What is this world coming to?
Is it possible that prolific letter writer Michael Cook wrote an entire entry for last week’s Newburyport Current (“Culture of celebrity is all about marketing”) without including “President Bush” and an unflattering adjective in the same sentence?
Is it also possible that our Senator Kerry called former president Bill Clinton a “liar” last Friday?
It is not only possible but also true in both cases. I found both occurrences refreshing.
I will admit that I generally only read Michael’s entries until the word “Bush” shows up. After that, the Far Left talking points start and my interest vanishes. I’m not crazy about President Bush, especially on immigration, but he is not the cause of all the evil in the world.
In this article, which I was able to read in its entirety, Michael opined on a topic that my wife and I have discussed more than a few times: “Why do some of the lightweights of our society get paid so much money?” Like us, Michael wonders why those who really make a difference in society struggle to get by.
Michael credits this unfairness to the fact that the successful are getting assistance from publicists while the rest of us are not. We may be doing great things but no one is notifying the media of it or setting up contacts that will lead to financial rewards. I absolutely agree.
I do think we have to remember that we live in a culture that is willing to pay dearly to be entertained. Those offering the entertainment know this. When ticket prices go up people are outraged. However, they do have two choices – pay or stay home. Most choose to pay and that just emboldens those offering the entertainment.
Michael thinks that the sordid lifestyles of many of the celebrities will eventually lessen our interest in following them and/or paying to see them perform. I hope he’s right but after flipping through the TV channels and seeing previews of coming attractions, I think that those providing the entertainment totally disagree with Michael on this point. The faces and thoughts of fools are constantly before us today and most likely will be there tomorrow.
When the Super Bowl is over and they start interviewing the participants you can bet that more than a few players will be an embarrassment to watch………but we’ll watch just to see if they embarrass themselves. Of course, if they’re celebrating Patriots players we’ll bear with it and the networks know that.
The other pleasant surprise I referred to was Kerry calling Clinton a liar. It wasn’t breaking news that the Clintons are often free and easy with the truth it was just that Senator Kerry showed some moxie and went after the Clintons. Kerry’s endorsement of Obama early this month didn’t cause much of a stir. I, in fact, thought that Kerry’s endorsement might do Obama more harm than good since Senator Kerry is about as popular as those dogs that leave their calling cards down on the Merrimac River boardwalk are.
It aggravated many Obama supporters that because Kerry delayed his endorsement he fumbled a chance to help Obama in the neighboring New Hampshire primary. A number of national media types, much to his embarrassment, noted Kerry’s poor timing.
The media criticism stirred Senator Kerry into action. He made sure that he wasn’t late in having an impact in Massachusetts on Super Tuesday (February 5th). This time around he not only told the truth about the former President but also reinforced his support for Senator Obama. Hillary currently has a 30+ point lead in the polls in Massachusetts. However, with Governor Patrick, along with Kerry and now Senator Kennedy backing Obama it could get a lot closer come primary day.
So, thank you Michael Cook and John Kerry for pleasantly surprising me.
(Submitted to the Newburyport Current on January 29th as a letter to the editor. )
McClelland Miscellanea 