Soliciting donations for David Bloom????

O'Relly | April 8, 2003 | Hildy

[Hildy]

Did anyone just catch this? At the end of O'Reilly, he flashed an address to send donations to David Bloom's family to set up a trust fund for his children. Excuse me, but I find that during the current state of affairs that this is wholly innapropriate. David Bloom died of a heart attack. It's tragic, my heart goes out to this family. But he worked for NBC, probably making some good money, I'm sure he had life insurance benefits, etc. To be asking for money while young men with young families are being killed in the line of duty, I think, it tacky.

[not_apathetic_anymore]

I thought the same thing. If they want to publicize trust funds that are set up for any soldier killed, fine. But to make special accomodations for the journalists tweaks me.

[Calpernia]

That is a perfectly justified rant Hildy. I second it.

[Arkinsaw]

They can ask for anything they want, its a free country.

[Hildy]

Is there anything that people are ashamed to ask money for these days...does everything have to have a telethon. I'm telling you, this is what happens when you take religion out of society. Money becomes the source of all higher thought. Instead of sending prayers, we're asked to send money. I find it offensive.

[rpierce]

Indeed. Bad form O'Reilly.

Energy and resources better spent on the families of soldiers and marines killed in the war.

[Arkinsaw]

I find it offensive.

You are certainly free to find it so.

[Hildy]

O'Reilly even seemed to be a little embarrassed at the end when he said it again. I could be wrong, did anyone else sense it?

[Hildy]

Well thanks for stating the obvious! :)

[rpierce]

He sure had a "you're sure I gotta do this?" look on his face at the beginning of the segment. lol.

[Hildy]

bttt

[Petronski]

Bloom had a Pulmonary Embolism from sitting cramped up in the military vehicle so long, and he left three little kids. The fund is for their college. Now, I won't be making a contribution, but I don't see how it's tacky or wrong.

It'd be nicer if they had a big fund for all KIAs and journalists, but they don't (yet). I'd give to a general fund for survivors of American soldiers and journalists.

[xusafflyer]

I found it tacky too.

Can't NBC pay enough? Its not like Katie and Matt are hurting for money. And I'm sure NBC has insurance.

Save the money and give it to one of the dead soldiers' kids.

[Hildy]

I don't know...I do see something wrong. Using the media to make money off of something that is a personal responsibility. The more I think about it, the angrier I get. I think they're using the emotions we have about the war. If this had happened while covering something else, do you think they'd be doing this?

[SanAntoneBlue]

Unlike David's colleagues, we don't have a spare few million laying around.. let Tom, Katie, etc etc etc chip in.

[Hildy]

That's what I think. His kids will get his benefits, Social Security, etc. He had a wife who is young and beautiful...this happens every day to people who are NOT on TV. They manage.

[Bismark]

Asking for donations does no harm. Without a doubt, there will be many request for donations for the children of servicemen in the next few months. Bloom seemed like a nice man, and he (like Michael Kelly)left young children. You don't have to contribute to any of these request.

[ontos-on]

" ,i> But he worked for NBC, probably making some good money, I'm sure he had life insurance benefits, etc"

Exactly right. He was very, very well paid. This is just more of the charity scam. Sorry, I never give to organized charity. Fund-raising is the curse of our country. It is always some agenda than it is presented. Here, this guy has lots of money and access to people who have lots of money. Why should the people be sucked into giving money to these people. Sympathy, sure. Money, you got to be kidding. Just get the damn partners at Latham and Watkins to pony up money if they feel so bad.

This is really a disgrace, masquerading as a good deed.

[Cosmo]

I was rather disgusted to hear the today Show talking about his death as if it were due to the war. Russert himself said of Bloom's death , "The war comes home."

[Hildy]

I think O'Reilly must be getting alot of mail about this. It's outrageous. If O'Reilly wants to give to his colleague, if Katie or Peter Jennings want to, I say good for them, taking care of one of their own. But to go begging to the public? It's bizarre.