American Idol: Idol Gives Back
By absentee Posted in American Idol | Charity | Culture | Idol Gives Back — Comments (22) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
I don't doubt that many in America have sneers or sarcasm, not dollars, for Idol Gives Back. I further don't doubt there are some here at Redstate that feel this way. I'm not one of those.
Charity is a beautiful force in the world, improving the lives and fortunes of the recipient and giver alike. And the fact that Americans can cross both ideological and popular culture divides and share a common, deep sense of compassion for the less fortunate, both here and around the world, is a bond between us all.
Sometimes charity drives can annoy conservatives when they start spouting liberal tropes and truisms. I know they can annoy me. I hope you can look past that and participate in a worthwhile effort.
Real children experience genuine improvement in their lives, sometimes transformative beyond words, as a result of this Idol charity drive. This is everyone's chance to help those kids.
I urge you to look past your objections and participate with conservatives and liberals, the cool and the uncool, hipsters and dorks and, yes, even celebrities and Maria Shriver. Please take time tonight to donate. If you really object, make this a night to donate to any charity of your choice.
Other Charities:
www.ONE.org
The Red Cross
Salvation Army
Wounded Warrior Project
Soldiers Angels
Feel free to add others in comments.
Please take a moment and make this a night of charity. Somewhere in the world, a small face and a small voice is suffering. Tonight, America is going to answer that tiny cry for help. I hope you'll be a part of it. I know I will.
Update: Feddie here. Absentee was kind enough to invite me to list a few prolife organizations that y'all may want to consider donating money to in lieu of Idol Gives Back. So, here goes:
Project Rachel: You can donate the money to your local Catholic Diocese.
Or you can, and probably should, donate money to your local Crisis Pregnancy Center
charity holds in this world.
The conservatives I know, have a problem when liberals try to legislate charity and spend our money on something we may not agree with. However, giving our money freely to something we support is an excellent way to show our conservatism and compassion.
Texas Proud and Texas Loud
I was referring to charity drives like this telethon as sometimes being annoying. Believe me they annoy me often.
absentee
Also now available at Political Machine.
It's the American Idol that I despise. They really do have the concept right though. They are using their celebrity to make sure that people are aware of some other really needy people that can use our help.
For that I say Bravo Idol Gives Back.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
What is the code for the remote digg button. I dugg Ben's Jindal article and wasn't sure how to put the button on. Also, I would like to be as cool as you are.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
absentee
Also now available at Political Machine.
And I am a liar. (haha...kidding...kidding)
And JEff, I know that we'll have it soon, I just want to get into the habit of Digging the really good stuff on here. Trying to share the wealth of knowledge with some of the (wink) enlightened Digg users.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
But I do think that Idol should disclose that several of the groups that benefit from this fundraiser are proabortion.
That having been said, one can always give to a charitable organization that respects the dignity/humanity of the person from conception until natural death.
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The blogger formerly known as "Alexham"
I'd be most appreciative if you felt compelled to link a few suggestions into the main post or in a comment. I didn't want to be too pushy, but personally we donate to Billy Graham on Idol night.
absentee
Also now available at Political Machine.
absentee
Also now available at Political Machine.
Thrive St. Louis is an organization that is focused on changing the discussion about sex, pregnancy and relationships. They do great work to help counsel those who find themselves with unwanted pregnancy.
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
organization that helps the greatest Americans we have...
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
http://www.soldiersangels.org/
Freedom of Religion not Freedom from Religion
absentee
Also now available at Political Machine.
Seems that over the years I have become cynical of many charities and for good reasons. Seems that too many are either crooks or seem to have way too high percentages for Administrative costs. I am just so tired of giving to good charities and find out later that little of the money goes to those it is intended to help.
Sorry to be so pessimistic, but experience has been my teacher. I just wish there was a much more direct way of giving that insures help where it is needed.
Formally known as Deagle... "Golf is a way of life..."
My Church has many targeted funds for shelters, food, clothing, disaster relief, teen pregnancies, Christmas gifts for disadvantaged, school supplies for disadvantaged, free clinic, and on and on. The administrative costs are absorbed by the Church's general operating fund. Money to the targeted funds is 100% expended on the target.
Many churches are set up like this.
I hope people don't use that as an excuse NOT to give, but rather incentive to vet out potential charities. Just like there are quack doctors doesn't mean we shouldn't seek medical attention when we need it.
I find giving on the very local level helps more, and frankly, gives me more pleasure. I don't like writing a check into a black hole either. Helping out a specific family who lost their home in a storm etc...Needy families through churches. Battered women's shelters are everywhere. These women must leave at a drop of the hat w/ their kids w/ the clothes on their back. Clothes, dishes, toys, old cell phones are Godsends.
Ask not what I can do for my country, ask what my country can do for me. Washington Elected Elite
My charity of choice is the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund. I believe charity is local and I, of course, live in Florida.
despite there being a couple charities that were more on the, well, liberal side of things. I figure if even part of that goes to AIDS medicine, malaria medicine, or mosquito nets, then I'm okay with it.
Kudos on encouraging folks to donate to charities, though.
And as always, remember surveys consistently show that the red states are the most generous in giving their money away!
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After the 2006 elections, al Qaeda released a statement saying they were happy Democrats won. That should tell you all you need to know.
How about the Best Friends Foundation, an organization founded and run by Elayne Bennett, the wife of Dr William Bennett.
http://www.bestfriendsfoundation.org/
AzRenegade