Comments on: Jerry Lewis to get humanitarian Oscar http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/12/11/jerry-lewis-oscar-5847/ Disability News | PatriciaEBauer.com Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:50:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Suzan Lewis http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/12/11/jerry-lewis-oscar-5847/comment-page-1/#comment-3602 Suzan Lewis Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:00:22 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=5847#comment-3602 There may be reasons why Jerry Lewis is not a candidate for a humanitarian award, but his association with the MDA should be left out of the argument. It is inarguable that the monies raised go for research and to provide medical care, equipment, and support for the victims of many related diseases. Before anyone tries to take the help and hope away from people in grave need, it would be a very good idea for those protesters to first develop an alternative way to raise the money and provide the services. For some very personal reasons, I am not in favor of the Academy presenting Jerry Lewis a humanitarian award. A lifetime achievement award might be more fitting. Humanitarianism begins at home. But don't let your angst take the life and hope away from future victims of Muscular Dystrophy who will surely die a terrible death, without the valiant efforts of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, currently led by its National Chairman, Jerry Lewis. Suzan Lewis There may be reasons why Jerry Lewis is not a candidate for a humanitarian award, but his association with the MDA should be left out of the argument. It is inarguable that the monies raised go for research and to provide medical care, equipment, and support for the victims of many related diseases. Before anyone tries to take the help and hope away from people in grave need, it would be a very good idea for those protesters to first develop an alternative way to raise the money and provide the services.

For some very personal reasons, I am not in favor of the Academy presenting Jerry Lewis a humanitarian award. A lifetime achievement award might be more fitting. Humanitarianism begins at home. But don’t let your angst take the life and hope away from future victims of Muscular Dystrophy who will surely die a terrible death, without the valiant efforts of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, currently led by its National Chairman, Jerry Lewis.

Suzan Lewis

]]> By: Andrea Shettle, MSW http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/12/11/jerry-lewis-oscar-5847/comment-page-1/#comment-3470 Andrea Shettle, MSW Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:42:34 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=5847#comment-3470 Did you know that there is now an on-line petition protesting this award? You can read the petition, and sign it, at: http://www.petitiononline.com/jlno2009/petition.html There is also a Facebook Group dedicated to the campaign: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4053839 I've also blogged about the petition, along with a discussion on the difference between "pity" and "empathy,"; why Jerry's brand of pity destroys; and why real empathy is more likely to lead to human rights: http://reunifygally.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/protest-pity/ I hope you will blog the petition, now that it is up and running! Thanks! Did you know that there is now an on-line petition protesting this award? You can read the petition, and sign it, at:

http://www.petitiononline.com/jlno2009/petition.html

There is also a Facebook Group dedicated to the campaign: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4053839

I’ve also blogged about the petition, along with a discussion on the difference between “pity” and “empathy,”; why Jerry’s brand of pity destroys; and why real empathy is more likely to lead to human rights:

http://reunifygally.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/protest-pity/

I hope you will blog the petition, now that it is up and running! Thanks!

]]> By: Ruthee Goldkorn http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/12/11/jerry-lewis-oscar-5847/comment-page-1/#comment-3377 Ruthee Goldkorn Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:07:20 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=5847#comment-3377 The whole idea of using a nationally televised vaudeville show to raise money for a cause or a disease is an idea whose time has come and gone. The entire MDA telethon process is based on giving people entertainment for the privilege of calling in and hoping to speak to a celebrity. When in fact they call in, they get busy signals for potentially hours but keep calling as the entertainment is reduced by showmanship and exploitation of cute, sick and possibly dying kids. When a person actually answers, it is generally a regular hard working person who (I would hope) is paid at least minimum wage to sit and answer the phone for hours on end taking "pledges" of $5.00. Exactly how many "pledges" are fulfilled and the $$$$ actually rolls in is anyone's guess. The call to MDA should be a wake up call to end this ridiculous vaudeville act, answer the hard questions of who gets what and why "Jerry's Kids" do not become "Jerry's Adults" and receive their fair share of treatment, equipment, etc. and why they continue this shameless exploitation when there are myriad legitimate fund raising mechanisms that more readily match the objectives. Jerry Lewis can indeed legitimately be presented a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work but a Humanitarian Award for expoliting kids is inappropriate, unwarranted and the very idea is reprehensible. Ms. Jolie and Mr. Pitt are much more deserving of such an award from the Hollywood Elite, don't you agree? Ruthee Goldkorn Moreno Valley, California The whole idea of using a nationally televised vaudeville show to raise money for a cause or a disease is an idea whose time has come and gone.

The entire MDA telethon process is based on giving people entertainment for the privilege of calling in and hoping to speak to a celebrity. When in fact they call in, they get busy signals for potentially hours but keep calling as the entertainment is reduced by showmanship and exploitation of cute, sick and possibly dying kids.

When a person actually answers, it is generally a regular hard working person who (I would hope) is paid at least minimum wage to sit and answer the phone for hours on end taking “pledges” of $5.00. Exactly how many “pledges” are fulfilled and the $$$$ actually rolls in is anyone’s guess.

The call to MDA should be a wake up call to end this ridiculous vaudeville act, answer the hard questions of who gets what and why “Jerry’s Kids” do not become “Jerry’s Adults” and receive their fair share of treatment, equipment, etc. and why they continue this shameless exploitation when there are myriad legitimate fund raising mechanisms that more readily match the objectives.

Jerry Lewis can indeed legitimately be presented a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work but a Humanitarian Award for expoliting kids is inappropriate, unwarranted and the very idea is reprehensible. Ms. Jolie and Mr. Pitt are much more deserving of such an award from the Hollywood Elite, don’t you agree?

Ruthee Goldkorn
Moreno Valley, California

]]> By: Mark Johnson http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/12/11/jerry-lewis-oscar-5847/comment-page-1/#comment-3376 Mark Johnson Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:14:07 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=5847#comment-3376 Jerry's Orphans and others are organizing a protest. Join the Group: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=40538392681&ref=nf For information: Laura Hershey, laura@cripcommentary.com, http://www.cripcommentary.com/column.html Jerry’s Orphans and others are organizing a protest.

Join the Group: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=40538392681&ref=nf

For information: Laura Hershey, laura@cripcommentary.com, http://www.cripcommentary.com/column.html

]]> By: EB http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/12/11/jerry-lewis-oscar-5847/comment-page-1/#comment-3340 EB Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:05:00 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=5847#comment-3340 Why honor someone who denigrates others, including people with disabilities and gays? The politically correct are being horribly incorrect. Why honor someone who denigrates others, including people with disabilities and gays? The politically correct are being horribly incorrect.

]]> By: william peace http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/12/11/jerry-lewis-oscar-5847/comment-page-1/#comment-3337 william peace Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:09:47 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=5847#comment-3337 Jerry Lewis and the MDA are out of touch with the current meaning and social implications of disability. The links provided are outstanding. I sincerely hope a protest will be organized by Jerry's Orphans. The only good to come out of this story is that I hope more people will read Johnson's book Too Late to Die Young. Jerry Lewis and the MDA are out of touch with the current meaning and social implications of disability. The links provided are outstanding. I sincerely hope a protest will be organized by Jerry’s Orphans. The only good to come out of this story is that I hope more people will read Johnson’s book Too Late to Die Young.

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