A literal description of my state of mind
A literal description of my state of mind
Johnny Depp was quoted in a Stern magazine interview as making some despicable remarks about America. Many people have already taken him to task for the things he said.
Now he's released a statement about the quotes, claiming that they were taken out of context. His statement says all the right things.
"I am an American. I love my country and have great hopes for it," Depp said in a statement released by his Los Angeles-based publicist. "It is for this reason that I speak candidly and sometimes critically about it. I have benefited greatly from the freedom that exists in my country and for this I am eternally grateful."
and...
Explaining his comments a day later, Depp he had been using a metaphor that was taken "radically out of context," adding, "There was no anti-American sentiment."
"What I was saying was that, compared to Europe, America is a very young country and we are still growing as a nation," he said. "My deepest apologies to those who were offended, affected, or hurt by this insanely twisted deformation of my words and intent."
In this case, I'm tending to give him the benefit of the doubt. I understand that he's said some stupid things in the past (understatement), but in this case, it seems that everyone is willing to believe that the German media reported his remarks accurately. I can easily believe that they did a little selective reporting and editing to make this look exactly the way they wanted.
Posted by Ted at September 5, 2003 07:17 AM | TrackBackWell got some breaking news for him. America stopped being a puppy a long time ago. Since 911 we have turned into a junkyard dog, and it is about time.
Posted by: James at September 5, 2003 11:56 AMThe idea that America is a "young country" is a common misconception. The United States constitution is, in fact, the oldest of its kind in the world. It is those youngster European republics who should be looking to the "new" world for advice.
Posted by: Ghost of a flea at September 5, 2003 01:05 PMi agree with ghost. i don't give that scumbag Dep any slack whatsoever. He's an ignorant and arrogant, two very bad qualities, especially together. Does he really think that the US should someday grow into something like a modern european country? Gawd, i hope that never happens. Our strength is that we're not like them. And i say that as someone who was born over there.
Posted by: annika at September 6, 2003 12:46 AMAmerica sucks anyway! GO NEW ZEALAND! WERE GONNA BE THE NEW HOLLYWOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JOHNNY IS SOOOOOOOOO HOT!
Posted by: stacey at April 20, 2004 09:14 PMhe didn't put down the country! he stated that we are still a growing country.....that's the truth!!! we aren't near as developed as europe!!
Posted by: maggie meyer at July 11, 2004 03:04 PMI think that what Johnny is trying to say here is very philosophical and well thought through. America is being metaphorically compared to a puppy, in the sense that it is a young country compared to other countries on the planet, and has a lot of growing and maturing to do. He is not implying that it is an ignorant or thoughtless country, nor is he insinuating that it will become a clone of European countries. It has its own history to create, and some learning to do from countries whose age has increased their wisdom.
Posted by: Never mind at January 6, 2005 10:51 PMCome on guyz, why do we always have to analyze everything he says? Let him have the freedom of speech we all deserve! He doesn't mean any harm, and doesn't want to cause any trouble.
Posted by: misconception at January 6, 2005 10:55 PMNever Mind, I completely disagree with the growing and maturing comparison. 200+ years is a hell of a lot of experience as a country, so it's not like we're the new kid on the block. As for wisdom gained from the ages, I don't want advice from Europe, because their ideas all involve taxing me to increase social services. Their economies are barely treading water under the weight of their beauracracy and social structure, and they can't compete on the world market with the dynamic economies outside of Europe. Even their poster child of economic growth, Ireland, did it by ignoring the EU model and they're under pressure to get in line with the rest.
Europe needs to get over itself. Sometimes age just means old.
Misconception, I didn't see anyone impeding freedom of speech. He was free to say what he did, and everyone else is free to agree or disagree.
As for analysis, well, celebrities seem to think that their opinions count more, or at least we should care more because of who they are (check out the latest Gere nitwittery *snicker*), so yeah, if he wants to do an interview to air his views, then I have no problem with people airing their opinions on his views.
Johnny Depp is the greatest! America sucks anyway, no matter what he said or how it was meant. I don't think it matters, but as we're all Americans let's all get het up about something and forget the important stuff. I love you johnny!
Posted by: Mrs Depp at April 6, 2005 08:58 AM