Begging For Charity
It is that time again! The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon is in full force! Tune in to witness an amazing spectacle of laughter and entertainment. And don’t forget to break out the Kleenex and your wallets for the tear-jerking parts!
Wait, I promised myself that I would not go off on the Telethon again this year. I wouldn’t want to ruffle any feathers.
I mean, sure, I could remind you all of how the Smell-A-Thon robs those of us with muscular dystrophy of our dignity. Of course, I could tell you again how the Smell-A-Thon falsely portrays us as sickly, needy, totally useless little kiddies and keeps us from getting proper respect as human beings. I could certainly go on about how much money is raised during the Smell-A-Thon year after year and how there is still no cure for this horrible disease. I could always rant over the fact that MDA executives continue to enjoy the good life with their luxurious homes and fancy cars while Jerry’s Kids continue to die in droves. However, I have chosen to refrain from making any sarcastic or derogatory remarks about Jerry Lewis, the Muscular Dystrophy Association or the Telethon. Instead, I would like to turn the tables and focus on those people who contribute their hard-earned cash to the Smell-A-Thon.
It is unfortunate that Jerry Lewis has to go out there before a national audience and shamelessly beg and plead and put on an entire Vaudevillian extravaganza just to raise money to help his Kids. All he really should have to do is lay out the facts about muscular dystrophy and explain that it is a killer, and ask viewers for money to fight it. Sounds rather elementary, huh? Too bad it doesn’t work that way in the real world. Fact is that the majority of those who send money expect something in return. They want a good show. They want to see celebrities, singers and dancers, comedians, jugglers and ventriloquists. They want to have their heartstrings manipulated, and let out a good cry. And don’t forget that big old tax write-off. After all, nothing says benevolence more than a nice, juicy government tax deduction! How many folks out there are much more inclined to drop a few coins into a beggar’s bucket if that beggar is playing a shiny harmonica? Most people will not part their cash unless they get a little something for their charity. Why must they seek some sort of compensation for kindness? Whatever happened to finding a good cause dear to your heart, and giving?
Problem is that there are so many worthy causes, and no one could possibly give to all of them. So they are forced to pick and choose specific ones to support. And it seems that the organizations with the tightest emotional hold and finest entertainment get the most carrots. Luckily for MDA, Jerry Lewis has always been a master showman on the Smell-A-Thon stage, and he recruits some of the best second-rate personalities and performers to join him.
I find it somewhat disheartening, though, to know that most people have such a difficult time with opening their hearts and checkbooks to help others. It is sad that so many people have to be coerced into supporting a worthy cause. Jerry Lewis has no choice but to put on a good show, because if he fails, MDA might just go broke. And if that happens, muscular dystrophy patients will have to pay for their own flu shots and MDA executives will have to start drinking club soda instead of Perrier.
Yet another vile and reprehensible tirade against Mr. Jerry Lewis. I bet you weren’t singing this tune about 30-years ago when you were attending Mr. Lewis’ summer camps and stuffing your face on his food while sitting your fat butt on his wheelchair. Mr. Lewis and his blessed MDA telethons will continue to prosper for many years to come despite ingrates such as you.
Comment made by Anonymous on September 7, 2009 @ 9:47 am
Scott…….You took the words right out of my mouth! I use to watch it all the time till you explained it to me that one year. I dont look at it the same anymore! Luv ya
Comment made by Frankie Ca...... on September 7, 2009 @ 10:34 am
Simply posting as ‘Anonymous’ doesn’t give you the right to be a dick. Scott, for everything he has been through, has a right to his own opinion. I highly doubt constantly trolling his blog is going to change his opinion in any way.
Simply being a charity does not make an organization immune to criticism. Usually I have no opinion on the MDA telethon. This year, however, the criticism is well warranted after camps across the country were cancelled.
Comment made by Tyler Smith on September 7, 2009 @ 1:18 pm
Wow to the jerk-off who so RUDELY trashed Scott as he exercised his 1st Amendment right to FREE SPEECH! Kudos, Scott, for your well-put exposure of the scam that has been getting rich off of the concept of a cure for decades! Articles have shown that little monies go towards research, but rather to the paid “talent” and administration (including Mr. Lewis). When asked, neither MDA nor Jerry Lewis had a reply.
For those of you who do not know the author of this blog, I grew up with Scott and he is the bravest man I have ever known! If “Anonymous” had 1% of Scott’s courage, he/she would have posted his/her real name! I support you, Scott!
Joe Lipski
Comment made by Joey L on September 7, 2009 @ 5:20 pm
At least he is making an effort…most of us are too f**king lazy to do that!!!
Comment made by KP on September 7, 2009 @ 5:46 pm
Thanks, Scott, that one gave me a laugh. Good stuff. As for MDA, I am appreciative for many of the things they do, but I think the experiences of people who receive MDA services will vary greatly depending on the people working at their local branches. I find many of the people at my branch are woefully ignorant of many of the issues which concern me and others with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Comment made by Jonathan Hinek on September 7, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
I agree 100%!!! Thank you for such a well written blog. The only thing MDA has done for my son is send him to camp.
Comment made by Teresa Buchanan on September 8, 2009 @ 8:33 am
Geez man, there you go again! I don’t think the telethon is perfect, but it serves a purpose. The end justifies the means in this case. And yeah, if you could just lay out the facts and people would give him money accordingly, that would be great. But human beings are more emotional than logical for the most part. So, appealing to their emotions works.
You ask why, after all these millions of dollars, there is no cure. Do you have the slightest understanding of how complicated and yet to be understood the whole genetic process is? Sure we mapped the human genome but that is just the start. I am afraid it will take billions and billions of dollars to find all the cures to genetic disease.
Of course, President/god Obama could have the government pay for all of this. The taxpayers can’t ask for a song and dance when they make their “donation”.
Comment made by Tom Mecke on September 8, 2009 @ 1:57 pm
The ends do NOT justify the means. Thanks, Scott.
Comment made by Kay Olson on September 13, 2009 @ 3:46 am