Posted on 09/22/2001 3:56:54 AM PDT by jporcus
JOAN Rivers is boycotting the all-star re-recording of "We Are Family" today after finding out that the profits of the project won't go to the victims of the World Trade Center terror attacks.
Instead, legendary music producer Nile Rodgers, who wrote the song for Sister Sledge 20 years ago, has earmarked the proceeds to educate Americans about racial intolerance.
"I'm just in shock. It's a bait and switch, and no one knows it," Rivers told PAGE SIX yesterday. Rivers - one of the first to join Diana Ross, Andre Agassi and Sheryl Crow in supporting the effort - said she found out the WTC victims would get nothing yesterday when she was about to plug the event on the E! channel and asked organizers for specifics.
She received a press release which stated: " 'We Are Family' is, in part, a response to the recent outbreak of racial attcks and intolerance towards Arabs and Muslims . . . We know that the Islamic faith is not the enemy. We are all brothers and sisters. We are all family."
"I'm not intolerant toward Arabs or Muslims," Rivers said. "But now is not the time for that. I'm boycotting."
Rivers will not be joining Dionne Warwick, John McEnroe, Charlotte Church, Montel Williams, Cyndi Lauper, Eartha Kitt and dozens of other artists who will be singing the anthem at the Hit Factory today.
The release also states: "Funds will be earmarked to non-profit organizations working in three key areas: defending minorities from racial attacks; media and educational programs promoting tolerance; and initiatives offering diverse information about the crisis."
Other deep-pocketed New Yorkers were disturbed last week - as they wrote out checks to help the families of World Trade Center victims - when they received a fax from the Rev. Al Sharpton soliciting donations for his 47th birthday celebration.
The letter - dated Sept. 10, the day before the terror attacks - went on at length about Sharpton's activities for the past 12 months, which culminated with a 90-day stretch in jail for his trespasses in Vieques.
But Sharpton assures PAGE SIX the invite wasn't back-dated, simply refaxed.
Sharpton has had 12-year-old Travis Boyd living with him since his mother, who worked on the 82nd floor of the north tower, was listed among the missing. He says all the cash raised at his fund-raiser will go to "victims services."
Cons are Leftists.
Any questions?
I haven't heard this song in 20 years but I'm still sick of hearing it. Know what I mean?
This kind of egalitarian, universalist sentimentality is what we on the right end up opposing; and by doing so we are called mean, cold-heated, and cruel. We have a PR problem.
Lefties have a world view that cannot be shaken under any circumstances. After everything that has occured over the past 11 days they have concluded that the real problem is that people of color are under attack and need help quickly. Of course, it is up to the progressive elite to put together a benefit to provide this support.
Their delusional worldview, ignorance, and shamelessness knows no depth.
Unfortunately, leftists have no monopoly on con games. There are many alleged rightists who are opportunists quick to jump in to gain notoriety and a quick buck every chance they can, the Rev$. Jerry Fartwell and Pat Robertson being prime examples.
thanks for the cajones, JR ...
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