Will Smith Angered Over Misrepresentation Of Hitler Remark

AP:

Will Smith is angry over celebrity gossip Web site articles that he said misinterpreted a recent remark he made in a Scottish newspaper about Adolf Hitler.

In a story published Saturday in the Daily Record, Smith was quoted saying: "Even Hitler didn't wake up going, 'let me do the most evil thing I can do today.' I think he woke up in the morning and using a twisted, backwards logic, he set out to do what he thought was 'good.'"

The quote was preceded by the writer's observation: "Remarkably, Will believes everyone is basically good."

Read the whole story: AP

Comments

[foofighter]

Perhaps I'm wrong but Smith has a benevolent face IMHO. His apparent involvement with Scientology doesn't speak that well for his intelligence or common sense at least, but he doesn't seem to be a downright schmuck like another member of that cult I could name but won't. (And don't think I have to!)

[mamacat]

Mr. Smith's observations were reasoned and reasonable.
The gossip columnist's misrepresentation of Mr. Smith's comments was hurtful, mean, and of course inaccureate. Once the facts are known, any anger should be directed towards the so-called columnist. He should be held accountable for his lack of credibility, his spinning and outright lies. However, I suspect he will get a raise for increasing profitability for his (or her) employer.

[LGrace]

Wow--this reminds me of when some unfortunate public figure correctly used the word "niggardly" and everybody freaked out. There's nothing wrong with what Smith said--it's a perfectly logical philosophical point of view. Read a book, people.

[joelrsn]

Mr. Smith,
As a Jew and the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, I am quite accustomed to the ignorant comments of the uninformed. I don't think you meant harm but you of all people should know making statements like this can be hurtful.
I would suggest, since you have many friends that are Jews that you should become more familiar with the Holocaust, and Hitlers's book "Mein Kampf." Hitler's final solution was the mass murder of 11 million human beings. 6 million of whom were Jews. Yes, I would guess that a little re-programming was in order. That is an understatement to say the least. Just wondering how you would feel if amovie star made the claim that slave-owners and racists were essentially good people who set out to do what they thought was good and really didn't understand the pain and harm. That they just needed reprogramming? How would you like it if someone said that the Jim Crow laws were well meant and essentially good?

[joelrsn]

I have a few things for Mr. Will Smith to contemplate before making ignorant statements.
As a Jew and the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, I am quite accustomed to the ignorant comments of the uninformed. I don't think you meant harm but you of all people should know making statements like this can be hurtful.
I would suggest, since you have many friends that are Jews that you should become more familiar with the Holocaust, and Hitlers's book "Mein Kampf." Hitler's final solution was the mass murder of 11 million human beings. 6 million of whom were Jews. Yes, I would guess that a little re-programming was in order. That is an understatement to say the least. Just wondering how you would feel if a movie star like yourself made the claim that slave-owners and racists were essentially good people who set out to do what they thought was good and really didn't understand the pain and harm. That they just needed reprogramming? How would you like it if someone said that the Jim Crow laws were well meant and essentially good?

[Tator]

This is another case of being quoted out of context. What I am amazed about is Will is of Hollywood and Hollywood Liberals usually get a pass on the most offensive statements.

If a non-Hollywood non-Liberal person had said this it would be front page news for days and it would result in a boycott and career change.

But then agin Liberals have double standards about there behavior. Do as I say not as I do...Ask AlGore.

[godlessclif]

When Will Rogers said he never met a man he didn't like no one gave him grief about Hitler.

This P.C. crap has gone too far.

Will Smith is right, the nature of evil is incomplete knowledge not being possessed by some magical malevolent spirit as the neocons believe.

That si why all fundies get trapped in stupid mistakes when they think they know the truth.

[sparkandy]

Geez! If Will Smith thinks there is no truly evil person in the world, more power to him. It means there's no evil in him.

[Mykel]

In a country whose mainstream media either censors criticism of Israel or deflects it with insinuations of anti-Semitism, it's no surprise Will Smith's comments about Hitler were taken out of context.

[eman]

wow, the ADL came out so fast to back smith. i wonder why.

[Perspicackle]

In a country where freedom of speech is shutting up, it is hardly suprising that the usual suspects immediately try and twist the facts in the hope of supressing freedom of speech yet again.

[LWofBB]

This reminds us of the great "niggardly" foofaw several years ago...irrelevant blather...

[Airborne2]

This is typical of a "TMZ" make news and build legs for story as fast you can to support the BS lies. Not amazing that the league jumps onto the story before anyone even knows about it. Of course the paper is off shore, league who call's Will a bigot has no name for person talking and is not associated with league in this country. Wonder how much this black mail attempt will cost......­.....freed­om of the press, can't keep us out of Iraq but sure can tell you what Smith was thinking about..........

[GeoNorth]

This is just typical of the gossip press. They will say anything to sell papers. Though I think Will Smith is a fine actor, I have been surprised and put off by his adherence to Scientology. Nonetheless, the reporter in this incident is a complete idiot and jerk. It was quite clear that Smith was simply saying that nobody sees himself as evil. Hitler did not revel in his evilness. He thought he was doing the right thing for Germany. The fact that he was lacking in reason, logic and morals made him stupid-evil in the deadliest sense. To think that Smith was praising Hitler speaks volumes about the writer, who has obviously reached their own career zenith.

[umber2echo]

Just another example of why actors should stay away from complicated areas like philosophy, history, ethics, and especially Hitler. No one is asking for their opinions on these heavy matters and most are out of their depth when they try to dazzle us with their "brains." Stick to the big, dumb, loud action movies, Will; we'll take care of the philosophy.