“Actor Martin Sheen stopped by the University of Akron Monday evening to speak with students and members of the community about what else? Himself. The former West Wing president admitted that he was hoping to use his personal experiences to help others. Well the only thing I know about is myself, Sheen said jokingly, and that is exactly what he discussed.”
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Actor Martin Sheen stopped by the University of Akron Monday evening to speak with students and members of the community about what else?

Himself.

The former West Wing president admitted that he was hoping to use his personal experiences to help others.

Well the only thing I know about is myself, Sheen said jokingly, and that is exactly what he discussed.

Sheen stopped in Akron on his way to London to talk to a full E.J Thomas Hall full of supporters.

Greeted by cheers and massive applause, Sheen told various jokes. One included a trip to the airport in which a fan approached him saying, good morning, Mr. president, is Air Force One in the shop?

Sheen talked about a wide range of topics from standing up for what you believe in to his family. Sheen even was hard pressed for words when speaking about his parents and their past.

While waves of laughter were often heard coming from the auditorium, Sheen was not without his serious moments.

I believe we are all responsible for the world, Sheen stressed.

Sheen, who was a Bill Richardson supporter, tonight publicly announced his support for presidential candidate Barack Obama.

I think he has done a really magnificent job, he said in a press confrence. I think he would be a great president. I think a storm is coming and I think he’s ready.

I think Senator Obama is the man to take us in a new direction, he said.

He says this while also admitting his fondness for the Clintons.

I’m very fond of Bill Clinton and he still considers me his president, he said. He would watch the West Wing, and if he couldn’t, then he would have it taped and sent to air force one.

He admitted that the one thing he feared most was public speaking. In which shortly after he commented about not being able to read the notes he had written for himself.

Sheen, who spoke with passion and heart, received a standing ovation from the audience which he graciously deferred with please sit downs.

Members of the audience got their chance to chat with one of the stars of the Oscar-winning movie The Departed, leading him to sing a hymn and happy birthday to one member of the audience.

He also said that if he had not been an actor he would have liked to have been either a police officer or a teacher, stating that they both go unrecognized.

The father of four admitted to being arrested 67 times, all for mostly civil disobedience. His efforts focus on peace and social justice issues.

I don’t go out of my way to be arrested; I don’t enjoy it, Sheen said. You cannot not do this thing and be yourself. We all have to live with ourselves for that which we did in crisis and that which we didn’t do.

Sheen says he does his protesting non-vilolently and has never taken the arrests personally.

Out of his lecture, the only thing Sheen said he hoped was that the audience was entertained and got a better sense of him as a person.

I take personal myself, he said. I think you have to take what you believe personal, otherwise it’s impersonal.

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