People of the Park

[Disney Khi]

I just want to mention that a lot of these paparazzi photos of celebrities are actually set up by the celebrities' PR people. They know the stars have to stay in the spotlight. Now, obviously, some aren't set ups and I do feel bad for celebrities who do seem to just want to do their job and stay out of the gossip rags, but celebrities do know where to go to be photographed to have their pics published. I think that makes a big difference in this case.

 

[FireDancer]

Just my two cents...But this topic has "struck a chord" with me lately. The public buys products Tiger endorses based on his reputation. Let's face it some people buy Nike, Buick, and Gillette products based on Tiger's reputation. If he's an adultor we have the right to know about it so we can better decide whether to buy the products he endorses. Like Kevin said...He became more public when he took millions for endorsements. Like you said if he was just a golfer doing his job he probably wouldn't be taking so much heat, but that's not the case here.

Do they buy the clubs because of his reputation or because he is good at using them? I am a huge Lance Armstrong fan and if I buy a Trek bike it isn't because of his character, who he dates, who he sleeps with, or anything other then how he gets from point a to point b on the bike.

It is like the whole John Mayer fiasco lately. I like his music (up until his last album at least) and listen to it because I like it. What he does in Playboy interviews or who he dates and how he treats them matters not to me. I don't allow his off the stage actions to influence what I feel about his on the stage content, I separate the two. If I were a golfer I would be able to separate 100% what Tiger did on the course and what he did in the bedroom the same way.

I realize I am in the minority and I accept that.

 

[Launchpad11B]

Do they buy the clubs because of his reputation or because he is good at using them? I am a huge Lance Armstrong fan and if I buy a Trek bike it isn't because of his character, who he dates, who he sleeps with, or anything other then how he gets from point a to point b on the bike.

It is like the whole John Mayer fiasco lately. I like his music (up until his last album at least) and listen to it because I like it. What he does in Playboy interviews or who he dates and how he treats them matters not to me. I don't allow his off the stage actions to influence what I feel about his on the stage content, I separate the two. If I were a golfer I would be able to separate 100% what Tiger did on the course and what he did in the bedroom the same way.

I realize I am in the minority and I accept that.

I hear what you're saying Frank and I bolded your last sentence. I think most people do NOT separate the two. I'm another guy who could care less about Tiger, John Mayer or any of the others in the public eye. Some sponsors dropped Tiger why? Because he suddenly stinks at golf, or because he proved to be a cheater? Right or wrong, people put celebrities up on a pedestal. It's naive to think celebrities and "regular folks" should be treated the same. Maybe on some Utopian level that would be the case but here on Earth celebs are treated, and paid, far differently.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Do they buy the clubs because of his reputation or because he is good at using them? I am a huge Lance Armstrong fan and if I buy a Trek bike it isn't because of his character, who he dates, who he sleeps with, or anything other then how he gets from point a to point b on the bike.

It is like the whole John Mayer fiasco lately. I like his music (up until his last album at least) and listen to it because I like it. What he does in Playboy interviews or who he dates and how he treats them matters not to me. I don't allow his off the stage actions to influence what I feel about his on the stage content, I separate the two. If I were a golfer I would be able to separate 100% what Tiger did on the course and what he did in the bedroom the same way.

I realize I am in the minority and I accept that.

They buy the products he endorses so that they "can be like Tiger"

How often do we hear about athletes being role models for young kids?

Michael Phelps was crucified for taking a bong hit. Does it make him less of a swimmer...heck no. Did he lose almost every endorsement...heck yes.

These folks are selling celebrity, plain and simple.

Do you think anybody that buys Jennifer Lopez perfume is buying it because of her perfume making prowess?

And I apologize....if you think buying Tiger Woods golf clubs or a Lance Armstrong bike is going to make your performance more like the celebrity / sports figure endorsing the product....then you're deluding yourself.

Hard work, practice and natural talent make these folks good at what they do....not a special brand of bike or club.

These people are paid millions of dollars to endorse a product. Was Tiger driving a Buick when he had his accident. I dont believe he was.

 

[FireDancer]

I hear what you're saying Frank and I bolded your last sentence. I think most people do NOT separate the two. I'm another guy who could care less about Tiger, John Mayer or any of the others in the public eye. Some sponsors dropped Tiger why? Because he suddenly stinks at golf, or because he proved to be a cheater? Right or wrong, people put celebrities up on a pedestal. It's naive to think celebrities and "regular folks" should be treated the same. Maybe on some Utopian level that would be the case but here on Earth celebs are treated, and paid, far differently.

Fair enough. I'm not defending the site's content, I just think the outrage is lopsided when compared to everything available on the Inter-tubes.

I can barely swim with the current let alone against it. I just think what I think, even when it isn't the popular opinion.

 

[DisneyKevin]

This conversation has veered away from the topic at hand, which is that people that take pictures of challenged adults so that can post them on the internet and ridicule them are scum.

Plain and simple. (I've used that phrase a lot today)

 

[Launchpad11B]

Fair enough. I'm not defending the site's content, I just think the outrage is lopsided when compared to everything available on the Inter-tubes.

I can barely swim with the current let alone against it. I just think what I think, even when it isn't the popular opinion.

The net is full of garbage for sure. I see the point you're making. I enjoy your posts and welcome your intelligent perspective on things. Please continue to disagree.

 

[dalt01]

I do understand that they get paid appearance fees. I am referring to the candid shots of celebrities on a beach or walking down the street that they are just going into public for.

They are not "on show" every moment they are outside their doors yet the media treats them as such.

at some point in their lives all of these "celebrities" made a "conscious" choice to be available to scrutiny. it is, nor ever has been, a secret what happens to people whom other people either rever or revile. if they dont want their feet held to that fire they could most certainly have taken the low road. sorry but i do not think your theory holds water.........

 

[FireDancer]

This conversation has veered away from the topic at hand, which is that people that take pictures of challenged adults so that can post them on the internet and ridicule them are scum.

Plain and simple. (I've used that phrase a lot today)

Yes they are. On that we do agree.

The net is full of garbage for sure. I see the point you're making. I enjoy your posts and welcome your intelligent perspective on things. Please continue to disagree.

Cheers

 

[DisneyKevin]

Fair enough. I'm not defending the site's content, I just think the outrage is lopsided when compared to everything available on the Inter-tubes.

I can barely swim with the current let alone against it. I just think what I think, even when it isn't the popular opinion.

Hey Frank...thinking what you think makes you interesting and enjoyable to debate with.

I'm not asking you to give up what you believe...as a matter of fact, I'm happy you have the strength in your convictions to keep posting.

It gives me a chance to try to paint you into a corner until you give up.....or cry.

 

[FireDancer]

Hey Frank...thinking what you think makes you interesting and enjoyable to debate with.

I'm not asking you to give up what you believe...as a matter of fact, I'm happy you have the strength in your convictions to keep posting.

It gives me a chance to try to paint you into a corner until you give up.

The exact same to you Kevin.

I do understand where you and the others are coming from and I respect the position. I wasn't really trying to change any minds, just put what I think out there. If everyone agreed on everything the world would be quite boring.

Of course if no one ever agreed on anything the world would be, well, congress I guess .

 

[WaltD4Me]

It is like the whole John Mayer fiasco lately. I like his music (up until his last album at least) and listen to it because I like it. What he does in Playboy interviews or who he dates and how he treats them matters not to me. I don't allow his off the stage actions to influence what I feel about his on the stage content, I separate the two. If I were a golfer I would be able to separate 100% what Tiger did on the course and what he did in the bedroom the same way.

I realize I am in the minority and I accept that.

I apologize...I know this is OT, but this got my attention because I have stopped listening to someone's music because of their off stage actions. I won't get into that whole thing, but I'm curious Frank if you are always able to seperate "off stage" actions? I'm not critizing, but alot of people stopped listening to Chris Brown after he beat up Rhianna, would you feel the same if John Mayer had beat Jennifer Aniston? This is not at all intended as snarky, I am honestly curious. I have stopped listening to a couple artists because I completely stopped having any respect for them and it made it much less enjoyable to listen to their music. That is just me though, I don't expect anyone else to follow suit.

 

[dwaters]

People taking photos of challenged adults in order to post them for others to ridicule, are scum. Plain and simple.

I agree, but how do you know who is challenged and who is not?

Mental illnesses are much harder to see than physical ones where you see crutches or a wheelchair.

Sometimes you can't tell if the person you are looking at has the mental capacity of a six year old or they are a college professor/member of Mensa with a unique sense of style.

Maybe that's an argument to not post any pictures at all.

On the other hand, a silly outfit is funny to look at regardless of the person wearing it.

Maybe a good compromise would be to show them from the neck down or blur their face to give some semblance of anonymity.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I agree, but how do you know who is challenged and who is not?

Mental illnesses are much harder to see than physical ones where you see crutches or a wheelchair.

Sometimes you can't tell if the person you are looking at has the mental capacity of a six year old or they are a college professor/member of Mensa with a unique sense of style.

Maybe that's an argument to not post any pictures at all.

On the other hand, a silly outfit is funny to look at regardless of the person wearing it.

Maybe a good compromise would be to show them from the neck down or blur their face to give some semblance of anonymity.

Or maybe....they could something more productive to do than ridiculing the way people dress in a theme park.

Then maybe knowing the person's mental capacity would not be necessary.

I'm sorry. There really isnt any way for me to defend this site or to see any purpose in it's existence.

If publicly ridiculing the way people dress is what you find humorous....have at it, but please understand that if you do it around me, then I will exercise my right to tell you what I think of you.

 

[Launchpad11B]

Or maybe....they could something more productive to do than ridiculing the way people dress in a theme park.

Then maybe knowing the person's mental capacity would not be necessary.

I'm sorry. There really isnt any way for me to defend this site or to see any purpose in it's existence.

If publicly ridiculing the way people dress is what you find humorous....have at it, but please understand that if you do it around me, then I will exercise my right to tell you what I think of you.

......and if Kevin wishes it, I'll crush their skull! Kevin's feeling froggy again!!!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Okay...this too ironic.

The first story on Perez Hilton's website is about Tiger Woods losing his Gatorade endorsement contract.

Tiger no longer fits Gatorade's image profile.

 

[PolynesianLily]

Everything always comes back around to Tiger Woods.

 

[MelissaFromRI]

I couldn't care less about Tiger Woods or what he does behind closed doors
I just feel really bad for his wife. Nobody deserves to be treated with such disrespect.
I saw his speech last week , he isn't sorry he cheated on his wife , he's sorry he caught !!!!

 

[wishspirit]

I was going to comment, but I realise its not really going to add much to the conversation.

Although this thread has enlightened me what is considered politically correct in the U.S. as opposed to here! We moved away from 'challenged' a long time ago, so hearing you guys say it makes me cringe a bit inside! I know it's just cultural difference, but I find it odd to see people say it.

 

[dalt01]

We moved away from 'challenged' a long time ago,

to what?