posted
Does it seem like to anyone but me, that all the 80's charities have just disappeared, and no one gives a hoot any more about anything? I mean, we had the song- Do they know it's Christmas-by Band-Aid-which was one of my fovorite songs, and the We are the World song, plus there was Farm-Aid, and there was Comic Relief with Whoopi Goldberg Billy Crystal and Robin Williams, what happened to that. I have never seen anyone take over Jerry Lewis's place for the Muscular Distrophy telethons, does anyone but tv evangilists do telethons now days? That is really sad. I loved Culture Club, I liked the War song. War, War is stupid....how come nobody thinks that way anymore. Cause it still is stupid. That was another thing I always got involved in "causes"- I was a candy stripper, and a camp counselor for handicapped kids, and I rode my bike for systic fibrosis- I would go door to door, for different charities, we danced all night long for charity- do people even do those things any more. I was in Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, and volunteered for the SPCA and then recently I did work with the boy scouts,and the women's abuse shelter, but do kids actually do those things now days. In high school, I volunteered at a pregnancy crisis center. I sponsered a foreign exchange student from Norway. I think kids have so much free time, and there are so many worthwhile things to be doing to make yourself feel better about being here on this planet, but it just doesn't feel like people do stuff like that any more? Or is it me? I feel like when you saw it in the media it was contagious. My Aunt worked for Greenpeace and Funds for Animals and Defenders of Wildlife-back then-Olivia Newton John was boycotting touring in Japan-because of the dolphins getting caught with tuna, and that's how tuna became dolphin safe, and other major celebrities had " causes" that others followed. I know there was a song done for victims of 9-11, but I never even heard it, or saw a video, or saw it for sale anywhere, how come? I think that's another major thing I miss from the 80's, is: compassion.
Posts: 13484 | Registered: Aug 2003 | Site Updates: 0
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we still are compassionate...that's why we are human beings...
But it's very contagious to follow what is everyone else is doing...especially when a doer is of an importance..we think that if we follow his footsteps..we'll be like him...It's like what you sad about "80's food" topic...we are forgetting the most important thing...be our own person..nobody can take that away from us...one's unigueness is one's treasure....
I saw it on TV where experts are saying that kids (who learns everything they see) are not to be recommended to stay in the house all the time...they need to be just simply exploring everything around them, and that is where they build up the "self"...and one more thing, I'm really totally agaisnt having kids at an older age..why? because you'll be expecting too much from them..especially how to behave..so they'll learn only to follow what people commands them to do...besides...you'll be physical unable to satisfy their needs...running around,constant attention (very important), answering their endless questions with care, etc..I really think so..because I am an older parent myself...
It so sad to see the things the way they are these days...
What do you think? Any comment?
Posts: 58 | From: Palau | Registered: Aug 2003 | Site Updates: 0
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posted
Belauan, Where is Palau? What is it like living there?
I feel like, yes there are some compassionate worthwhile people out there, if I didn't feel like that-geez where would we all be then? But, I feel like people have gotten so self absorbed in themselves. People seem greedy, and not willing to help out people if it "cost" them anything, it's just so different to me. I always thought the 80's was alot like now, still.. because of the materialness of people, but it doesn't feel like people care anymore about anything. Like if it doesn't effect them directly- why worry about it.
I think parenting is completely screwed up now days. Parents give their kids these choices and expose them to things they never should be exposed to. You have your whole life to be an adult, your childhood is so short- but it is what lasts forever in your mind, and things that happen to people as kids, sometimes they spend the rest of their life wondering why it happened, and they can never get over it. There is so much negativity and abuse in the world, and people don't get involved to stop it- and they probably have had it happen to them. I think how old you are as a parent, is an individual choice- I think honestly that the biggest decision about parenting, is wether it is even right for you-in gerneral-because not everyone was meant to be a parent, and just because people can have kids, doesn't mean they should. I have never understood why they don't teach parenting classes in high school, cause they waste so much time on subjects and teaching kids things they will never use ever again, but how many kids will be parents, and it really isn't a trial and error thing anyone should be doing, cause you are effecting people for the rest of their life.
I grew up with a ton of tv, and surrounded with movies/media- but I ways outside alot, I was involved in so many other activities, that I think the balance part of that today- is where the problem starts.
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posted
i think 1 major difference from the 80's to now, is the fact that when all these big huge events started with big stars supporting them, it was a "new" thing i guess these things grow old on people despite the cause.
here in UK we still have comic releif and children in need, which only relatively minor TV celebs now appear. reach the 1 million pound target and see the newsreaders and weather forecasters do a scene from grease...again.
isis, you made a great pint about parenting, i had a fantastic childhood in the 80's which is why everthing from then is so important to me, it just has great memories for me.
i know most of us have heard how our parents never had a television till 19-whatever and how it was only black and white etc. and they were the first in their street to have one etc. and how lucky we are to have all the stuff we have. and i hate when people compare that to what im about to say.
My little cousin who starts school next year and is about 4 years old, has a 28" widescreen tv, playstation 2, dvd player, video etc in her bedroom. with all this stuff the amount of time most kids spend doing other stuff is limited. when i was a kid, i was outside playing as much as i could and played with all of my toys etc, i was allowed to watch a certain amount of tv and only certain things, i was about 9 when i got a small tv in my room followed by an Amiga computer and then a video by that time i was almost in high school. and i was never allowed to just sit in my room all day, i had loads of hobbies and if it was a nice day my mum wanted me outside enjoying it.
quote: Does it seem like to anyone but me, that all the 80's charities have just disappeared, and no one gives a hoot any more about anything? I mean, we had the song- "Do they know it's Christmas?" by Band-Aid which was one of my fovorite songs, and the "We are the World" song, plus there was Farm-Aid, and there was Comic Relief with Whoopi Goldberg Billy Crystal and Robin Williams, what happened to that....[snip]
Back in the 80's, at the time, I thought this whole rock charity thing was just a fad, a short-lived trend. I still think that way.
Yes, there were those examples that you mentioned, including the "Hear N Aid" song, the song by the Canadian Northern Lights (can't remember the title, sorry!), Hands Across America, and don't forget the "Sun City" by the Artists United Against Apartheid.
But I remember there was a very critical report about the whole USA For Africa charity: very little of the money that was supposed to feed the hungry wound up there. Most of the money was squandered away on corrupt government bureaucracy in Africa. And the food was either thrown out or rotted to waste.
Today, you still see charity stuff for various things: 9-11 charities, AIDS charities, environmental causes, etc.
Before I forget, you mentioned Jerry Lewis' Labor Day Telethon. It's nice that Jerry does that, and he's been doing this since the 60's. But I'm getting tired of it, and I wish he would groom a successor, but he hasn't!
After 9-11, the American Red Cross took lots of donations and donated blood. Many of which was immediately after the attacks. But perhaps you didn't read that there was a major disturbing news reports that most of the money the Red Cross received which was supposed the needy was somehow lost, unaccounted for, and didn't go directly to help those in need.
Also, people have become more suspicious at some of these charity efforts.
But there is more skepticism today, and that is because people are concerned where the money actually goes to.
It's not because they don't care or they're not compassionate. It's just that they don't want to see anyone get ripped off, and especially not themselves.
Personally, I really don't like big major media events for charity. I think the organizers tend to gloss over the real reasons why people are suffering.
Posts: 3385 | From: Sacramento, California, USA | Registered: Sep 2002 | Site Updates: 0
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I tend to think that you are right, I think that they were a fad too. I am in NYC, I was teaching during 9-11, my mom was in the towers, so was my aunt and my best friend from HS. I don't think that giving money due to an emergency is noble, if you are only doing it because it's an emergency, these things should be done all the time. I am as much to blame as everyone. These charities and Live Aid and Farm Aid were great for what they were for. Is this always the answer? Maybe not. But I don't necessarily know any other answers.
We are DEVO
Posts: 4228 | From: Home of the big landfill | Registered: Jul 2003 | Site Updates: 8
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Palau is Belau for natives and Palau for foreigners. It's between Guam and the Philippines. It's a tropical island and we (natives) want to think that it's paradise...though it's really not...what is happening everywhere is also happening here...
You can check www.palaunet.com for more info. I think I'll be biased if I telll you more about my country...ha..ha...
Devolution:
You're absolutely right.....Doing good is not only giving to charities or for emergency...but for doing good everyday...like talk nicely, treat people nicely...give to the poor, open doors for aged and disabled people, give people a hand with carrying things....those simple and yet appreciative things...and RESPECT....not only the older person but the young ones as well...doing that will not only make the other person happy but it'll make you feel good inside...
I respect you Dev...coz, there are good qualities in you...
Posts: 58 | From: Palau | Registered: Aug 2003 | Site Updates: 0
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I also think what was said about why people did charities is somewhat true, but more true today- because like I said I never even saw the 9-11 song, you would have thought it would have been around again with it being the anniversary.
It is sad that people "have" to question where the money goes, that's what the worst part of it all, is the people that need it, are the last ones to see any of it, and people are so un trustworthy of each other, that you can't really take it for granted that people do what they say they are doing.
I think people do need to start being nicer to each other, I hate going in to a store, and the people checking you out, are so rude- to the point -you never want to even go in there ever again. I don't know how many people I see on a daily basis, that don't even have the right manners to say please, thank-you, have a good day, and when I do get really good service- I am a huge tipper- because it is rare that you ever get a waiter/ waitress, who will come back and refill your drink. You never see them again.
Or how about people on the phone, people have put me on hold, and left me there forever, or you ask a question, I mean I have even had to call for directions to someplace, and no one wanted to give them to me, and acted like I was such a total bother. That's the kind of stuff I think people really need to work on.
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