photo credit: m_bahareth[/caption]These are times when you listen to celebrities opining on a given subject matter and falsely think that they are saints, but these celebrities practice do as we say, not as we do.
For example, I have heard celebrities speaking eloquently on the environment, yet when you see them in their every day lives… they are driving gas guzzling cars or being ferried around on their private jets (Leonardo, Gore), etc.
It is even more egregious with politicians who always want the government to secure all your needs from cradle to grave, yet when you checked their charity donations, they are woefully pitiful in their largess. Recently, Sting, formerly of “The Police,” was roundly criticized for performing and taking millions from the dictator of Uzbekistan, who, apparently, is engaged in all sort of human rights abuse – a cause Sting is known to religiously support. Perhaps, Sting secretly chastised the dictator of his abuse of the Uzbeks in secret.
There is hope though become some of the talking head celebrities, and celebrities not confined to music and acting, but celebrities of all stripes including men and women of industry like Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. It was a breath of fresh air to hear Warren Buffet and Bill Gates asking the rest of the members of the billionaire’s club to pledge at least half their respective wealth to charity. I personally would be satisfied with our billionaires pledging only twenty percent of their wealth, but I am not going to look these platinum gift horses in the mouths. If these pledges come to fruition, then it would be easy for the rest of us to emulate them.
I wished Buffet and Gates message of giving will resonate among our Liberals wealthy celebrities in Hollywood. All of you singers/actors who have a tendency to bemoan the state of affairs, of course mostly, only, when there is a Republican Administration - look at yourselves first. When I hear the likes of Bruce Springsteen bitching about the poor, I want to say, dude, you're worth north of $200 million… so you first open your wallet because you have the means; give half of your earnings to New Jersey, which is in dire straits and you’ll impress me. It is not only Springsteen alone, where are the celebrities who are always out front showing their faces when there are tragedies like the BP oil spill? George Clooney, Sean Penn, are you listening… could it be because it’s a Democratic President in office why the usual vain-glorious suspects are being so taciturn?
Where are the celebrity fund raisers, working in tandem with politicians, on behalf for the people of the Gulf Coast? I have learned a long time ago, not to put any credence into mostly anything celebrities have to say… because they have feet of clay like everybody else. I hope the Buffet and Gates admonishment will spread to Hollywood like a wild fire and comes to fruition. These celebrities are becoming like politicians, at least when there is a Democratic President in office, for not having the courage of their convictions or even trying to come close. We all have been part of conversations with someone berating others when that person’s skeletons were not even secured in the proverbial closet - but said skeletons were right out there in the open, fetid and stinking up the place.
Hi.
ردحذفYou’ve made some really great points here; however, although I don’t know enough about the other celebrities you’ve mentioned here, you might want to read up a bit on Springsteen.
A little bit of research, in his regard, at least, would have made this a better informed piece and given what you've propagated here even more credibility.
Cheers!
If the rest of your "facts" in this article are as astute as your comments on Springsteen, then you clearly have a future writing for Fox News.
ردحذفUnfortunately a pretty run-of-the-mill liberal bashing article.
ردحذفI am (as I guess other posters are) a Springsteen fan, but it is common knowledge that since the late 70's he's contributed personally to local food banks wherever his tour plays, he also allows them to set up collection points and runs lotteries for 'back stage passes' that often raise five and six figure sums FOR CHARITY.
He regularly allows items to be auctioned - last year one of his Harleys, and a signed guitar were sold and (I think) a veterans charity benefited. The guitar was purchased by Marissa Hartigay (L&O: SVU) and raised HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.
All this is on top of the time he gives up playing benefit concerts for many local charities.
I'd give you an 'F' for research, but then that assumes you were looking to write A fair and balanced piece in the first place.
Oh..and by the way....
ردحذفWhile I am not a fan of Sean Penn, it has been fairly widely covered that he flew to Haiti a week after January's earthquake and has spent much of this year working to provide humanitarian support on-site. Not residing in a luxury hotel, but sleeping in a tent. And he volunteered in New Orleans after Katrina back in 2005.