Does anyone else feel terribly uncomfortable watching the Britney Spears train wreck unfold? I mean, isn’t it sort of like watching a dog on a chain being poked with a stick?

This girl’s public persona was manufactured by entertainment industry insiders with only profit in mind. A supposedly Christian belief system was thrust upon her, one that went so far as to include public discussion of her virginity, apparently whipped up for her by her handlers, which may or may not have included her own parents. Then, oops, the whole foul balloon burst in the fiery furnace of her marriage, and now her misery has multiplied to include her two sons. This hotly pursued artist has become public prey, chased by viciously gleeful paparazzi, mocked relentlessly by every entertainment host with a microphone, and bounced like a wayward pinball from disapproving judges to rehab facilities too numerous to count, and back to the scornful front pages of every tabloid in the nation. Is it any wonder that she finally took a pair of shears to her head? Geesh, I’ve been known to shave my head for a lot less!

I’m not saying she didn’t have a hand in her own inevitable yet stupendous implosion. And I understand why people who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers are especially intolerant of her almost continual bad choices. I’m just remarking on the general and disturbing lack of mercy most of us seem to have for this little girl lost. Maybe it’s because of all the opportunities she has blown; maybe it’s just because she’s wealthy. Or maybe it’s simply resentment spillage carried over from the only public figure more deserving of scorn than poor Britney. (I’m talking, of course, of the ubiquitous Paris Hilton). But whatever the reason, it brings to my mind the familiar phrase ‘there but for the grace of God….’

No, I can’t sing, or dance, or even look good in spandex anymore. But I still can recall what it’s like to be lost. God help me if I ever forget.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 at 10:36 am and is filed under Staff Blogs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.