Rosie Explains Controversial Photo

Image Of Her Child Wearing Ammo Belt Evokes Passionate Reaction On Blog

(CBS)  When Rosie O'Donnell posted a photo on her blog of her four-year-old daughter Vivienne Rose dressed up in a military costume complete with ammo belt filled with toy bullets around her chest, her fans reacted.

"Many, many people responded to it/in a variety of ways/wild really," O'Donnell told The ShowBuzz exclusively via e-mail Tuesday, writing in verse, as she often does.

Several fan comments were posted on the blog with some calling the photo "horrible" and "disturbing" and others calling it "brilliant" and "powerful."

O'Donnell explained to The ShowBuzz that the photo came out of her children playing a game of make-believe.

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Photos: Everything Rosie

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The kids pick a new costume from buycostumes.com every few weeks.

2"They don't watch TV — this is how they play/the boys had fatigues and were playing war/the girls wanted some/they run around the house with water guns/shooting each other," she said.

O'Donnell is fascinated by the reaction to the simple image.

"It's fascinating to me/that an image of a child dressed up as a soldier/evokes so much attention/yet the real soldiers - their deaths - their wounded bodies/doesn't seem to faze most/or make news," she wrote.

Family is very important to O'Donnell, who said on her blog Sunday that she won't be taking over hosting chores at "The Price Is Right," now that Bob Barker has retired, because she would have to uproot her family and make the move from New York to California where the game show is taped.

O'Donnell had been mentioned as one of the successors to recently retired host Bob Barker. "The Early Show's" Dave Price and "Dancing With The Stars" alum John O'Hurley are some of the others said to be in the running for the job.

[cheekygal-2009]

Whatever you do iatackjnkill don't answer the hard questions about torture in secret prisons! Don't answer questions about 15 Saudi National hijackers!

Just pound your brave chest and make up stories about why you can't serve personally.

We BURIED TWO FAMILY MEMBER you flocking idiot and couldn't even see the bodies in the casket because they were not identifiable and we were told it was them with only proof being metal tags.

God will punish you war mongering, war profiteering. How much stock you got in the war machine? Must be lots of blood money in your bank account, huh?

[gunownerdan]

Have you ever had the urge to watch boys and girls of all ages shooting fully-automatic machine guns?
Look no further!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV74rbgIsr8
It's expensive, but definitely loads of fun.

[eitakj]

I probably shouldn't bother with this, but I feel the need to correct your statement about ME living in fear. You couldn't more wrong! I am completely confident that our boys and girls over there are doing their jobs, and doing them well! On 9/11, when the towers collapsed, literally in front of my eyes, I was a bit afraid. But, when I looked up shortly afterwards and saw U.S. fighter jets flying over Manhattan, all fear left me. I felt PROUD to be an American. I knew that our country would never be the same-we'd be better, and we'd never let them win! Yes, I was angry. And, I saw the same anger in our government heads-they promised they wouldn't stop until ALL terrorism was gone, and they're making good on that promise. AQI is one of the top terror sects in the world. They are in Iraq right now-funding & helping to plan more attacks. They attack our soldiers there daily. They attack the Iraqi people. If we leave, they will continue to attack the Iraqi people-and with us gone it will be MUCH easier for them to kill the poor babies you talk so much about.

I beg of you to please do at least SOME research before you comment again. Don't give us web addresses that send us to conspiracy theorists. Do actual research-based on FACT not opinion.

Thank you, and have a wonderful day in our wonderful country. The country where you can believe opinion is fact-freely-without persecution. You may look foolish, but that's your right. You can thank a soldier for that right!

[eitakj]

And, your are right. Sadly, I am no longer young enough to join the armed forces (but thanks for the compliment!). When I did try to enlist, my weak heart was a 'high risk factor' for any comrades on the field, so I didn't make the cut. But, that doesn't stop me from supporting our troops - nor should anything similar stop you. I send care packages to my friends & family that are over there, and I've gotten involved in organizations that send military supplies to troops that can't afford them - bulletproof vests, etc.

I'm sure you don't have any 'friends' there, because you'd probably turn your back on anyone who actually tried to protect our freedom. But, if you REALLY care about our troops, there are MANY ways you can help. Start by going to anysoldier.com or anymarine.com and 'adopting' a few of them. But please, do NOT send them any letters containing your sick thoughts. They need SUPPORT & LOVE from home. They work REALLY hard to protect our freedom & our way of life. Even though they may be fighting for your right to ignorantly shoot your mouth off, they don't need to actually HEAR you shooting your mouth off.


GOD BLESS AMERICA!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!
DON'T LET THE TERRORISTS WIN!
NEVER FORGET 9/11 !!!!!!!

[eitakj]

I should've known YOU'D be against the Patriot Act. When the media told me that the 'government was listening to our phone calls' and was 'spying' on us, I applauded. I have nothing to hide! Only people with something to be ashamed of would care. If a terrorist lives in MY neighborhood, I WANT them to catch him/her.

Do you actually know anything about the Patriot Act - please give me a fact - not something you 'heard on tv' - I don't have time for that. The Patriot Act has most definitely increased national security. It has finally brought together the FBI & the CIA - now if one gathers intel on terrorists, the other has access to that same intel - something that most Americans thought was being done already, but it wasn't.

Also, I LOVED how I told you, "your ignorance is completely blinding you" and then you have gall to turn around and tell me practically the same exact thing! How original! What a GREAT argument! You really should try out for the debate team at school, little girl!

[cheekygal-2009]

A "war of choice" should never put soldiers in harms way to make someone rich off their blood. You want so badly to believe in the lies that you are truly blinded and afraid of your own shadow. Boo, poor scared little traitors to America and its people! Thanks to your traitorous ways we have the ill-conceived Patriot Act, spying on Americans who have done nothing wrong, torture in secret prisons. How proud you must be.

You should join up for this war and be a patriotic volunteer and perhaps die for your cause or live with maiming and burns for the rest of your life. July 4th is dreaded by many who freak out at the sound of fireworks as it reminds them of death and dying.

You sound young enough to continue with the torture and killing you apparently agree with. Someone will be glad to watch your 2-year old as other mothers are serving.

Come on, miss patriot, show your guns and bravado.

[cheekygal-2009]

Poor, poor blinded Eitakj! Can't reply to the warmongering profiteers who have gained millions in blood money by our soldiers dying for an unjust cause. Perhaps your bank account is growing with this blood money?

[eitakj]

Um, where have I been? Did I sleep through a draft? I thought that our troops - ALL AGES - had the FREEDOM of CHOICE. Unlike in Iraq & Afghanistan where they do NOT get a choice (and it's WAY different that our drafts) and they are FORCED into the military at ages WAY younger than 18.

Your ignorance is completely blinding you. You, too, are a conspiracy theorist and I refuse to discuss this further with you. I have friends that are for and against the war. And, I love debating with them because they have REAL arguments.

[eitakj]

Um, where have I been? Did I sleep through a draft? I thought that our troops - ALL AGES - had the FREEDOM of CHOICE. Unlike in Iraq & Afghanistan where they do NOT get a choice (and it's WAY different that our drafts) and they are FORCED into the military at ages WAY younger than 18.

Your ignorance is completely blinding you. You, too, are a conspiracy theorist and I refuse to discuss this further with you. I have friends that are for and against the war. And, I love debating with them because they have REAL arguments.

[cheekygal-2009]

The Banality of Greed

"As the Iraq war that Vice President *** Cheney created continues to shred American%u2014and many more Iraqi%u2014lives, further documentation has emerged proving that, even during failed wars, the merchants of death profit. No company has profited more from the carnage in Iraq than Halliburton, which Cheney headed before choosing himself as Bush%u2019s running mate. One shudders at the blissful arrogance of this modern Daddy Warbucks, who sees no conflict of interest over the blood-soaked profits garnered by the once-bankrupt division of the company that left him rich."

[cheekygal-2009]

You want to know what the Iraq war is really about read this: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=8z6nsbcab.0.zkyysbcab.q9ijssbab.9534&ts=S0259&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.truthdig.com%2Freport%2Fitem%2F20070626_taxpayers_losses_halliburtons_gains%2F

Rosie has always stood up for the troops and want them to LIVE. The warmongering profiteers, and those who believe their lies give a shat less and care not that our children at 18-19 years of age are dying. They can't even have a beer legally in some states, yet they can act as killing machines for this bunch of crooks in office.

AND, you are okay with that? Sad!

[cheekygal-2009]

"Posted by Eitakj at 12:25 PM : Jun 27, 2007
DON'T LET THE TERRORISTS WIN!"

Just make sure you inculcate patriotism in your son so he joins up to fight the illegal war in Iraq as it may still be going on when he reaches 18.

Why take one's words and misconstrue them? You sitting comfortably behind your monitors has NOTHING to do with this war in Iraq. It has all to do with the brave soldiers who fought past wars even when illegal.

God will hold the warmongering profiteers accountable for their dastardly deeds.

Please tell me who attacked us on 9/11! Weren't 15 of 19 hijackers Saudi Nationals funded by the Saudis? So, how does that equate with burning, killing, maiming, blowing to pieces innocent babies, women and men? What we are doing in the name of "Democracy and Freedom" is becoming worse than anything Saddam had done who was contained in his country and was no real threat to the U.S.

You like living in fear perpetrated by this admin and keeping you there? You enjoy giving your hard earned tax dollars to do so? Cheney's former company Halliburton has made over 22 billion of our tax dollars, which could have been used wisely here at home helping Katrina victims, healthcare etc. This is Cheney and bush's war for profit. You are alright with that? The killing machine is them and they keep it going to get Iraq's oil. Freedom and Democracy are used as a scapegoat to lull you into agreeing. Sick, sad Americans you are! Traitors to our freedoms.

[eitakj]

If you knew how to read, you'd see that I was referring to WWII - I wasn't talking about today, I was talking about the 1940s.

The 22 OTHER countries CURRENTLY in Iraq, are NOT from a fake news site - they are really there. That is a pure & simple FACT. I was going to give you the list, but I was just told that it's actually posted on Wikipedia, so YOU can look it up yourself, if you know how.

I can see now that you are both conspiracy theorists and I am no longer wasting my time with you. That is VERY sad that you have to live your life with blinders on.

I'm going to take a guess and say that Michael Moore is your idol, right?

[eitakj]

toldyouso21, I see you were quick to leave off the part BEFORE the 'all we care about is ***' part. The part that stated WHO said that - Mr. Osama Bin Laden himself. HE stated that Clinton's scandal only proved to his men that he was right in saying that the 'western world' only cared about s-e-x - so if you want to quote me, please quote me correctly. It wasn't a 'proverbial slip' at all - I think Osama knew EXACTLY what he was saying - that's how he gets the REST of Al Qaeda to listen to him - he's got them brainwashed with his words. Clinton made it REALLY easy for him to prove his point.

And, PLEASE don't try to put that sick man's words in MY mouth - Unlike YOU, I want to get rid of Bin Laden, YOU think we should sit here and wait for him to attack us on 'our turf' again. YOUR plan is the 'cowardly' one.

[cricketmk3]

Very well said, jrifenburgh! I have not served in the armed forces but I do work for the gov't at a facility that repairs combat vehicles and we all work hard to make sure we get the tanks back to the soldiers asap! Sure Rosie has the right to her opinion...that's because soldiers have fought and died for that right...but say it and be done with it already. Sometimes I'd like to sew her mouth shut!

[toldyouso21]

I, everyone is so quick to criticize ONLY the US-What about the 22 other countries that CURRENTLY have troops there? 22 individual countries can%u2019t ALL be wrong. They%u2019re not there just because they want to follow us. Eitakj at 03:37 PM : Jun 27, 2007

2 things you can do immediately to help yourself and America:

1. Stop listening only to Faux News and Rush

2. Read more and watch World News also.

Prior to the war, Bush said that if any country did not join us in Iraq, they would not partake of the spoils. Yep. Said that on National tv. So most countries ponied up. In their heyday, Holland contributed around 32 people, most gave 200 to 2000 with Britain giving the largest amount (8K) of any country. So we put in over 150,000 people, the UK puts in 8,000 and the rest of the countries contribute no more than 5,000 combined. yep. sounds like someone has not been doing her homework--next you will tell me the Iraqis want Democracy even though Bush said after we invaded that we would not leave until they had Democratic elections and even then the polls showed over 80%wanted us gone. So did they have elections because they wanted something they never had OR...because they thought if they did what we wanted we would get the hell out of their country? When you miss the information and only hear the soundbites--you miss the the nuance and import of what is going on....which may explain your perspective.

[toldyouso21]

All we cared about was ***! Clinton was an embarrassment to our country. And, I%u2019m sure Mrs. Clinton won%u2019t be any better.

Posted by Eitakj at 03:20 PM : Jun 27, 2007


Ahhhhh. The proverbial Freudian slip. So all WE care about is sexxxxxx? No wonder we pursued prosecuting a sitting President based on matters sooo personal. And do you really think Hilary will win? LOL

[toldyouso21]

I suppose you feel that we should have done nothing after Pearl Harbor was attacked, too? You%u2019re saying that we should have just sat around waiting for Japan & Germany to actually OCCUPY the US instead of 'just bombing' us, right? . Posted by Eitakj at 03:00 PM : Jun 27, 2007

We are not following in our forefather's footsteps, this is entirely new territory except many of our acts are remniscent of Nazi Germany and the Nuremberg debacle. But to your point: for us to have behaved in WWII like we are doing now. Then our President would have attacked Mexico after Japan invaded Pearl Harbor....and yes I would have protested that too. I am not at all afraid of a fight--but I am no bully, I do not start fights and I do not pretend to wear a halo when I do wrong. Nobody is fighting so we don't have to, they are fighting because their CIC wants them to and he wants them to--so America can open up more market share, have access and partial control of oil fields and make more money. But tell yourself what you need to so you can keep from drowning in the blood of all the Iraqi people and others who have died for lies.

[toldyouso21]

And I'm surprised being a right-winger that you actually admitted the war is illegal...

And let's talk about terrorism, when "heads of state" [The United States, i.e., Eisenhower, Kennedy, Reagan, Bush Sr.] order the assassination of political officials, presidents, etc. in other countries, Cuba, Congo, etc., first clean-up the political "dirty laundry" here then talk about Iraq, Iran, etc.

Posted by kailumego1 at 01:33 PM : Jun 27, 2007


LMAO. boy are you on a tear!!! Sorry, not a neo con or a "right winger" never voted for Bush, probably won't vote Republican next year either. I am an independent--may vote Republican locally if someone is decent....as for your remarks. I can't dignify them--we'll just let them stand (or fall) on their own merits.

I have nothing against Rosie, but I do believe she is her own worst enemy and too mercurial for a stable show or an upbeat, fun one. You love her? More power too you--but many are glad she will not be telling them to spin that wheel and how to vote at the same time. (Or making a lot of judgements like you do). LMAO

[kailumego1]

Eitakj you are so typical and your post sounds rehearsed, so I presume you have some ambiguity about the war, or else you wouldn't feel the need to defend the U.S., Bush, or any other Westernized country%u2019s hegemonic policies.

Who are you trying to convince viewers or yourself, I'm quite sure your ideological stance would be much different if Russia, or Germany had invaded the U.S. and turned it upside down espousing its' totalitarian fascists policies.

Imperialist don%u2019t invade other countries because of a moral agenda or altruism, they encroach on other countries to control its raw materials/resources, its%u2019 market, and develop an economic conduit between them and the %u201Ccolony%u201D, in order to exploit their labor and sell goods.

Western European societies and the United States have never had an altruistic bone in its %u201Cgreedy money grubbing bodies%u201D, you are so delusional.

Since you've mentioned Japan and Germany, by which your hysterics over a possible invasion has about much of a chance of happening as you jumping off the Empire State Building, without a parachute and living.