Stars Earn Stripes

From Yahoo:
"'Stars Earn Stripes' draws fire"

"Stars Earn Stripes" is a new reality show in which celebrities (does Dolvett Quince count?) compete in military-themed exercises. Cash prizes go to different military charities. Sounds like good harmless fun. After all, who wouldn't want to watch Nick Lachey yelled at by a humorless drill instructor? Well, apparently, plenty of people. A backlash is building, thanks in large part to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and a host of other Nobel Peace laureates. An open letter from the dignitaries and addressed to NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt read: "This program pays homage to no one anywhere and continues and expands on an inglorious tradition of glorifying war and armed violence. Trying to somehow sanitize war by likening it to an athletic competition further calls into question the morality and ethics of linking the military anywhere with the entertainment industry in barely veiled efforts to make war and its multitudinous costs more palatable to the public."  NBC responded to the open letter. A spokesperson for the Peacock Network said, "'Stars Earn Stripes' is about thanking the young Americans who are in harm’s way every day. This show is not a glorification of war, but a glorification of service."  Other contestants include boxer Laila Ali, wrestler Eve Torres, actor Dean Cain, skier Picabo Street, and all-around badass Terry Crews.

^ I have seen the show and think all these so-called dignitaries need to find more important things to complain about - like real war, poverty, crime, etc. The show does not promote war. It promotes support for American soldiers that are willing to fight and die for their country and the strength and courage it takes to risk your life to help others. Soldiers to not create wars - Government officials do. The show also shows support for veterans and their families after their service is done. More (from both the Government and the public) needs to be done to support active-duty servicemen and women as well as veterans and families. ^

http://tv.yahoo.com/news/-stars-earn-stripes--draws-fire.html