Stars Steer Clear of Summit [hypocrisy alert]

The BBC News Online ^ | August 28, 2002 | staff writer

[spald]

Wednesday, 28 August, 2002, 11:36 GMT 12:36 UK

Stars steer clear of summit

International stars of film and music have failed to put in expected appearances at the beginning of the World Development Summit in Johannesburg.

Leonardo DiCaprio cancelled an appearance despite recently calling on President Bush to travel to the summit.

He was due to support a project to save great apes, but has pulled out because of "contractual obligations" in the United States.

Thelma and Louise star Susan Sarandon and Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart were among the other celebrities to call upon President Bush to make the trip to South Africa.

Earlier in August, DiCaprio used a rally to say: "President Bush, please go prepared to join the vast majority of nations in constructing a concrete plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

But the celebrity count at the event has been low, with little of the high-profile glitz that was supplied by stars including Sting, John Denver and the Beach Boys at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

Organisers had hoped the presence of worldwide stars could help raise the profile of the event among those who may not have otherwise taken an interest.

Even the best-known celebrity campaigners, such as U2 singer Bono, Bob Geldof and Radiohead's Thom Yorke, have not made the trip.

Bono recently went on a 10-day tour of the poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa with US Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill.

Cynicism

The 1992 summit also saw Hollywood stars Jane Fonda and Shirley MacLaine add their voices to campaigns.

This time, West African singers Salif Keita and Femi Kuti performed at a summit concert, while South Africa's veteran "White Zulu" Johnny Clegg has been playing at music venues.

"Ten years ago people thought the governments really wanted to change the world," according to Mike Childs of Friends of the Earth.

"There has been a huge growth in cynicism since then.

"Now the public expectations for the summit are that it won't achieve a great amount and people don't really want to be too clearly associated with it."

[spald]

Well, what can we say. Johannesburg just doesn't rate with Hollywood.

[Prodigal Son]

hypocracy bump!

[McGavin999]

Well, I wonder how long it's going to take these people to figure out that the free ride is over? They had a great party on our money for 10 years and now it's time to get serious.

I think Hollywood is finally starting to figure out that aligning themselves with these wacko projects are pissing off their fans. The result (imagine the horror) is affecting their ability to earn money.

[mountaineer]

See also this thread on this magnificent summit for the impoverished and starving masses.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

And, they'd just as soon pass up the opportunity to pick up a really exotic disease.

[gridlock]

I don't know. I hear John Denver might make it this year.

BTW, you don't suppose that LongEZ was emitting any greenhouse gases when it augered in, do you? (Maybe it wasn't, and that was the problem!)

[dead]

This time, West African singers Salif Keita and Femi Kuti performed at a summit concert, while South Africa's veteran "White Zulu" Johnny Clegg has been playing at music venues.

They’re all excellent performers, far more interesting than Leonardo DiCaprio and Susan Sarandon, though Clegg can be a bit too “pop” at times.

And Femi Kuti can’t hold a candle to his father Fela, but nobody, ever, could.

[PsyOp]

Maybe they were trying to reduce greenhouse gas emmissions by staying away and keeping their yaps shut... Yeah! That's the ticket! Someone call my press agent!!!

[Liberal Classic]

I'll never watch Star Trek again.

[cubreporter]

It just makes me laugh at the thought that these stars...especially the fading ones call on Bush to attend the Summit. Excuse me....why in the heCK do they think they would have any clout in calling on Bush to attend the summit????????????? I saw the other day wehre Carmen Diaz did the same thing. At least it was on the AOL Welcome screen as such. I'm sure President Bush sits up all night long HOPING for Hollywood to approve of him. You'll notice he didn't attend in spite of all these "STARS" encouraging him to go. He's not intimidated nor impressed by any of them.

Hollywood has seen its heyday my friends. And that was when there were real stars with class and mystique. They stuck to acting and didn't try to be cute and get face time by mixing politics with their fame (if you want to call it that).

Anyway, movie stars will cease to exist in the future. I still think the idea of virtual actors and actresses is a good thing. I wish whomever put that out would do more work on it. It would work beautifully. Would save these director and\ movie moguls lots of money. There would be no actors or actresses that think themselves above the law, or have the arrogance to think whatever they say is golden or think they are better than anyone else. It's a great idea don't you think? Either way though...Hollywood has shown their other side of themselves to the public and "it aint pretty."

So, they should leave the real job of running the country to our great and wonderful President and they should do what they do best...NOTHING!

[tet68]

"Now the public expectations for the summit are that it won't achieve a great amount and people don't really want to be too clearly associated with it."

Well, you can't say they aren't capable of learning.

[Liberal Classic]

I wouldn't trust what an actor would say about my computer. Why should I trust what one says about politics?

[Arioch7]

John Denver will definately be there!!! ROTFLMAO!!! Well done.

[brat]

"Maybe they were trying to reduce greenhouse gas emmissions by staying away and keeping their yaps shut..."

LOL Perhaps its all the "hot air" gases that are polluting the environment. LOL Either that or the Commies who sponsor them took a huge hit in the market.

[sneakypete]

I think Hollywood is finally starting to figure out that aligning themselves with these wacko projects are pissing off their fans.

I suspect it might have more to do with them realizing how dangerous it is to go to this thing. They may talk a lot of crap about courage,but when it comes to them having to put their personal butts on the line,it ain't gonna happen.

[PsyOp]

A bit of both I imagine.