You may have seen Mike Tyson’s interview in Details magazine last month, in which he called himself “a f***ing piece of s***,” and “a pig,” and said to yourself “That’s just the meds talking,” or possibly “When’s the Hangover sequel coming out?” But Tyson’s desperately frank journey of introspection apparently was no lark; according to comments made to Sports Illustrated magazine, he’s planning a trip to south-east Asia to help impoverished communities.
From Internet Movie Database:
Tyson tells Sports Illustrated magazine, “I want to count for something. Not in the name of God or any religion but in the name of self-dignity.
“I feel I’m a clown, I’m a joke. I just want to do nice things so my kids can respect me. I want to live in a hut in Burma.”
Of course, you never know if Tyson picked Burma out of thin air, or if he even knows where it is. But if he’s looking to help the less fortunate, it’s a good choice. From the U.S. Department of State web site:
According to Burmese Government budget data, public health expenditure has accounted for less than 1% of total government spending. High infant mortality rates and short life expectancies further highlight poor health and living conditions. Tuberculosis, diarrheal disease, malaria, and HIV/AIDS pose serious threats to the Burmese population. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is poised to re-enter Burma and plans to begin programs in early 2011. In 2009, the UNDP’s Human Development Index, which measures achievements in terms of life expectancy, educational attainment, and adjusted real income, ranked Burma 138 out of 182 countries.
Could it be that we’re seeing some sort of grand transformation here? We’ve seen the monstrous Tyson, the unbalanced, ear-biting Tyson, the whacked-out druggie Tyson, the contrite, self-loathing Tyson. But are we now witnessing a man on a true path to redemption? As Peter O’Toole said in Lawrence of Arabia, “Nothing is written.” Or, if you prefer, Mos Def to Bruce Willis in 16 Blocks: “People can change.” As much as I’ve enjoyed the freak show, I’m really rooting for him to pull this off.
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Tyson eyeing Burma trip [IMDB]
Castrodale: What are we to do with Mike Tyson now? [Out of Bounds]
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- jfreeman - Aug 17, 2010 at 2:17 PM
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ummm this article doesn’t mention that there’s an ongoing genocide against the Karen people in Burma, on top of massive human rights violations. I’m pretty sure that their government wouldn’t even let him into the country unless he sneaks in Rambo style.
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- wowlfier - Aug 17, 2010 at 2:44 PM
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Tyson can go take a dip in volcano at Hawaii as far as I care. He is a jerk and will never be ‘balanced’ nor nice.
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- bobauss - Aug 17, 2010 at 3:12 PM
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Does anybody care about this moron anymore ???
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- McKludge - Aug 17, 2010 at 3:17 PM
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I think he’d be much more comfortable in Bolivian than in Burma.
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- Sally in Chicago - Aug 17, 2010 at 3:24 PM
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Suggestion to Tyson: Haiti needs help.
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- spartyfi - Aug 17, 2010 at 3:27 PM
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You should care, you should care about all people and in particular those that are TRYING to figure themselves out and make themselves into better people. Isn’t that what life’s about? Not a one of us is perfect and some are more ignorant than others, some do more foolish things and take longer to find their place or learn who they are but does that make them any less important than you or I? NO.
We’re all just trying to make our way through this grind that is life, give the guy a break and at least applaud him for recognizing his faults and trying to correct them. Instead, you judgmental self righteous folks gotta bash.
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- Dewan Gibson - Aug 17, 2010 at 3:37 PM
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Rick, why the snide comment about Tyson’s intelligence: “Of course, you never know if Tyson picked Burma out of thin air, or if he even knows where it is.”
Believe it or not Tyson is very smart, as evidenced by his discussions on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and a host of other issues during interviews. Did you watch the documentary about Tyson? Did you go back and view/read any of his interviews?
Though his speech impedient causes him to sound inarticulate he has a strong mind. Come on Rick, step your journalism up a bit.
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- Happster - Aug 17, 2010 at 3:45 PM
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Can he afford that these days?
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- Happster - Aug 17, 2010 at 3:46 PM
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Can he afford that these days?
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- Dan - Aug 17, 2010 at 3:49 PM
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On the plus side, it’s fairly easy to sneak in to Burma going Rambo style. Just work yourself North by Northwest and stick to the trees. It’s all downhill from there…
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- Travis - Aug 17, 2010 at 4:29 PM
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Isn’t it called Myanmar?
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- tb - Aug 17, 2010 at 6:25 PM
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Correct.
I love that the first 10 posters didn’t notice this while mocking Tyson for being dumb.
And a person suddenly realizing what a douche bag he has been and feeling like a need to make up for it is something this world could use more of.
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- Chris - Aug 17, 2010 at 9:17 PM
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you people have absolutely no compassion which makes you far worse than him. you don’t know his pain or his path; you just see what the media chooses to portray which also makes you a pawn of the media. I hope he finds peace and does nothing to feed any more of the public’s blood lust.
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- Lou Stools - Aug 30, 2010 at 7:15 PM
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Hey, since the country changed its name, do we have to get nostalgic over “Myanmar Shave” jingles?
