to focus world’s women’s attention on African crises.
In his new role as U.N. messenger of peace, George Clooney was playing himself.
The 46-year-old actor’s arrival Thursday was greeted with “oohs” and “ahs” from dozens of people, mostly women, who crowded the lobby entrance for a glimpse and cell phone picture of him.
“Hi guys!” he said, stopping only briefly to pose for a picture with his parents and shake a few hands.
Clooney was touring the United Nations headquarters for a ceremony marking his designation for the special job by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. He was just back from a trip to Sudan’s Darfur region, arriving in the U.S. by way of India, a major contributor of U.N. peacekeeping troops.
Clooney and Jane Holl Lute, the assistant secretary general of peacekeeping operations, were part of “a technical assessment mission” visiting the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping operation in Darfur and the U.N. missions in the Central African Republic and Chad and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, U.N. officials said.
Clooney took on the job of promoting the world body’s peacekeeping missions after waging his own campaigns for an end to the 4 1/2-year war in Darfur and for more humanitarian aid for the millions caught up in the conflict.
As the ninth U.N. peace envoy, Clooney was selected for his ability to focus public attention on critical international political and social issues.ÂÂ
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Clooney also is a co-founder of Not on Our Watch, a humanitarian group that focuses global attention on Darfur’s people and has raised more than $9.3 million for the region.ÂÂ
I know, I know. Honestly I appreciate the fact that he’s tried to do something about Darfur. But still. And $10 million bucks is almost double her annual salary for being a cartoon voice? Holy shit.
I get the impression that he’s kind of a dipshit, though. I could be wrong, of course.
Actually Clooney is one of the better liberal celebrities in that he won’t speak about or lend his name to any issue in which he’s not personally invested and knowledgable. As a result, he never speaks on environmental issues (thank the good Lord) as he considers it hypocritcal vis a vis his lifestyle.
He’s still an unabashed liberal in every way but at least he’s not a mindless bleating one.
I know: I damn with faint praise…
So he’s stopped bashing the Iraq war?
I said in a comment over at Ace’s (shortly after his self serving Oscar speech) that if Clooney really wanted to try to make a difference in the world, he should become a spokesman for ending the genocide in Darfur. I am sure he did not get involved due to my advice, but all the same I cannot bash him in the slightest for actually trying to do good in regards to an actual horrific problem.
Clooney narrated “Sand and Sorrow”, which is a pretty good documentary on what has occurred in Sudan, if you are interested.
And he’s accomplished so much! I really should have gone for that UN translator gig, the cash is unending and completely without any oversight.
You should know by now, McGehee, that bashing the war carries its own truthiness and transcends investment and knowledge.
(point taken)
I thought the first line said he was playing WITH himself. Which would definitely fit in with a UN role. In fact, it’s quite a step up from diddling 14-year-olds, which is their historical modus operandi.
mostly women
Have some dignity, dude, whoever you were.
Has he adopted any African kids yet? He can’t be considered an “A” list movie star unless he’s got himself a few African kids.
Darfur will be “solved” by war, probably a war of annihilation in which one side or the other ceases to exist as a political entity. If Clooney is willing to assist the Christians and Animists in Darfur in a war against the Islamist Janjaweed, I’m a Clooney fan. Otherwise, he’s a buffoon.
The current facts seem to support a judgment that he’s a buffoon.
As for the ‘beautiful caucasian man’ thing…
bleh.
And, being a preachy-pants doesn’t add to the appeal.
Still, what he’s trying to do beats the hell out Sean Penn ‘rescuing’ the victims of Katrina.
EMPOWERING WOMEN. Systematic rape and sexual violence against women and girls is a weapon of choice in Darfur. Not On Our Watch is committed to supporting efforts to provide survivors with vocational skills, legal assistance, medical care, and counseling.
How very white of them.
PROTECTING THE PROTECTORS AND PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS. Civilians in Darfur continue to lack any meaningful protection. We are committed to supporting organizations that train community leaders and local officials in international human rights norms and civilian protection principles. With the safety of humanitarian aid workers in constant jeopardy, we will support efforts of humanitarian organizations to protect their staff from harassment and attack.
Zounds !!!
Oops.
A somewhat positive take on Clooney from a surprising source: