Russell Brand: "When I was poor and I complained ..."

[Scuba]

[rhett o rick]

1. Russell hasn't taken a drink of the "wealth-driven-sociopathy" kool-aid.

Stay cool, Russell!

[LiberalArkie]

5. Back in the 70's when the oil boom hit again in south Arkansas

I knew a lot (about 30) oil well hands that found oil on their property. Before they found the oil, they was always complaining about the wealthy oil people who never cared or helped the struggling oil field hands. They got wealthy and built new homes, bought motor homes aand all the trappings of the new rich. Some were even taken to court for short changing their hands pay. They were always complaining about the hands stealing and not working for their money. Most (I think all, I can't remember) of the new richs property finally petered out and had to declare bankruptcy. Needless to say they went back to work in the fields complaining how the owners short changing them.

The moral is sometimes just having money will make a person be an S.O.B.

[rhett o rick]

21. I think it's a class-sociopathy. Ask George Bush for a dollar and he's apt to tell you

to earn it like he did. He most likely thinks he actually earned his money. Some wealthy people think that God gave them wealth because they were more deserving.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

60. If I remember correctly

It was Ann Richards who described Bush as "Born on third and thinks he hit a triple."

[BobbyBoring]

62. She also said

He " Was born with a silver foot in his mouth ".
Gotta love her!

[mountain grammy]

63. I remember her speech at the Democratic convention.. "poor George"

she was great!

[rpannier]

68. George Bush is another who fits my description of Donald Schlump

Bush/Trump is the sort of person who is sent in the bottom of the 9th of a tie game to pinch run. The batter hits a home run and the following day is bragging about how he scored the winning run

[johnlucas]

77. Texas messed up SEVERELY when they chose George W. Bush over Ann Richards

That state hasn't been right since.

Texans have a chance to correct that mistake in 2014.
John Lucas

[maddiemom]

34. Yes, I've seen some examples of this in my own lifetime, during the "Coal Boom"m"

further east at about the same time ( having mineral rights were the real blessing for property owners). The next generation often was pretty close in line, and the worst offenders. Actually some of the already prosperous tended to have more liberal kids than the more newly rich. The ugly, seamy underside of the great American dream, is a sad tendency to say "I've got mine, so screw you. You must not be as good as I am." Anyone, Russell Brand, Nick Hanauer (sic), who has what is really common decency, more than simple compassion, deserves our thanks.

[Dreamer Tatum]

2. Yet he's still wealthy, isn't he?

Odd.

[tridim]

4. So you're on board with calling him a hypocrite, just iike "they" do?

Odd.

[NYC_SKP]

10. We have a DU member who....

....thinks I'm a bad person because I bought a vacation home with savings and rent it out.

I'll move there once I sell this place and sell my stuff. This house is under 1000 square feet but has outbuildings. The other place is 450 square feet, no yard, ocean view.

But I guess I should have given that money to him.

Go figure.

[SummerSnow]

29. Sounds amazing, enjoy the fruits of your labor.

[maddiemom]

35. WTF? Why are you defending yourself? Isn't this a part of the American Dream?

And a very minor part at that.

[NYC_SKP]

38. I know, right?

And it's not like I didn't take an enormous hit on the value of my first home which, after 20 years of payments is worth half what it was at the high point and less than when I bought it.

I didn't let defend myself in that particular subthread, the member is known for never ending petty fighting.

I'm happy, and now I have to get rid of tons of stuff and get out of this town and over to the other one.

[maddiemom]

44. Hey, I've been part owner of three houses in three states with my ex.

Our first home was designed by a local architect for his own family. He later designed and built a new larger home, in a quieter neighborhood( he ended up with five kids). A new local hospital was built on the same street as the home, zoning was non-existent, and medical office buildings were springing up down the street. Nonetheless, the house was easy to sell- when we moved on-just for little more than we'd paid for it. The house a lot of people would love to own --in a different neighborhood. If our marriage had endured, we would have gotten the plans Previous homes thereafter are another story. It never ends if you don't buy strictly for resale, and forget your own imagination as to "home."

[delete_bush]

70. There are some on the 'left'

who want to bring everyone down to some sort of arbitrary lowest common denominator. No doubt at whatever level they currently reside.

I pay them no mind. Good for you!

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

80. I own an apartment in Italy as well as a home in a Chicago suburb.

My wife and I intend to retire in a couple of years and live in that Italian apartment. We rent it out to some graduate students at the University of Perugia during the school year when were are in Illinois. I suppose this makes me a bad person as well.

[Rex]

13. You're right! He should go get poor right away!

Maybe give all his money to me! Go tell him he needs to give me all his money so it won't seem odd.

[Hissyspit]

23. So? "Some people say I'm a hypocrite because I've got money now..."

"Some people say I'm a hypocrite because I've got money now. When I was poor and I complained about inequality people said I was bitter, now I'm rich and I complain about inequality they say I'm a hypocrite. I'm beginning to think they just don't want inequality on the agenda because it is a real problem that needs to be addressed."

[City Lights]

26. What is odd about that?

Elaborate, please.

[Kingofalldems]

32. Looks like you agree with the republicans.

[Dreamer Tatum]

33. No, I just think he's kind of a tool. Sue me. nt

[Aerows]

45. He irritates the crap out of me.

And despite that, he's absolutely right.

[rufus dog]

65. fucking A right!

He irritates me too, yet he is right.

Now calling his statement "Odd" is over the top fucking annoying.

[cui bono]

71. So because you don't personally like him you failed to grasp the content of what he said? n/t

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

91. Both of you are hilarious in your own secial ways. nt

[Taitertots]

42. Yeah! He should stop working and spend himself back into extreme poverty. Just like YOU

[Indydem]

3. And yet...

Of the charities Russell supports, not a one is dedicated to elimination of income inequality or addressing it.

Hypocrite, indeed.


https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/russell-brand

[tridim]

6. He has dedicated his life to the issue.

Have you even bothered to listen to what he is saying?

[Indydem]

7. A guy who has $20 Million and was married to Katy Pery

And yet doesn't have his own charity, doesn't do actual work to end inequality, or actually, do anything real whatsoever, is just an epic douche.

The guy can say whatever he wants, but he doesn't DO anything about it.

[tridim]

8. So you're not listening. Got it. Derp. nt

[Indydem]

9. Derp?

How about you quit cheerleading the fucker and hold him accountable?

[LiberalLovinLug]

18. so how many YouTube videos have you made on these issues?

Putting yourself out there for ridicule by wingnuts everywhere. (and a few even from the left it seems)

He is, and should be, accountable only to himself. And he is doing a lot more for raising awareness of social inequalities than most celebrities. I also enjoy his Fox News takedowns. But you have to piss on it because he's not ...what?...donning sackcloth, selling all he owns, and giving it to charities that YOU approve of?

[cui bono]

72. Hold him accountable for what? n/t

[hughee99]

25. Other than donating money to various causes (some to help the poor) and raising money for charities,

and speaking out on the issue in the public forums he has available to him, he does very little. He hasn't given all his money away, and he doesn't have his own charity, although perhaps he feels he's not, personally, equipped to deal with these issues and chooses to donate to those charities that he believes are working.

Personally, if I had $20 million, I'd probably prefer to donate to, and raise money for, charities that I feel are effective, rather than starting my own.

[maddiemom]

37. Well, let's agree that Brand could do more. His speaking out is a good start,

BTW, I was never a particular fan of Brand, but respect him more lately.

[uberblonde]

55. Maybe you should have done a little research?

https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/russell-brand

[Indydem]

56. See reply #3

WAY ahead of you.

Care to tell me which one of those deals with inequality?

[A Simple Game]

74. And if he gave all of his money to eliminate poverty how far would it go?

But as to your question read the descriptions for the Mines Advisory Group and the Small Steps Project, that may answer your question.

Personally I don't care for Brand but he is on our side, well maybe not yours, and I will defend him when I think he deserves it.

[LanternWaste]

14. You then believe financial charities are the only mechanism with which to address change?

You then believe listed financial charities are the only mechanism with which to address change?

[Leith]

15. Wrong-O

Mines Advisory Group does just that.

Small Steps Project works to help children who literally eat garbage for food.

Nobody says that this is an exhaustive list or even entirely accurate. He is one man and as one man is doing more than his part.

[kcr]

16. I don't know what he actually does

But charities alone isn't an indicator. Plenty of people think giving to charities is enough and that's all they do. I think that's just as bad if not worse. I think it is more important to have a strong social safety net and a solid middle class than it is for charities to exist. I'm not opposed to giving to them, but they aren't the solution. They're a bandaid.

[marew]

22. Exactly!

Let's not forget that some people are very generous and want their name in big letters plastered everywhere so everyone knows how "wonderful' they are! Many, many years ago a very wise person told me when someone behaves like this, that person is merely buying advertising.

Others do things behind the scenes anonymously! The truly generous are not looking for recognition. I believe that is very true.

[kcr]

27. Yep. Easier to put a name on a safe charity

rather than risk offending by telling the truth about what causes inequality. I wish more celebrities would follow his lead.

[Tumbulu]

20. well aren't you the big know it all

you strike me as a suffering exactly what you accuse RB of........

He funds all sorts of worthy causes, let's read all the causes you support.

[valerief]

24. There's an Income Inequality charity???? Brand clearly has given

to charities that work to eliminate poverty. However, you're implying there's a charity that can implement new trade policies and tax policies. Which one is that?

[Aerows]

46. I don't like him personally

but to declare his causes worthless is disgusting. He is a strong proponent of income equality. I can dislike him on a personal level (mostly because of his association with Katy Perry) and still acknowledge that he does good in this world, too.

[alp227]

66. Umm...don't a lot of charities INHERENTLY combat inequalities/injustices? nt

[liberalmuse]

79. What are you doing?

Besides criticizing a decent human being who helps the homeless and gives his wealth, time and celebrity to a large number of good causes. My god, save it for the Koch brothers.

[Nevada Blue]

11. Well he was voted 'shagger of the year' a few times, but

faulting someone for having money is just the flip side of faulting someone who has none. Two sides, same coin.

There is nothing wrong with having money. It's really only wrong when its acquisition becomes one's raison d'etre. Money isn't bad. Greed is. Selfishness is.

We saw Russell in his early run of the Messiah Complex tour last July at Lake Tahoe. The man is eloquent, thoughtful, provocative, and funny. We learned a little bit about some cultural heroes in spite of ourselves. And we laughed ourselves silly.

No one here knows how he spends his money. Nor should it matter. When did words become insignificant, compared to $$, anyway?

[zeemike]

17. Very well said.

And Welcome to DU...

[Hissyspit]

30. The same tactics used against Michael Moore by the right

to attempt to derail the points made in his movies.

[Cleita]

41. Welcome to DU. Well put.

I would add when acquisition of money is done by legal, but criminal theft, like the Banks and Wall Street do, then there is something wrong with it. But making a lot of money as an entertainer doesn't make it wrong.

[Scuba]

52. Nicely done, thanks. And welcome to DU.

[ms liberty]

54. Very well said. Welcome to DU!

[calimary]

59. Welcome to DU, Nevada Blue!

Glad you're here! Great point you make. But there are always some who'd just rather pee in the pickle barrel...

You make another great point, too. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with having money. It's what you DO with that money, or what you DO when you have that money, that matters more. If you're much blessed, then it seems to me you're much obligated - especially in times of great need. If you're just into being a money hoarder merely for the sake of having more or having the most, then in my opinion anyway, you're pretty useless as a human being.

[athenasatanjesus]

12. And if he were middle class,they would call him bitter,and hypocritical.

[the_sly_pig]

19. I enjoy the Russell Brand.

He's precise like George Galloway.

[Cleita]

43. Must be in the education. Maybe we need to bring some of the British teaching methods here. n/t

[the_sly_pig]

48. reduction in class size very important...

but that takes away our freedom (increased taxes).... And honestly, a college or university education is an end in itself. It should not be used to "get a job". That is what trade schools are for.

[Hissyspit]

28. Correct quote:

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/05/russell-brand-democratic-system-newsnight

Some people say I'm a hypocrite because I've got money now. When I was poor and I complained about inequality people said I was bitter, now I'm rich and I complain about inequality they say I'm a hypocrite. I'm beginning to think they just don't want inequality on the agenda because it is a real problem that needs to be addressed.

[Scuba]

53. Thanks.

[maddiemom]

31. Out of the mouth of........Russell Brand. How very true of the accusations of all

liberal celebrities. True that Jane Fonda and others got a bit out of hand in the late sixties, but they seem to realize that now. Making your own fortune, then pulling the ladder up from those below as inferior if they don't have the strokes of luck (let's be honest) to do the same, despite the many who have the desire and willingness , that's a real right wing, Republican thing. It's a wonderful excuse to be mean-spirited. Yes there really are a few "shiftless" people, as anyone who has been around as long as I have (late sixties) know. They are very much in the minority among the "poor."

[Cleita]

47. Back in my salad days, minorities were always pictured as shiftless

and lazy, always going around with hat in one hand and the other hand stretched out for begging. Yet simple observation would prove otherwise. Working in the fields alongside the braceros, the Americans could not match the productivity of Mexican workers. Traveling on the trains with the African Americans working on the Pullmans, they did everything and they did it well working long hours between destinations and they did it with a smile.

The immigrant Chinese family worked long hours in their small business, laundries and restaurants to get ahead. None of the immigrant workers were looking for a handout. All of them were poor until some of them were able to achieve the American dream for their children. Later in life, working in the restaurant industry and at a large university, I saw the industriousness of the workers there who were born poor and trying to better themselves.

Yet, just recently I was on a date with a man who told me that affirmative action African Americans at his government job they had been forced to hire didn't do any work and when they did they were incompetent. I suddenly got a headache and told him, I didn't think we were on the same page so I wouldn't be seeing him again. His parting words to me were that it was okay because he knew plenty of Mexican women who liked to fuck because they didn't work very hard at getting jobs.

And now I hear all the time that the homeless panhandling are in business and actually go home to fancy houses in late model cars they park a few blocks away. I shake my head at some of the meanness I encounter from people who are well off and who go to church on Sunday.

[merrily]

84. What did Fonda do in the Sixties that equaled getting out of hand?

[maddiemom]

86. Uh....were you around in the late sixties, early seventies? And I'm a liberal, so

never had any problem with anti-war activists, was in some protests at the time myself. "Hanoi Jane," didn't get that derisive nickname for nothing, though, and has admitted, herself, in later years, that she had sometimes been a bit over the top.

[merrily]

87. None of that answered my question.

[maddiemom]

89. That ONE incident mentioned in didn't take place ( re: POW letters). Otherwise

the Snopes article pretty much answers your question. Was there a caption for the picture? That picture (no fake) was what really stirred many people up. Again, I was anti Viet Nam war myself and not anti-Fonda per se, just thought she went overboard for a while. Always a good idea to check Snopes, as I gather you weren't around yet during that time. "Hanoi Jane" was the nickname many gave her at that time, as she expressed so much sympathy for their side.

[merrily]

90. Actually, the snopes article did not answer my question.

The Snopes article is about something she did not do. The Snopes article seems pretty clear as to the reasons she supposedly apologized. Looks as though her career and/or studio may have required it. And I would like to hear the wording and full context of those apologies. Was it, "I did a horrible thing (if so what, exactly) and I could not be sorrier?" Or was it one of those faux apologies?

Also, recall that Fonda went very fundie religious at some point, to the point that it reportedly broke up her marriage. Heaven only knows what resulted from that.

That picture (no fake) was what really stirred many people up.

A photo. Big deal. The right is always getting stirred up about something or other.

just thought she went overboard for a while

Again, what specifically are you referring to, besides a photo? She was an anti war activist. So was Joan Baez. So was Muhammed Ali. So were many clergy. So was Dr. Spock. So was Pete Seeger. So were many others. They were all right.

People did things that got them arrested and jailed and she *gasp* traveled to Vietnam to try to end a war? And *gasps* clutches pearls* took a photo?

55000 dead on the American side alone? For that mess? I can barely imagine any photo or effort to expose and stop that mess that I would consider "overboard." But please, be specific. Did she maybe inform the North Vietnamese of our military secrets in advance of a battle?

"Hanoi Jane" was the nickname many gave her at that time, as she expressed so much sympathy for their side.

I would bet a lot that no one on the left gave her that name. Sounds exactly like something Limbaugh would say. Doesn't mean there is truth to it. The right gave her a nickname and that's somehow supposed to prove her anti-Vietnam War activism was wrong?

Ffs, the right calls Obama and other Democrats everything you can imagine. Fifty years from now, someone could offer that as proof of how awful and over the top Socialist Muslim Kenyan Obama was, just as you are doing to Fonda now.

I gather you weren't around yet during that time.

Whether I was or not, it could not be more irrelevant. I wasn't around in 1776 or 1863 and I post about those eras often. I am around now. I have no secret info about this era. Neither do you, I assume.

The relevant question for posting is not whether you or I were around, but what we are posting. You say you were around, yet you've offered very little that is specific or compelling. No matter what the era, I would have been to your left, just as I am now.

[maddiemom]

92. No secret info, just that I lived through that time and knew the controversy and

back and forth arguments flying around at the time. I admit I wasn't pro Ho Chi Minh, but do remember having heard he'd asked the U.S. for help and was refused, thus turning to Communist China. I had a brother and friends who served, had little choice, but were not pro war. Had I been around in revolutionary or civil war days I do believe I'd have a better perspective on what was happening as it happened. Most pro war people in the Viet Nam era were past war veterans, especially WWII, who were clinging to that same old patriotism. Before it was all over most had changed their tune.
Oh yeah, I'm a huge fan of Limbaugh, Hannity and their ilk. Listen to 'em 24/7 and cover my walls with their posters. Riiight! Give yourself some time and perspective, child (I'm Mom and a teacher), and read more carefully. Snopes should have answered your questions, as I read it, too and thought it was pretty clear as to why Jane caused some controversy. (Filmed on the tank with the "bad guys&quot . The longer you've been around, the less narrow your view, if you have an open mind (unfortunately some, like teabagger types, do not).

[merrily]

93. I am not a child, my reading skills are fine and my view is not narrow.

At the very least, no narrower than yours, just different from it. So, please stop the personal insults to me, while you pat yourself on the back. A difference in political views warrants neither of those.

Never said you were a fan of Limbaugh, either. I said that (if Limbaugh had broadcasting then), Hanoi Jane sounds a lot like something he might have said about Fonda.

BTW, I never said whether I also lived through that era or not. I don't believe in putting a lot of personal info about myself on a message board. Don't assume, one way or the other. But, whether I did or not, plenty of people who did live through that time did not think anyone opposing that war without violence had gone overboard. And most, but not all, of those people were on the left.

[maddiemom]

94. How did I know you'd have a resentful comment about my using the term

"child?" I thought, 'wait for it...' and didn't have to wait for long. No one said that "going overboard" meant opposing the war w/o violence. You must have missed the part where I mentioned I'd been involved with much of that myself. Going overboard meant some of the rhetoric Fonda used (check Snopes again) and such things as being photographed with those against whom the U.S., rightly or wrongly, were fighting (on their tanks).

I am 95% sure you weren't around at that time because you were quick to take personal insult ( drives me nuts when I can't have a rational argument with someone without them getting personal---the first sign of immaturity). Your obvious unfamiliarity with the term "Hanoi Jane" and the picture on the tank are the first clue. ( There IS a certain benefit in having been there at that time). Ignoring everything I said that was NOT disagreeing with you or giving you credit for good points made, just seizing on anything I said that you could disagree with are even bigger clues. A calm and rational discussion would be nice sometime. I'll be waiting and be disappointed if you just come back with more taking personal affront.

[merrily]

88. You may want to check out this snopes article.

http://www.snopes.com/military/fonda.asp

[Enthusiast]

36. Kicked and recommended!

Thank you, Scuba.

[Laelth]

39. k&r for the truth. n/t

-Laelth

[Skittles]

40. loves me some Russell Brand

[dawn frenzy adams]

49. This is just a rebranding going on here!

I'm not buying the Russell Brand political pundit. This is just an attempt of a narcissistic celebrity whose movie roles have dried up. He was kicked off the air by the BBC, and just like scoundrel Piers Morgan he came to America. Of course our dumb-ass media made both of them millionaires. Frankly, I wish he would go back to England, and take that deviant Simon Cowell with him.

[Scuba]

50. Isn't getting kicked off the air by the BBC a badge of honor?

[joshcryer]

58. Sadly, I agree.

I was hopeful at first.

[cui bono]

73. So what do you disagree with that he said or has said as a "political pundit"? n/t

[indepat]

51. TPTB don't want us talking about inequality, but the fruits it bears increasingly leaves its

ugly marks, scars, and devastation on tens of millions of Americans. Yet an ugly voice on the right ponders if raising the minimum wage would turn American into a Nazi Germany. It's those of this mindset who control the levers of power.

[joshcryer]

57. Anything over 5-10 million is unnecessary.

If I had Brand's money I would invest 95% into technology to help people.

Brand disappoints me, I think he means it, but it works more to sell an image.

[whereisjustice]

61. Perfect.

[mountain grammy]

64. If rich liberals want to change the world, they should buy radio stations

for liberal talkers.

[YOHABLO]

67. Oh hell yes. We're not able to compete with the right wing crazies on the radio .. it's not fair

of course but then it's hard for the left wing radio stations to get the financial support through advertisement. But don't forget .. we own the air waves folks. A little known fact we should be addressing.

[ieoeja]

76. Talk radio is far more conducive to propaganda than serious talk.

You have 24 hours to fill. How are you going to talk about politics without saying the same shit over and over again. At that point you're more propaganda than actual discussion.

Change them back to music. Make people happy. That would do as much to bring back some liberalism as much as anything. Conservatism feeds on anger. Liberalism feeds on happiness.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

69. Michael Moore was mentioned,

and there's no doubt in my mind he has helped loads of individuals discretely, yet profoundly. Probably many of them from Flint, Michigan. Don't know about Russell, but it wouldn't surprise me if he has also followed that path. He's been poor and knows what it's like. Regardless, he does a great job raising awareness and smacking the hell out of Hannity.

[NYC Liberal]

78. Case in freaking point right in the damn thread. K&R.

[Scuba]

82. +1,000

[americannightmare]

81. Brand could just collect his big paychecks...

and keep quiet. Instead he's stirring things up. Can't say that about many celebrities...

[Zorra]

83. Very well said! nt

[merrily]

85. When all is said and done, it's better that someone with high visibility mentions economic

inequality than not. It is also better that a wealthy person gives to charities than not.

You don't even have to admire or like Brand or give him kudos. It's just a simple fact.