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Ashton Kutcher Testifies Before U.S. Senate

Feb 15, 2017  •  Post A Comment

TV and film star Ashton Kutcher found himself in a role today that his fans might consider out of character for the mischievous mastermind of “Punk’d” and the actor behind the devil-may-care Michael Kelso on “That ’70s Show.”

In a far more serious mood, Kutcher testified before the U.S. Senate at a hearing titled “Ending Modern Slavery: Building on Success.”

USA Today notes that Kutcher, 39, is the chairman and co-founder of Thorn (wearethorn.org), an organization that leverages technology to combat predatory behavior against children.

“I’m here today to defend the right to pursue happiness,” Kutcher said as he opened his testimony. “It’s a simple notion, the right to pursue happiness. It’s bestowed upon all of us by our Constitution … and I believe that it is incumbent upon us as citizens of this nation, as Americans, to bestow that right upon others, upon each other, and on the rest of the world.”

Kutcher added: “But the right to pursue happiness for so many is stripped away. It’s raped. It’s abused. It’s taken by force, fraud or coercion. It is sold for the momentary happiness of another.”

The USA Today report quotes Kutcher, the father of two children under the age of 3, saying: “I’ve been on FBI raids where I’ve seen things that no person should ever see. I’ve seen video content of a child that’s the same age as mine being raped by an American man that was a sex tourist in Cambodia. This child was so conditioned by her environment that she thought she was engaging in play.”

The hearing also had its lighter moments. USA Today reports: “After giving his testimony, the actor and venture capitalist was the target of light-hearted humor from Sen. John McCain. ‘I also want to thank Elisa (Massimino, another hearing witness) and Ashton. Ashton, you were better-looking in the movies, but anyway…’ he trailed off before Kutcher blew him a kiss.”

7 Comments

  1. I hate it when celebrities do shit like this.,,

    • Dumb Indeed!

      so-called “celebrity” should stick to his pathetic “acting”

      • Cut it out! This is a two-way street. It’s up to the committee in question to decide who is called to these hearings, and if they fail to appear, they could be fined or even imprisoned. Do you want that kind of thing on your record? dL

  2. Kudos to Kutcher for being involved, but why is any civilian (let alone a celebrity) going on police raids?

  3. Isn’t he the same guy that objected to Joe Paterno being fired after covering up the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal?

  4. “Kutcher, 39, is the chairman and co-founder of Thorn (wearethorn.org), an organization that leverages technology to combat predatory behavior against children.”

    Presumably he went on raids and testified before Congress because he feels strongly about the issue and is doing something about it. What have you all done to curb predatory behavior against children, that you’re so mad at him?

  5. At least it is a worthwhile conversation trying to bring about change. BUT come on you were on FBI raids? I find that a bit difficult to believe.

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