THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2007 PEOPLE IN THE NEWS CHILD CUSTODY BATTLE 5A Baldwin apologizes for criticizing daughter BY SANDY COHEN ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES — As Alec Baldwin's angry words to his daughter were being broadcast around the world, the 49-year-old actor explained himself Friday on his Web site. "Although I have been told by numerous people not to worry too much, as all parents lose their patience with their kids, I am most saddened that this was released to the media because of what it does to a child," he wrote. "I'm sorry, as everyone who knows me is aware, for losing my temper with my child. I have been driven to the edge by parental alienation for many years now. You have to go through this to understand. (Although I hope you never do.) I am sorry for what happened. But I am equally sorry that a court order was violated, which had deliberately been put under seal in this case." A voiceemail Baldwin left for his 11-year-old daughter, in which he can be heard calling her "a rude, thoughtless little pig," was published Thursday by celebrity news site TMZ.com. Baldwin and his ex-wife, Kim Basinger, have been engaged in bitter custody disputes over their daughter, Ireland, since the couple divorced in 2002. "In such public cases, your opponents attempt to take a picture of you on your worst day and insist that this is who you are as a person." Baldwin wrote. "Outside the doors of divorce court, I have friends, I have respect from people I work with and I have a normal relationship with my daughter. All of that is threatened whenever one enters a court room." Meanwhile, Baldwin's attorney, Vicki Greene, said she filed a court order "to determine how the tape got leaked and to determine whether actions should be taken against Kim Basinger, or her attorneys, or Harvey Levin (who runs TMZ.com) and anybody else associated with the leaking of the tape and the violation of the court orders to keep the proceedings closed." Greene told TV's "The Insider" that "anyone involved in this case should want to protect Ireland, so whatever happened was either intentional, reckless or negligent." The matter is set for a hearing June 5, Greene said. Basinger's attorney, Neal Hersh, weighed in on the family saga Friday on TMZ.com. "I am concerned that Mr. Baldwin's recent statement, wherein he attempts to shift responsibility to Kim and her lawyers for his issues with Ireland, shows just how out of touch he is with the reality and gravity of the situation," Hersh said. Jennifer Gravlock/ASSOCIATED PRESS Basinger's spokeswoman had no comment Friday. Alec Baldwin and his daughter Ireland are seen in July 2005 in New York. The festering bad blood between movie-star exes Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger flared up Thursday when an angry phone message from Baldwin to his daughter Ireland was made public. 》 POLITICAL ACTIVISM Stone directs TV spot to bring troops home Stone, 60, is donating his services. Howe said. LOS ANGELES — Oliver Stone will direct a TV commercial as part of a campaign by MoveOn.org and VoleVets.org to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq. The Oscar-winning director and Vietnam veteran will direct a 30-second spot that will air in about three weeks on national TV. It will feature a U.S. veteran of the Iraq war or the family of a veteran discussing the war's impact. "We have leaders in Washington who say they're 'supporting our troops' — but the people who suffer most from their policies are the troops themselves," Stone said in a statement Thursday. Video interviews of the finalists will appear on MoveOn.org's Web site' and on YouTube. The soldier or family in the commercial will be chosen from some 20 finalists by MoveOn.org members in an online vote. "I decided to participate in this project because, as a veteran, I know that America needs to listen to our servicemen and women. They've been there and they know what's really going on. They need to be part of this debate." "Stories from veterans and family members have poured in over the past few years and we wanted to provide a platform where they could speak directly to the American people and policymakers," said Nita Chaudhary, a MoveOn.org campaigner. Aziz Shah/ASSOCIATED PRESS Associated Press INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT Oliver Stone arrives during the Dubai International Film Festival, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 15, 2006. Stone will direct a TV commercial as part of a campaign by MoveOn.org and VoteLets.org to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq, a spokesman said Friday. Madonna opens day care BY KHALED KAZZIHA ASSOCIATED PRESS LILONGWE, Malawi — Madonna jetted out of Malawi on Sunday after a six-day visit to the impoverished homeland of the toddler she wants to adopt, carrying the boy in her arms as she boarded her plane. Karel Prinstoo/ASSOCIATED PRESS Madonna and her husband, film producer Guy Ritchie, took custody of David Banda last October after finding him in an orphanage. Critics said the 48-year-old star used her celebrity status to circumvent Malawi adoption laws — allegations she denies. Madonna holds David Banda in her arms Thursday at Consol Homes, a day care center that she is funding in the village of Masekese, Malawi. Madonna on Thursday visited a new day care center she is funding in Malawi, one of the world's poorest. most disease-stricken countries. The 20-month-old toddler waved to the bodyguards and driver who had escorted him during the visit. Madonna, wearing her now familiar straw hat, did not look back as she disappeared into the silver jet, with her daughter Lourdes following. The star and her entourage spent their time visiting orphanages, projects for street children and agricultural development programs as well as opening a new day care center funded by her charity, Raising Malawi. Madonna, who lives in London, made one visit to the Home of Hope orphanage, where David lived after the death of his mother in childbirth. There was no sign that Madonna had met with Yohane Banda, the peasant farmer who placed his son in the orphanage saying he was too poor to care for him. It was also unclear whether Yohane Banda, met alone with his son, as he had hoped. David's mother died of complications in childbirth and his two siblings died of malaria in infancy. Although a coalition of human rights groups challenged Madonna's adoption plans in the courts, many locals say they are happy that the celebrity has drawn attention to Malawi, which usually makes news because of drought, hunger and the occasional political scandal. Earn $5000-$7000 this Summer WE'RE HIRING FOR MOVERS, PACKERS, AND DRIVERS Fry-Wagner Moving & Storage offers excellent wages and potential overtime for college students seeking summer employment. CALL HILDA TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT ON THE SUMMER CREW! 1. 800.394.0049 [ext. 259] or 913.905.1035 Fry-Wagner is proud to be an Equal-Employment Opportunity Employer >> HURRICANE RELIEF Dylan that sold for $192,000, and a guitar from Paul McCartney that brought in $81,600. Money raised to replace damaged instruments NEW YORK — A fundraising auction of music memorabilia from Jimi Hendrix, The Edge, Bono, Paul McCartney and others brought in $2.4 million, some of which will go to a charity that replaces musical equipment lost to hurricanes Katrina and Rita. "It was the best sale we've ever done," said Darren Julien, president and CEO of Julien's Auctions, which ran the event benefiting Music Rising. Other highlights included a pair of sunglasses donated by Bono that went for $24,000, a guitar from Bob Music Rising was co-founded by The Edge, the U2 guitarist who donated his favorite instrument, a 1975 Gibson Les Paul that he has played for years. The guitar had been expected to bring $60,000 to $80,000, but it went for $288,000, including the commission. The event Saturday night at the Hard Rock Cafe was so popular that bidding went on for three hours after the scheduled conclusion, Julien said. A guitar owned by Jimi Hendrix was sold for $480,000. The final amount going to the charity had not been tallied yet, he said. Associated Press - Extensive course selections Enroll in classes at Johnson County Community College! Don't put your education on hold this summer. - Extensive course selections - Flexible times and locations - Transferrable classes - Online registration Classes begin June 4. Call 913-469-3803 or register online at www.jccc.edu Johnson County Community College 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS 66210 Learning comes first at JGCC.