It's not a criticism, it's an observation.
We are all star struck
Mike Cox

Noted child expert Brad Pitt, in a riveting interview recently, revealed some of his parenting philosophy. Pitt considers children to be deserving of a free rein; it allows them to develop their unique personality. He admits that sometimes this makes his adopted children rambunctious, but thinks it is important to their spiritual growth.

John Rosemond, a less famous but more informed expert, believes the opposite. He considers setting limits on children's behavior to be of utmost importance and says the development of the child's ability to operate in an adult world is much more important than their immediate desires. I wonder which expert America will emulate?

Americans have become a nation of celebrity worshippers. We have long been interested in what famous people do and say, but more and more we want to know every tidbit of their lives and magnify every phase of even a low level celebrity's existence.

Last week, two Columbia fast food workers were killed; evidently by a crackhead co-worker who thought it was a good career move to rob his workplace. He must have thought eliminating any witnesses would ensure his getaway.

That same week, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray in a freak accident while making a documentary. I have spoken with no one who mentioned the fast food workers' deaths or what would happen to their children. Irwin's family is much more likely to be taken care of financially but hand wringing abounds over his "poor kids."

At the same time, every news station, and most of the viewers, were way too excited about pictures of Tom Cruise's baby. With all the babies being born to people we know, why is Cruise's baby so important?

Every movie star or singer who endures an abusive or alcoholic parent, grows up poor, or has a minor eating disorder is treated like Gandhi. Ordinary obstacles, routine setbacks, and disappointments come across as Holocaust-like devastations.

Gossip and manufactured publicity, relegated to shows like Inside Edition in the past, now dominate the local and national newscasts. It's as if we consider what Hollywood does to be the most important of daily events. Mel Gibson, Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie, Whitney Houston, and Jessica Simpson have every aspect of their life breathlessly reported as if we were witnessing the first moon landing.

We have become a nation of moths; attracted by the bright lights and shiny exterior of celebrity life. Most of us consider what the folks in Hollywood do to be of utmost interest and importance. The sad thing is how little of the stars' real lives we see. Publicity experts choreograph each event and every public response. Even reality shows are manufactured

I was watching local news last week. One of the anchors said there was breaking news about Paris Hilton. In a sane world, there is no such thing. Even the untimely demise of someone as untalented and meaningless as Ms. Hilton should be a minor story. Anything else should go unreported.