XtineFiles

OK, I'm gonna say it. I may get shit for it, but I am going to say it anyway. I am sick of benefit shows, sick of celebrities telling me to donate "everything I can" and sick of the same tired sad songs played for the express purpose of making you feel like crap over world events. I reflected on this after a conversation with Popmuse and my thoughts were confirmed after watching Larry King's broadcast last night. He showed a performance of Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban duetting to her song "Angels." They sounded like two pigeons fighting over a bread crumb in a supermarket parking lot.

First, people should feel compelled to donate money to those who need it and I have to say, shame on people that need to see a concert to remind them of their civic duty in the first place. We should want to donate not because we are being entertained to do so, but because its just the right thing to do.

Second, I find it particularly offensive that the people asking me to donate are among the richest in the country. People with 17 homes are asking me to 'donate everything I can.' What's up with that? If every celebrity that sang donated a percentage of their income similar to the percentage that I donate, trust me, everyone would be just fine. Open your homes, do a Japanese Rolaids commercial, write a check instead of going on TV and faking like you are upset while asking me to donate.

Third, and this is a biggy, stop singing depressing songs from a dark depressing sound stage! If you have to do a benefit show then make it up beat. After all you are asking people to do a good thing. Donating should be about celebrating your neighbor, the help one person can give another. The more songs I hear about death the more paranoid I get which actually takes my mind off of donating and instead I focus on the world ending and shit. Live 8 did it right, that was for a good cause I didn't want to kill myself after watching it. Even the Concert for America after 9/11 was pretty good because the people in audience were actually people who needed to see a good concert.

How about all celebs getting together and singing a new Feed The World (no, not re-recording the Hand Across America stuff I mean a NEW song). Or how about broadcasting a concert where the only people in the audience are those who lost everything. They could use a little entertainment and I bet the donations would come pouring in. Jeez, I'll take anything over another depressing benefit show.

I hope by now all of you have donated. Not because someone sang a song or because some over paid celebrity told you to do so. Donate because you would expect others to do the same for you. Donate because you probably have a little bit extra to give. Donate because you care. Donate because knowing you are part of the solution and not the problem will make you feel good. Donate because you should.

and if you dont believe me, listen to what Popmuse has to say.