Charlie Sheen vs Our Military

In the news headlines last week the main story on most networks was the erratic and bizarre behavior of Charlie Sheen. Good ol’ Charlie seems to be going off the deep end and he’s getting huge press coverage, publicity that celebrities crave. While his rantings on television are disturbingly entertaining, one has to wonder why the American population as a whole are interested in the bizarre antics of a mediocre actor.

In the meantime, last week, Army PFC Kalin Johnson and Army Specialist Andrew Wade died in combat in the war in Afghanistan. Aside from their local, hometown newspapers there was no news coverage about either of these two young men. Their deaths went virtually unnoticed while Charlie Sheen appeared on television time and time again, sometimes with his two live-in bimbos, and America watched every episode.

Why is it Americans love celebrities, almost to the point of worship? They want to look like celebrities, dress like them, and read/watch every possible bit of news coverage they can find about celebrities in general and especially their favorites. Some people also form their opinions and even vote according to what celebrities say in public. I find it fascinating that a celebrity can tell people who they should vote for or how they should feel about certain topics and people actually listen to them. Most celebrities are, after all, ordinary people who happen to be famous because of their jobs. Why does that make them politically savvy enough to advise people how to vote? For that matter, why do people believe a given celebrity is knowledgeable enough to advise them how to vote, simply because they’re famous?

The men and women who fight and die for our country deserve to be in the news, in the headlines and even deserve some celebrity coverage. How about, instead of bashing the war and the United States for fighting it, more celebrities get on the bandwagon and praise the troops? Whether they agree with the war(s) or not, those fighting it deserve our attention, our praise, our thanks and our respect. These brave soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen do whatever is asked of them by their government and some die while doing it. And they do it voluntarily. Rather than Charlie Sheen on our televisions every night, how about a tribute to those who sacrificed and gave their all for their country? They’ve certainly earned it.