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Title: A rant: The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon
Source:
wbales
URL Source: http://N/A
Published: Sep 5, 2005
Author: wbales
Post Date: 2005-09-05 14:36:27 by wbales
Keywords: Telethon, rant:, Jerry
Views: 3800
Comments: 10
Well, I may catch some flack for this rant but (and given the curiosity and questions recently concerning the Red Cross and its financial doings) and since Jerry Lewis is on my TV today, here it goes. On the TV today, of course, is the annual ritual which is Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. Right Now, its up to $31 Million. “Last year’s record total was $60.5 million.” http://www.mdausa.org/telethon/ Back in 1995, “Jerry Lewis' 30th Muscular Dystrophy telethon raises $47,800,000” http://www.brainyhistory.com/events/1995/september_4_1995_172482.html More facts about the telethon: 32;The first Telethon was held in June 1955 at Carnegie Hall in New York. The 161/2-hour show raised $600,000 for MDA and was broadcast on DuMont station WABD. 32;The first-ever Telethon held on Labor Day weekend, broadcast in 1966 by just one station in New York City, was the first televised fund-raising event of its kind to raise more than $1 million in pledges. 32;Nearly one million volunteers across the country will be involved in the Telethon over this Labor Day weekend. The 2004 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon is the 39th annual show in the Labor Day weekend series. It will be broadcast on some 200 "Love Network" stations across the country and can be seen on the Internet. The MDA Telethon has been held on Labor Day weekend since 1966. Ed McMahon is the anchor of the Telethon, and 2004 will be his 37th Telethon. http://www.mdausa.org/telethon/ “As a result of Lewis' work, the MDA is one of the richest foundations in this country. Last year, it took in over $150 million. That's 150 million smackers in cold, hard cash. Its total assets are close to $200 million. Its expenses are somewhat out of hand, but it spends $15 million a year on research, and an additional $40 million that goes to grants, allocations and assistance to individuals. The MDA's director is paid $350,000. “ http://www.salon.com/people/feature/2001/06/06/lewis/ In addition to the telethon money, the federal government is contributing a substantial amount. Note this tidbit: “TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 27, 2001 - Entertainer Jerry Lewis told a Senate subcommittee today that a $100 million annual increase in government funding is needed to get to the next level in muscular dystrophy research. Lewis, national chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, made his first-ever appearance before Congress when he testified before the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee. …” http://www.mdausa.org/news/010227mdalewis.html The “next level” of muscular dystrophy research. HHMMMM. What in the hell is the “next level”? What level is the research currently on? How long has it been on that level? “Incidence (annual) of Muscular Dystrophy: 7 annual cases in Victoria 1996 (DHS-VIC) Incidence Rate: approx 1 in 651,450 or 0.00% or 417 people in USA [about data] Last revision: June 4, 2003 “ http://cureresearch.com/m/musdys/prevalence.htm 417 Americans per year. HHHMMMM. Again. Go back and read the annual assistance dollar figure above. Well, gee where is all this money going? Just what has all that money produced? What are the results? Is there really a cure? Will a cure EVER be found? How much is this going to cost? What if there isn’t a cure? What, exactly, can be shown for 40 years worth of telethons and massive government contribution as well? Has it been worth it? Has it been a prudent expenditure? Jerry says the same thing every year since 1966--we’re need your money to help find a cure--send it in. I am starting to wonder.
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#1. To: christine, Jethro Tull, zipporah, Zoroaster, aristeides, FormerLurker, Esso (#0)
Am I way off base here?
Dr. Condoleezza Rice said that the “security of Israel is the key to security of the world.”
No. $160,000,000/417 = $384,000/person. If they haven't found a cure yet.....
I'd say you knocked it outta the park. The same could be said about most all the horrible disease foundations, including the one I specifically researched - the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation which spends a whopping 2% of their annual budget on hard research. The rest is pissed away, just like the MD $$$. If they ever found a cure, look at all the folks that would be out of their cushy gigs...
Bingo! Most of these fundraisers, regardless of the 'good intentions' of many of those involved, are nothing but scams designed to fatten the wallets of special interests. Have you ever taken a look at the salaries of the 'administrarive officials' of these organizations? Ye gads...
Exactly. When Libby Dole was at RedCross, she had to skimp by on 400large each year - who knows what the current boss is snatching? Meanwhile, the national director of the Salvation Army is paid the princely sum of $13,000/year, plus a place to live, and his transportation costs. Cheers.
OH THE HUMANITY!!
As far as the telethon is concerned, I've skipped over to it a few times today...I haven't seen anyone on there but singers I never heard of and puppets. Oh, yeah. And a still very obese Jerry Lewis. Still not funny either. At least Dino could sing.
Hmmmmmm.....money aside, I have always disliked Jerry Lewis. I understand he's a miserable sob in many respects. Yeah, he's probably screwing the goose here.
...which is why they are the ONLY charity that ever sees a dime (or more) of my money.
i've heard that too and that he treats a lot of people like they're beneath him. i've also read that his own sons can't stand him.
"You can do everything for other countries but you can't do nothing for your own people. You can go overseas with the military but you can't get them down here."~~New Orleanian
#2. To: wbales (#1)
Am I way off base here?
#3. To: wbales (#1)
Not with me.
#4. To: lodwick (#3)
If they ever found a cure, look at all the folks that would be out of their cushy gigs...
#5. To: who knows what evil (#4)
Ye gads...
#6. To: lodwick (#5)
When Libby Dole was at RedCross, she had to skimp by on 400large each year -
#7. To: Esso (#6)
#8. To: wbales (#1)
#9. To: lodwick (#5)
Meanwhile, the national director of the Salvation Army is paid the princely sum of $13,000/year, plus a place to live, and his transportation costs.
#10. To: Jethro Tull (#8)
I understand he's a miserable sob in many respects.
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