WE Are The World, You Will Be Forgotten…
by Jeffrey JenaBack in 1985 a group of really wealthy show-business types got together to make a video and record a song for charity. The song, we all remember, was “We Are the World” and it has sold over 20 million copies, raised $63 million and raised worldwide awareness for… anybody? What horrible tragedy did these superstars bring to the forefront of our collective consciousness? Seriously, don’t Google it, does anyone remember what the charity was? I got to be honest, neither did I. Now, can you name any of the superstars involved? Of course you can…
USA for Africa was formed by singer/actor Harry Belafonte and agent/manager Ken Kragen to aid starving children in Africa. A noble idea if ever there was one! So they got Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, yes he was a big star before he was just Nicole’s daddy, and they got a bunch of their friends and fellow big shots to record a song for charity.
I don’t know how much of the $63 million raised was actually turned into food on the plate for a kid in Africa but let’s say it was 100%. That’s a little less than Michael Jackson spent on lawyer fees and llama feed over the same period of time. My point is that if the forty-plus millionaires had really wanted to do something selfless they could have each kicked in a million or two into an endowment and at an average return of 6.5% on an fund of 50 million they could have donated more money to poor nations and still have the fifty million sitting there working for the starving kids.
It just seems to me that what is promoted most with these celebrity videos is the celebrities themselves.
The horrible situation in Haiti has spawned a new group of super wealthy musicians and actors hungry to let us know how caring they are. They have gotten together to redo the 1985 classic. I saw a photo of the group and right smack dab in the middle is the Poster Girl for American Liberalism, Barbara Streisand, a woman whose personal net worth is probably equal to ten years of the GNP of Haiti.
Look you guys, you want to get together and pat each other on the back, that’s great. You really want to help Haiti; sit down and write a check so big it actually brings your net wealth down a percentage point or two and form a foundation that will support aid to Haiti forever.
Heck, I’ll even kick in a few bucks myself.
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197 Comments
Looking at the pic… mmm like shooting fish in a barrell.. love it when they bunch up in my sights…
I dont get it. 300 Million dollars raised, and there are only 8 million Haitians. Who is getting the money? The Haitians are not. And has to the original effort, Band Aid, was to feed the starving in Africa. But as typical with Progressive/Socialist sympathy, there was another agenda. The BBC reported that millions of dollars raised by Band Aid were diverted to Ethiopian rebels.
The allegations that 95 per cent of aid money donated to help victims of the 1985 Ethiopian famine were siphoned off were made in a BBC radio programme broadcast recently.
I don't need to buy a heaping plate of ear-poison to help Haiti. I just donated money to the Red Cross, it's more satisfying and I don't have a hideous song stinking up my iTunes library.
"Let them know it's Christmas" by Band-Aid blew away "We Are the World" by a long shot and the funds actually went to starving African children.
You know it's bad when BH and Saturday Night Live are in agreement!
http://www.hulu.com/watch/131066/saturday-night-l...
I went with Catholic Charities and Food For The Poor Inc. They've had a major presence in the Caribbean for quite a long time, and both have excellent reputations and ratings.
Good one.
"My point is that if the forty-plus millionaires had really wanted to do something selfless they could have each kicked in a million or two into an endowment and at an average return of 6.5% on an fund of 50 million they could have donated more money to poor nations and still have the fifty million sitting there working for the starving kids."
That would require a room full of liberals to come up with a capitalist solution. We're going to need more liberals, a bunch of typewriters, and 1,000 years, and even that is just to get the odds in favor of it maybe happening.
)
Just consider the arrogance and self-importance of that title – 'WE are the world'. I'm mad at myself that I didn't see that egotistical title for what it was back then; instead, I bought into it, literally (I bought the record, the album, the book and the video, etc., plus the tee-shirts). Now, years later, I see the whole thing for what it was back then and still is now – egotistical stars not wanting to help so much as to be SEEN helping.
I pass on this record – and the self-serving egotists who spawned it.
As a former modern liberal, the general sentiments here at BH is correct, its all about proving to others that you care. Details can be left to the little people, because celebs are too important to worry about that.
And if those little people happen to be crooks, doesn't matter, because they already did their part, so its none of their concern.
It's the same sentiment when they demand ObamaCare, they just want to prove how caring they are, and if people must suffer, not their concern, they already did their part by voting.
That would be no different than what already happens to our foreign aid.
It was a photo op.
Babs, just like to say Babs. But article is dead on.
You can tell that Babs knew where the camera was. Only one deliberately looking directly at it. She definitely loves her attention getting moments!
and Haitian crook Wycleff Jean keeps getting aid money…
Geraldo Rivera outed him severely on O'Reilly's show a while back. And guess what? The little soiree that Jeremiah Wright is throwing for HIMSELF (natch) Calypso Louie Farrakhan, and commie Priest Michael Pfleger raises money for charity.
Themselves. AND Wycleff Jean as well.
You can't make this stuff up…
Where's the pirated copy for download…?
I won't play the stinking thing, but like the Prog spawn that birthed it, I can then claim I actually care…
From now on, my charity, as meager and threadbare as it is nowadays, is going to stay at home…
World…you're on your own…make good decisions, because the safety net marked "USA" is not going on tour, at least with me…
While it certainly gets cheesier with age, I'll never forget my giddy teenage joy at buying the "We Are The World" album. (The rest of it seriously sucked–I think I played it through maybe twice) Still have it in a milk crate along with a bunch of others, too) I didn't really think it would solve the problem, but to see tons of what were then truly my favorite singers all together like that? It was pretty damn great. When you re-watch the old video, while we've lost some of the people, the bulk are still going strong–not going to be forgotten any time soon. The remake does, however, suck beyond words. (Ironically, "30 Rock" did what I can only call a perfect pre-parody last season with its all-star "He Needs A Kidney" song.)
I think she's actually trying to get the other side of her face more on camera as opposed to the direction everyone else is facing–she prefers one side be shot to the point that she actually got a talk show host to switch the position of the desk so she'd be shot from that side.
Pleas don't ask me why I know that.
Comedians and blogs all had a field day with the craptasticity (new word! trademark me!) of the remake. I especially liked the umbrage at "auto tune" being used.
The number one job by far is to survive as an institution, no matter if it's a government or a charity or a church or a celebrity. Their job is good content but instead they just puff themselves up. What can we do about it? Make sure that when we give our money it gets to its target.
"The humane man is not humane." -Confucius
and you're thinking, correctly, this…
Theat assessment: High. Target Acquisition: Positive. Fire Discipline: Hmmm… M-4? overpenetration.
Kimber/Glock .45? too many.
SPAS-12? NOW you're talking…
That's only because the earth shifted 3 inches off its axis.
I, for one am uber-disappointed is seeing Gladys Knight there.
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Matthew 6: 1-4
Mom always used to say….."times change but people don't".
apparently they couldn't decide what color to make the Haitian Earthquake Awareness Ribbon (HEAR) so they had to settle on the next most worthless, self-aggrandizing gesture…
now THAT's funny…
You do know that the photo up there is for the RECENT version of We Are The World right? The article is about the "Vintage" version.
I never cared much for the song, but my dad taped a TV special off of HBO or something that showed the making of and it was interesting. Michael Jackson, for example, made sure to keep asking to have his portion of the song extended.
My dad said he used to pretend that he was Bruce Springsteen in We Are The World whenever he was feeling constipated.
Look you guys, you want to get together and pat each other on the back, that’s great. You really want to help Haiti; sit down and write a check so big it actually brings your net wealth down a percentage point or two and form a foundation that will support aid to Haiti forever.
The problem with that, Mr Jena, is that they'd actually have to work to make that money back. I mean, it may take a couple months on a film to earn back that much and, let's face it, they just don't want that kind of inconvenience. And a foundation? More work, flying places and sitting in board meetings and all that dreary tiresome stuff. Again, too much like work.
It's much better to "donate" a couple days of singing and filming (for the video) than to be personally inconvenienced.
For recognizing what "WE are the World" is now earns you a thumbs-up.
Sorry, maybe I was a bit more politically aware than you in 1985…because you bought into their hype, I have to thumbs-down you.
So you're back to square one.
Notice how Babs is the only one staring directly into the camera?
But I will!
How do you know that?
Boy! He's got you fooled!
Not that I need to hear about your father's inner turmoil, but I think I like him.
:p
Entourage touched on this when Matt Damon (of all people) basically had to con Vince into donating a huge sum of money to some children's charity.
"Don't f—ing push me, Vince! Do what's right! You gave me your word, you gave LeBron your word. I can't believe that you even have money to give to a charity! I've seen all your movies. Queens Boulevard? Sucked. Aquaman? Sucked. I can't believe I have an Academy Award and I'm calling you back, you c—sucker! Again and again and again! SEND ME THE CHECK!"
It's a music video with musical talent, right? So where do I buy Vince Vaughn's new CD?
$.99 bin in isle 5 at Walmart, there's a whole mess of them.
Should have kept reading. It is Vaughn and the photo is from a more recent remake. D'oh!
If you saw the full picture of the attendees it would take more than 2 hands to count the
number of folks that are glad to perform anywhere. There careers went the way of the hair on their heads
now covered by toupes.
The most money they will make this year is the deduction on their taxes for the expense of showing up at this
ego fest..(if they pay taxes)
Tho some may have actually saved some money for their old age which translates to their 40s.
It's going to take some serious firepower to crack some of those skulls.
It's going to take some serious firepower to crack some of those skulls.
Actually, no it didnt', not enough of it to do any real good. that's exactly why Bob Geldof became disillusioned with these types of "stunts". Whatever else you can say about him, he at least genuninely thought he could do some good, and when he saw what became of it all he realized they had wasted thier time.
And let's not forget "we are the ones we were waiting for" during Obama's campaign. Looking at that rogue's gallery in the picture, I know at least one place they put their money.
It's far better to show you are 'concerned' than to actually sacrifice.
Besides, they don't want to spend their money, they want everyone else's money. They still want their expensive toys and houses. The horror that a 'celebrity' would actually have to move into a 20 room house, rather than occupy a 30 room house. Just think that instead of Spago or some other trendy place to eat overpriced food, they might have rub elbows with those 'little people' who think that Pizza Hut or Applebees is a treat.
It was years ago…but the audacity of it stuck with me. I sympathize with wanting to shoot your good side the older I get–I avoid showing off my extra chins as much as possible. And Tina Fey favors the side on camera without her scar, but asking someone to rearrange their whole set? That takes true lady-ballz.
Agreed. Altho, you won't hear it from any of those involved or the media. From what I understand it was a colossal cluster f*ck. And that's why I can't stand the grating voice of Bonehead every time he whines about how the US isn't giving enough money to some starving, AIDS-infected third world country. I've been saying for years he needs to shut up and put up. I don't tell him how to spend his money, so don't tell me what I should do with mine. He's got loads more than I do. Good for Geldof for wising up.
Check Switzerland.
He probably heard it was a good place to pick up chicks.
you bet- baseball bats would shatter for sure…
I think the only non-Communist celebrities there are the 15 year old kid singer, Zac Brown and Vince Vaughn.
Hate to tell you all but Haiti is not worth one ounce of pity or sympathy. The whole island suffering is a result of a mass murder of the founders of that island which used to be the jewel of the Carribean. You want to help Haiti? Clean off the population, send then to Liberia or Senegal and turn it into a tourist destination. I am so sick of these people being a never ending charity.
Also the mass corruption and reigns of terror by 'Papa Doc' and "Baby Doc'.
Aristide was just another corrupt would-be dictator, but he got good coverage by the MSM.
Send people from major businesses in the US and give them carte blanche to rebuild some of the country, and to hand it over to those Haitians who will actually work to rebuild, rather than loot and terrorize.
Watch it on Youtube. Then you get the whole experience. Heh.
I'd disquise a Claymore as a camera and put it on a tripod, set the timer, and leave the room. BOOOOOM!
I was thinking of just lobbing a grenade into the mix.
awww wassamatter mediocre joe, didn't get your hug this morning?
That happens from eating too much lead paint as a child.
one trick pony
one tick pony
Your dad sounds like a riot!
Oh, you hurt my feelings, Below Average Joe.
I think it's Vince. He was put out when they asked him to trim his nose hair for the shoot.
I think old Streisand was chopped into the picture. She's the only not singing and she looks totally out of place.
Most of these people are too busy to write a check. What with trying to make radio stations pay for playing their songs and all…
c'mon, joe, you can do better than that. I've been called a whole lot more creative things than this.
Prick.
at least it gave him an excuse to keep his finger up there.
Moron, idot… so many to choose from and this is the best you can come up with? Best get out the thesaurus joe
who's the old white gal in the middle?
that'll do it!
who brought their mom to this deal ? i mean there is a big old white woman right in the middle ? with sort of a forever 21haircut and a fake mouth. that is lame
I stand corrected. Thanks.
Still the song blows away "We Are the World" by a long shot.
Whole movie sets were arranged so Claudette Colbert best side was always to the camera. It's very distracting when watching one of her films. However, her left butt cheek looks 10 times more attractive than Bab's best side…
uh, hum…not bragging or anything, but…I still have my copy. {{{{hanging head in complete shame}}}}
He's the Dan Aykroyd of the re-make.
At this point, a gig's a gig.
Or, as one of my high school classmates used to say: "I've been called worse by better."
Bab's is the Bob Dylan of the re-make.
"As an example of charity, [these efforts] couldn't be worse. Charity entails sacrifice. Yet the Live Aid performers are sacrificing nothing. Indeed, they're gaining public adulation and a thoroughly unmerited good opinion of themselves. Plus, it's free advertising. These LP's, performances and multiform by-products have nothing in common with charity. Instead, they levy a sort of regressive alms tax on the befuddled millions. The performers donate their time, which is worthless. Big corporations donate their services, which are worth little enough. Then the poor audience pledges all the contributions and buys all the trash with money it can ill afford. The worst nineteenth-century robber barons wouldn't have have the cheek to put forward such a bunco scheme. They may have given away tainted money, but at least they didn't ask you to give away yours." — P.J. O'Rourke
I've got a healthy respect for Claymores. When I had six days left in 'Nam, they took me out of the field and had me supervise some guys burning brush around the perimeter of the base. We thought we'd picked up all the Claymores, but we missed one. It was hidden in a bush Id just set on fire. A saw a flash, then was flying thru the air. Luckily, for me, it was tipped down and away from me. I felt the ass end of it fly past my face. Made a pretty big hole. I've had tinitus ever since.
Got one in the wall mounted locker next to my bed. It's a Franchi LAW 12.
We are the World. You will be forgotten?
"We are the World. Existence as you know it is over. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. You will be forgotten. Resistance is futile."
Kinda sounds like the phone calls I get asking for $100 or more to some charity or another. When I ask what percent goes to the charity and get an answer 10% or so, I just tell them, "Sorry, but I'd rather make my donation of $10 directly to that charity." They don't even say "Thanks" when they hang up.
Too bad I can't do that when I have to pay my taxes!
I missed the "make" …whew. Wish I'd missed the re-make.
I like Dylan though.
You know if he called you, "poopy pants,' it would be a change of pace.
Agreed, when I first heard "We Are The World," my first thought was, embarassment. What a cornball record
Loved it Scottso, thanks.
This is an example of what Rush says, "liberals judge each other not on results, but intentions." I maybe paraphasing but that was the gist of what he said. Of course my grandmother used to always say that "the road to hell was paved with good intentions."
I won't ask because if I recollect correctly it was on a 60 minutes story on her with Mike Wallace. However I reserve the right to be wrong. LOL!!
Don't you know Celine is out yelling them all!
I never heard that, but your post is funny!! LOL! That being said, many things are more attactive than Bab's best side.
I didn't know that, but then again I rarely watch BOR anymore. he keeps interrupting his guests and is too spineless when it comes to crticizing and questioning Zippy's motives, but that's for another post.
I felt embarrasment the first time I heard it and that feeling hasn't subsided subsequently. You still have the record though? I wonder what if anything it'd fetch on ebay.
Good for Puffy's kid.. and good question about the sweet 16 birthday party. I haven't had a birthday party since I was 11, and it was at a bowling alley.
Tourette syndrome?
Making fun of the vapid self delusion of singers and performers is like shooting fish in a barrel.
These people should be kept far away from real life problems because their involvement only seems to worsen them.
The problems of Africa and Haiti go beyond just getting food to starving people. The problems of these countries are cultural and political, areas that most people (myself included) are not qualified to address.
Hollywood types are the least qualified people to address or even opine on the problems afflicting Africa and Haiti.
Are you kidding? I doubt if I could give the thing away. The cover might fetch a couple of bucks. It's dog-eared, though. Appropriately, I might add.
The big problem I have with the Red Cross is the amount of money they pay their "administrative" staff. When people are making six figure incomes …. I have a hard time donating to someone that is going to use my donations to pay them that high a salary.
What is awful is that those "singers" are not donating any money. They are making a record that they expect US to buy and using OUR money to give to _________ [fill in the blank].
Now, if the libs, like you Babs, actually ponied up the money from their vast wealth, it might mean something. But it is sickening that they are just using our money; as usual, we, middle America, are the ones giving the money to charity.
I always maintained they should have had to cough up a check for a million to get in the recording studio. They all wanted to be part of the "event" and get the publicity…then let's do it the Chicago Way…pay to play.
[...] Read it. Back in 1985 a group of really wealthy show-business types got together to make a video and record a song for charity. The song, we all remember, was “We Are the World” and it has sold over 20 million copies, raised $63 million and raised worldwide awareness for… anybody? What horrible tragedy did these superstars bring to the forefront of our collective consciousness? Seriously, don’t Google it, does anyone remember what the charity was? I got to be honest, neither did I. Now, can you name any of the superstars involved? Of course you can… [...]
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