Ben, with J.Lo, Tosses Barbs at Bush

By Stephen M. Silverman

Thursday October 16, 2003 01:00 PM EDT

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Ben Affleck was honored in Los Angeles Tuesday night by the People for the American Way Foundation, a liberal organization formed in the 1970s by former "All in the Family" producer Norman Lear that promotes, among other things, free speech and freedom of the press, reports USA Today.

Affleck's prize: The American Way Award. Affleck's escort: Jennifer Lopez.

Their appearance marks their second time in public together since their being spotted last Saturday in the stands of Boston's Fenway Park, where Affleck cheered on his home team, the Red Sox.

Affleck and Lopez (described by USA Today as curly haired and silver-heeled) chose a backdoor to the Beverly Hilton Hotel to make their entrance to the event. Harrison Ford reportedly chose the same path, prior to his presenting the Spirit of Liberty Award to actress Heather Thomas and her philanthropist husband, high-powered Hollywood attorney Skip Brittenham.

According to New York's Daily News, Affleck was honored for his work on behalf of children's rights and voter registration. And though Bennifer served as the target of critics for their movie bomb "Gigli," Affleck was even more critical of the current administration in his acceptance speech, the Daily News notes.

"The Bush administration has continued to push a dangerous right-wing agenda which has included increasing encroachments on civil liberties, particularly with the questionable and aggressive use of the Patriot Act," said Affleck, 31. He also joked that he thought he was being recognized for this award because he has a "pretty girlfriend," said USA Today.

Later, the paper was told by political satirist Bill Maher, who accepted the Defenders of Democracy Award on behalf of the Dixie Chicks (who are on tour), that he didn't understand why Affleck was being saluted.

"I like Ben, but I don't know what he's done for freedom," Maher, 47, said. "He's getting married, so that's what he can do for freedom -- break off that engagement! Just kidding, J.Lo."