When Ringo announced that he wasn't going to sign any more autographs, there was a HUGE backlash against him. He has recently explained himself, saying that eBay was the reason he quit. This explanation has soothed a lot of angry fans, but not all fans. Also, this recent explanation was old news for some. Where do you stand on it all?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8614359.stm
*Do you think Ringo is a jerk for refusing to sign any more autographs?
*Do you think Ringo is entitled to make this decision?
*Do you think Ringo is right for banning future autographs?
*Are you angered by those who have been profiting from selling autographs?
*Are you a fan who relies on eBay for building your Beatles/autograph collection?
*If you have/had an autograph, would you ever sell it? Why?
*Does this decision make you dislike Ringo now?
As I've said in previous entries, I am NOT taking a side because I want to look at both sides and get you all thinking! The purpose of this blog is not to always push my opinions on people, but to inspire thought.
Side 1: If I were him, I would not want to autograph anything anymore. You stop to supposedly make a fan's dream come true...and the next day it's for sale? These people make money off of fooling Ringo into thinking they're fans. That simply should not be happening, especially when these people who are making the money are also unaware of how great the gift is! Why would anyone sell something so precious? They must be crazy! Plus, after so many years in the business, doesn't he have the right to be tired? You've got to stop some time, right? There's countless autographs circulating already...that's enough.
Side 2: As a fan, this announcement hurts. I'd definitely be willing to pay money to get my hands on an autograph because that's the only way I expect to ever have one. Even if these jerks don't appreciate what they have and then make money off of it, I still get something out of it! This announcement kills a lot of opportunities for collectors that won't ever have a chance to meet them...of course now, even if they meet him, they won't get an autograph. Plus, he was a BEATLE, for goodness sake...but he doesn't have enough time to give us fans something quick that we'll treasure forever? You're in show business...what do you expect? You can't be TIRED of it. What about future fans that have no chance now? It's all such a tremendous blessing to be RINGO STARR and you should be grateful!
Some of the things I wrote above I strongly disagree with! Some of the things I wrote above are things I strongly feel. Let me know how YOU feel. Even though I'm not revealing my personal feelings on him and this decision, I will say that when he gave the announcement, he also gave a deadline for autographs. I, like countless others, took his words seriously and wrote him before the deadline and therefore received an autograph in the mail! It may not be personalized and it may not have been handed to me by him during a meeting, but I got one...and I thank him for giving us all that last-chance opportunity!
PS: If anyone is wondering, Paul is still signing autographs...no worries!
Also, Ringo gets picked on A LOT...and it started long before this announcement. I want to be clear that I am NOT posting this debate to participate in Ringo-hating. I am just treating it as a debate because it's a hot issue right now.
