Nucking Futz

So one of the things I really love about Robert Downey Jr. is when he meets a sick child (usually has a serious illness, in/out of the hospital, etc) it doesn’t stop with a photo-op.  

He continues to keep in touch with them afterwards.

EXAMPLE #1:  Brock Johnson, whom he started interacting with in ~2014

RDJ continued to keep in touch with him and his family for well over a year – e.g. here’s the two of them at RDJ’s house, and also

that’s them on Facetime.  

This went on until Brock’s untimely passing and beyond.  RDJ remains in touch with Brock’s family even over a year since then – e.g. almost three months after the fact, and as recently as a month ago.

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EXAMPLE #2:  Ryan Wilcox.  

Gwyneth Paltrow first got in touch with Ryan and then she brought him to RDJ and Chris Evans’ attentions, culminating in a much-reported visit to Ryan’s house in San Diego back in May 2016.

Three months later, RDJ continues to be in touch, via Facetime

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EXAMPLE #3:  Kiel Lampman, whom RDJ started interacting with last month.

From that news article (specifically the pic’s caption), it sounded like RDJ has called him a few times (usually after treatments).

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There’s a couple more that we’re aware of but I just don’t have enough info to include on this list – e.g. this comment.

And that’s another thing:  with the exception of the Ryan Wilcox one (which was much publicized because Goop), all of these had near-zero media attention. 

In fact, honestly, the only reason why we know of these is because some of us tend to obsessively scour social media for anything related to RDJ.  He himself has never talked or hinted at doing these things.  Ever.

And you know, he’s a busy guy – one of the biggest movie stars in the world; has a company that has been trying to get projects off the ground for years, but also has non-film pursuits; has two little kids under the age of five and an older son whose band performances he would literally fly to middle America for, just to watch.  Yet he takes his time to do all of this.

Conversion therapy for queer kids. Let me repeat that. CONVERSION THERAPY FOR QUEER KIDS.  Some members of the RNC even wanted to endorse it more explicitly than they did.

Zealous opposition to same-sex marriage. Here’s the quote:  “Our laws and our government’s regulations should recognize marriage as the union of one man and one woman and actively promote married family life as the basis of a stable and prosperous society. For that reason, as explained elsewhere In this platform, we do not accept the Supreme Court’s redefinition of marriage and we urge its reversal, whether through judicial reconsideration or a constitutional amendment returning control over marriage to the States.”

Reversing the Obama administration’s order to grant trans students access to restrooms, locker rooms, etc. The Republicans feel that such things should be based on biological gender, not gender identity.

Treating internet porn as “a public health crisis.” Quote: “Pornography, with his harmful effects, especially on children, has become a public health crisis that is destroying the life of millions. We encourage states to continue to fight this public menace and pledge our commitment to children’s safety and wellbeing[.]”

Gender discrimination. To quote Time magazine: “[T]he platform committee voted against including the word “gender” in a list of types of discrimination that should be opposed.   On Tuesday, one member described the attempt to add that word to a list including qualities like race, sex and creed as a “sneak attack.”

Repeal of the Johnson Amendment. The Johnson Amendment currently prevents churches and other tax-exempt organizations from organizing politically, endorsing political candidates, etc. Repealing it would throw separation of church and state out the window…not to mention that it would give evangelical churches and televangelist organizations much more power, driving the country further to the right.