Shallow minds

The last several weeks have been shallow because of events in the media. First Michael Jackson's death, Steve McNair's foolish loss of life, and finally the death of the political career of Senator Ensign of Nevada. They have one thing in common that makes their issues shallow: they were all addicts. Yes, addiction is the common link to their demise. Michael was addicted not to the pain killers, the surgery, the fame , the weirdness that caused his issues to be compounded, but to attention he received from onlookers. Everywhere he went he was mobbed by those whose lives are so shallow that they hung on every event, thought and nuance Michael made. Michael, seeing this (or rather those who handled him) began a systematised program to elevate the strange nature of his behavior and all of us bought into it, sometimes without thinking. We became aghast when Michael changed from normal to the extreme, but in our collective shallowness isn't that what we wanted? We as onlookers became rathered bored with talent and again those who handled Michael perceived that after all where do you go after an album like Thriller? So the theme changed: the King of Pop, Wacko Jacko. The trials, the acquittals, all leading up to more invasion of celebrity until saturated Michael the persona long forgotten succumbed to the drugs given to mask the pain of loss: himself, which media vultures picked on until he was laid out in the Staple Center, again displayed for all to see.

Steve McNair's issues were similar. Unable to climb to the summit of football (Super Bowl Champion) he so labored looking for this elusive dream or fantasy. A great player, one of immense courage, for it takes that and more to stand in the pocket, run from those who wish to tackle you and to take the blame for losses, especially from media that have never played at any level. Yet there he was year after year contributing to his community, family and friends; making good on his word for his parent (firing her from her job after being drafted); providing a future for his children and being a person that was under the radar. Yet we found out about his shallow life and the minds went there. Speculation as to why, how, what for and what was he thinking dominated the news as we waited in anticipation for any explanation, shallow minds seeking the tawdry. Now to be fair this was an action that was stupid and as a mature person McNair should have been more aware, but in the shallowness of this culture he could not. Hobbled by injury, McNair found out that no one loves you when you are down and out, and after a career of adulation this was difficult. No play by play job, no coaching position, he was, well, out of the game. And the drug of the crowds cheering his ability now a distant memory, and unfortunately relationshipwith a groupie lover eventually took his life and in the end tarnished a reputation and caused mayhem for his family. Let me declare it is easy to say that he knew better. Of course he did. But look at the shallow way of greatness lost and it is easy to make the leap to an unhealthy relationships when the crowd is all you hear.

Which brings me to the last person, Senator Ensign of Nevada. A man having an affair is not new, nor is the affair with another married woman; but the shallowness stems from the morality police that attacked other people. mThis is a person that is a Conservative, a protector of values, a spokesperson for all that is right, upstanding and positive in the United States. A representative of the people in a body noted for discourse and deliberation which is the definition of senatore. Again, here we are seeing a person broken by the shallowness of living a lie. Having violated the contract of another married couple, his accountability partners made him write a letter ending the affair, taking it to Federal Express, mailing it, then in what can only be described as a man who like Govenor Sanford of South Carolina in the unstability calls this woman, tells her the story, and to ignore the letter and by the way "meet me in Las Vegas." It does not get any better than this!!!

So what is it we should take from these sorry tales? That if we are to elevate the quality of lives it begins with us. I believe that ignoring theses stories and the stench they bring to our lives eventually will move society to more important stories. These sagas end badly and my heart goes out to all of the victims mentioned.They and their families and constiuants deserve better. My hope is that in the words of Michael Jackson: Just leave them alone just stop dogging them around! Later