Interview: Ed Asner on the Bush Administration’s “Misuse of Power”

[kerrygoddess]

Exclusive Interview: Ed Asner on the Bush Administration’s “Misuse of Power”
August 23rd, 2005

A Democratic Daily exclusive:

Last week, I had the opportunity to interview actor, activist Ed Asner. Ed Asner is a longtime activist for many causes dear to liberals. He’s a brilliant, sensitive man with a profound understanding of the current pulse of politics in our nation.

My thanks to Ed Asner, for taking the time to speak in depth with me on wealth of subjects including his longtime involvement as an activist, Cindy Sheehan, the new book about the Bush administration that he co-authored with Burt Hall: Misuse of Power, what he loves most about America .

Pamela: At a time when we could certainly use more outspoken activists, the question for any great activist is what inspired you to get involved?

Ed Asner: I’ve always considered myself a liberal. Coming up in the blacklist era, the question was always do I shut up and go along, or be in the same boat with those blacklisted.

When El Salvador happened, I asked myself, if not now, when? In what was a humanistic statement, I became the spokesman for medical aid to El Salvador. When attacks were launched against me verbally for my participation, I responded in kind. I was somewhat blacklisted. My acts forestalled my going gently into that good night. I learned a savage lesson.

Pamela: What advice would you give to young activists today?

Ed Asner: Stay the course — do not just persist — do not become an expert on everything - speak what you know. Do not let the spur of fame, make you speak what you do not know. Speak out loudly, not dumbly.

Pamela: Like Cindy Sheehan, making a stance on what she knows (Iraq war)?

MORE - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=320

[Dr Ron]

1. Great interview

well worth reading the entire text.

[kerrygoddess]

2. Thanks Dr Ron

He was rather explosive about his feelings towards "W"...

[Wind Dancer]

3. Great interview.

Ed Asner: The idea of this country is what I love most. What it has instilled in every other country in this world, up until “W”.

Despite our own genocides and slavery, those two documents I spoke of, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights have inspired others and been used as models for every country in the world.

Can we create a true democracy and true heaven on earth?

Right now, American’s are being fed Four Poison Pills:
– The Fundamentalists
– The Industrial Military Complex
– Corporatism
– The Corporate Media Machine

We are being crippled by them. It is this team, which will prevent the full flowering of democracy.

[kerrygoddess]

4. I loved when he called * a

puppet!

[Wind Dancer]

5. LOL, he doesn't mince words.

I am glad you had the opportunity to interview him, you asked great questions. Thanks for sharing.

:toast:

[kerrygoddess]

6. No he doesn't mince words

There's quite a few good tidbits in there. It was a real pleasure interviewing him. I'm glad you enjoyed.

[kerrygoddess]

7. Right now, American’s are being fed Four Poison Pills:

– The Fundamentalists
– The Industrial Military Complex
– Corporatism
– The Corporate Media Machine

:kick: