Mr. Penn, These Are Trained Professions. Do Not Try This At Home

I will admit that the following story would be more funny if the situations in the Gulf Coast area were not as tragic as they really were. That being said with all the tragedy sometimes we need some humor to keep us going. Enter Sean Penn. There is a reason why not anyone can just come to the Gulf area and try to rescue others as they might just need rescuing themselves. Thus begins the saga of Sean Penn and his photo op to rescue victims of Hurricane Katrina, when Sean Penn’s rescue bid sinks.

Efforts by Hollywood actor Sean Penn to aid New Orleans victims stranded by Hurricane Katrina foundered badly overnight, when the boat he was piloting to launch a rescue attempt sprang a leak. Mr Penn had planned to rescue children waylaid by Katrina’s flood waters, but apparently forgot to plug a hole in the bottom of the vessel, which began taking water within seconds of its launch. The actor, known for his political activism, was seen wearing what appeared to be a white flak jacket and frantically bailing water out of the sinking vessel with a red plastic cup.

When the boat’s motor failed to start, those aboard were forced to use paddles to propel themselves down the flooded New Orleans street.Giving Mr. Penn the benefit of the doubt as at least he did try to perform some good and attempt to rescue some of the less unfortunate victims of the hurricane. Unfortunately much of that trust and good will was lost when the following was learned:

With the boat loaded with members of Penn’s entourage, including a personal photographer, one bystander taunted the actor: “How are you going to get any people in that thing?”

The Gateway Pundit has some nice stuff on Sean Penn’s exploits as well.

Update: Add Faith Hill to the Media Stars that bring their own Camera Crew.

Via Florida Cracker:

Kevin Titus, a Red Cross spokesman, told the Sun Herald that Hill did not want media attention, because she feared the event would appear too much like a “PR campaign,” rather than a relief effort.

Hill was followed by her own camera crew and reporters, instead.