Hey American Idol, Why You Dump Contestant Shelby Dressel?

February 17th, 2010

Last night the talent reality show "American Idol" eliminated the contestant Ms. Shelby Dressel from the competition as part of the competition’s customary contestant reduction enroute to an ultimate winner of the competition. Worthy of note, however, controversial talent judge Simon Cowell voiced his displeasure with the release of Ms. Dressel. While being an attractive young woman, apparently, Ms. Dressel was born with some type of facial disfigurement disability condition; most of which she has either outgrown or overcome (please don’t quote me on any of these specifics, ‘cause I don’t really know them for sure). But anyway, I blog to say that I disagree with the release of Ms. Dressel and her elimination was likely a huge mistake for the Idol competition – for whatever my opinion is worth.

Given the history of her condition, to rise to the level of being a qualifying contestant on American Idol, Ms. Dressel has shown a strength of character that seems to be somewhat lacking on our modern society. To overcome such a disability and to have to contend with such as a child, must have been difficult and trying throughout her life as well. I am aware that the American Idol competition is not about judging the contestant singers on strength of character alone, of course. But such a factor should have been given more weight in her judging, certainly at these early stages of the competition anyhow – again, in my opinion. With the exception of Judge Simon Cowell, the decision makers of American Idol should have reconsidered the elimination of Ms. Dressel.

To be clear, I am confident that Ms. Dressel asked for no pity or consideration of her condition with regards to the judging of her singing ability. I’m sure no pity was warranted either. However, though maybe not the ultimate best singer in the competition, Ms. Dressel could easily be a star as a result of her talent and compounded/strengthened by the fact that she has essentially overcome such a visible aesthetic handicap (as some of the condition still visibly exists). Furthermore, she could easily pose as a role model for others similarly afflicted. And, she had enough singing talent to justify her remaining in the competition as well as the necessary potential for growth and maturation of talent too.

In light of the draw in numbers of viewers the Idol competition pulls from the American public and revenues resulting from such as well, Idol was in a unique social position to effect a worthwhile and constructive change concerning the attitudes of Americans towards those with disabilities. But as has been recently shown time and time again, corporate-type America has little or no sympathy for those afflicted with any physical impairment regardless of any laws concerning such – and the court systems of our nation no longer seem to care to enforce disability laws either. (Such a disregard by the court system is especially so depending on who is ignoring the laws, like say in the case of any Federal employer or the likes.) Along this line of thought, Idol also seems to give little credence to the plight of those that suffer from physical ailments. Such a disregard of the difficulties overcome by those with disabilities was quite apparent in American Idol’s decision to eliminate Ms. Dressel.

Anyway, American Idol really ‘missed the boat’ with the release of Ms. Shelby Dressel, in my opinion. Idol could have made a significant impact in helping the disabled of our nation by recognizing the difficulties associated with disabilities. However, Idol chose to ignore the realities of the situation by attempting to turn an impartial blind eye to the special circumstances of the matter. To allow Ms. Dressel’s continuation in the competition would have caused American Idol no hardship. To be sure, Ms. Dressel’s continued presence in the competition could have brought further worthwhile attention to the plight of those that continually suffer with disabilities.


Either way, should she ever read these words, I personally would like to thank Ms. Dressel for having the courage, strength of character, and talent to come forward in this nationally televised singing competition. At a minimum, as a result of her obvious leadership strengths, others similarly afflicted may garnish the necessary fortitude to follow and overcome their difficulties as well. Kudos and best wishes to you, Ms. Dressel.

Adam Trotter / AVT


See also:
http://adamvtrotter.blogspot.com/2010/02/hey-american-idol-why-you-dump.html

Hey Fox News, Are You Merely a Muck-Raker?

February 17th, 2010 

Hey Fox News, are you merely a modern muck-raking entity like the other news networks? Are you merely a sensationalist news organization like so many of the other news entities these days? Do you only hope to further the Republican agenda and bash the Democrats? 

Don’t get me wrong, I like your network and I think there is a definite need for a right-wing based news network, particularly in light of the long-standing liberal ass-kissers that is most of the other news organizations in the United States. But, I mean, why did you not make as much noise when President G.W. Bush and his buddies in Congress (with strong bipartisan support) gave a trillion dollars or two to the banker friends of the U.S. government? 

 Did those actions display any difference between Republicans and Democrats on a national venue? Why do you seem to still skirt the real issues that appear to be going on in our seemingly inept and nearly corrupt U.S. Federal Government, court systems, and banking institutions such as the Federal Reserve? None of these entities appear to genuinely care for the well being of the nation’s populace – and on a national level there appears to be no real difference between the two parties and time and time again both parties show no policy regime change at the Federal Reserve System, thereby clearly showing that both parties have the same agenda in regards to fiscal policy. And in general, therefore, neither does Fox News seem to really care for the nation’s well being either. 

 You only seem to care for the proliferation of the apparent criminals that label themselves as Republicans and to keep television watchers tuned to your network. Most of these modern national Republicans appear as criminals that also only care for their own well being and call themselves Republicans to garner support from individuals like myself that hopefully only listen to news like Fox News that does not display the criminal nature of these politicians so long as they label themselves as Republican. 

I realize your network tries more than most to show the opinions of both sides of the aisle, but why don’t you bring on real individuals to speak in this regard as opposed to merely highlighting individuals that personally kissed President George W. Bush’s ass like much of your on-air expert-type talent? I look forward to your response to the issues herein. 

Adam Trotter / AVT 

PS. Among others, please see: http://adamvernontrotter.blogspot.com/2010/02/stimulus-bill-one-year-anniversary.html 

Follow-on note (September 10, 2022): In reality and modernly, it seems Fox News is one of the few media sources/outlets that does allow opposing views to be expressed on its network.

See: https://adamvernontrotter.blogspot.com/2010/12/fox-news-good-job-and-please-keep-up.html

High Speed Vehicle Police Pursuits, Public Safety and the Use of Excessive Police Force

February 1st, 2010

In response to never-ending incidents of high-speed vehicle police pursuits that provide a generous supply of entertaining television broadcasts for the local Los Angeles television news shows, I would like to suggest or request the following for the local police regarding the handling of these incidents. As one that believes high-speed police pursuits on any city streets are to be avoided and who also believes that excessive police force is an abomination to our society, in the case of high-speed police pursuits wherein the fleeing scofflaw endangers the lives and well-being of untold numbers of other innocent citizens/civilians, I would suggest an exemption to these normal rules and request that the apprehending police officer ‘knock’ some sense into the idiot scofflaw driver that is the subject of the pursuit. I would go even further to suggest that the police ‘pound’ on the lawless jerk with the television cameras watching for all to see. I don’t really care if the loser driver is trying to avoid arrest. But when the scofflaw driver cares nothing about the safety of the rest of us and endangers multitudes of innocent lives by traveling at extremely excessive speeds, travels the wrong direction on streets also at excessive speeds, and even drives on sidewalks at high speeds, then that self-centered and ignorant jerk seems to need some sense beat into him/her. Also, please ensure that the scofflaw gets none of our tax dollars when he sues for having gotten what he had coming to him as a result of his self-centered and dangerous actions.

AVT

Pack of Pit Bulls Attack Group of Children

February 1st, 2010

As reported on Los Angeles Television Channel 2 News this evening, four pit bulls attacked a group of three children today in Fontana, California. No doubt, sounds like a pleasant type of dog to own for a family pet (sarcasm).
AVT