InfoAnda - "Fighter" Mark Wahlberg weighs in on Afghanistan

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

School resumes in Israel despite rocket threat | 12 January 2009
Singer-actress Mandy Moore and Ryan Adams engaged | 12 February 2009
Sri Lankan rebels kill 19 civilians: military | 10 February 2009

China quake film tops Asia Pacific award nominations | 18 October 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : "Fighter" Mark Wahlberg weighs in on Afghanistan

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition World "Fighter" Mark Wahlberg weighs in on Afghanistan Reuters - Saturday, January 8 Send IM Story Print By Bob Tourtellotte LOS ANGELES - U.S. presidents aren't the only ones who make surprise visits to troops in Afghanistan. "The Fighter" Mark Wahlberg made his own trek to the war-torn country in December, but with little media attention that typically follows dignitaries and Hollywood stars. Dressed in jeans, leather jacket, bullet-proof vest and battle-ready helmet, Wahlberg stepped off military transport and into the former home of a Taliban drug lord who had been ousted by troops. There was no Hollywood-style shootout, although he says he might have felt better with a gun in his hand. The 36-hour visit days before Christmas was made without much fan fare because, he said, he didn't want any publicity. "That's not why I was going," he told Reuters in an exclusive interview this week. "I just wanted to go over there and spend some time with them and know that we do appreciate what they're doing, and bring well wishes and love and support from home. That's all I wanted to do. He said he wanted to see for himself the conditions under which the troops and the Afghani people were living. "It was something that I was very excited about doing, and I'm very glad that I made the journey." Wahlberg, 39, rose to fame as a young rapper and later became a movie actor and producer of hit HBO show "Entourage," which is based on his own life as an up-and-coming star. He even portrayed an ex-military marksman in "Shooter," and said that when he was young and in legal trouble he considered joining the Marines. His trip to Afghanistan was the first time, he said, he had a chance to visit troops. The quick in-and-out was arranged by Bill White, ex-head of New York's Intrepid Air Sea and Space Museum, who met Wahlberg through a friend. Wahlberg told White he'd like to go to Afghanistan. White said he would see if he could arrange it. WAHLBERG SHIPS OUT Wahlberg, a married man with four kids, said traveling into a war zone before Christmas was not an easy decision, but his family understood. "I've been in a lot of hairy situations in the past, and I felt like, you know, we were going to be traveling with the military, so it can't get much safer than that." When asked if he was scared, he smiled and said, "I probably would have felt a little safer had I had my own weapons ... but no, I'm a very spiritual guy and I get on my hands and my knees and ask God to protect me." While at camps in the Helmand province of southern Afghanistan, the actor showed "The Fighter," an inspirational film about a boxing champion played by Wahlberg, to some 3,000 troops. He ate with them and visited them in hospitals. They asked questions, took pictures and collected autographs. "They're still extremely positive and optimistic that they're doing a lot of good over there and helping a country that's really in need," Wahlberg said. He said he was surprised to find that, not only did troops know him, but Afghani people and troops did, too. "The Fighter," of course, is enjoying major success in Hollywood during this awards season. Box office is solid; reviews are strong. It has made several 2010 top 10 lists, and is widely expected to pick up Oscar nominations when bids for the world's top film honors are handed out later this month. Where the troops' reviews were concerned, Wahlberg said it was better than some pundits in Hollywood. "I've always considered the military as the real super-athletes of the world, and if anybody could appreciate fight and heart and never-give-up attitude, it would be the soldiers of the Armed Forces," he said. "So, they really got a kick out of the movie. If "The Fighter" should win Oscars, the actor who is known to shun the limelight said on Hollywood's big night, his wish would be to have the troops back home to enjoy it, too. "I know that they have a job to do, and I understand that, but I hope that they finish their job quickly, and they return home safely to their families." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Saturday, January 8 Newest "Jersey Shore" draws big audience to MTV Reuters - Saturday, January 8 Heidi Klum's booger makes kids laugh. Seriously! Reuters - Saturday, January 8 Amanda Knox murder trial dramatized for TV Reuters - Saturday, January 8 "Fighter" Mark Wahlberg weighs in on Afghanistan Reuters - Saturday, January 8 News Search Top Stories UN defends Haiti quake relief efforts Waitress 'was on phone to doctor of dying Jackson' US unemployment tumbles to 9.4% Smart US dog learns more than 1,000 words Renault suspects Chinese role in spy case More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Falling blackbirds baffle Arkansas officials Hasta la Vista: Arnie quits as California governor Goldman deal 'values Facebook at $50 billion' Spain lotto winner nearly loses millions by tossing tickets Brazil's 2010 trade surplus lowest in 8 years: official More Most Viewed » More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Saturday, 8 January 2011
EU to revive Belarus leader's travel ban
Iran nuclear talks to resume this month
Tablet-mania at Las Vegas gadget show
Renault suspects Chinese role in spy case
Hungary willing to amend disputed law
North, south Sudan could form EU-style pact: Bashir |
US-TECH Summary
Germany closes 4,700 farms as dioxin crisis widens
Chile joins peers in recognizing Palestinian state |
Suicide attack kills 17 in southern Afghanistan
Amazon cloud can help hack WiFi networks: expert
U.N. urges Nigeria clean-up after mass lead poisoning |
Local.com says Yahoo's Bing deal hurts revenue
Turkish, Greek PMs show unity over illegal migrants |
U.S. worried by Tunisia riots, Internet freedoms |
Healthcare law repeal clears hurdle in U.S. House
Religious attacks should serve as wake-up call: U.N. |
Child abusers using global spam: Italy
Uzbeks spoil Qatar Asian Cup party
Twitter sets record as Japan rang in New Year
Indian animation firm plans tie-up with US TV co.
Vietnam War 'secret army' chief Vang Pao dies in US
Pakistan government wins back majority
Man Utd's Park relishes 'special' Asian Cup
A sea of tablets at CES, but no iPad-killer |
Amazon cloud can help hack WiFi networks: expert |
US missiles kill five in Pakistan: officials
India urges Pakistan to resume onion exports
Microsoft reviewing prize media account: source |
As Indonesians cut back on chili, mouths suffer
White-collar workers susceptible to depression
S.Korea confident Spain to emerge from crisis
China plans massive investment in N. Korea
Renault suspects Chinese role in spy case
Germany urges China review rare metals policy
China plans $1.3bn 'seven-star hotel'
Pakistani stocks end up; rupee flat; o/n rates down
Fighter Mark Wahlberg weighs in on Afghanistan |
Homeless man finds success with golden voice |
Israeli soldier killed near Gaza border
EU charges former Kosovo rebels with war crimes
Verizon to carry iPhone: report
Netherlands agrees Afghanistan training mission
Turkish, Greek PMs pledge to build ties
UN defends Haiti quake relief efforts
FCC eyes broadcast spectrum auction as soon as 2012
Growing pains, hiccups greet tech's old guard
US unemployment tumbles to 9.4%
Smart US dog learns more than 1,000 words
Lenovo sets expectations for tablet market
Camille Grammer Negotiates Settlement With Bravo For Early Exit From "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"
17 killed in suicide blast in southern Afghanistan
Microsoft reviewing prize media account: source
Katy Perry's "Firework" Shoots Back Up To #1 On Billboard Hot 100
Jehovah Witnesses say harassed in south Sudan |
"Twilight Saga: Eclipse," "House" The Big Winners Of "People's Choice Awards 2011"
Matt Damon To Be Honored With Joel Siegel Award At Critics' Choice Movie Awards
North, south Sudan could form EU-style pact: Bashir |
Taylor Swift Has The First #1 Album Of 2011 On Billboard Albums Chart
Clinton backs Lebanon tribunal in Hariri meeting |
“Burlesque” Could Lead Razzie Award Nominations
U.S. relocates some people named in WikiLeaks cables |
"Man Vs. Wild" Tips Help Save Portland Teen Lost In Freezing Temperatures
Defense chief aims on China trip to build trust |
US hearing for 'Merchant of Death' Bout postponed
U.S. files fresh fraud suit against Kuwait's Agility |
Package to U.S. homeland security chief ignites
Japan's Kan pushing for January 17 cabinet shuffle -report
Stockholm bomber was trained in Iraq, says official |
Former Guantanamo inmate drops lawsuit
Marchon glasses go 3D chic
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Newest "Jersey Shore" draws big audience to MTV
Heidi Klum's booger makes kids laugh. Seriously!
Vogue Paris lifts fashion director into editor's chair
Renault suspects Chinese role in spy case
Amanda Knox murder trial dramatized for TV
Growing pains, hiccups greet tech's old guard |
"Fighter" Mark Wahlberg weighs in on Afghanistan
Lenovo sets expectations for tablet market |
Balkan music maestro Bregovic to return
Gauguin work expected to fetch £10 mn in London
Verizon to carry iPhone: source |
Protests over gays-only toilets in Brazil
FCC eyes broadcast spectrum auction as soon as 2012 |
Britney Spears To Release New Single “Hold It Against Me” To iTunes Exclusively
Study: 3,000+ survivors of WTC attack have PTSD
Former CIA lawyer arrested in government-wide crackdown on intelligence leaks
Arrest overshadows Cuba, U.S. migration talks
New season of "The Game" premieres this month on BET
Fed Chair tells Senate committee deficit plan will add jobs
Attorneys for Jackson doctor hint at a defense |
Shift in magnetic North Pole causes Tampa International Airport to close, rename main runway
Boston couple has flash mob wedding at mall
Retailers charge Illinois Internet tax bill may drive jobs out of state
Amanda Knox murder trial dramatized for TV |
Universal’s “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” Sells Millionth Butterbeer
Heidi Klum's booger makes kids laugh. Seriously! |
Newest Jersey Shore draws big audience to MTV |
Six killed in Southern Sudan clashes before referendum |
Sadr urges Iraqis to oppose U.S. |
Iran police arrest foreign woman for spying |
Niger forces and kidnappers clash near Mali border |
Zardari to name key aide as successor to slain governor |
Iran says to make own fuel for research reactor |
Four Yemeni soldiers killed in southern attack |
Israeli troops shoot dead Palestinian in West Bank |
Algeria debates food price cuts to quell riots |
Gaza mortar shell wounds two men at Israeli farm |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01