I think most people remember this moment.
An actor schooled the UN on its priorities, and it worked, in many ways. Because Clooney had the temerity to point out the truth of the UN, that it has, and does, allow genocide to occur, even though its charter explicitly states the opposite, people in developed countries, around the world, finally got a clue as to how the UN was avoiding its duties. While I'm generally of the opinion that celebrities should stay the fuck out of politics, this is one of the extremely rare exceptions to that rule. In this instance, George hasn't really gotten what he was asking for, UN peacekeepers on the ground in Darfur, to protect refugees and keep the relief workers safe. Shocker. The African Union is still doing that job, and they're having a hard time with it, because everyone and their brother seems to be working against them. But he did push in the right direction, mentioning the phrase "right and wrong" whilst doing so, and for that he gets some points from me.
I respect George for fighting for Darfur. It's a worthy cause and he uses his voice and celebrity in a good way to fight for the people there. But that respect I have for George took a big hit when I found out he could be bought cheaply:
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon named actor George Clooney, who has campaigned for refugees in Darfur, as a U.N. "messenger of peace" on Friday to promote the world body's peacekeeping efforts.Clooney is the ninth U.N. messenger -- people chosen from the fields of art, music, literature and sports who have agreed to help focus attention on the United Nations' work.
U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said Clooney would have a special emphasis on peacekeeping. She said he had been "recognized for focusing public attention on crucial international political and social issues."{...}
What did they promise you, George, to get you to do this? Peacekeepers? Boots on the ground? I know there's some quid pro quo going on here. What is it, Georgie Porgy Puddin' and Pie? You have to know that you just got the shit end of the stick, eh? They're going to use you and you're not going to get a damn thing out of them. I'm sure you think you're doing a good thing here; that you're simply killing two birds with one stone, but you've just signed up to be an agent of an agency that doesn't give a damn about solving the problem that is Darfur.
Good work, bud! I'm sure that'll save some refugees from dying.
Posted by Kathy at January 19, 2008 10:49 AM | TrackBack