Forum Post: Celebrity Support, where is it?
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 8, 2011, 12:23 p.m. EST by Richless
(3)
from Sacramento, CA
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Sure would be nice if some of the Celebrities would come out and support this movement. Where is Angelina Jolie, Brad Pit, Oprah, George Clooney and the list go on. They are always claiming to be compassionate for the exploited. Nope, they are just as bad. They exploit use as well, we are their cash cow. No musicians, athletics, entertainers, nothing, Not a peep.
yosteve, your absolute correct. OWin kicked in in New Orleans too. But thats what I mean, they were there then, where are they now. I stand corrected too. As I research, there has been some support. The News is playing it down as they did when the OWS first started. Maybe now that they know that we are serious, they will give better coverage. Yes, the movement does need real definition. Egad, where do you start? How do you stop the greed when the watch dogs (government) are in on it?
Actually, Brad Pitt has done more for Katrina then the federal government in regards to getting individuals back into their homes. The fed was making it really difficult for individuals that wanted to rebuild to fill out the paperwork. They have the paperwork to a class of college students at harvard or yale or some other school's law students and had them fill out the paperwork to be able to get their housing permits. NONE of them got it right.
So what Brad Pitt did was hire a team of lawyers and got them filing the paperwork for the people in La to be able to build their homes.
Meanwhile all that red-tape (we all know where bush was, but where is obama on this?) is keeping people from rebuilding and it's sad. Let's not forget remember all those trailers that rotted that was supposed to go as temporary housing. we paid for those and the red tape held that back. again the president should have just inserted himself (over the local governments) and cut all that red tape.
So don't knock all celebs.
to the OP, I dunno where the celebs are. I'm guessing they want the movement defined before they endorse.
The rich and famous do not want to be seen as 'pigs' or go down in history as 'villains'. They want to be seen as 'heros' and go down in history as 'humanitarians'. The market for their product has become global. The fan base has become global. Therefore, the 'humanitarian' effort and 'good will' PR machine has gone global. These 'humanitarian' efforts and 'good deeds' are not chosen to address the greatest need or injustice. They are chosen almost exclusively to appeal to the largest demographic for their respective commercial products. The largest fan base. Efficiency or effect is of little or no concern. Its all about PR, marketing, image, and fame.
This is why the rich and famous have all taken up 'philanthropy' or 'good will' around the world. This is why so many have 'schools' or 'foundations' in their name. This is why so many play golf or appear on a TV game show for 'charity'. This is why so many sign motorcycles, other merchandise, or auction off their own 'personal effects' for 'charity'. This is why so many have TV shows with a 'charitable' gimmick. This is why so many arrange photo ops with wounded veterans, firefighters, or sick children. This is why so many have adopted children from around the world (Which they always pay others to care for full time. The hired professionals are sworn by legal contract to confidentiality. Not allowed to discuss or appear in public with the children they care for. Those 'photo' and 'interview' opportunities are reserved exclusively for the rich and famous 'adoptive' parents.). This is why every 'humanitarian' effort and 'good deed' is plastered all over the media worldwide. Its not about 'humanity' or 'good will'. Its all about marketing, image, fame, and PROFIT. This is why we are so often reminded of their respective 'good deeds' or 'humanitarian' efforts shortly before or after the release of their latest commercial product.
Charitywatch.org and Charitynavigator.org are both non-profit charity watchdogs. Of all the well rated charities (about 1500) only three are closely affiliated with celebrities. Michael J Fox (not the primary donor), Tiger Woods (not the primary donor), and Bill Clinton (not the primary donor). That's three well rated celebrity foundations out of 1500. In general, celebrity foundations run like crap because they blow half the money on private jet rides, five star accommodations, and PR crews.
The fans have been terribly misled. For example:
Virtually every penny 'donated' by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt to date has come from repeated sales of baby photos. With each sale, the baby money goes to the 'Jolie-Pitt' foundation. A foundation which has never done anything but shelter funds. The 'donation' is immediately publicized worldwide.
When Jolie or Pitt have a new movie to promote, a portion is then donated from their own 'foundation' to a legitimate charity. This leaves their ignorant fans under the impression that 'another' donation has been made. When in fact, its the same baby money being transferred again and again. Another portion is blown on private jet rides, super-exclusive accommodations, photo ops, and PR crap. This saves Jolie and Pitt millions in travel/stay expenses and their respective studios tens of millions in advertising. It's all very calculated.
Of course, Jolie and Pitt could simply endorse any of the 1500 most efficient and effective charities. Of course, the baby money would go much further and do far more good if it were donated to such charities to begin with.
But that would be too boring.
The 'Make it Right' Foundation took in over $12,000,000 the first year alone. Tens of millions overall. Brad Pitt has never been the primary donor, planner, or designer. He is a figurehead and salesman with a position on the board of advisors. Nothing more. Still, he has been showered with glorious praise by fellow celebrities and media outlets around the world. Again, the fans have been terribly misled.
In order to move into a 'green' home, the innocent victims of Katrina are required to provide a property deed, meet a number of financial requirements, and pay an average of $150,000 UP FRONT. The difference is offered in cheap loans or on occasion (according to the website) forgiven. To date, only a few dozen former home owners have qualified.
The 'Make it Right' foundation was never intended to help the lower income residents of New Orleans reclaim anything lost in Katrina. In fact, 'Make it Right' is part of a calculated effort to rebuild the Lower Ninth Ward without them. Part of a calculated effort to raise property values in the area by displacing the poor. They are by design, excluded. Unable to qualify. Of course, Brad Pitt could have simply endorsed 'Habitat For Humanity'. A well known, proven, and efficient home building operation. Of course, the tens of millions in funding would have gone MUCH further.
But that would be too boring. Big name celebrities have no desire to make the world a better place.
Their primary goal is to appear as if they do.
It's a sham. Good will has become big business.
There are celebrities involved. Get more info on wikipedia for a list. Search occupywallst. Keith Olberman has had some on his show, one of the only news shows telling about the occupy wall street movement on a nightly basis.
If you had Devil Dogs and Butter Brickle Icecream I'm pretty sure you'd have Michael Moore and Rosie Odonnell there on a regular basis. Better bring a lot though.
So, this isn't about corporate greed then? Its hate anyone who has been successful in the US. Greed is when you go beyond success. Nothing wrong with being a success. It's corporate greed that has preventing people like us from becoming successful.
Uh, NO THANKS. "Celebrities" are one of the disgusting aspects of shallow and plastic culture. I'm not interested in these self absorbed, over paid narcissists endorsing anything.
It sure would help though. Give our movement more creedance and get our 99% out in full strength. They are usually in support of the little guys because we fund their coffers. They should give back by showing support.
I've seen Tim Robbins there almost daily along with a handful of others. My mother keeps me posted with pics on Facebook.
Who cares? The best thing they can do is donate to the cause for supplies, and maybe they're doing that. If not, oh well, this is a movement of the 99%.