Entertainment

Report: American Hikers Released With the Help of…Sean Penn?

American Hikers Released With the Help of Sean Penn Hugo ChavezThe two American hikers released from Iran Wednesday after two years in prison reportedly had some help from Hollywood in securing their freedom: Academy Award-winning actor and liberal activist Sean Penn.

According to Reuters, a source said Penn flew to Venezuela to ask President Hugo Chavez to encourage Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to let Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer go.

Reuters reported:

Venezuela‘s deputy foreign minister told Reuters on Thursday that Chavez brought up the case with his Iranian ally Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after being alerted to the Americans’ plight by friends in U.S. “intellectual circles”.

“The American ‘intellectual’ who took up the case with him was Sean Penn,” the source told Reuters.

“Penn was very committed to the case … He flew to Caracas several months ago to raise it with Chavez and he kept on it,” the source said.

Penn’s spokeswoman in the United States confirmed this account, but would give no further details.

The source also said the State Department had been aware of Chavez’s involvement in the attempts to free the hikers and did not try to block it. On Thursday, a State Department spokesman said only that they were happy Fattal and Bauer were safe.

Penn, who called for the impeachment of former President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, has a long history with Chavez: In 2007, Chavez called the actor “well-informed about what is happening in the United States and the world, in spite of being in Hollywood.

In January, Chavez joked that the U.S. should appoint either Penn, Bill Clinton or director Oliver Stone as the next ambassador to Venezuela, saying: “We have a lot of friends there.”

Comments (171)

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  • SBR308
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:55pm

    Go take a bath!!!

    Report Post »  
    • Dirty Harry
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 1:06pm

      You’d think with all his riches, he could buy a decent-looking mustache. Mine looked a little like his…in the 6th grade.

      Report Post »  
    • lionslayer44
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 1:12pm

      sean penn’s dad was a devout communist and hung out with castro. look it up he is just picking up where is father left (pardon the pun) off. BE PREPARED COLLECT, FOOD, WATER (FILTERS), AMMO. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!

      Report Post » lionslayer44  
    • NHwinter
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 1:30pm

      If only he had stayed there with Hugo. Is it just me or does he look like Satan himself?

      Report Post » NHwinter  
    • FantaGirl
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 1:58pm

      What kind of idiots go hiking in Iran?…Who would want to go there? Pretty much anywhere else in the United States would be more fun to hike. Stupid young adults….

      Report Post » FantaGirl  
    • FantaGirl
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 1:59pm

      It‘s funny I said that because I’m not even an adult yet…I”M TURNING INTO YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!! (Just joking). But they must be pretty dumb to go hiking in Iran….Or were they really hiking? DUN DUN DUN

      Report Post » FantaGirl  
    • eaglescout_nj170
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 2:23pm

      Thinking back to the movie “fast times at ridgemont high”. Classic line as Jeff Spicoli ( played by Sean Penn ) is in History class ( so perfect) . Mr Hand is scolding him for wasting his time. Spiocili’s response “Mr Hand, if you‘r here am i’m here isn’t it Our Time?. Now years later knowing his socialist communist upbringing and all the current crap with socialist dictators, it makes all the sense in the world.

      Support Actors, Musicians, and Performers that support Liberty.

      Deny ALL that support Tyranny any of your money and time.

      Report Post » eaglescout_nj170  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 3:27pm

      Sean must be a happy camper, he’s about to complete his
      Circle of Friends, Castro, Chavez and Mukmood…

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 4:11pm

      What a prince.

      Report Post »  
    • crackerone
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 4:40pm

      This a-hole doesn’t have a clue. He could hide his own Easter eggs!

      Report Post »  
    • Bluefish49
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 4:54pm

      Here is a question that has never been answered…..just who in their right mind goes hiking in Iraq/Iran to begin with…I have never felt sorry them and could have cared less if they stayed in an Iranian Prison.

      Report Post »  
    • avenger
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 5:31pm

      penn for President !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! of venezuela…He actually thinks that he was instrumental in this fiasco.Yo dummy..it was the $$$$ that set these two DOPES free !

      Report Post »  
    • obama-mecca-me-sick
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 7:07pm

      “The American intellectual was Sean Penn”………. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
      the American intellectual? That must be progressive speak for communist! How come no “investigative reporter” has a done an expose on the tie between Sean Penn and a communist dictator of another country that hates America and loves Iran? What a joke we have become.

      Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 7:26pm

      I have not been a fan of Sean’s because of his politics.. and I had no sympathy for these hikers..but really his heart was in the right place for helping them and the Memphis three..those innocent kids that got sucked in and trampled in a murder case. We would have to place ourselves in the place of those people whom he helped to understand how appreciative we might be. I believe in giving credit where credit is due and well Sean is kind of a do gooder when it come to humanities like that. He’s probably just a misguided soul on his politics.

      Report Post »  
    • TruthSpeaker
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 9:49pm

      nhwinter – yes, he does look like how we envision satan – could be twins, probably are.

      Report Post »  
    • Wabbitseason
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 12:46am

      I guess no good deed goes unpunished? I dont like the guy, but I dont know if those two would have been released otherwise….

      Report Post » Wabbitseason  
    • meamerican
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 1:06am

      I smell CIA!

      Report Post » meamerican  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 2:46am

      Why are we doing anything to bring these fools back to America? Stupid lefty radical Berkley type college kids go on a trip to get as close to the Iranian border to make a statement and get caught. I say let them rot in an Iranian prison and not spent $1.5M in ransom to bring them home. Their home is radical Islam and they should be with their brothers and sisters in Iran. Now that we have spent $1.5M to bring 3 people back to the good ol US of A, I suggest that these idiots try hiking and camping in America. We do have some wonderful places here BTW. As for the Hollywood movie you plan to create, I’m not going to watch it. You have already taken $1.5M and I’m waiting for you to pay it back without sucking more from us. Get a job, pay back the $1.5M and hike in the USA.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • Libertyluvnmomma
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:16am

      Chavez has always wanted to be an actor. I wonder if he is as tiny as Penn is.
      Penn is what, 5′2″?

      Report Post » Libertyluvnmomma  
    • demint.disciple
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:49am

      Yes and did sean hand the Hikers the statement that they made about putting American in the same class as Iran when it comes to holding wrongly accused political prisoners ? ALL of them are schmucks, Penn the hikers and anyone involved with these POS…

      Report Post » demint.disciple  
    • techengineer11
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 11:46am

      Wasn‘t Penn’s dad a devout Marxist? He’s Jewish too right?

      Report Post » techengineer11  
    • ACLUHater
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 1:57pm

      I wish I had a dollar for every useful idiot there is in Hollywood.

      Report Post »  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:54pm

    they were let go because of cold hard cash and a LOT of it. I had wondered who had paid that money I see now who it probably was. To want us to believe that uncleTom and Hugo did this out of the kindness of thier hearts is BULL CRAP..

    those 3 should NEVER have been where they were.. who HIKES in Iraq???? sorry they were jailed but Iran does have a right to protect thier borders funny how they can do it in mountains and we cant.. hmmm what does that say about us?

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
    • avenger
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 5:54pm

      dude..it was not ******* penn & his hollywood pervs..

      Report Post »  
  • liberalsarealiens
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:39pm

    Penn, like his fathe,r is and was a trader to this country! Go sit with Hanoi Jane so you both can kiss each others arses!

    Report Post » liberalsarealiens  
    • One of the strong
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:57pm

      Award winning actor, LOL…..just another lib hollywood loser, who loves the socialist agenda.

      Report Post »  
    • FantaGirl
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 2:03pm

      I think you mean traitor…..yeah even though I just found out who this man was today I’m not liking him. And I haven’t even met him. He’s got that much of a bad impression.

      Report Post » FantaGirl  
  • Lycus
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:38pm

    Those hikers should have stayed in prison for stupidity, and Penn should stay with his boyfriend Chavez in Venezuela.

    Report Post » Lycus  
    • Nlitend1
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 5:32pm

      If people went to prison for stupidity, this entire community of blazers would have life sentences. Never miss an opportunity to insult and demean a lib, even when they are performing god’s work. This should be the blaze motto.

      Report Post »  
    • crackerone
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 6:16pm

      @Butt Plug in Lit End

      We are sick and tired of you and your liberal friends. Game on.

      Report Post »  
    • Nlitend1
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 6:33pm

      @Crackboner
      Is there anything you and your friends won’t hate? Oh it’s a soldier, eh he’s gay, I hate him. It‘s a guy saving a little girl’s life…he’s mexican though, I hate him. A firefighter saving lives and dying in the process, but he’s from New York, I gotta hate that. All I have to say is that, if they ever proved Jesus was black, your effing head would explode.
      you been beat, good night

      Report Post »  
    • crackerone
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 6:55pm

      @Butt Plug in Lit End

      Surprised you can sit in front of your computer for an hour, after playing “hide the salami” all night. Keep telling yourself it is O.K. that you do “stuff ” with your boyfriends Johnson.

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 2:58am

      You forgot the othe boyfriend…. Samuel Jackson.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • hersey10
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:28pm

    Good move by Penn . I’m sure he blames the US for the capture .

    Report Post » hersey10  
  • MrMagoo
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:26pm

    Good for you Spicoli,you’ve finally made something of yourself!

    But,here’s a song to every DICK TATER in the World…and we WILL STOMP YOU OUT.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZj1uElADZw&feature=related

    Report Post » MrMagoo  
  • junkmaninohio
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:22pm

    Nooooooo! With the help of a $ one million dollar ransom!

    Report Post »  
    • INOGAWD
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:28pm

      All dem Dollywood Bimbos are “intellectual” don’t Ya know..

      Got enough $$$$$ you can BUY it…

      Report Post » INOGAWD  
    • demint.disciple
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:58am

      Yeah the only way sean would’ve impressed me is if HE paid the 1.5 million ransom.. But no he left it up to the tax payers as usual..

      Report Post » demint.disciple  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:21pm

    My question is why now?? Why didn’t Mr. Penn do this two years ago? Why.. because I think his popularity has gone down because of his love for Chavez.. maybe he thinks this will win him some brownie points amonst us who no longer watch his movies.. It may get some sheep too.. but Penn lost my respect ages ago!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
    • FantaGirl
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 2:01pm

      I didn’t even know who Sean Penn was. That’s hilarious.

      Report Post » FantaGirl  
  • Sara72
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:16pm

    Sean penn Considered Intellectual……. now Thats some FUNNY stuff…. (socialist / elitist / anti-american … YES those I will agree with……………………Intellectual….UM NO!)

    Report Post » Sara72  
    • obamasacommie
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 2:34pm

      that he is considered an intellectual by an idiot who managed to destroy an oil rich nation in as short a time as he has isnt really saying much

      Report Post » obamasacommie  
  • This_Individual
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:12pm

    He does not represent Hollywood (which is a town within the City of Los Angeles).
    Anyway, what happened with his devotion to the continuing problem in Haiti? Gave it up for another “project”?

    Report Post »  
  • LinkedIn G
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:02pm

    If Sean Penn were where the hikers hiked … he would have ben captured. Being S*T*U*P*I*D in a hostile country and being rescued by like minded I*D*I*O*T*S doesn’t make anybody a hero.

    Report Post » LinkedIn G  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 2:12pm

      Why are you assuming they were captured while in Iran? They were hiking in Iraqi Kurdistan, which is relatively safe. All the fighting is among the sunnis and shiites to the south. Is it beyond credibility that Iranian soldiers crossed over and captured them to use them as propaganda tools?

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
  • NDPINDNT
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:01pm

    Darn, I can’t stand even seeing this guys face anymore. Blaze please remove it asap from your site. Hate having it pop up on my computer when signing into the Blaze.

    Report Post »  
  • YepImaConservative
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:00pm

    “The American [‘intellectual’] who took up the case with him was Sean Penn,” the source told Reuters.”

    LMFAO.

    I think it was translated wrong. He mean’t to say… ” We asked for an American ‘Intellectual’ and all we got was Sean Penn… so we went with that.”

    Report Post » YepImaConservative  
    • babylonvi
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:27pm

      “The American ‘intellectual’ who took up the case with him was Sean Penn,” Wha..ha..ha..ha..ha……
      What the meant was “The American ‘intellectuals’ Forrest Gump, Pee Wee Herman and Sean Penn took up the case with His Excellency, Doctor, General, President for Life Cesar Chavez,”

      Report Post » babylonvi  
    • YepImaConservative
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 1:05pm

      Lol.

      Report Post » YepImaConservative  
  • Steelhead
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:57am

    Sean Penn is among the greatest Americans

    Report Post » Steelhead  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:04pm

      And you are among the most bone-headed.

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • rockstone
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:08pm

      “Greatest” at what?

      Report Post » rockstone  
    • INOGAWD
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:11pm

      You don’t give yourself much credit, HUH ??

      You just keep sippin’ the good stuff….you’ll be alright !!

      Report Post » INOGAWD  
    • Steelhead
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:12pm

      @bioturd – No one made him help these misguided fools ,Penn did it on his own

      Report Post » Steelhead  
    • scaldisnoel
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:33pm

      Sean Penn is a willing patsy for Hugo Chavez’ propaganda. Chavez saw an opportunity to use Sean Penn for PR once again, and welcomed that opportunity with open arms. That a couple of boneheaded hikers were released from an Iranian prison is a footnote to Chavez pulling another PR stunt.

      Report Post »  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 3:46pm

      @ Steelhead
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:12pm
      No one made him help these misguided fools ,Penn did it on his own

      Don’t think Penn could find his azz with both hands on his own…

      Who are you trying to Bullshi** ?? bet he has had enough white stuff

      up that Giganto Snozz to fill a 55 Gal. drum… com’ on….

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 4:25pm

      bioturd? Is that all you have? (giggle) Pitiful, pathetic little child…. Your parents need to be slapped for raising someone like you, a mental midget with an obviously limited vocabulary and an at best fleeting grasp of reality. (Hey, weren’t you yelling at Bristol Palin in that video??) Please make reservations for a hiking trip to the Iraq/Iran border posthaste. The weather this time of year should be lovely. I hope Jeff Spicoli will be generous his with time and come bail you out, just as long as it serves some PR purpose for him. Otherwise…. Well, maybe Rose-Ellen can don a burqa and work her goat-like wiles to win your release.

      Have a great day!

      Report Post » biohazard23  
  • BONETRAUMA
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:56am

    sean pean what a little turd.

    another subject, why would anyone hike along the borders of hell?

    Report Post »  
  • RN MOM
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:56am

    In socialist and communist circle Sean would undoubtedly be an “intellectual”. He might even be future dictator material. I still remember him calling 9-11 an inside job and the buildings were taken down by a “controlled demolition”…. enough said.

    Report Post » RN MOM  
  • Gcopp6
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:56am

    I hope they were careless spies. That would piss that commie Penn off.
    God bless the hostages either way and welcome home!
    As for Penn, why don’t you head back to Cuba and wait for the next hostag crisis. I am sure we will be needing your “intellectual” help with the socialist again when the
    Missiles arrive.

    Report Post »  
    • rockstone
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:11pm

      Sent by Bush and Cheney themselves. Dyed in the wool, rock ribbed conservatives that hated Penn’s performance in Milk!

      Anyway…. this story could have some merit. Any smart regime, you can’t call Chavez stupid, brutal yes, stupid no, need their useful idiots to be in the best light possible.

      Looks like you’ve been used again Sean. Have a slice of pizza and learn a little something about Cuba.

      Report Post » rockstone  
  • majorsco
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:55am

    Sean Penn should to to Iran and check into their prison and serve the sentences of all three hikers!

    Report Post »  
  • Blight14
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:54am

    It is SUCH a shame that Iran didn‘t do the ’right thing’ with those beanie babies……something creative and very dramatic……televised for the entire planet to enjoy!

    Report Post »  
  • capecodsully
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:52am

    Let’s take up a collection for the three intellectual Berkeley hikers. Let’s buy them new backpacks, hiking boots and a map of North Korea. Maybe Penn and Chavez will go along.

    Report Post »  
    • I.Gaspar
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:33pm

      There’s a war going on in Iraq, Iran is being run by genocidal maniacs, and you are a delicate little berkeley student with holes in your earlobes…so you and your two little friends go hiking on the Iraq/Iran border.
      We should send them (and penn) back and get our money back.
      Let them keep all three.

      Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 2:16pm

      Seriously? neither of you are happy that two americans kidnapped by I ran and held hostage on bogus charges are finally free. Do you hate American liberals more than Iranian tyrants?

      I think you have you priorities and sense of patriotism screwed up.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • rockstone
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 2:47pm

      @Islesfordian

      My sense of patriotism is predicated on a sense of the truth. “Kidnapped”? That’s a lie son. A lot of things went on here. Kidnapped is not one of them.

      Now…… Is that what your patriotism is predicated on?

      Lies?

      Report Post » rockstone  
    • capecodsully
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 3:59pm

      ISLEFORDIAN – We will see about patriotism when and if this little Berkeley weasel recants his remark about “American political prisoners”. I’m guessing he will not, I don’t imagine the Iranian thugs had too hard a time convincing him to say it.

      Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 6:17pm

      So let me get this straight, they said they were inside Iraqi Kurdistan but the Iranians say they were captured inside Iran. So you are going to take the Iranian government’s word over two Americans. THEN you are going to blame them for anti-American confessions they made while being held in Iranian prisons.

      I wonder how long you would hold out.

      You guys sound like reactionary douchebags. You give conservatism a bad name. But then maybe you’re trolls.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
  • gmoneytx
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:51am

    I can see it now, yo dude, let’s roll a doobie and smoke it over the topic of releasing the hostages man!

    Report Post » gmoneytx  
    • chips1
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:56am

      If they were smarter, they would have pushed for a TRADE. Too bad we didn’t get rid of Penn.

      Report Post »  
  • motherof18
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:50am

    Ha, we should find some American law those idiot hikers have broken and put them in prison here in the USA. Welcome home boys, now get in your cages idiots.

    Report Post »  
  • SIXFRIGATES
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:48am

    What a tool.. literally. There is no better definition or example than Sean Penn. Does he have a clue that they are using him just like the left used Cindy Sheehan?? Do they care about her anymore now that the Bush policy for the U.S. has finished the fight in Iraq and Afghanistan? No. Sean, you are an idiot and a fool. Tool = Useful Idiot.

    Report Post » SIXFRIGATES  
  • ares338
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:47am

    First of all, I’m happy they are free. Now they need to keep their happy asses away from places that they know are dangerous. Countless resources have been used to free these dimwits. As for the socialist pretender, who cares?

    Report Post » ares338  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:02pm

      Even an a**hat has his uses. It’s sad how many here are too stingy to be happy that this happened.

      Original Sin. It’s proved true every day.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • INOGAWD
      Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:04pm

      What were these IDIOTS doing in a war zone anyway ?????

      I guess Gump was right, You Can’t Fix STUPID !!!!

      Liberals don’t understand that Actions have Consequences..

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THDf3q_1654

      Guess they can rely on people like Penn to get their tit out of

      the proverbial wringer…Ain’t got no brains up there…..

      Report Post » INOGAWD  
  • HKS
    Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:43am

    Wow, commies, losers and idiots all coming together for a common goal. Is this a great country or what.

    Report Post » HKS  
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