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Yoke, that's probably the best thing I've heard anyone say about Reeve's death.

Attacking Maddox's credibility doesn't disprove his comments on Christopher Reeve, though.

Keep in mind I'm not defending everything Maddox says. His ramblings are very extreme and I wouldn't agree to the extent of his comments a lot of the time (for example, he calls Reeve selfish, where as I wouldn't call him selfish. Selfish would be for Reeve to say "I want research into my injury and my inury alone. Screw all the other quads!"). However, I do understand the point he's trying to make. While there are people like Reeve who support research into the paralysis that they have, which is a noble cause, there are many other celebrities that are involved in causes without self-serving interests, which seems more noble.

For example, I admire Paul Newman for his charitiy work. His Newman's Own range of pasta sauces and salad dressings has generated donations of $150 million to charities since 1982 (http://www.newmansown.com/125million.htm). All the after-tax profits are donated so there's nothing self-serving involved as Newman doesn't (as the website claims) keep any of the money. I haven't heard of any info that proves contrary, but if anyone does have proof that Newman's charity work is self-serving, I'm open to it.

Now, I'll make it clear, this example of Newman doesn't prove Reeve is an arsehole (It's not my intention to prove Reeve is an arsehole, because I didn't think he was). And Newman is only a small example -- I'm sure there are plenty others of charitible celebs without self-serving interests people could name. However, it does substantiate Maddox's point that some celebrity charities are self-serving. For example, Maddox says:

"The fact that he's helping thousands of people as he helps himself is a side effect of his cure; not necessarily his intention. I have little doubt that Mr. Reeve would work as hard to find a cure for paralysis if he was one of only a hand full of victims, so I don't think he deserves praise for this "good deed," because if it was intentional on his part to help these people, he probably would have had a paralysis foundation before the accident occurred."

Now if I was Reeve or had the resoures that Reeve had, I'd probably do the same things he did, such as donating to paralysis charities. In fact, I think most people would. I wouldn't call it selfish, but it was a self-serving interest (one with some concern for others in a similar condition). Meanwhile, my example of Newman acts in juxatposition to Reeve. Newman is someone donating to charity without self-serving interest. And that's the main difference between people like Reeve and people like Newman -- Reeve's interest is self-serving. And that's basically what I think of Maddox's claim (although Maddox does present it in his usual over-the-top, insensitive, and generalistic manner; keep in mind though he is a satirical commentator and nothing he says should be read with a great deal of seriousness. I take the view that the man makes a good point from time to time and writes in a funny manner).

That's why I see some elements of truth to what Maddox is saying. I don't think calling him a moron or saying he has a rotten attitude or shitty web design actually disproves his point of view. He may be insensitive, but his points of view still have some truth in them (in my opinion).

Regardless of Maddox's comments, Reeve's passing is still sad, just like the many celebs that have died in the last few weeks.

EDIT: And the many non-celebs that have died too.

Listened to it on net radio.

Although he made some good points now and then, I could really hear the desperation in Bush's voice.

In Australia, our main political party (which won re-election over the weekend) is called 'Liberal', even though it's more conservative than liberal.

Also, haven't watched or listened to the debate yet. Finding a transcript of the debate right now.

[Democrats Seek To Block Sinclair's Anti-Kerry Telecast]

I found this story on IMDB:

Democrats Seek To Block Sinclair's Anti-Kerry Telecast
Sinclair Broadcast Group's plans to preempt regular network programming on its 62 TV stations just before election day to air an anti-John Kerry documentary have been caught in a pincers movement by Democratic lawmakers and party officials. The Democratic National Committee said that it plans to file a complaint with the Federal Election Commission over the company's plans to carry Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal, in which Kerry is lambasted by fellow Vietnam War veterans. At the same time, Democratic senators have asked the FCC to investigate the planned telecast. Today's (Tuesday) Los Angeles Times indicated that they will find a sympathetic ear in FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, a Democrat, who called Sinclair's decision "an abuse of the public trust." Copps said that it represented "proof positive of media consolidation run amok when one owner can use the public airwaves to blanket the country with its political ideology -- whether liberal or conservative.

Here's CNN's version:
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/10/12/kerry.program/index.html

Here's the website for the doco:
http://www.stolenhonor.com/

Could this doco be the end for Kerry?

Hey man!

Moving, huh? Man that means you won't be coming to Brisbane as often. Poopsticks!

At least I got to see LJE2 concept work while you were here. That game's going to be sweet!

In my game George Bush is wearing a darth vader mask and tells dick cheney that he is his father. John Kerry is Luke Skywalker.

Now you think John Kerry's a good guy???

Who's flip-flopping now?

I saw a doco last night on Ohio's perception of the upcoming election.

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2004/s1215757.htm

I found it interesting to see the born-again Christian support for Bush, especially when a lot of these same people had no idea of the economical or health issues. They're voting for Bush because he's a good Christian fella and cause Kerry flip-flops.

IMO, if Kerry wants to win, he's going to have to expose a little more hypocrisy in Bush's Christianity. Kind of like how Pat Robertson lost his presidential nomination after the televangelism scandals.

What about George Reeves?

And what about Dean Cain?

Okay, Dean Cain isn't dead yet. But his career is!

Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?

On a similar topic, Australia just recently released its first diet beer called "Pure Blonde".

http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,10895021,00.html

What does everyone think about this? Brilliant advancement in health sciences? Or a desecration?

And speaking of actors who died this week...

I just want remind everyone who wants to argue with poop: he maybe a self-proclaimed genius and going to a school that costs 1 billions dollars, but he still chose poop743 as his nickname. Not Rembrandt62 or Faulkner1138. Just poop743. And arguing with a 13 year old self-proclaimed genius with a nickname synonymous with faeces is like trying to cram a cow into the mouth of someone claiming to be from India.

Its all a hoax! Its just DG in a bear suit!

Esseb, I owe you another drink. You are quite a soothsayer.

And with that I leave this thread forever. Also, I really am DGmcaphee.............or am I?

If you are DG, I said it before you in the critics lounge

If not, may God have mercy on you, poor child

Well, Esseb, looks like I owe you a drink next time you come to Australia.

Andail, I'm not poop. Not even I could come with long ramblings that are this mindbendingly crazy. And I don't have enough time in my day to pretend to be poop.

Besides, I was asleep when poop did his last few replies.

Narangas: I find it odd because there seems to be a lot of campaigns these days built on fear of something instead of being built on a plan. I wonder if Howard has any plan for Australians in the oncoming years instead of just "manage Australai's economy well".

Hawkeye Pierce, Atticus Finch, Bill Hicks, Jack Nicholson, my Mum's partner Les, Paul Weller, John Birmingham, my Dutch Grandparents, my old boss Karen-Maree, and others.

http://yourmajormalfunction.blogspot.com/

I should mention it has nothing to do with AGS.

Yes, she doesn't give much proof. But I just found it interesting the theory comes from a Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Andail: Aye, I can see where you're coming from. Then again, the whole idea behind chiropractic health is relieving stress from physical, chemical, and emotional aspects of a person's life. There's better research than the examples I've given. But like you, I'm just drawing on personal experience.

I once attended a seminar led by a friend who is a chiropractor. He basically said the same stuff as the author you mentioned, Sylph.

He did this little test regarding muscle strength by choosing an audience member, test their muscles, make them drink some Coke, and then test their muscles again. They all had some muscle weakness after drinking the Coke.

Same thing happens when the physical nature of the body is unbalanced (e.g. bad posture).

Also, on the topic of health, here's an interesting news story I found amidst all the Aussie election stuff: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200410/s1216687.htm