george clooney testimonyOne thing we know about George Clooney, he is hot takes global politics seriously. Oh sure, he's known for his Oceans movies, is ridick handsome, and dates wrestlers. But he's not afraid to talk about his strong political convictions and he chooses some of his projects based on those convictions.

Which is why I love that he's just been arrested. He, his father Nick, Virginia Rep. Jim Moran, and others were protesting in front of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington, D.C. this morning.  Not to put the cart before the horse, but I think this is one of the reasons I love George Clooney's work so much. His political activism gives some of his more serious films more gravity and credibility. And I think it makes him a better actor. But let's get into why George cares about Sudan.

Clooney has been advocating for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Sudan since 2006. He's made trips there, collaborated with journalists and political leaders on op-eds and humanitarian missions, and he made a film on Sudan in 2007. Wednesday he testified before Congress about the atrocities he had seen on a recent trip to the war-torn Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan.

He named names: He says the attacks are being led by the Sudanese government, including President Omar al-Bashir. And he condemned the government's "campaign of murder" and the "constant drip of fear" the Sudanese suffer, especially the children. He reported seeing children filled with shrapnel and one nine-year-old boy with both of his hands blown off his body. Even worse, Clooney says President al-Bashir is blocking food aid to the region.

I know some people find it just plain gross and arrogant when movie stars get political. But I think George Clooney is dead serious about this. It's not a vanity project -- he's spending time, money, and his notoriety to draw attention to a situation in a continent most Americans rarely care much about. Will he "fix" Darfur? Of course not. But he's working to help. And I respect that.

Here's George getting arrested. Below, he testifies before Congress.

What do you think of George Clooney's political activism? Is it a good way to use his notoriety, or should he stay out of politics?

 

Image via CNN/YouTube