By Rob N.LeDonne
In the grand tradition of celebrities taking on political causes (amid controversy), there has been a plethora of prime examples in the news of late. These are three that have been capturing the public’s (and media’s) attention.
Madonna’s Adoption Mess
BACK STORY: High voltage pop-star Madonna has recently adopted a baby boy from Malawi, amid a flood of backlash and controversy. Many groups including the HRCC (the Human Rights Consult Committee) are saying that Madonna adopted the boy without the proper paperwork, and the only reason the adoption went through was because of Madonna’s star status.
MEDIA BLITZ: Madonna pops up in an appearance on “Oprah” to defend herself, and the boy’s father (in a separate interview) sees no wrong with the situation. “It is not for them to fight for me and for the so-called rights of my child,” he explained to Rueters Television, referring to the HRCC. He went on to explain, “My message to Madonna is that she should not be discouraged, be strong. As we agreed and we expect that after three to four years the child shall come back for us to see him”.
In an odd twist, conflicting reports suggest that the boy’s father (who is an illiterate peasant farmer) did not understand the meaning of adoption at the time, and is now regretting putting the boy up. Meanwhile, he is doing just fine, Madonna said to Oprah. “What really surprises me is how great my children are with him and how he’s transitioned so easily from living in Africa in an orphanage to living in our house,” she said.
Michael J. Fox Under Fire
BACK STORY: Actor Michael J. Fox, who suffers from Parkinson disease, recently taped a series of political ads in support of a candidate who backs stem cell research running this election. After the ads ran, which feature Fox visibly shaking as a result of the disease, conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh criticized Fox for shaking on purpose, to gain sympathy. He explained, “This is the only time I have ever seen Fox portray any of the symptoms of the disease [publicly].”
MEDIA BLITZ: After Limbaugh’s comments, Fox appeared on a handful of TV programs including the CBS “Evening News with Katie Couric”, Fox News Channel and ABC’s “This Week”, saying that Limbaugh’s comments didn’t bother him because it would be “like getting into a fight with a bully”. Fox explained in his interview with Couric that he was ironically “too medicated” when he shot the ads and went onto say, “And at this point now, if I didn’t take medication I wouldn’t be able to speak. I’d have a mask face…. I’d lock up and freeze and not be able to move. So there’s no time I’m not medicated. It’s just a matter of titrating the medication to make sure it works as best it can. It’s the kind of stuff that people with Parkinson’s live with everyday.”

