Omarion's Shocking London Press Release: Bad Move Or Hoax?

[Roland99]

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1505441/20050708/omarion.jhtml?headlines=true

When Reuters reported Thursday afternoon that an unscathed Omarion was asking fans to pray for him as he made his way back to the States from London — the site of deadly terrorist bombings — somehow it just didn't seem like it could be real.

The story mentioned that unlike the hundreds of wounded and the more than 50 dead, Omarion had suffered no "inconvenience." It also pointed out that the singer's press release made no mention of the victims. Could it be that Omarion, who just happened to be in the same city at the time the bombs were detonated, was attempting to exploit a tragic event to drum up a little press — or worse, sympathy?

Of course not, according to Omarion's Web site. A post Friday morning attacked the piece, which had quoted the performer's alleged publicist, Shana Gilmore: "Statements and sentiments appearing in a Reuters-syndicated article and attributed to the American R&B singer Omarion were never made by the performer. Contrary to statements made in the article, Omarion is in no way affiliated with the firm AR PR Marketing nor is 'publicist Shana Gilmore' a legitimate publicist acting on behalf of the artist. Omarion regrets any confusion and sends his thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims of this horrific tragedy."

Gilmore confirmed that she is not Omarion's publicist and said she did not issue a press release in his name. But while it may not have originated with Gilmore, it appears that a release of some sort was issued on behalf of the singer calling for fans' well wishes.

:wtf:

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. People amaze me when it comes to these things.

Three months after 9/11 I had a friend say that after the initial shock was over she realized that neither she nor anyone else she knew personally knew anyone who died in the WTC so they didn't feel the same emotional investment that appeared to be expressed in the press. She, btw, works for the Chamber.

I also remember there was a beauty pageant going on around 9/11 and the American beauty contestants were terrified because they were sure they were going to be targets. It was so sad.

[sojourner]

2. Maybe I shouldn't say this but I had the same reaction as your friend...

Sorry - but events have differing levels of impact on people. Some people identify so much with their nation (nationalism) that any strike against nation taken as a personal attack. Thus the fervor that Bush has ridden to glory (whilst riding US into the ground,
btw).

I have a more detached view of nation. Doesn't mean I don't care about what kind of government we have, or that I don't care about the victims and their families. But I learned long ago that I shouldn't "feel" every event on planet as though it happened to me personally. Otherwise I'd have gone mad by now.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. I guess I'm a little more nationalistic.

It's what keeps me on the left, instead of the right. I find the right to be incredibly self-interested and individualistic. I don't feel they have an inclusive community. On the left you have some sects which are just as individualistic minded, but for the most part, the left believes in social programs that I believe bind us as a nation. We care enough to set up agencies that create safety nets. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than the plan that expects private churches to do what they never really have successfully done before.

Anyway, what I'm saying is that I felt as deeply for the Oklahoma bombing victims as I did for the WTC victims, even though I only had one relative in the latter and have never been to Oklahoma. Right or left, I saw them as American compatriots. Unfortunately, that's how I felt then. After two Bush terms, things have changed.

[sojourner]

4. What keeps me on the left is the belief that we are all equal...all

deserve to develop their potential. I find the right to be narrow-minded, selfish and their leaders are downright greedy. Their tendency to see everything in black and white includes but isn't limited to their views on religion - and while I respect their right to believe as they wish, I find that they don't return that favor.

Just because I didn't feel or react as though I personally was injured by the terrorists who attacked the WTC doesn't by any stretch of the imagination mean that I didn't and don't care about the victims. Just that I remain a lot more detached and analytical than emotionally involved (as would happen if I were personally touched by the attack). Also, could be that since psychology is my field of study, I'm intensely interested in a sort of "dispassionate" analysis of peoples' reactions to events.

Either way, my point was, neither reaction 'wrong'. Just different ways of experiencing the world. Peace.

edit: removed extra parens ...edited again to replace it...NOT extra after all. DOH!

[Obamarama]

5. Who the hell is Omarion and why should I care?

Not only is he probably a corporate-molded no talent, the guy sounds like a pathetic schlemiel.

[OneBlueSky]

6. ditto . . . n/t

.

[freeEarthLove]

7. what a kook EOM

what a kook EOM