1. KT | 02.24.09

Why is it that actors always feel like they should be dabbling in politics on the side? Elvis Presley said it best when he told a reporter asking him to comment on a political issue, “Ma’am, I’m an entertainer.”

2. LibertyFirst | 02.24.09

Did I miss something? When did George Clooney get appointed Secretary of State? Guess this is more of the payoff to Hollywood for their support of the Messsiah. What a joke.

3. Jman | 02.24.09

Who cares what George C or any whack job from Hollywood cares!

4. BGood | 02.24.09

I agree. Who does he think he is trying to bring attention to genocide in some place we’ll never even go? The nerve….

5. Don Heenan | 02.24.09

Before an actor he’s a human.

6. oby mostafa | 02.24.09

Well if Mr george clooney is interested in darfur what position does he take on Paletenian suffering for 60 years shame on you priirities first or if your interest is really humanity be fair and talk all way the thruth.

7. SierraSam | 02.24.09

Hundreds of trillions of dollars, over many years, from countries all around the world have been dumped into that continent and what has it done? Maybe these wealthy Hollywood “Ambassadors” should transfer their wealth to Darfur and start their own little fifedoms!

8. dboz555 | 02.24.09

I don’t care if George Clooney is right or wrong on this issue, I do care that the President is taking time to meet with famous actors on political issues. I have my opinion on a few things, but I don’t get to see the President. Meeting with the rich and elite to gather political views, is the same type of politics Presidents in the past used to do. Obama promised this would not happen. I believe he said something to the effect of, “We will not be doing business as usual”. Our country is in turmoil and it has to do with the greed of the rich and elite. It is time to stop listening to the rich and elite which hare destroying this nation, and start listing to the common American.

9. midwestmidwife | 02.24.09

With all due respect, George Clooney is doing more than many of us; including you and me to help the plight of people in the world. So he uses his clout as a ‘known face’ so be it; just because he is an actor does not mean he doesn’t have a brain. (hmmm, Jody Foster ring any bells?) What is with the stereotyping?? Many performers have gone on to political roles. Just because they earned their living in entertainment, does not make them less qualified to show compassion and empathy to the world’s suffering. OK- short list of entertainers-turned-politicians, ambassadors, activists: Shirley Temple Black, Ronald Reagan, Clint Eastwood, Sonny Bono,Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bono, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Nancy Griffith and the list could go on…

kudos to #5 Don, you hit it exactly.

10. Dek | 02.24.09

In contrast to everyone else here, frankly I am encouraged that a Hollywood actor is taking time to really understand one of the most terrible situations of our lifetime. Clooney isn’t just being a front man for a U.S. charity, parroting words he’s been fed: he is actually going there, talking to people, hanging out with Kristof and other journalists. Good for him.

It’s not quite yet to Bono’s level (another “entertainer”) but it’s far better than most brain-dead celebrities.

11. Vol | 02.24.09

All the President needs now is to hear from another hollywood intellectual giant, Sean Penn, and he will have all the information he needs to make a decision about running the country.

12. RNRepublicanNC | 02.24.09

While I respect Mr. Clooney’s choice to volunteer his time helping others, I am intrigued why none of the rich & famous appear to be helping our fellow Americans. Diane Sawyer’s recent piece on our Appalachian children is a good place to start. How about inner city children? Those children whose families are addicted to drugs? What about those folks TODAY standing in line at food banks that don’t have enough to go around? What about the thousands standing in line at job fairs this week who desperately want a job so that they may work and support their family; however there are not enough (jobs) to go around? Do we not have enough of our own problems to warrant attention and action or is it not “in vogue” to help Americans?

13. ls51 | 02.24.09

leave ‘politics to the politicians’? you people don’t have to read politics into his attempt to help an obviously downtrodden people. look to your heart. his actions don’t hurt you - why do you respond as if he threatens you?

14. MikeS. | 02.24.09

Actually, George Clooney is an offically appointed U.N. Messenger of Peace, unlike most actors that get involved with things like this. The U.N. is using him to bring forth issues in front of people that might not normally listen because of his popularity.

This on-line service paid attention to the issue because Clooney is involved. Seems it worked.

15. jonathan | 02.24.09

I thought Hollywood just got done telling the world that America shouldn’t be the world police…Where in our constitution does it say to interfere in other countries civil wars? Oh yeah, I forgot, our government doesn’t use the constitution any longer. George, if you have a passion, go donate your own time and money and live as an example. If it’s noble and worthy, people will follow….Force it down our throat through taxes and government intervention and people will…well, just ask Bush.

16. mrnd | 02.24.09

George Clooney if you remember backed Obama and campaigned for him. If you didnt know this is how the political system works. He did something for Obama now Obama has to cow tow to him. bunch of crap the President of the United States getting advice from nothing more than an actor from Hollywood. How sad is that. Maybe George should look around the United States and see how many people right here need help and advise Obama to help people here in our own country. oh forgot that will not get the press that Clooney needs.

17. roady73 | 02.24.09

So…because the guy is an actor he is no longer entilted to his constitutional rights? The man has a stage. It’s up to him how he uses it. If you really think about it, musicians/actors and politicians are very much the same thing… Entertainers!

18. Earth Resident | 02.24.09

I like that statement…..before he is an actor, he is human. Now that I have admitted that, I would like to make a statement. Our president and our vice president would be better off concerning themselves with our domestic priorities. I know George C. is human but he is also an American as are alot of people who are reading this. As an American myself, I find it silly that Americans are more concerned with foreign matters than matters here within our country. George, if you happen to read this, tour some New Orleans suburbs and see if they are in any need of attention. After that get with our nations highest level leaders and discuss with them which region we should fix first. I know it sounds absurd, but does it make any logical sense for a mechanic to volunteer his services to his neighbor when his own vehicle does not run?

19. Tullo | 02.24.09

Having recently returned from Sudan and meeting with Darfur refugees and local Sudanese from Khartoum I can tell you several things about this crisis, and why all the attention in the world won’t solve problems quickly.

1. There is little ways to “persuade” China in deterring Sudan’s government from continuing attacks. They have invested way to much money and time into the country. There are now hundreds of miles of paved roads, which I have driven on, built by the Chinese.
2. Sudan’s President has already met with African leaders, Mubarak, Gaddafi, etc. and they, like most Arabs are on his side…despite his record. The Gulf States to have invested millions of dollars into their infrastructure, mining, and agriculture.
3. If the ICC, for some crazy reason, does capture Bashir and put him and others on trial for Darfur it would throw the whole country into chaos. Perhaps that is what some _________ you fill in the blank want.

I have mixed feelings about Clooney and the Hollywood stars that somehow attained a masters in international relations. While it is important to have them as useful PR characters they by and large know very little of what is happening on the ground…even though they may have dangerously entered a war. They, like any other media and humans in general, will create and circulate false theories and accounts.

20. midwestmidwife | 02.24.09

This direct quote from ABC news article suggests there was no big whoha planned b/t Clooney and Pres Obama. Clooney was there to report on his trip as UN Peace ambassador to VP Biden:

“Clooney was not scheduled to meet with Obama, but after running into him, the president invited him to sit down and talk in the Oval Office.”

I too feel there needs to be more attention garnered on our domestic problems. I would hesitate to broad brush paint it with the phrase “none of the rich and famous appear to be helping fellow Americans”. There is good work happening in this country. Barbara Kingsolver, Wes Jackson, Wendell Barry to name a few have brought the plight of impoverished, rural areas to the forefront. A key concern of this administration (as if there aren’t enough) should be a safe, sustainable food supply.
Hey, #9, I am encouraged Pres Obama IS listening to us common folk. I frequently receive requests for information, stories, etc..as a farmer in the rural midwest it is encouraging for our voices to be heard. Last week I read a comment on the WH pages referring to a family that I actually know, a farm family in NE- that never happened in another administration I can remember. You have to make the effort to be involved. Check out Obama’s site and ask to be part of the grassroots network. Be a part of this administration, get involved. Help be the change. I have found it wasn’t just campaign hype, but a promise they just might make good. I am for that.

21. seren | 02.24.09

This tiny fragile planet is in dire jeapardy. No, its not so much global warming as the incredible selfishness and lack of even a modicum of human decency and caring by humans for humans.
If one mentions even just one ‘white American’has been hurt of killed, the US press, like Fox is on it 24/7 for weeks, as are most white people in USA.
If one states that over 100K woman and children killed in Iraq thanks to Bush attacking the wrong country, you wont hear one word in any US press about that holocost.
The same with tens of thousands massacred in Zimbabwe or Darfur, most middle aged white american males( of which I am one)….will shout ‘are you crazy! how dare any famous American stands up with courage, to remind the world of how cowardly many Americans are! “How dare any human say ‘ I care for people who suffer, no matter their color or nation of origin!’.
How dare George Clooney be so courageous that he would even jeapardize his standing in ‘hollywood’ in order to save the lives of millions of woman and children around the globe. How sad it is to see all the angry comments about a person of quiet courage. Its a commentary on the moral downfall of the USA.

22. Molly | 02.24.09

The fact that Mr. Clooney has made this a priority in his life is commendable. Why would anyone criticize this? A lot of the top 400 wealthiest could learn from him. A lot of the rest of us could learn. I feel the same as #14. There are so many that can use help here in our country, but, when you look at Darfur, even our poor are rich in comparison.

23. eric | 02.24.09

Do people questioning Clooney’s actions even know what’s really going on in Darfur? It’s not a little civil dispute going on over there. The people worst off in the United States would never trade places with the victims in Darfur.

There are many celebrities that do donate their own time and money for the causes they believe in and have a passion for, but they still get criticized for it because those causes are not shared by the majority. It seems the only safe cause for celebrities is breast cancer.

24. Regina Chahal | 02.24.09

I think it is wonderful that someone cares enough to actually do something. Why not get with some of the religious leaders like Pat Robinson 700club when you go. a lot of actors feel the need to give back for all they have been fortunate to receive and use there faces to help. And who cares if they have hidden reasons for caring.(like Senator). I wish I could do more than to send in my contribution. Yes, there are plenty of needs around the world and in the USA as well but shoulda,woulda,coulda is nothing as to where Actions speaks louder than words. So hey George if you need someone to help the next time you go to Darfur/Chad, Africa here I am. or an extra in one of you movies here I am. And if you run for political office here is my vote!!!!
Regina Chahal in North Carolina

25. lily | 02.24.09

Being humanitarian is not an option, but a responsibility. The United States of America is not an island unto itself. As citizens of planet Earth, we have an obligation to reach out to ALL those in need. It’s a ripple effect, what affects those in Darfur, eventually affects us all. If George Clooney can use his high profile to get things done, then he is doing more than most who only entertain their own desires.

26. Jim | 02.24.09

So great to see that the messiah is taking advice from hollywood’s guru. Sure will help me to slep better

27. Art Tenoyan | 02.24.09

The tragedy in Darfur is catastrophic in scope. Millions of people being raped, killed and simply left dying with lack of food and water. Adding to this genocide is the indifference of nations doing business with the countries involved. The United States is still the only light in this world of darkness.
Mr. Clooney is right. How was it that this tragedy can happen in the 21st century. When Americans are watching their diets while hundreds of thousands of people lose their lives everyday in that total darkness called Darfur.
We are facing our most challenging crisis since the Great Depression. But unlike the millions of people in Darfur, we can look to our government for help where they could count on no one.
The people who caused this tragedy is definitely the center of evil in the modern world. Our president, with our collective conscience must shed some light in that darkness.

28. Latina | 02.24.09

I bet Clooney finally will realized that Obama is not the messiah after this meeting.

29. Crested Butte | 02.24.09

Earth Resident, I would fix my neighbors car in hopes that they would help me out.

30. robof4 | 02.24.09

I urge everyone that is as revolted as I am by this left wing liberal nut job, having a one on one with the President and Vice President of the United States if America, to contact their Congressman/women and Senator at this link below.
Tell them WE ARE DISGUSTED by the looneys like Clooney and they deserve zero time with the President.

link here: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

31. John | 02.24.09

The better question is what is he suggesting we do? And is Michael Jackson available to help with the financial crisis?

32. Anon | 02.24.09

So on one hand, intervening in foreign governments is bad ( Iraq ).

On the other hand, intervening in foreign governments is good ( Sudan ).

Maybe we could just stop trying to be the world’s policeman?

33. paul serr | 02.24.09

I truly get disheartened when all observrs can do is bash a ‘celebrity’ who has the ‘audacity’ to use their celibrity in a worthy cause - pray tell, what should Mr. Clooney be doing with his life, partying and passing out drunk in the gutter like Lindsay Lohan, or devoting himself, at great personnel risk btw, to bring attention to Genocide, the mass murder of Millions of people, who are living lives which make a homeless person on the streets of anytown, usa seem like easy street? Believe me, I know, all to well, the problems going on here at home - however that does not mean we should turn a blind eye to tragedy elsewhere. “there but for the grace of god go I,” is more than a quaint saying, it’s the Christian way; god bless george c. for using his noterity to end misery and maybe even save some lives.

34. Simon | 02.24.09

How many of you think President Obama and Vice President Biden both wasting their time to meet the wrong guy(George Clooney)to discuss Darfur? I think if you are qualify for a president meeting, then pretty much you can achieve anything in your goal.

35. Been There | 02.24.09

Not to beat a dead horse, but well meaning but misguided, gullible folks like Clooney need to stick to their own thespian knitting. Bottom line is that no one, at least no one in charge of anything, really wants to “solve” a problem that’s been vastly blown out of proportion. For the UN and AU it’s simply a job factory and a direct pipeline to the money pot - don’t ask the UN’s internal audit offices to share findings on corruption, outright theft of millions, etc. They’re all just disgusting.

As for the poor folk in Darfur camps most of them are actually lured there from the surrounding area, drawn into miserable refuge camps which despite the conditions still dole out things they’ve historically never had: free food, some medicine, tent shelter, etc. Try to move them to more secure areas away from their traditional homeland and it’s battle royal - guns and all.

Face it people, no one can, much less is going to “save” Darfur. And, oh by the way I’ve spent a lot of time in a number of Africa
s garden spots: Sudan, Sierra Leone, Liberia, the two Congos and a few others, so think I can speak from position of fact and not emotion.

For the fellow who said “…millions are dying” suggest you check out the new book: “The Numbers Game”

36. Ken | 02.24.09

Can I also have a meeting with President Obama and Vice President Biden or is that luxury only limited to actors?

37. harjos | 02.24.09

I don’t have a problem with Clooney. I’m glad he’s interested. But, is he the only one that Obama turns to for this issue? Is there no one else with more expertise that could have a “fireside chat” with the higest ranking person in the free world?

38. jonathan | 02.24.09

I believe those judging George are doing so becuase they don’t want government intervention. It’s fine if George goes out and does his own thing, and even better if every american has his passion for helping those less fortunate. However, this is not something the government should get involved in.

39. Dennis Knicely | 02.24.09

Some actors are simply “looney tunes”, yet George Clooney is for real. Just look at some of the parts he’s acted, and you will understand. He is very versed in International politics. Using his “entertainment clout” to get the Darfur situation “front burner” with Biden and Obama is a great way to utilize his public status. There have been numbers of politically motivated films from Hollywood, that have done well to document needed changes. Kudos to Clooney for this.

For more on this and other pertinent subjects:
http://www.RootsofDemocracy.com
http://www.HealingNews.com

40. cary | 02.24.09

What difference does it make who the messenger is? It’s the message that is important. People, human beings are dying in Darfur and we as the citizens of the world owe it to our brothers and sisters to all that we can do to stop the tragedy.

41. Al Suarez | 02.24.09

If I ever get a chance to meet with the President of the United States, I would encourage him to focus on the job at hand - stabilize the USA first, both the economy and national security, then worry about Hollywood’s agenda. Clooney aint looking for work, doesn’t have to find money to put a roof over his head, or work two jobs in order to feed his kids. His priority is all backwards because he doesn’t represent America. Like most Hollywood types, he is out of touch will middle class reality.

42. Ken | 02.24.09

Those suggesting he’s being a Christian should read the words in the Bible that the wealthy should sell ALL of their goods and give it to the poor to assure their place in Heaven.
My question is, out of his millions of dollars, if he is really that concerned, why not give it all to Darfur? When he gets off his private plane and gets into a limo to demand that we taxpayers send our money kinda pisses me off. Especially since I have been unemployed for 9 months. BS (Streisand) gives her money to Clinton’s “Library”…I’ll bet that really helps out the needy.
I’m 60YO and Africa has been like this all my life. It’s unfortunate but a fact of life that no one can change. Too many people, never enough food no matter how much we send over there.

43. Curly | 02.24.09

Here we are deep in debt. We will have to borrow T$ just to take care of our own needs and is spending a billion $ in Gaza. Now he is planning to send a military force (a force that we don’t have and Billions of $ we don’t have) to Darfur. What is Europe and Africa doing or is it that The US is to do all of the heavy lifting and everybody else gets the benefit of our work and then kick us in the teeth as they go to the bank with their profits.

44. clark | 02.24.09

“I believe those judging George are doing so becuase they don’t want government intervention. It’s fine if George goes out and does his own thing, and even better if every american has his passion for helping those less fortunate. However, this is not something the government should get involved in.”

…because Joe Smith and the local PTA have more power and resources than world governments of ending genocide???

Genocide is exactly the sort of thing governments should be doing everything in their power to end if not prevent.

45. pj | 02.25.09

Like every one of us, Clooney is a citizen, not just of this country but of the world. He has the same responsibility we all have as citizens. America’s greatness has been it’s willingness to fight to shine the light of democracy and human rights not only on our country but on the rest of the world. We did it in the Civil War, in WWI and WWII. Isolationism may have been appealing in the 1940s, but it’s not really an option in the deeply interconnected world we live in today. China is bailing out American banks, Europe and Russia are suffering because of America’s economic downturn. We’re fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan to keep American soil safe. We fought a cold war with the Russians to keep them from taking over Europe and challenging our way of life. Whether we like it or not, we’re a global citizenry. We can no more be a great country letting Hitler dominate Europe than we are letting the Janjaweed commit genocide in Darfur. Whether you are 12 year old Anne Frank hiding from the Nazis or a famous actor visiting the refugee camps of Chad, as a citizen you have the right and the duty to fight for human justice. If we leave it to the politicians and diplomats alone, then we’ve relinquished the meaning of democracy.

46. CW | 02.25.09

Come on, isn’t it obvious?
The REAL reason Obama met with Clooney on Monday was to persuade Clooney to make a cameo appearance in the final episode of ER!

Yes, I’m just joking.
There’s always plenty of reason to feel awful about world conditions,
but absence of good-natured humor can be suffocating sometimes.

47. mafisto | 02.25.09

For some reason I’ve come to associate the CS Monitor with rational reporting and keen insight. Which is why I’m so surprised to see the trolls out in such force with every article even tangentially touching Mr. Obama. Where do these people come from? Where are they going? Will they be leaving soon?

To the few that added their own insight to the article: thank you.

48. benevonetmike | 02.25.09

There is a battle that has been engaged for a very long time. It is reflected in the comments posted. The forces of benevolence and malevolence are the gods of all gods. George is moved by the force of benevolence, an eternal spirit greater than all of us. What humanity needs now is more of this, not just America, the world. As humans we should all have choices. In America we are blessed with the opportunity to exercise our choices. Between right and wrong, good and evil, spiritual directions. Economic parity is left to question since it’s guarded by the two percent super-rich. The malevolent voices in this posting will not likely be swayed and will likely continue to be part of the problem, never part of the solution. We need more benevolent spirits.

49. DUNOTS | 02.25.09

Mafisto, I know, right? Ever since the nomination, every comments page relating to Obama has become a screaming pit.

This page in particular baffles me. I would never have thought that so many people could get so offended by this. George Clooney. This guy who has been given awards by the nobel laureates, and is officially sanctioned by the UN. This guy who’s been extremely active in politics and especially Sudan and Chad for years. The fact that he was giving an official report to the vice president. He was… you know… doing his job?

And then Obama wanted to have a word with him. That sounds reasonable, since foreign policy is sort of the greater part of the POTUS’s job description. Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that the economy was so bad that Obama has to literally spend every waking moment on it. Sheesh.

50. bilejones | 02.25.09

So, we are going to go back to the Clinton era propaganda of starting wars for
“humanitarian” reasons.

51. savedarfur | 02.25.09

At least he is using his fame to take a helpful stance on this important issue. People in Darfur are still dying everyday, and many parts of the world have failed to recognize that, deeming Africa a ‘hopeless’ continent altogether. In my opinion, if Clooney’s actions help the people in Darfur, then good for him. We are all members of the human family and if he is using his position in society to help humanity, what’s so terrible about that? the fact is that SOMETHING needs to be done, at least he’s helping things along.

52. Alaa | 02.26.09

There is no genoside in darfur but violence.The main reason for why it is continuing because peace intitiaves were not encouraged by 3 countries US, UK and France. They keep blaming the GOS while giving weapons & shelter to the unlimited numbers of rebel groups. If the people, civil group and US adminstration wants genuine peace and they really care about the large population of Sudan and Darfur in particular they give support to the efforts made by OAU & Qatar and stop this biased propoganda.At that time the people of Sudan will be very thankful to the people America .

53. Ronnie Conrad | 03.30.09

Hey I prefer being part of the problem, it’s more fun & I certianly don’t want to be citizen of the world. I just like movie stars to entertain me & not try to dazzle me with their smooth wit & George is smooth. I just think if they prefer to help out countries then they should use their money. George could afford to pay for the position he wants someone appointed for. If he paid them $100,000 annually, thats chump change for him. So why not pay it? I got the answer? Why should he pay when he can smile & get Obama to pay with our money! Right..

54. Daniel | 04.18.09

George Clooney has actually been working on this issue and even has been visiting Darfur since 2006. why don’t you use the web to do some research as well as post opinions

1. The Scrumptious George Clooney Is Using His Celebrity Status To Shed Light On The Crisis In Darfur! « Things That Make Me Like America | 02.24.09