Thursday, June 28, 2007

Sick of Celebrities

Can someone please explain to me why Paris Hilton equals "news"? Paris Hilton is a wealthy young woman, who (in my humble opinion) has nothing but her money to commend her. She has never been cited for doing anything productive or kind. She does not work, she does not contribute to society, she is not remotely representative of the American public. Yet, each morning, when I sit down to read the news and enjoy a cup of coffee, I am greeted by Paris Hilton in the headlines. So nice to know that she has found god since her stay at our expense.

Robert Kennedy Jr. has said that we (Americans) are the best entertained, but least informed group of people. I think he is probably right. (No party remarks here, please, this is not a political issue.)Are we so complacent and bored that we think it's okay for Paris to get top billing when the Presidential election is coming up and we are still at war in Iraq?

Paris must be selling, because she continues to be headline news, along with Britney's ridiculous antics, and Lindsay's rehab. Who really cares? These people do not impact our lives, except in the way that they influence our youngest women to emulate them. They are only a circus act distracting us from the important things that do affect our lives.

Tracking celebrity misadventures is best suited to the National Enquirer and People magazine. It's time to pay attention to important issues. Just in case you didn't notice, gasoline is at $3.00 per gallon. Do you know why? Do you know who Ron Paul is? Is ethanol a sustainable source of automobile fuel for our future? What is happening to Florida's fresh water supply and how will we continue to support our growing population?

It's time to get off of our collective butts and let the so called "news" sites know that we want real news in the headlines. Put the celebrity junk where it belongs - in entertainment only - and keep it off the front page. We have important issues facing us nationally and globally. Paris is probably not going to help us resolve any of those things. It's our responsibility. Let's take it seriously.

I suggest that we boycott any news page that features celebrity hijinks as headlines from July 1 through July 7. Send an email to your news page (look at the bottom for "contact us" and send your comment). If each of you can get just a couple of people involved, we have the potential to make an impact.

It's your world. Make it the best it can be.

P.S. Today I was looking for a new dog. The kennel closest to my home advertises that "39 celebrities have bought our dogs." You know what? I'm looking elsewhere and I'm letting them know why.