Sean Penn Preaches Peace

By: Lia Haberman

Sean Penn: actor, director...diplomat?!

The former Hollywood hothead, who's slugged his fair share of shutterbugs, is now directing his energy toward the Middle East peace process.

Penn arrived in Baghdad today on a three-day fact-finding mission to "pursue a deeper understanding of this frightening conflict", the 42-year-old said via a statement released by the Institute for Public Accuracy.

"As a father, an actor, a filmmaker, and a patriot, my visit to Iraq is for me a natural extension of my obligation to find my own voice on matters of conscience", said the famously anti-establishment thespian.

Penn has been openly critical of the current administration's hostile approach to Iraq. Last month, Penn paid $56,000 to publish a letter to President Bush in the Washington Post in which he appealed to the Prez as a fellow patriot and family man.

"That bombing is answered by bombing, mutilation by mutilation, killing by killing, is a pattern that only a great country like ours can stop", wrote the actor, who signed the missive: "Sincerely, Sean Penn, San Francisco, California."

As for his current visit, it's not a soft-core photo op. While in Baghdad, Penn's plans include visiting a children's hospital, attending an event at a water-treatment facility and meeting with Iraqi officials. "I wouldn't exactly call it sightseeing", said Norman Solomon, Penn's guide in Baghdad and the Institute for Public Accuracy's executive director. The pair is staying at the Al-Rasheed Hotel, the main hotel for foreigners and journalists in Baghdad.

The trip, which is being described as a goodwill mission, was sponsored by the institute, a Washington think tank that analyzes public policy. Penn's full statement is available online at the organization's Website: www.accuracy.org

Penn, who shot to fame as stoned surfer Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, urged all Americans to "embrace information available to them outside conventional channels". Those unable to jet off to the Middle East should "participate in whatever way" they can, said Penn's publicist, Mara Buxbaum. Not only is "this an issue he cares deeply about", explained Buxbaum, "we should all be concerned, it affects all of us".

Penn isn't the only star sending a message to Washington. On Tuesday, The West Wing's Martin Sheen joined with other activist-minded entertainers to urge the President not to go to war. More than a hundred performers signed the petition, which warned that: "A preemptive military invasion of Iraq will harm American national interests. It will make us less, not more secure."