Rocker strikes different note to help Obama

[Tx4obama]

Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Musician Jon Bon Jovi ... snip ... is being tapped by President Obama to help solve community needs across the country.

Bon Jovi joins a long list of big names, including eBay President and CEO John Donahoe and Starbucks Executive VP Paula Boggs, on the president’s newly formed White House Council for Community Solutions.

“These impressive men and women have dedicated their lives and careers to civic engagement and social innovation,’ the president said in a written statement.

The 25 member council was established through Executive Order signed by the president Tuesday.

Read more: http://whitehouse.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/14/rocker-strikes-different-note-to-help-obama/

[abqmufc]

1. I hope "the common man/woman" is included...

The list they tout is a whose who in people who have little in common with those who consider themselves blue collar (including the multi-millionaire Bon Jovi). The worst is having Starbucks rep as their solution will be to ensure every street corner has at least one Starbucks.

How about someone who has worked on such issues for a lifetime and not b/c it fits the PR image their agent says is needed. I just get more and more depressed at every turn.

[Arctic Dave]

2. +1 How does any of these people know what is like to live

in a lower to middle class neighborhood. Phony from the word go.

[boppers]

6. These people?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/14/president-obama-announces-members-white-house-council-community-solution

Most of them have been working on social issues for a large portion of their lives.

[Arctic Dave]

8. Are you for real? Did you even read the list?

The majority are CEO's and PR wankers and the rest are a group of well paid paper pushers. Like I said, none of them live in a low to middle income neighborhood.

[boppers]

15. Oh, so being unable to escape poverty is a good qualification on escaping poverty?

I suppose Obama could have appointed 25 people from a homeless shelter.

:shrug:

[Arctic Dave]

17. Which one on this list escaped from poverty?

Let me know when you find out.

But if you wish to be an asshole and belittle homeless people I would say that maybe he should have nominated 25 people who run homeless shelters.

[boppers]

24. For one, I'll start with the son of a former marines, florist/hairdresser and a plumber.

Not a lot of money in any of his parent's jobs, so he sold newspapers, sold women's shoes, and swept floors to make money for himself.

That would be Bon Jovi.

As far as 25 people who run homeless centers, that might be good, if homeless centers were the main angle... it seems that there are folks from a wide variety of charities and community organizations.

[Arctic Dave]

27. Not exactly poverty.

Middle class is what they used to call it.

[John Kerry VonErich]

32. He's rich

thats why he is being looked down upon

[smiley]

9. many of them probably grew up that way...

doubtful they can relate in these times though.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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[stlsaxman]

11. Right on, JBJ!!!

that is quite awesome!

[abqmufc]

14. Hooray you found the one token "real" candidate

Still out of touch with most of America...let him fix the East coast but please keep him the hell out of the southwest. Local solutions by locals....enough said.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

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[Tx4obama]

22. Thank you!

That website http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity
is a great site for info regarding Charitable & Philanthropic Celebrities

I'm bookmarkin' it :)

[boppers]

4. Ahem:

"Charitable work
Bon Jovi has worked on behalf of the Special Olympics, the American Red Cross, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Project H.O.M.E., The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation (formerly the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation) and other groups.
He has been named the first Founding Ambassador of the Habitat for Humanity Ambassador program as part of the international-nonprofit organization’s new advocacy outreach initiative. Bon Jovi has been raising awareness with Habitat for Humanity since 2005 when he provided the funds to build six homes in Philadelphia and built the homes alongside the homeowner families, as well as with members of his Philadelphia Soul Arena Football Team (now non existent). The construction site also served as the video shoot location for his band’s single, "Who Says You Can’t Go Home". In 2006, Bon Jovi made a $1 million donation to build 28 Habitat homes in Louisiana in partnership with low-income families on the hurricane-stricken coast. In July, 2007, Bon Jovi announced a project that will rehabilitate a block of 15 homes in north Philadelphia.<12><13> During an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2005, the band donated $1 million to the Angel Network foundation.<14><15>
The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation (formerly the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation) was founded in 2006 and exists to combat issues that force families and individuals into economic despair. Through the funding and creation of programs and partnerships, they support innovative community efforts to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.<16>
He is one of 21 artists singing on "Everybody Hurts", a charity single organized by Simon Cowell in aid of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.<17>"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Bon_Jovi#Charitable_work

[Tx4obama]

5. Hmm

Did you read the full article? Bon Jovi is an excellent pick for the job at hand.

Excerpt:

The New Jersey native, who has sold more than 120 million albums, is also known as a political activist and has long been involved in his community.

He’s the chairman of the Jon Bon Jovi Foundation. It focuses on fighting poverty and homelessness and provides housing for low income people.

In this new role, the Grammy Award winner will work with leaders from non-profits, corporations and foundations, to help the “federal government promote greater innovation” and shine the spotlight on people making “a significant impact in their own communities,” according to the White House.

-----------------------

Btw, most rich people were once poor before they made money.

[Nostradammit]

7. "Most rich people were once poor before they made money" - got a link for that assertion?

Not trying to be hostile, I'd just really like to know if that's true.

Thanks in advance.

[Tx4obama]

10. Ya got a link of 'rockers' that were millionaires before becoming famous? n/t

[abqmufc]

16. 1 out 20 is a failing grade....

local solutions by local people.

[abqmufc]

13. once poor now a millionaire...sorry still out of touch...

Maybe they were poor once, maybe they have spent a lifetime of community service. I still bet they have no clue what the needs are of most communities in the USA. Those that are aware of the needs are local, grassroots workers who are in touch with the daily needs of communities. The people on this panel all live a lifestyle that is only a dream for 99.9% of the USA population. B/c of this I stand by my statement this is complete PR bullshit.

[wordpix]

23. my suggestion: every block of every city has a community garden

If they don't create jobs (for green markets and tomato sauce, salsa, jam and jelly producers, etc), at least people will eat well for almost free.

No response. That was my first taste of the O admin disappointments.

[boppers]

26. You were disappointed that you didn't get a personal response?

It's a great idea, though. Some resources here to bootstrap it in your neighborhood.
http://communitygarden.org/learn/starting-a-community-garden.php

I live in a great gardening area, a lot of our neighbors (and us) share food.

[alfredo]

39. He should have picked me, I'm as common as they come.

[Downwinder]

12. Sounds like a Chamber of Commerce road show.

The only thing Main Street needs is money in people's pockets.

[jwirr]

18. Are any of them likely to act locally and think globally? Green? Or

is this just another board looking to rebuild the status quo?

[Tx4obama]

19. Some of the comments on this thread are quite mind boggling

So, some of ya'll think that the good works of folks like Brad Pitt in New Orleans, Sean Penn in Haiti, Bono in Africa, etc etc etc are not of importance because they themselves do not live in a house that would be considered lower or middle class and because they have money in the bank?

Amazing. Just amazing. ;(

[babylonsister]

20. Thank you. nt

[Dogmudgeon]

25. Some of them think they're fighting a War Against Wealth

When actually, they're fighting a War Against Intelligence.

And humility.

And humanity.

--d!

[EFerrari]

34. Sean Penn did not get to Haiti via Washington, He just did it.

These pony shows rarely wind up doing anything for anyone. Witness the Clinton Bush pony show for Haiti.

It's not amazing at all. People have seen this before.

[awoke_in_2003]

28. Cool with me...

as long as I don't have to listen to "Living on a prayer" :)

[smiley]

33. WOO - OH!

LIVING ON A PRAYER-ER!
:headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

sorry - had to do it. :)

[Frank Booth]

35. That's what I was thinking.

I had no idea Bon Jovi has done so many good things. He has made up for a lifetime of bad music.

[awoke_in_2003]

38. ...

:)

[zalinda]

29. So we ask for jobs and he gives us millionaires

who give us charity. If he would just create jobs, we wouldn't need charity. But Obama doesn't believe it's the government's responsibility to create jobs.

zalinda

[U4ikLefty]

30. For some odd reason I thought you were talking about John Rocker.

I was like "whaaaaaat?!?"

[Fearless]

31. Lead by example Mr. President. n/t

[provis99]

36. a bunch of showy, symbolic nothing.

This is downright insulting.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

37. Starbucks has destroyed more --

genuine "community" coffee houses than can be counted. I refuse to step in their doors.

[IsrealBissel]

40. I love Bon Jovi!