I'm kind of new on this site so if I get any facts wrong, bare with me.
I've read through a lot of these posts and I have to say, most of them were really interesting. But some things just puzzled me. Comparing River Phoenix to OJ Simpson? That makes no sense at all.
And all these crazed fans coming on here babbling about how much they love him and if only they could of saved him.. it's just weird and annoying. Not to mention it gives a bad name to all those to legitimately respect him as an actor. (And FYI, by coming on here and trying to defend your idol, you're just proving people like Jiggy's point that you are very naive and shallow little girls [or boys] who know nothing). That being said, why don't you save yourself the trouble of trying to argue your point with someone who (appears to) have made up their mind about the guy and move on to a site with only sweet things being said about River Phoenix.
I personally have no qualms with River Phoenix. I know I am against drugs and I've seen first hand what they can do to people but what's done is done and I can't change anything. I realize other people have different opinions about the guy and that doesn't upset or shake my views, but it does to other people (i.e. paragraph above). Seeing as how this IS about the DEATH of River Phoenix, people should realize what’s going to be discussed. But they don't and instead of starting another countless debate over whether River Phoenix was a good person or not, why not just say things in a more respectful manor & avoid it all together (unless you like to break balls, well then by all means..).
Finally, what I came on this site to discuss! River Phoenix. People post their opinions all the time, so now it's my turn. First off, the statement I made above. I've seen on this site countless times how River is being compared to OJ Simpson. First of all, they are two totally different situations, people, and outcomes. OJ Simpson WAS convicted of murder (I can say he was convicted because a civil trial for her [his wife] wrongful death found him liable.) when River Phoenix, although some might consider what he did murder as well, did nothing but make horrible decisions. Now, before anyone jumps down my throat, I know that those horrible decisions ended his life, and I'm not condoning it AT ALL, but its two totally different things. So could people stop saying they're one in the same?
On River himself. People can't be helped unless they want help. And although he might of had all the resources and money to do it, studies have shown that the upper class is only about 2% happier than that of the lower. What does that tell us? Money does shit! If River was unhappy, all the movies & charities probably wouldn't of helped him. He needed to come to a realization at his own time that drugs weren't the answer & unfortunately that didn't happen. And although the significant difference between Joe Schmo down the street with the heroine addiction and River Phoenix is the many dead presidents in RP's wallet, if River didn't want help, all the money in the world wouldn’t fix that. Maybe he did want help, maybe that very next day he would of checked himself into a rehab program and gotten all better. But we'll never know.
I've rambled on long enough. One last thing is this: Why can't we let him rest in peace? That's the KEY difference between Joe & River. When Joe dies, no one will post his dead picture on the web (which I am SO against, but that can be discussed another time) or start websites like this one to speculate and cast stones. Who are we to judge? No one's perfect, obviously. And some might be a bit healthier or never touched a drug in their life, but does that give anyone the right to say that River was a bad person. Cause by saying that, you're saying you have no faults & I KNOW that no one could say that honestly (and if you believe it, whoa man I think I can't breathe cause your ego is suffocating me).
I welcome anyone to challenge or debate my beliefs (no, that wasn't a threat, its an invitation; I like debates). But please, no one coming on here going on and on about how River is the second coming or how he’s the devil's advocate. [LET THE FUN BEGIN!]
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nice thoughtful post lynn. ally brought the subject of rehab up a few days ago on another thread, while filming this thing called love river was sent to rehab by the film's director, only to choose to cheak himself out not long afterwards. when it comes to addiction, my theory is that its only human to make mistakes, but to carry on making the same ones over and over again is just weak and stupid. if someone has the courage to get treatment for addiction then they deserve every respect.
i'm 22 years old and 10 years ago i could have been one of those girls who sits at a keyboard and harps on about how river was a wonderful person and how cute he was. being cute does not automatically make someone a good person, and it shocks me how even in this day and age, with the amount of drugs eduaction available these girls are willing to skim over the bad points and fawn over that person. it is that type of "permissive" attitude that steers young girls into danger. ashley was one of these girls but i am pleased to now say she does recognise that it was river's choice to take drugs, and it is not right to ignore this as some choose to.
the manner of river's death was unfortunate, but things happen for a reason. river's life in the public eye should thus lead to his death being used as a lesson to future generations, so that they might learn from someone elses mistake rather than make that one on thier own. this way something good can come out of his tragedy. however people can't look past the rose tinted perception of him so that lesson s being lost.
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But, History is a wheel. We usually dont learn from mistakes, even if we say we do. Lets see, the Holocaust...said it would never happen again, and hey, its going on right now in Iraq. We're making the same mistakes over and over, and that's the way it's always been. I guess some people will get the fortunate benifit learning from River's mistakes, and not take drugs. Others will get into drugs (Hopefully they'll get out too) River made a mistake and nothing can be done about it. And a famous actor/actress will get involved with drugs, and then die, and people will say they'll never do drugs. But what if that one person who saw River suffer and die, and said that they'll never do drugs, was that actor/actress that OD'd on drugs. My point is history is a wheel, no one can stop it, because it just keeps spinning. River's death taught many of us not to do drugs, but that doesnt mean it will teach everyone.
The good thing is, that it will teach a lot of us. =) (just to look on the bright side of things)
One other thing, please can we stop the fighting? Someone asks one simple question and everyone starts argueing about something else! God, we're not in 2nd grade anymore. (i miss 2nd grade!!!!! lol) Dont take this harshly though.
I'm not one of those girls that goes "omg! river is adorable and gourgeous...if only i could have saved him! But omg! look at his HAIR!" and i'm not saying you are, because i really dont know any of you. But I do respect River, and I do like his acting, and I do like his writing and music. And I realise that River made a mistake. But you cant judge me on that.
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