others who refuse to engage in 60's style politics and who realize that talk-without-action is posturing.
In an article on this blog, I quoted the actor Richard Widmark, when asked a political question answered, "Performers should perform and then shut up!". Look, performers are no more politically informed than your next door neighbor, your plumber, or your trash hauler. Their opinion is just as valid as a movie or music star but no one listens to them because they have no star status. Neither do you or I. Our only course of action is to vote. Our vote is our action. So, don't picket or tape your mouth shut - Vote!
Jim DeSantis
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Sheen testified in Washington recently on behalf of millions of addicts, telling a personal story that motivated him to take political action. Sheen told Congress about how a California Drug Court saved the life of a friend of his who was self-destructing from drug and alcohol abuse.
Sheen also appeared with George Stephanopoulos in an interview that aired on ABC's "This Week" to relate the story of his friend, whom he did not name, as an example as someone whose addiction could have led to death. Sheen would have had to deal with it, had it happened. "At a critical point, I had to decide who would speak at the funeral, who should carry the casket," he said. "You have to be prepared to say 'I did everything that I possibly could.'
"Well, I had not yet. I had one more option, and that was Drug Court. That's what saved his life, and mine," Sheen said. He said a large percentage of prison inmates are incarcerated for committing crime under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
"So it's a very serious problem and very costly," he said. "And the monies that are spent on Drug Court and training and in rehab, the dollars are the biggest bargain you can possibly get in public health."
The actor was in Washington to lobby Congress to provide funding for the Drug Courts. The courts are a last stop and provide addicts with a system that understands the difficult struggle all addicts face. Rather than lock them away in prison, without hopes of getting clean, the system provides addicts with lifesaving alternatives to prison.
This is the type of advocacy that entertainers should be engaging in. Angelina Jolie has been working with the United Nations for years, making a difference for orphaned children. Nicole Kidman is focused on ridding the world of anti-personnel mines. There are others who refuse to engage in 60's style politics and who realize that talk-without-action is posturing.
In an article on this blog, I quoted the actor Richard Widmark, when asked a political question answered, "Performers should perform and then shut up!". Look, performers are no more politically informed than your next door neighbor, your plumber, or your trash hauler. Their opinion is just as valid as a movie or music star but no one listens to them because they have no star status. Neither do you or I. Our only course of action is to vote. Our vote is our action. So, don't picket or tape your mouth shut - Vote!
Jim DeSantis
______________________________________
Readers also like:
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Jim DeSantis at 3:28:00 PM
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2 Comments:
Jim DeSantis should do his homework more thoroughly. There is nothting 'late' about the actor Richard Widmark.
Thank God!! He is a fit and well 92 year old, living a quiet and peaceful life in Connecticut.
Thank you, Ms. Tomlinson. I stand corrected and have acted accordingly.
Jim DeSantis
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