America's Next Homeless Idol (My Title)

[XanaDUer]

Isn't America the home of heartwarming Horatio Alger-type stories where anyone can make it big with just a dream and a few lucky breaks. :eyes:

The Fox News Affiliate in Indianapolis, IN, went out onto the snow-covered streets to talk to some other homeless people, to see if they had heard of Ted Williams' golden pipes (shockingly, no the lady had not considering the video has gone viral :sarcasm: ) and wondering if this lady had any special "talent" that could make her famous. The lady sings Amazing Grace. She has been homeless for nine years. She used to have two jobs.

What is so striking to me about this is the normalization of homelessness, etc. I predict a new reality show.

SNIP - Fox News affiliate Fox 59 in Indianapolis, Indiana is searching for America's next homeless star. Last week the station sent reporter Tisha Lewis out into the snow covered streets of downtown Indianapolis where she asked homeless people: "Do you have any talent?"

Doral Chenoweth, the 47-year-old web producer for the Columbus Dispatch who filmed Ted Williams, seemed to find Columbus' golden voice with a little more tact than Fox 59's attempt. Chenoweth developed a relationship with Williams before he shot the 97 second video that would go viral. But Lewis' report comes across as exploitation when she goes out asking two homeless sisters to sing for her. To make matters worse, Lewis made it a point of noting that "the sisters say they are drug and alcohol free," coming across as if she thinks all homeless people are on the streets because of substance abuse issues.

http://colorlines.com/archives/2011/01/indianapolis_fox_news_affiliate_exploits_homeless_looking_for_golden_voice.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+racewireblog+(ColorLines)

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. That's disgusting.

We are sinking to new lows every day as a society.

[XanaDUer]

2. I think we are

America has gone bat-shit insane.

[monmouth]

3. An update note on Ted: He has been friends for many years with a

man who also has served as his sponsor. Sponsor is also in the radio biz and has used Ted over the years for voice overs, etc. Anyway, this guy is handling calls for Ted and sort of acting as a filter. The fear was that Ted would be overwhelmed, and who wouldn't be. This is good news for him. Wish I had a link but unfortunately no...

[XanaDUer]

4. I am very happy for Mr. Williams

But stories like that trivialize severe systematic problems American society has, imho.

I hope all works out for Mr. Williams.

[SoCalDem]

6. Yep.. It's the lotto mentality

1 lucky winner, millions of losers, but all is right with the world if one "happy story" comes from it...


and a while from now, if he crashes & burns, they will get a twofer in one story

[XanaDUer]

5. Kick

nt