First let me preface this blog, by saying I think it was truly great that they helped 7 families out, by building them new homes. There is no doubting that. And yes, the title was a joke. I'm sure you've read it in the paper, saw it on the local news.....Extreme Makover Home Edition is (was) in Joplin to build 7 new homes, for 7 families that had their homes destroyed by the tornado on May 22nd of this year. I know I had almost everyone of my friends post something on Facebook about it. One of them, actually ran into Ty Pennington at a local bar. Several of them, volunteered their time and efforts, rebuilding these homes. I want to be clear about this next point. I don't begrudge them for coming into town and doing what they did, because again, it was truly a good thing. I don't begrudge you, if you helped them with the rebuild, or got caught up in the fact that a national television show was shooting in the town you live in for over a week. That said, make no mistake about it.....Extreme Makeover Home Edition could care less about the city of Joplin. Ty Pennington and the rest of the people that star in the show, could care less about the thousands of people that have been displaced by the tornado.
My dad has a saying. He would always tell me, "I'm pretty sure I wouldn't go to work, if I didn't get paid." Basically saying, he wouldn't go to a job, where he wasn't compensated. That's the case with this show. I know it may be hard for some people to hear/read, but Extreme Makeover Home Edition wouldn't be in town, if it didn't benefit them in some way. Ty Pennington wouldn't be in town if he wasn't getting paid, to do so! And if you don't believe me, I can put to rest any argument that their intentions weren't self serving with a series of questions.....why were there tv cameras/crews here? Why weren't they here a week after it went through, helping remove the debris, and then rebuilding? Why didn't they help rebuild a school, or business, to help put people back to work? Why did they wait over 5 months to show up to help? That's right, they were here, because they are in the business of making money. NOT because they really care about the people of Joplin MO. NOT because they care about the people who lost everything in the tornado that nearly wiped out an entire city. Again, even though their actions were self serving, I'm still glad they did what they did. I just wish they would have done so, without the false pretenses. I would have rather, they rolled into town with a demo crew/haul crew, whatever other heavy equipment they needed, and said...."Hey we're here, where do we need to start?"
Several other organizations, both public and private, have helped out in more ways than people will ever know. Certainly, on the national level. How many people heard about the handful of players from the St. Louis Cardinals coming into town to lift the spirits of the people working in the debris field, a week after the tornado came through? How many people know about the handful of players, and front office personnel, who spent the day, actually rolling up their sleeves and helping, with the cleanup process. The same can be said about the Mizzou basketball players and coaches, who spent a day down here doing the same. Where were their busses and camera crews? Who did their makeup that day?
Of course they were here to make a show out of it, that is what Extreme Home Makeover is all about. It is a reality television program where they along with communities build homes for needy families and yes they all get paid. If there has to be reality television though wouldn't you rather the people getting paid to entertain were doing something productive like EHM or would you rather the Jersey Shore cast who get paid for killing brain cells? I somewhat understand what has you upset but I have to point out that while they were here for their show I am sure that the families they helped out are extremely thankful regardless of the underlining agenda.
ReplyDeleteHey Jenn, I guess you missed the parts of my blog, where I actually give thanks to Extreme Home Makeover for helping those families out. And as for what I would rather do, or have happen, I guess you also missed that part of the blog, where I say it would be nice if they were to help out without the cameras and maybe show up when the help was needed the most....you know, when those families were living in tents. For the record, I like the show. Especially when they help out families like the time they shot, in Willard, MO. Where they rebuilt a home for a lovely couple who had adopted 11 children. I guess you could call me a little bit of a throwback Jenn. I miss the good ol days, when people helped people just to help people. Not to get ratings. But, what do I know....enjoy the show.
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