tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28699638.post733882788106547626..comments2024-01-02T02:32:12.512-08:00Comments on The Hutchinson Political Report: Madonna Deserves Cheers Not Jeers for Casting Light on Africa’s Orphan MiseryThe Hutchinson Political Reporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04327319276889869398noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28699638.post-62598080476156820262009-11-02T02:40:45.212-08:002009-11-02T02:40:45.212-08:00The charity 'Raising Malawi' (PR firm) fou...The charity 'Raising Malawi' (PR firm) founded by Madonna AND TWO OTHERS in '06' held fund raisers for over two years before finally getting registered as a non-profit. In other words, Madonna and the others were free to squander that funding any way they saw fit for those first two years. In fact, they still havn't accounted for the 3.7 million raised from a single event in the fall of '07' (The grand opening of a Gucci flagship store in Manhattan.). She also pleaded with her fans worldwide for donations along the way. In the meantime, she toured the world to promote her latest CD and raked in another $280,000,000 gross in just over 12 months. To date, the basic financial info for 'Raising Malawi' still hasn't been posted on the website or anywhere else. The 'progress' page only tells of the collective works by over 20 seperate charities. Each of which have their own sources of funding and may have recieved some sort of promotion or support from 'Raising Malawi' in order to be considered 'partners'. But no indication is made how much of their funding came from 'Raising Malawi' or how much of their progress if any could be directly attributed to 'Raising Malawi'. The fans/donors have no clue how many millions of dollars were raised in that first two years, no clue how much Madonna herself chipped in, and no clue how the money was spent before they finally registered as a non-profit. No clue what fraction of funding or works listed on that 'progress' page could be directly attributed to 'Raising Malawi'. Nothing to go on but the vague and misleading word of Madonna. For example: She states in her latest promotional video that she will match any contributions made to her charity (PR firm) "dollar for dollar". However, there is a disclaimer posted on the website for 'Raising Malawi' that Madonna's total contribution will not exceed $100,000. Thats not per donation. Thats a maximum of $100,000 TOTAL. Less than a single days pay for Madonna. Also much less then she will surely rake in by promoting her own CDs, DVDs, and 'for profit' merchandise through this massive worldwide publicity stunt. So I called the office of 'Raising Malawi' in an attempt to verify some sort of efficient financial operation (310) 867-2881 or (888) 72-DONOR). These details are ALWAYS made available by legitimate charities. But not in this case. I got nothing but recorded messages and hangups. So I did some research on my own. 'Raising Malawi' still hasn't been given any kind of rating by ANY independent charity watchdog like Charitywatch.org. The vast overwhelming majority of 'celebrity' foundations never are. In general, they are inneficient and riddled with corruption. Like the promotion of CDs, world tours, commercial websites, entire lines of jewelry (not just the single piece from which proceeds are donated), and high end retail flagship stores. Its far less expensive to promote your image and product with a contribution to your own charity (PR firm) than it is to buy commercial airtime worldwide. This is why its become such a trend. Celebrity foundations are also notorious for squandering much of their funding on private jet rides and super high end accomodations for their managers, PR crews, and celebrity figure heads. Its legal even for a nonprofit but not noble or efficient by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, non-profits are not actually required by law to be efficient. This is why the independent rating is so important. In general, 'celebrity' foundations never even get one. They are a twisted inefficient mutant of charity, self-promotion, exotic travel, and PR crap. Still, they compete for funding with more efficient legitimate charities. The celebrity figure heads often disregard the primary donors, co-founders, and managers, take personal credit for any collective work done, and seek maximum publicity shortly before or after the release of their own commercial projects. Its a sham. So if its not rated, then don't support it. Instead, support a top rated charity like any of those given high ratings at Charitywatch.org.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28699638.post-84769743627567791582009-04-22T09:34:00.000-07:002009-04-22T09:34:00.000-07:00What Malawi needs are micro loans, given directly ...What Malawi needs are micro loans, given directly to it's people, who apply to start small businesses to bolster employment and self sufficiency. So much foreign aid in Africa and elsewhere is funneled directly into the pockets of Swiss bank account socialist, and fascistic government officials. The much hyped UN MDG's is funding the genocide in Darfur, and luxuries, including those junkets to China by Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe.<br /><br />I don't agree with Mr. Hutchinson about Madonna, or in the case of Angelina Jolie either. These obscenely wealthy women, could provide real help, by creating and funding programs to provide micro loans, housing and food. That would do so much more to lift people out of the misery that leads to lives of exploitation, and misery.<br /><br />In Nigeria, there has been success by promoting strong families, and monogomy, instead of reliance on the UN/EU promotion of using condoms and believing that protects people from HIV/AIDS. It's cut what was an extremely high AIDS rate, down to 8%.<br /><br />The entire, solve the problem by adoption doesn't solve the problem, it only ensures a continuation of it, it justifies the status quo. Mr. Hutchinson should consider abandoning the rock star, Hollywood game of exploiting such suffering. Neither Madonna, Jolie, Bono or Geldof have provided any real help, they have only played a game, and lined their pockets via pr. Of course, what Hutchinson does is dependent on what he is truly interested in achieving.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com