Quick Musings

If all journalists are supposed to be "objective", then why is the majority of our news negative?

Close to the Right Track

I watched Brad Pitt on Prime Time tonight and was partly encouraged. It seems as though Brad can see a life beyond Hollywood, and a chance to do some good in the world. In a culture that is self-absorbed, self-important, and addicted to themselves and Botox, it is refreshing to see the GQ Pitt championing kids in Ethiopia. But what is this millionaire's angle? The U.S. government.

Why can intelligent American citizens not see a way to solve problems that doesn't involve the U.S. government? Brad has partnered with Bono's campaign to help Africans. Does Bono's website tell me how I can individually help Africans with my extra change every month? No. His site tells me to tell the President to do something. Why? America isn't in enough debt? We need the government to act on our behalf? These two men have made millions on their own. I like to think that it takes a certain amount of intelligence to make oneself a millionaire with a lasting career. With that kind of intelligence, smarts, power and influence, I like to think that they can come up with more ideas on how to help besides contacting President Bush. On my own I donate to Food for the Hungry, and wow! The government didn't tell me to do it!

What also bothers me about the Pitt interview, and with Hollywood in general, is this: they are MILLIONAIRES! It's difficult to watch a millionaire preach to me about how little money it takes to help these people in Africa. What if Brad and his buddies learned to cut back and live on half a mil to a mil a year, and gave the rest to Africa? It rings a touch hollow to hear him speak of America and its vast wealth when he as an American represents vast wealth.

Brad successfully highlighted the problems in Ethiopia, but he did nothing to teach me how I can help. What good does it do these people to spend the whole hour highlighting the problem without giving me a way to immediately help? ME, not Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam has enough problems of his own. Yes, Brad, these are exciting times, because millionaires like you can truly make a difference; you just have to be willing to sacrifice.