...I'm okay with being REALITY-based.




Tuesday, January 11, 2005
      ( 2:54 PM )
 
Clooney gives O'Reilly the Slapdown

Last Friday, Bill O'Reilly badmouthed George Clooney's efforts to organize a telethon to raise funds for Southeast Asia. In response, many people who had pledged money withdrew their pledges. Today, Clooney responded in an open letter.

Arguing that O'Reilly's latest comments were for "personal gain," the star of "Ocean's Twelve" said, "Because of it, fewer people will donate money to help truly traumatized victims; they'll be afraid that their money will do no good."

[...]

Clooney, in turn, accused O'Reilly of failing to recognize his responsibility, noting "you have become quite powerful."

He added, "I don't make as much money as you."

Then came the challenge:

"I'm booking the talent for the Tsunami event ... and you, Mr. O'Reilly, are now officially invited to be a presenter ... [at this point, not one of the people I've invited to donate their time has said, 'No']. ... This way, you can personally follow up on our fund-raising. ... This is your chance to put your considerable money where your considerable mouth is. ... Show up ... help raise money ... and if we're doing something wrong, point it out.

"Either you ante up and help out and be that watchdog that you feel we clearly need ... or you simply stand on the sidelines and cast stones."

Always like to see a fair and balanced slap down.

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