The Strange Sean Penn

Published in El Universal
(Venezuela) on 13 March 2010
by Andrés F. Schmucke G. (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Veronica Pascarel. Edited by Brigid Burt.
To say it in a few words: You have no inkling of the reality over here.

No one can doubt that Sean Penn distinguished himself as one of the best actors over the past few years. No one can deny that his roles in “Dead Man Walking” or “Milk” were magnificent. Moreover, Penn is one of the celebrities who helped victims of Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti. All of these deeds I can accept. However, Sean, don’t bug me by defending the Venezuelan government each time the opportunity arises.

Sean, my friend, you do not live in Venezuela, and you have no idea of how things are. You have a mansion in Los Angeles, you make millions of dollars, and it is probably a fact that you can walk out of your house without the fear of getting robbed or murdered. You are a star, and I can bet that all you know about Venezuela comes from what the Venezuelan president tells you when you visit him.

To say it in a few words: you have no inkling of the reality over here.

It is certain that your house has electricity and running water, that no one rations you, that no one even dares to take away your private property, invade your private space, steal your car or even contemplate kidnapping you. I can bet that there is always food in your fridge and that no one can dictate how much you are allowed to spend on a trip.

My friend, Sean, I am certain that such things would not fly with you.

To be more explicit: Why don’t you just move here for a couple of months, live in a village and grasp how it feels to be subject to national imprisonment almost daily — to see in person how television agencies are being closed, how private property is coming to an end, how justice is controlled and political pressure is increasing, or how our nation is suppressed every time it dares to revolt and stand up for its rights?

My friend, Sean, I will continue to watch your movies, and I am inviting you to come spend a couple of months in Venezuela. From then on, I could see that your talks would be based on a true understanding of the Venezuelan reality.


En pocas palabras: tú no sabes ni un ápice de la realidad que aquí se vive

Nadie puede discutir que Sean Penn es uno de los mejores actores de los últimos años. Nadie puede negar que sus papeles en "Dead Man Walking" o "Milk", son maravillosos. Además Penn ha ayudado a la gente que padeció por el huracán Katrina o por el reciente terremoto de Haití. Ok, yo acepto todo eso. Pero, Sean, no me jorobes defendiendo a cada rato al Gobierno venezolano.

Sean, my friend, tú no vives en Venezuela y no sabes cómo es la cosa. Tú tienes una casota en Los Ángeles, ganas millones de dólares, de seguro sales de tu casa sin miedo a que te roben o te maten, tú eres una estrella y apuesto a que de Venezuela sólo sabes lo que te ha mostrado el Presidente cuando vienes a visitarlo. En pocas palabras: tú no sabes ni un ápice de la realidad que aquí se vive.

Seguro en tu casa tienes agua y luz, nadie te raciona, a nadie se le ocurriría expropiarte un terreno, invadirte una casa, robarte el carro o lanzarte un secuestro express. Apuesto a que en tu nevera siempre hay comida y nadie te dice cuántos dólares puedes gastarte cuando te vas de viaje. My friend Sean, estoy seguro de que ese tipo de cosas contigo no van.

¿Por qué no te mudas unos meses para acá, te das un baño de pueblo y vives lo que se siente tener una cadena nacional casi diariamente, ver en vivo cómo se cierra un canal de televisión, cómo se acaba con la propiedad privada, cómo se controla la justicia y aumentan los presos políticos, o quizás cómo se reprime a la gente cuando sale a manifestar a la calle?

My friend Sean, seguiré viendo tus películas y te invito a que te quedes unos meses en Venezuela para ver si así comienzas a hablar con conocimiento de causa.
This post appeared on the front page as a direct link to the original article with the above link .

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