Dale Petroskey & the Cubs

Apologies to the Cubs but at work today a mate related his definition of CUBS: Completely useless by September.

One can only hope Petroskey is as well. If he is that would mean that Bush and his posse would be hunkering down in the dugout dodging fast balls and a very angry mob of disappointed fans.

BuzzFlash has the scoop on the dastardly Petroskey and his censoring of Tim Robbins' film Bull Durham at baseball's Hall of Fame.

How about Robbins for President....He's more intelligent than Reagan and a better actor as well. But then most actors are.

Update: Chicago Sun-Times sports writer Jay Mariotti is leading the charge. The feint at heart need not apply;

Unfortunately, I won't be visiting the Hall anytime soon. Nor should you.

We shouldn't because the president of the Hall, Dale Petroskey, is enforcing what appears to be a disturbing mandate of the Bush administration: Silence any and all anti-war dissent, particularly when voiced by high-profile entertainers. He should have no bigger agenda during the Iraqi conflict than to make sure the Hall doors are open at 9 each morning, so people who travel long distances to central New York can enjoy the exhibits, bond in the corridors of history and get away from Wolf Blitzer.

The other day, however, Petroskey abused his power. In what smacks of a blatant conflict of interest, given his former position as White House assistant press secretary under Ronald Reagan, he canceled a Hall-arranged 15th anniversary celebration of the classic baseball movie "Bull Durham" in the wake of anti-war commentary by the film's co-stars, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon. Sounding like an army general more than a museum curator, Petroskey said the "very public criticism of President Bush . . . helps undermine the U.S. position, which ultimately could put our troops in even more danger."

How the opinions of movie stars could endanger the U.S. troops, who are staging the military equivalent of a 73-0 football rout, is beyond my functional analysis. If anything, Robbins and Sarandon are serving a positive role in boosting the spirits of soldiers, who report that "Bull Durham" is among the most popular movies during down time. Obviously, Petroskey is a Republican operative delivering an intimidating message, the same one heard by Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines last month after she condemned Bush during a London concert. "The message is, if anyone disagrees with this administration, you'll be punished," Robbins said. "That is a very unhealthy message at this time. We need to encourage dialogue, not suppress it."

Update: Tim Robbins' speech to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on April 15, 2003. I wonder if the politicians in DC will get the message.

Update 2: You can view Tim Robbins delivering this speech here.

Linked by Meria Heller