Hollywood stars ask governor not to cut funding for arts programs [Robbins alert]

San Jose Mercury News ^ | June 23, 2003 | Gail Schiller

[lainie]

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood celebrities led by actor-director Tim Robbins called on Gov. Gray Davis Monday not to slash funding for public arts programs, saying children would suffer most and the money would scarcely make a dent in closing the state's $38.2 billion budget deficit.

[lainie]

Red Davis' spokeswoman lauded his "very courageous steps to seek new taxes in a politically charged environment" !lol

I notice that Robbins and Drescher both whined consistently about 'the chillllldren' and the fact that it's just a measly 1 percent of the state's overall expenditures.

Forget that the chillllllllldren in California public schools are being graduated without the ability to read in some cases. I'm as enamored of art as the next woman but when it's time to cut spending, it's time to cut spending (and it was time a long time ago).

[strela]

Gray Davis must feel these days like he is at a wienie roast. and he is the wienie.

[ErnBatavia]

and he is the wienie.

And a mere Vienna Sausage at that.

[mykdsmom]

If these Hollywood "Stars" care so much about the children I think it's time for them to cough up some of their millions to help out.

MKM

[ibbryn]

If these celes were serious they could easily give the $16mil themselves. No kidding, this money is pocket change for a group of celebs to raise. But of course, I have no real problem with them piling on Greyout Davis.

[AmishDude]

$21 million in public arts funding

That's it? Man, pass the hat at the next SAG meeting.

Besides, I believe that art is the waste product of a healthy society. It doesn't need to be encouraged, it just . . . happens.

[Fraulein]

"The people that are going to suffer most from it are going to be children," Robbins said.

"It's always the silent minority, it's always the children that have to pay for our current administration's blunders," said actress Fran Drescher

Ah, who with a heart could object? After all, it's for the children!

[whereasandsoforth]

Frannie's taking her Nanny role too seriesly. It would take 16 donations of one million dollars each from 16 Hollywood scummies to make up the difference. Where's their hearts? Why must "art" be publicly funded? Heck, Streisand alone could make up the difference out of her pool-cleaning account.

[IoCaster]

Why don't these whiny Hollywood millionaires just donate the money out of their own pockets?

[autoresponder]

Let's face it folks; most movies and TV is less entertaining then watching people throw cowpies for trophies these days!

[Derrald]

Knock him all you want, this guy drove 56 straight hours to get to NYC after 9/11, when he found out that all flights had been cancelled.

And as per the philanthropy, educate yourself a little.

Tim Robbins is a member/contributor of the Liberty Hill Foundation, Leary firefighters foundation, and the Cam Neely Foundation off the top of my head, and he's not just the type who gives money and goes to sleep. He shows up constantly to help raise more cash after donating his own.

So, before you say he doesn't dish out the cash, check yourself out and ask if you would have driven 56 hours to NYC just to donate blood.

[BIGZ]

My God! They will have to buy their own urine and crucifix.

[JBCiejka]

I do not understand these people. Obviously they are too rich to under the expense to run a company or a state. If you have a leaking roof, you do not spend the money to build a pool in your back yard, you pay for the roof first. I am so sick of the government paying for "studies" , forums, etc. If they ran the government like a household, there would be no spending problems. They would not spend on stupid projects. They should get a 10 percent bonus to their state for SAVING money. That would be a benefit for their state, and I am sure for them for re-election. They should not do it for that reason, but it seems like they need something to motivate them to do the right thing.

[Derrald]

Look! Here's that evil bastard Tim Robbins hanging out with the FDNY at an event designed to fund raise for those who lost their lives on 911 as well as to help fund the FDNY! GRRR!
http://www.learyfirefighters.org/gallery/2002hattrick/pages/09290217.html

[mykdsmom]

I think you'd feel more comfortable at this website Derrald:

[Arpege92]

These people are so friggin unbelievable! I guess it's better to have glue and crayons than an education.

[RJayneJ]

To begin with those programs should never have been supported by the state. The industry should support the program if they think it is so worthwhile.

[Derrald]

Thanks for the link. I'd rather read about a man willing to drive across the country and donate his time and money to aid firefighters and people who fell on hard times due to terrorism rather than a forum poster who would rather spend their time bad-mouthing him anyway.

Later. I don't feel like talking to anyone who hates people who fight to help those affected by terrorism. It just doesn't seem right to acknowledge that a terror-apologist like that can exist in our country today.

[Arpege92]

Mr. Politically Correct is smoking? LOL BUSTED YOU JERK!!