Posted by
Scott Ott on Thursday, August 06, 2009 7:39:20 AM
Who provokes sympathy more than a child with cancer? Your heart is
moved to do something for this 'poor little thing'. And what does Don Imus do for
them? He puts them to work shoveling manure, and makes them do risky
things on horseback. They round up Texas Longhorns, herd and feed
sheep, buffalo, chickens, goats and donkeys.
Radio personality Don Imus and his wife Deirdre run the 4,000-acre
Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer in Ribera, New Mexico.
I've never been a fan of Imus on the radio, but after reading a
New York Times story
about his 'charity', I'm thinking of sponsoring President Barack Obama
for a week at Imus' ranch. If my fundraiser goes well, I'll send
Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry
Reid and more than a few Republicans with him.
At the ranch, I think the president and his colleagues on Capitol Hill
could learn a lot about how to 'help' the people he considers to be
victims.
Read this statement about the philosophy of this altruistic endeavor:
It is extremely important that all parents and children understand
the fundamental philosophy of the ranch: it is not a camp! It is a
working cattle ranch. Our objectives for the kids are to encourage in
them a sense of achievement, responsibility and self-esteem through
hard work and fun, while restoring their pride and dignity. Many have
become convinced that because they are sick they are not normal. At The
Imus Ranch they quickly discover they can do anything any other kid can
do. Each child who visits the ranch is treated as a typical kid. Our
policy forbids any mention of illness by ranch employees.
Let's eavesdrop on Imus inspecting a teenager's work.
“This is not a good job,” Mr. Imus told Cory just after breakfast,
as he stood over the boy’s freshly made bed. “See how your sheet is
down to the floor? It needs to be tucked in.”
Soon after, Mr. Imus instructed Javier Rivera, 12, of New Jersey, on
the proper way to wear his blue jeans. “Pull up your pants, Javier, or
I swear I’m going to put you on the next plane back to Newark,” Mr.
Imus said.
Why does this grumpy old man treat these pitiable victims so insensitively?
Because he loves them.
The sole purpose of the Imus ranch "
is to provide the experience of the great American cowboy" to people who spend their lives on the receiving end of well-meaning altruism and genuine sympathy.
Here in Allentown, Pa.,
Camp Compass Academy takes inner city children outdoors, where they get to hunt, fish, shoot
arrows and take part in other adventures. But they only get to go to
the woods or stream if they meet the stringent academic and attendance
requirements of the program. John Annoni, the program's director,
commands respect and his young participants give it.
Don Imus and John Annoni understand something that our well-intentioned
elected officials and their sponsors in the news media need to learn if
they truly want to see victims become victors...
Pamper a man with pathos and he feels pathetic. Challenge him with obstacles and opportunity, and he rises up to find dignity.
Scott Ott is a columnist for the Washington Examiner, co-host of Trifecta on PJTV.com, and candidate for Lehigh County Executive.