I don't think a Stars opinion spins the earth. but, It does help shed light on situations that require attention. And I am not saying some stars are not filled like a helium balloon full of yang, but, don't dump em all in the same basket. Brad Pitt for one is not only putting his money where his mouth is but, also his sweat. Angelina Jolie likewise, (these are my fav ;D celebrity couple) There will always be haters that no matter how hard one tries will never be satisfied. I like Ben Affleck and Jennifer and their daughter Violet. I wish them the best.

Yes, I am completely cynical of stars peddling causes. Us Weekly should have made this a poll.

Look, celebs are narcissistic. They don't REALLY care about human suffering. If they did, they would inquire as to the suffering brought on people when they are forced to provide foreign aid for self-inflicted problems halfway around the world. Americans are having difficulty making ends meet right now because our federal government ran an inflationary policy to pay for social projects (including the humanitarian aspects of the Iraq War). Now, the economy is in the tank and gas is $4 a gallon.

But celebs don't care. Do you see any celebs complaining about how the price of gas is dragging people into poverty and forcing people to go without meals? No. They just like to attach themselves to big name causes. "Look at me, I am going to solve African poverty! Look at me, I am going to end the killing in Sudan! Look at me, I am going to save refugees! Look at me, I am going to bring education to all the world's children!"

Celebs, we are onto you. Stop with the nonsense. We don't want to send troops to Darfur or sacrifice our meager savings to some Third Worlder who will be starving again this time next year, just to stroke your oversized ego. Hire a legion of mercenaries if it is so damn important to you, or donate all your money. Leave us alone.

Very refreshing. He's absolutely right and I commend him for being the first Celebrity With A Cause to express one ounce of humility.

It was said long ago and is now a given that people do good things for selfish reasons: We give for what we get back. But that doesn't matter, so long as the good deed gets done.

I just wish more stars were honest about their true motivations - they get a whopping load of positive publicity, admiration, approval and respect for what they do, which often can result in little change at all for the people they are trying to help.

Like Ben Affleck says, it doesn't matter if celebrities have selfish motives (ANGELINA ANGELINA ANGELINA!!!) - what's important is that the good deeds get done.

Could we just have more honesty like this, please.

to 4:13. Yes, it's sad that there is poverty and hunger in our country. However, people who have traveled to 3rd world or other countries with extreme poverty, perspective can change.

In the late 90's I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to South America. I lived in Chicago, near Cabrini Green housing projects, at the time. I saw poverty in Brazil that made Cabrini Green look like the Hilton. I realized that while we have our problems as a country, we treat our people pretty well. You'll never eradicate poverty until those in poverty embrace change.

Additionally, I went to see a Kenyan warrior and tribal chief speak last night and to listen to him talk about he importance of education and incremental changes they're trying to adopt in their country (example reduce AIDs and female circumcision and 'educated' people cheating the illiterate tribal folks from their land) and it again made the problems in our country look so manageable.

Remember when Oprah wanted to start a school in Africa and the anger it caused in the US. She said if you asked a US kid living in poverty what he wanted and he said Air Jordans and you asked an African child and they said an education.

I don't know the answer and I haven't been blessed with the opportunity of tons of international travel, but I can see through a trip to Brazil and one to India that visiting other countries and seeing the devastation can change the perspective of those with money who want to create positive change in this world. Do you help one hungry child in the US who's parents have government assistance programs available to them or do you help a village of hungry people in another country who will die if food isn't provided by someone from the outside?

My suggestion is that we all pick a cause that feels important to us and either donate our time or our money (even if it's a few cents or hours) to change the situation.

Most normal working class people cannot afford to travel to far away lands to see for themselves the living conditions of other human beings on our planet. If the celebrities can, good for them. Having said that, I wish that some of these folks would take those cameras, and their money, and their causes and look into the inner cities right here in the good old US of A. There are people in this country who put their children to bed hungry every night. There are people in this country who have no homes to put beds in for their children so they live on the street. Everyone seems to turn a blind eye to that though because American's are privaleged, right? Not necessarily. People think that American's have it made and will be taken care of, not true. American's are expected to do for themselves, if you can't there must be something wrong with you so we'll just sweep you under the rug. Before we go off and save the world, we'd do well to help ourselves.

Ben makes a very good point. Listen to what he is trying to impart. Examine the causes the celebs are bringing awareness to and make your decision as to whether you agree or disagree and then take the appropiate action based on the knowledge you gleaned from the info you gained. Not just jump on the bandwagon because you either support the actor and/or entertainer but rather that you are also share a passion for that particular cause. Open your mind and use your head. Go Ben,you are the greatest.

JACK

YOU ARE ONLY DOING THE WORLD A HUGE FAVOR. SADLY YOUR PARENT'S DIDN'T DO THE SAME WHEN IT CAME TO YOU. YOU ARE ONE CASE OF ABORTION THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN JUST FINE.

Jack

Do you have kids? If so, did anyone lie and tell you they were adorable? There is nothing wrong with that little girl. And to bash a kid shows your immaturity.

Stars that stand for something!

When they become involved it brings more public awareness which is a good thing.

1:08 your'e an idiot. they too live in the real world.just because they are wealthy doesn't mean things can't affect them too and he's right. cameras follow celebs around all the time and if one can get attention redirected at something important all the better and ppl do pay attention.do you have a camera following you around all day? is anyone in the media asking you your opinion on things? hypocritical also means saying one thing and doing another & he's doing neither.just be aware of someone's motivation & don't look to them as so great but at the issue they are highlighting that you may not know about.geez.

To 1:13, He is saying it is normal to be skeptical about stars Cause's. But he is saying his is a real cause, one that should be known, unlike other star's that cause's are not as realistic or serious. He's not being a hypocrite, he's just saying it's normal to be skeptical and his cause is a good cause.

This is very hypocritical Ben and makes no sense! You are telling us to be skeptical of stars with a cause, while YOU (A STAR of sorts) is advocating a cause?

What a weird thing to say!

I think Ben is a really great guy. He's sweet, a great actor/director but a really good figure to look up to. He's got that charm about him and you can tell when he talks he means it. He doesn't try to sound all I can do this because I am me. I love Ben! And his wife! :)