George Clooney Talks About Paparazzi Standoff

After video was leaked yesterday of George Clooney verbally scuffling with photographers who had followed the Oscar winner and his girlfriend during a weekend motorcycle ride, the superstar hunk is now talking about why he responded so viscerally.

"It's not about shooting pictures, it's about the risks

they're taking and driving with reckless abandon," George explained to Entertainment Tonight. "I live on a street

where everyone hikes. There are mothers with strollers and elderly

people. What they're doing is illegal, it's high-speed chases and

they're competing with each other. They're not trying to catch me doing

something stupid, they're trying to create me doing something stupid."

He added, "You don't get to break all these laws and then say 'I'm just doing my

job.' The guys that commit all these crimes are rewarded for it. It

creates bounty hunters in a way. They cry poor… then look at the cars

they're driving… Mercedes and Land Rovers."

After getting into a motorcycle accident two months ago while driving around New Jersey, it's no surprise that George is responding so strongly to dangerous motorcycle driving. And, he comes to the defense of other stars who have had famous paparazzi encounters. "You look at the footage of Britney running the red

light… there's eight guys with cameras at night in the middle of the

street. There are no rules now. It sounds like a bunch of well-off

people whining about how difficult their life is but I really don't

believe that is the case. It's getting to a point where people that are

not involved are getting hurt."

"I'm the son of an anchorman," George says, referring to his father, Nick Clooney, a noted TV newsman. "I don't want to restrict

anyone's rights. Take your pictures but don't go 60 mph down a one-way

street. Don't cause injury to people who aren't involved."

For more with the actor, check out Entertainment Tonight on Tuesday!