Clay Aiken to be named to presidential committee

[BR_Parkway]

Too funny to pass up, my first thought on quick read through was that they put together a committee to study the President's Intellectual Disabilities - I was amazed that it only took them 5 years.

The White House has announced that President Bush intends to appoint Clay Aiken -- or Clayton Aiken, as he is listed in the press release -- to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

Aiken is a Raleigh native who rose to fame as a runner-up in the "American Idol" competition. Before his singing career took off, Aiken worked as a counselor at a YMCA.

The committee advises the president and the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on issues relating to programs and services for people with intellectual disabilities, according to the committee's web site. The committee was first established, as the President's Panel on Mental Retardation, in 1961 by President Kennedy.

http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/483189.html

[magellan]

1. Heard this the other night

I think it was Jay Leno who commented, "Wait'll Bush finds out he's GAY." lol

[shadowknows69]

2. I think GW is probably counting on it

he wants to take private singing lessons from "Clayton". Jeff Gannon on backup vocals and maracas.

[BR_Parkway]

3. Clay is Gay? Say it isn't so....all those heartbroken Claymates would

never be able to think that about him.

[magellan]

4. I don't know, it's just Leno

I think he was riffing on the apparent question mark that hangs over Aiken. I just googled his name and 'gay' and the to'ing and fro'ing goes on for many pages!

(I'm pretty sure it was Leno but don't hold me to that.)

[LostinVA]

14. Totally gay

[Deb]

5. Is he qualified to advise or is this another

lowering of the bar by Presidential appointment? Except for Kathy Griffin jokes, I don't know anything about him. :shrug:

[shadowknows69]

6. American Idol

Nuff said I think. Hell let him be President for a while. He could do worse?

[Island Blue]

7. Actually, he may be the most qualified

of any * appointment. At the very least, he does have a degree in special education and if my memory serves me correctly, he has worked with mentally challenged kids in the past. Of course that doesn't automatically qualify him for the position, but at least his background isn't in Arabian Horse grooming or whatever it was Brownie used to do.

The only reason I know any of this btw is because I'm from NC (and he's from NC) and we heard a lot about him when he was on American Idol.

[Deb]

10. Thank you

Sounds like he could be an advocate.

[zbdent]

8. Hmm, "Gay Aiken" was with the YMCA? Funny ...

[WinkyDink]

9. A singer, as with other professionals, doesn't have to be

one-dimensional.

I'm tired of the DU cheap shots at AI, because everyone at DU is just oh, so cultured. It's like I'm at the opera here.

Clay Aiken started a FOUNDATION, for God's sake. When he was 24. Try a little research, like you want the morans to do.

Look it up: Bubel-Aiken Foundation. Here; I'll help:
http://www.thebubelaikenfoundation.org/home.htm

Wait! Did somebody say Clay was a UNICEF Ambassador?
http://www.unicefusa.org/site/c.duLRI8O0H/b.254949/k.E42/Clay_Aiken__Celebrity_Ambassadors__Who_We_Are__US_Fund_for_UNICEF.htm

EXAMPLE:
"Moved by the plight of children caught in the July 2006 Middle East conflict, Clay encouraged his fans to support UNICEF's relief work in Lebanon. By way of fan sites and blogs on the world wide web, Claymates quickly raised over $70,000 to help provide lifesaving medicines and other emergency supplies."


Oh, and as for the "gay" weisenheimer remarks? Since when did DU countenance THOSE?

[Vinca]

11. Ditto what you said. This is one guy who has used his fame for good.

In fact, I'd bet the reason he performs is more for raising money for the foundation than anything else. He's a decent person and it's unfair to trash him.

[shadowknows69]

13. I applaud Clay's good works but

he's about to lie down with dogs and we know what happens then.

[LostinVA]

15. I lurve AI - (and Clay) - I just wish he would come out already

And, I agree -- I'm tired of people on here ridiculing those of us who like AI, Rockstar, Amazing Race, Survivor, Project Runway, etc. Watching and enjoying these shows doesn't mean we are stupid, etc.

[cmkramer]

20. I was disappointed in Keith Olbermann the other night

when he chose to see this a Huh, WTF?! story when just some rudimentary googling would have revealed Aiken's more than adequate qualifications to do this.

[mmonk]

12. He has done alot of good work here in Raleigh

for the Autism Society. His degree is in (and his real love) teaching children with disabilities. Too bad he will now be associatated with this presidency.

[9119495]

16. "You're doing a heckuva job, Aikey"

[TlalocW]

17. If this keeps Clay from singing

I'm all for it. Good job, Bushie.

TlalocW

[THUNDER HANDS]

18. good for Clay

he's a good guy, I like his music and I'm looking forward to his new album. My g/f will be happy to hear about this.

[zalinda]

19. I read Clay's book, and he would be a good fit

Clay doesn't declare that he is a dem in the book, but he comes off sounding quite liberal. He talked of an aunt who would talk all this RW Christian crap, and he said he wished that she would keep her opinions to herself, and that no one benefits from the hate.

He didn't have an easy life, and was brought up basically by females. And, I'm guessing, but may have eschewed the "masculine" traits that he saw in this drunken father. He seems like a really decent guy, and very interested in education and the mentally disabled. Even after getting his recording contract, he went back and finished his education to get his diploma, in special ed.

As for being gay, I doubt it, but wouldn't matter if he was. He came off in the book as some one who is very grounded in who he is, and where he is going. It was a fast and pleasant read from someone who seems to be a genuinely nice guy.

zalinda