For me - and Ariadne - the show was half impressive - $15 million is a lot of cheese - but half embarrassing. Tonight's show focused on Kenya, Congo and other third world places that lack everything. But IGB also focused on Appalachia, the inner city, and rural parts of Mississippi and Arizona. It was an embarrassing display of poverty and neglect in the wealthiest country the world has ever seen.
The low point had to be the teacher in southern California - a married public school teacher with a house, mortgage and two kids - who has to depend on a local food bank. A working American serving his community that has to rely on a hand out, on free food, to fight off hunger. Is there anything more embarrassing - or damning - than that?
The plight of these Americans looks even more stark when compared to a glitzy show - on Fox no less - like 'American Idol.' But at least they are giving back, buying thousands of bed nets to fight Malaria in Africa, books in Appalachia, and sponsoring mobil health clinics in rural parts of the United States.
It also makes one wonder how we as Americans can put up with so much poverty? The tea baggers whine about being taxed too much when we have teachers - whose salary is paid by taxes - dependent on free food in order to teach our children.
Want to complain about taxes - complain about them being so low that a teacher can't afford to feed his family.
More Idol
- One odd sight and sound was Mary J. Blige singing 'Stairway to Heaven.' She did a pretty good job with that song, as she did with 'One' by U2. She usually oversings when performing her trademark shlocky and overproduced modern R&B but Blige shows some restraint and more range when singing rock and roll.
- Ellen Degeneres is funny.
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How we Let it Be
Now that Christmas is over
And we pat each other’s back
for our generosity
to the poor of our land.
Don’t we feel a little guilty
on how we let it be
to have so many needy
in this rich land we live?
Amphitrite Manuel
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