Bored Game

One of the things that really rubbed me the wrong way in the last few months was the whole Idol Gives Back thing that they had on American Idol.  I just did a blog about actually liking that show, which I do – but I don’t like the message that was being sent continually throughout their promo of the event.

I totally agree that we can make a real difference in the world and typically the only way we can make that change, or at least the most efficient way we can is by donating money.  Now I am not one to suggest that donating willy nilly is a great idea, but donating money to an established and trustworthy charity can definitely be a step in the right direction.

Here’s what I didn’t like about the in-show celebrity spots and pleads for financial contributions.  A lot of the requests to give were made by previous winners of American Idol.  The lyrics they sang to this new song went something like: “Hey America, your support helped make me an American Idol, now your support can help change the world.  Please call and donate blah blah blah.”  OK!  Thanks Mr. Now-Star who I helped to create, I’ll pack my bags and take that little guilt trip right over to the phone and make a pledge.  Not.

I think that some of the peeks of the inner workings of a few of the charities (Second Harvest for example) was awesome – but think that the donated dollars would have gone further if people donated directly to those charities that they recommended, rather than to American Idol to help distribute.  They gave the impression (to me) that this is/was a solution to a growing problem around the world, including our own country with starving children and families in real need.  But its not a solution.  Yeah it helps, and it may be a starting point – but the solution, if there is one, will come faster with the addition of something even more valuable, which would be people’s time.

“Solution” is such a crazy word, cause on one hand it can mean the answer to a problem, and on the other it means the combination of items to make a cocktail of elements.  A solution of baking soda and vinegar provides the answer to: “How big of a mess can I make?”  I guess it all depends upon the question.

I fear the television and big screen media on several levels.  It gives those who are frequently unqualified to give opinions and advice on a large scale, a clear and present medium to do so.  I don’t care what the actors on Will and Grace have to say about anything… and yet their fans are more apt to believe their opinions and voice as flat out fact, than something from an educated source.  Our Extra Value Meal society in general is not taking the time to digest information for themselves.  Just because someone starred in an episode of Little House on the Prairie doesn’t give him or her the wherewithal to tell the rest of us what makes the world go round.

This blog was going to have more humor in it, and about a completely different subject, but I rewrote it thinking maybe I could bore you all to sleep.  By the way, and I am dead serious – I think I have a solution to our nations energy crisis.  It doesn’t solve the whole gasoline thing, but the process of harnessing electricity… BOO YEAH!

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