# Janet Jackson is an ass. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 17, 2011, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988 "2011-08-17T03:06:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/61 "2011-08-18T04:21:17Z")
> [@Ruby](#): > > From [here](http://www.theindychannel.com/news/28896677/detail.html) > > So to answer your question, we don’t know yet how the money will be disbursed but I would like to believe that it will go toward funeral costs for those who died or uninsured medical expenses for those injured. At least 2 of the dead were in their 20’s so it’s very likely they didn’t have life insurance. > > While you may find it tacky, some of us would like to help the families of the victims in any way we can. Since I didn’t know any of them personally, I can’t take them a casserole so throwing money at a Remembrance Fund is as close as I can get to helping. I understand your sentiment, but I think any funeral costs etc should be covered through the insurance contract held by the venue, not by the performers who were scheduled to appear, or by random strangers. ---
**Author:** ![Pixiesnix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Pixiesnix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixiesnix)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/62 "2011-08-18T04:39:17Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Yeah, she could wear all kinds of funky… I dunno, boots, I guess. [Much more than boots.](http://mrkicks66.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/rhinestone-cowboy-nudie-cohn-pictures-new-western-cowboy-boot-tips-in-store/) ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/63 "2011-08-18T04:48:14Z")
I hope, if i or anyone in my family ever dies prematurely in an accident, that it is caught on camera and played on the news so that a whole bunch of complete strangers will feel comfortable bullying others into covering my funeral expenses. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/64 "2011-08-18T13:08:32Z")
> [@Ruby](#): > > I just think given the situation there’s more value to being “nice” than being paid. Are you still being paid? Someone somewhere died, you heartless bitch! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/65 "2011-08-18T14:26:21Z")
> [@Ruby](#): > > Three of the four artists scheduled for the venue also had static expenses but it didn’t stop them from donating their time and money to the Remembrance Fund. I didn’t say it was mandatory. I just think given the situation there’s more value to being “nice” than being paid. > > You may have one thing right, though. As for a pitting it may be lame. I don’t play in the Pit very often. So if giving to charity is voluntary, and giving is considered the nice thing to do, do you go around criticizing all of the people that didn’t give, as a way of trying to point out what a great thing the people that did give did? Seems kind of ass-backwards. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/66 "2011-08-19T02:48:23Z")
No, **Omar Little** , perhaps you have a point. It certainly would have been a charitable thing for Miss Jackson to do but definitely not an obligation. So, warm fuzzies for the acts that donated their revenues. and I’ll just go in the corner and bitch to myself about Miss Jackson. ---
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/67 "2011-08-19T03:03:04Z")
> [@Ruby](#): > > From [here](http://www.theindychannel.com/news/28896677/detail.html) > > So to answer your question, we don’t know yet how the money will be disbursed but I would like to believe that it will go toward funeral costs for those who died or uninsured medical expenses for those injured. At least 2 of the dead were in their 20’s so it’s very likely they didn’t have life insurance. > > While you may find it tacky, some of us would like to help the families of the victims in any way we can. Since I didn’t know any of them personally, I can’t take them a casserole so throwing money at a Remembrance Fund is as close as I can get to helping. Oh trust me Ruby.. when their lawyers get done.. the expenses and a whole lot more will be covered. And get me.. I’m not criticizing this.. this is exactly what injury attorneys are there for. As for Ms Jackson.. it’s strictly up to her IMO. If you contract Denzel Washington or Tom Cruise for a movie.. and even if it’s no fault of yours.. it falls through you pay Cruise or Denzel a penalty fee. Janet Jackson scheduled and arranged this as part of her tour.. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/68 "2011-08-19T04:25:49Z")
> [@Ruby](#): > > So, warm fuzzies for the acts that donated their revenues. and I’ll just go in the corner and bitch to myself about Miss Jackson. Actually, they will probably deduct this from their taxes as a ‘charitable contribution’, so it won’t really cost them much of anything. So direct your warm fuzzies to the rest of us taxpayers, who will be covering for these tax-deductible donations. All to cover the results of the incompetence of the Indiana State Fair. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/69 "2011-08-19T05:13:12Z")
Yeah, this pitting is weaksauce. She didn’t do anything wrong, isn’t responsible in any way for the accident or circumstances surrounding the cancellation, and as others have said, likely forewent opportunities to make money doing other things. Not to mention all of the materials and professionals needed to put on her show. I’d be shocked if the state fair doesn’t have insurance for this kind of thing. And I don’t think Janet Jackson is someone who is known for being parsimonious; she’s given money to charitable causes before. She may have given some to this particular fund anonymously as well. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/70 "2011-08-19T12:43:39Z")
> [@Ruby](#): > > Three of the four artists scheduled for the venue also had static expenses but it didn’t stop them from donating their time and money to the Remembrance Fund. I didn’t say it was mandatory. I just think given the situation there’s more value to being “nice” than being paid. Right, the world would be a better place if everyone just did exactly what you want them to do. Grow up already. Glad to see so many people endorsing Simoplico’s post, which I 100% agree with as well. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/71 "2011-08-19T13:41:33Z")
Unless you’re willing to let others dictate when and to whom you should direct YOUR charitable dollars, then you should refrain from criticizing others on how they direct THEIR charitable dollars. Maybe Jackson has already donated privately to the cause, but didn’t want to speak for her bandmates. Maybe she needs the money to pay her bills. Maybe she has another charity that is nearer and dearer to her heart. Maybe she’s planning to donate her talents to another event to raise money for the victim’s families. Maybe she’s so freaked out by the tragedy that she hasn’t been able to process it all yet. Maybe she has no idea that she’s still being paid. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988.md?page=3)