Weeds Season 4 review: I'll pass this weed, FAST.

The catchy theme song we all loved to sing along with while getting excited for the latest episode is gone, replaced by clever logos and an imaginative script. Too imaginative, to say the least. Remember when Nancy was a bad mother who at least tried to do well by her children? When Doug was always comedy gold, Celia was bitchy but loveable, and Shane was innocent? Sadly, those days are over, folks. Never have I seen a cast once so endearing transform into characters I wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole. Thank God for El Andy, who at least retains his charm and seems to be the only character winning over more audience love with time.

Nancy Botwin is now officially a horrible person. One of the fascinations of this show was watching her balance that thin line between Suburbia and the Grasslands while juggling single parenthood. She was imperfect; a poor decision maker for sure, but at least she tried to bridge the gap between her growing(ly distant) sons. Her character has now officially all but given up any effort at all at maternal humanity. She goes through so many men that I’ve lost count and didn’t have time to form any sort of attachment with any of those characters except Conrad, who despite all those seasons of subtle romantic build-up, all but disappears from this latest season. Even Guillermo nosedived into awful. And when did Doug become a grouchy demanding irritant? Wasn’t he everyone’s favorite member of Agrestic? By the way, whatever happened to Agrestic? Oh yeah. Up in flames like everything else in the series. Agrestic played such a central role in the series it was a character unto itself. No more. The Botwins now live by the seaside in Ren-Mar where they engage in plenty of acts that are anything but comical. Celia’s character was initially written to be the next-door-neighbor, mother, and wife from hell (and the friend you should never double cross). Over the seasons, her character has melted into sheer terror. There is NOTHING funny about locking your ex-husband in a closet and abusing him. I’m pretty darn liberal when it comes to my sense of humor, but a lot of what is being pawned off as comedy is atrocious and completely amoral beyond belief, even for a TV show. I’m actually insulted that some of this is intended to be funny and frankly, disturbed by the implications. I guess the only realistic aspect of this show is that Shane and Silas would find their way into the drug underworld relatively early in life given their upbringing.

This is certainly NOT the season I’d ever want to watch. The entire thing was blanketed in a darkness so thick and storylines so unpleasant I dare not purchase the season and will gladly forget it ever happened if Season Five can resurrect any shred of credibility to its twisted fate. What was once ground-breaking comedy is more mangled than Celia's pillbox. Again, not funny. Part of what makes a great comedy last is material that actually accomplishes strong laughs and develops characters we can all relate to and love in spite of their flaws. I can't fathom any liking for any of these people this season. After all that viewing, it appears the show is indeed made of ticky-tacky and like everything else on TV, looks just the same.

Timothy Treadwell vs. Steve Irwin

I clearly remember where I was when I first heard the news. In the terminal of the Atlanta airport about to catch a flight to Paris. "Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin killed by stingray" scrolled across the news screen. Stingrays are oddly my favorite animal and I have pet countless rays and swam alongside thousands. I was in absolute shock to hear of his passing. I had a trip to go on and was rather preoccupied for the next few weeks when I returned home to hear about the tragic loss of a good friend of mine at a young age. Eventually, I did have time to think about Steve Irwin's strange journey and was saddened by the news and mostly for his young children who would grow up without a father.

Steve was one of those guys you felt you knew, he was a father-figure sort to kids around the world with his daring exploits to exotic locales peppered with all sorts of dangerous predators he loved to show you. It was wonderful that Steve cared so much about the conservation of wild life and educating young people. However, there were clearly better ways to have gone about it. Steve didn't just take you into an animal's world and show it to you, he would go up to the creature, pick it up, and many times taunt it, poking it and trying to provoke it to attack. Partly to show off it's defense mechanisms, and partly out of machismo. That aspect didn't seem too congruent with respecting wildlife but Steve was an entertainer. He well knew the risks of such behavior. He was almost a godly figure to his wife who followed him all over and to his friends and team, who all seemed completely baffled when something awful finally happened. Steve supposedly thought he would die young, but not at the hands of an animal. Despite his obvious knowledge on animals, he seemed to perceive himself as invincible when handling animals, exposing himself and his loved ones to constant risks, medic on hand or not. I remember the controversy surrounding Steve when he held his brand new baby Bob Irwin in one hand and fed a giant crock meat with the other. The audience was horrified and his actions met with international outrage. Steve responded by scoffing at his critics and boasting that he knew what he was doing and that he would never expose his child to any real danger. (Because feeding a giant killing machine a few feet away from a newborn is a totally sane harmless choice). Steve clearly thought himself a Crocodile Dundee, some larger-than-life character unbound to the same rules as the rest of us mere mortals in the face of wilderness. Contrary to his own flawed beliefs, NO ONE, no matter how smart, can predict an animal's every move.

Brushes with death were a recurring theme in Steve's life. I recall watching footage Steve and his then-brand wife Terri rock climbing. For some unknown reason, they didn't have much protective gear at all and Terri nearly lost her life that day, slipping to what would have easily been her death if Steve hadn't managed to find strong footing and pull her up with one arm. She seemed visibly pissed afterward, though I have to wonder which genius decided this was a good idea. How many times were Terri and those children constantly exposed to situations that could have easily turned upside down? As strong as Steve was, he couldn't possibly have controlled it all. The footage of the sting ray incident was billed as a freak accident; as a stingray lover, one of the things I love the most about this alien creature is how gentle and majestic they can be. Human deaths caused by sting rays are astoundingly low in recorded history. A stingray rarely attacks unless it is provoked, such as stepped on or caught on a hook. According to Steve's camp, the camera was somewhere in front of the stingray, shooting Steve swimming alongside rays. Steve was swimming above the ray when it was supposedly startled by the camera and thurst its tail upwards, penetrating Steve's heart with its barb. The stingray's thrust didn't kill him (and it's possible he could have survived if the appropriate action was taken; a man who was stung in the heart by a stingray barb was successfully treated). Steve's death was the result of his impulsive decision to pull the barb out which caused instant death. He probably didn't know just how deep in the barb actually was and I'm guessing it was panic as the worse thing you can do in a puncture situation is to rip out the object. (Remember that, folks). It seems a bit suspicious to me that a camera startled the ray. If Steve Irwin handled the stingray as he did every other poisonous animal he encountered on TV, my guess is that it was poked or provoked in some fashion and Steve's team didn't want to release that information. Either way, we'll never know as the tapes were destroyed against Steve's wishes. He once proclaimed on TV that if he ever died while being eaten by a croc or some such scenario, he wanted the camera to keep rolling.

The tragedy was obviously very sad, but I can't say it was altogether unpredictable. Much of Steve's work was educational in nature, but constant provocation was unnecessary and a show of ego. Steve wasn't the king of the jungle or the sea, he was another man trying co-exist with nature. Such an event could have happened at any point in his career and if it didn't happen in the sea that day, there is a big possibility it would have happened in another fashion. You can only luck out so many times. The thing that really gets me is how shocked everyone who knew him the most was. They clearly bought into the myths Steve was bent on perpetuating. Clearly, the family hasn't learned it's lesson. The other day, I saw a picture of Bindi Irwin with a huge snake wrapped around her neck. Not in some loose necklace fashion but literally with it's body completely twisted a few times around her neck in a tight fit. I can't imagine what prompts them to continue to play with fire and have pretty negative feelings about Terri Irwin having Bindi work so much after Steve's death and trying to get little Bob a show of his own. Those two children are beautiful and I'm sure they will continue to preserve wildlife and educate the public. I just hope they find more constructive means of doing so and learn their father's lessons.

Which brings us to yet another example of overly cocky man vs. beast. Timothy Treadwell, otherwise known as the man who lived amongst grizzly bears for 13 summers. I recall his appearance on The David Letterman Show where Dave asked him if he was "one of those guys that's going to end up on TV eaten by bears". Of course it was a joke and he passed it off as such and denied such an event, yet sadly it was a foreshadowing of events to come. Treadwell was certain no harm could come to him at the claws of a Grizzly, he claimed he knew how to assert his dominance in their environment and could peacefully live amongst them. Sadly, while at his campsite with his girlfriend, the two were killed and partially ingested. Recording actually existed (audio, not video, as the cap was still on the camera). Only one copy of the recording exists and it has never been available to the public, though partial transcripts exist. Apparently, Treadwell and the bear struggled. He shouted to his girlfriend that the bear was killing him and to help him. Apparently, they had no appropriate protection with them despite living in the woods and dealing with dangerous animals. He was heard yelling to his girlfriend to "get a frying pan". I was horrified to think that he was getting survival tips from Yogi the Bear cartoons. Thing about the logistics of this. An 800 lb bear is already about four times the weight of a human and is covered with fur and insulation. What on earth is a frying pan going to do, even if you get a good spot?! I am horrified that these two had zero weapons at their disposal despite their lifestyle and location. (PLANNING IS EVERYTHING. No one wants to think the worse is going to happen, but sometimes, it inevitably does. Be prepared.) These two should have known better, and anyone willingly subjecting themselves to these living conditions should absolutely know all of this. It's that same "Nothing will happen...I'm invincible...I know what I'm doing" mentality and naivete that kills. These men were not superheroes. Sometimes I wonder who is more delusional about their reality, the men who do this or the women who blindly follow them. Surely, there must have been SOMETHING of better use lying around. A pole from the tent? At least that could provide some leverage and distance, though I doubt even that would have done much. I'm sure there is little time to make decisions during emergency situations, but that's why it's so important to make a good one prior to acting. I'm sure the emotion involved must have been incredible. No one wants to see their loved one in peril and naturally people will do what they can to change the outcome but they should do so realistically. As romantic as it is that this woman tried to save her boyfriend, the woman was biologically far less equipped to successfully fight that bear off than he must have been unless she had a weapon on hand. There is a documentary available about Treadwell directed by Werner Herzog, "Grizzly Man". RIP.

Naturally, my heart goes out to the people in these tragedies and their families. I hope that the general public learns from these accidents and doesn't watch reruns of the Croc Hunter with ideas that any of this is something they should try while out and about. Just as in the recent story of the woman who had an adult primate at home with her who ripped off her face, people need to be aware that animals are unpredictable, no matter how trained they are. Especially wild animals that humans are thoroughly warned about interacting with in such an intimate manner.
(To that person housing a tiger in their basement - I know you're out there - DON'T DO IT! And if you do, make sure you are prepared for anything.)

Lesson: Ego scores 1000 points. Man scores zero. Komodo dragon takes all. Including Sharon Stone's husband's toe. (By the way, what was up with THAT?! Who told him to get into a cage with a Komodo dragon? My point exactly. Think people. Think!)

The Return of the Jon & Kate Plus 8 Thread

Yes, you knew a follow-up post was in order. I hope this has proven to all of you that PopSpiracy knows it's shizzle! Prior to any of this Kate-and-the-bodyguard nonsense and tabloid frenzy that has ensued, I warned you about these sneaky devils.


So here is the latest on the Gelflings Gosselins.

Apparently, Kate has sought refuge in the arms of her bodyguard while Jon is allowed to run around town and date women. The two have an open marriage, according to Kate's brother and his wife (Aunt Jodi). Now, in general, I don't believe everything I read. Neither do you, and that's why you're here at PopSpiracy getting your fix. That said...


What on earth does Kate Gosselin need a bodyguard for??? Where is Jon's bodyguard?!

Jon needs more than that. Perhaps one day he'll grow a pair. Until then, I don't know how Kate can continue to claim that they aren't celebrities when they: a) have a hit TV show b) have no anonymity c) have bodyguards d) eat at five star celebrity restaurants when in LA e) Kate can afford hundreds of dollars a haircut and makeover constantly f) Jon bought a new sportscar.

Foolish Kate thinks she can control the world, as brilliantly evidenced when she started hurling insults at tabloids, not knowing that they CONTROL THE UNIVERSE and are now going to go after her with all they've got. Great job stirring up the hornet's nest, Kate. That might be the rule in your house, but your house is now public domain, thanks to the choices you two have made for your family.

Confucius (or whomever) says: NEVER bite the hand that feeds you.

That said... have any of you noticed the timing of all of this? How odd that all of this controversy has to come right before the premiere of the next season of the show. Looks like the ratings of the show are in desperate need and the Gosselins are in hyperdrive trying to make sure the show doesn't get canceled. My guess is that the marriage already ended quite some time ago and they are just staying together to keep the money rolling in. When the show does get the plug pulled (and trust me, it will) there will be 8 multiples running around Pennsylvania with 2 unemployed parents. Brilliant strategy, J & K.

I am stunned by the sheep that continue to be blinded to the truth and defend these two. "You try having 8 kids!" or "They are just trying to provide for college..."

You are right. I don't have 8 kids. But I know people who are part of HUGE families, in which BOTH parents actually have to work and don't have the privilege of having their house and all of their possessions paid for by their own children. There are ways around this, and child exploitation is not it. Just ask OctoMom who is currently being sued by the state of Cali for trying to build a reality TV show around her multiples. The Gosselin kids sadly don't have the legal protection they deserve living out in PA. As for college... don't even kid yourself into thinking that there is going to be a cent left for those kids once they hit college age. Who knows what college in our country will look like 13 years from now anyway. If the landscape looks the same, BOOHOO - the Gosselin kids will have to work and get grants and scholarships or join public service or military life like everyone else in the same position. At the rate those two are spending, that money is going to be gone within five years.

Kate has also been arguing that her children "love" the camera crew and get excited when they come over. I have news for her, camera crews aren't family. She has managed to alienate her own family from her children's lives. Now, she has given them this "surrogate" family that is simply there for the purpose of money. The second that show ends (soon), those crews will be gone in a flash, and if there is any truth to the kids loving them, once again they will be deprived of even more social ties. Ye gads, imagine how traumatized these kids are going to grow up to be having everything of REAL value being ripped away from them and replaced by nonsense that won't bring them happiness or last another five years...

PopSpiracy says:

Jon & Kate = SUCK!

Dr. Drew is a hack.

I first came across the words of Dr. Drew Pinksy via Loveline, the once-MTV program turned radio show. Callers would phone the show with any number of sexual problems and scenarios for Dr. Drew, co-hosts, and guests to toss in their 2 cents. Most of the "advice" callers received arrived in the form of jokes and a condescending attitude, a fabulous response to people calling with real problems. Well, most of them were real. The ones that weren't deserved everything they got... Within 30 seconds of talking to a caller, Dr. Drew had already given them a diagnosis and the majority were told that they were sexually abused as children, whether they remembered it or not. It is actually completely unethical and incorrect for a doctor to diagnose a patient they haven't even met with based on dialogue that doesn't even last one minute. Dr. Drew is not the all-seeing eye of the universe, which would probably shock the hell out of him. People are complex machines unable to be broken down in a millisecond. I was often taken aback by some of the comments and smugness of Dr. Drew towards people in need.

Now, Dr. Drew is onto reality shows (surprise, surprise). First there was the Celebrity Rehab on VH1, which followed a group of addicts on the road to recovery. Then came Sober House, which chronicled the transition of addicts from a rehab clinic into sober living prior to taking their lives completely back in the real world. Initially I thought the concepts of the show were interesting, then I actually thought about what I was watching from the perspective of the guinea pigs who were a part of it. Whether they signed contracts to be on the show or not, this experiment is highly immoral and bound to lead to failure among the participants. The presence of cameras undoubtedly affects human behavior. The last thing addicts need is extra stimulation and reasons to act out. Suddenly, the patients are more concerned about getting their daily dose of publicity than actually taking their recovery seriously. It's not a surprise most of the individuals on the show are still relapsing constantly. How could they not??? The very idea of bringing cameras into the world of addicts breaks two of the cardinal 12 traditions of AA, NA, and recovery programs (which have 'Anonymous' as part of their title for a reason:


11. ... we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.

12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

(Source: The 12 Traditions of AA)

Nothing can break sobriety like people already obsessed with fame having more opportunities to access the very world that has contributed to the excess that put them at a rehab facility. These patients are going through very private battles which they can only weather under anonymous conditions. Dr. Drew is well-versed in this and doesn't appear to care about the success rate of his patients recoveries but rather getting his own name out in the public eye.

I discussed this matter with a good friend of mine who successfully fought the perils of addiction and turned his life around. He has since been sober for over a decade and is living a very fulfilled life. He can't stand these reality shows, which he finds to be a horrid idea and damaging to not only the participants but the fields of recovery themselves. He is correct to point out that such scenarios including cameras create opportunity for great conflict and drama, the essence of "watchable" TV. He also points out that many of these people are has-beens anyway and their addiction is suddenly affording them the opportunity to get famous again, so what message does that send out?

Clearly, these addicts are not a priority for anything but good ratings. My heart goes out to these people who are obviously under tremendous strain and are poor decision makers, proven by their decision to compromise recovery by signing onto one of these shows. I have no idea how Dr. Drew thinks he can justify such behavior, but I'd like to see him try. He writes extensively about ego, narcissism, and celebrity, three things that seem to describe him to a T.

Jon & Kate + 8 = Bad.

Like much of America, I was originally transfixed with Jon, Kate, and their 8 rambunctious offspring. The 411 for those folks tuning in who don't know the score on this show: Jon & Kate are a married couple who had two sets of multiples (twins followed by sextuplets). Supposedly, Kate had trouble getting pregnant and turned to fertility treatments. Upon learning how many children were growing in her womb, Kate and John (Christians not keen on abortion) had the babies.

Upon first glance, it seemed like a wholesome show. I found myself oddly drawn to it, partially because it made me appreciate my life so much more knowing I didn't have that level of constant bombardment at home. It was interesting to see these little people trying to discover the world with so many distractions. After watching the show more, I became incredibly disturbed.

While some insist that these two parents are wonderful, Jon & Kate have raised quite an eyebrow with their parenting techniques and personalities. Kate has become one of the most disliked women on television, largely thanks to her overwhelming neurosis and treatment towards Jon and her children, which is unbearable. Overly domineering and controlling, she didn't let her children chew gum or play with markers as she insisted their clothes would all get dirty and she'd have to wash it, as if that's not what would ultimately happen anyway...

There was an odd absence of other family members present in their lives. The only one that seemed to be involved in the rearing of the children from their respective families was Aunt Jodie, who subsequently disappeared off the show. Supposedly, members of her family have spoken out against Jon & Kate and claimed that they were getting upset that Jodie was part of the series and started blaming her for trying to cash in. If that isn't the tea pot calling the kettle black... it seemed that Aunt Jodie gave the children a freedom that Kate couldn't provide and she chucked her as I'm sure kids preferred Auntie time. When Jon & Kate were asked why their parents were more involved, they gave a vague answer - something to the effect of having bad relationships with them. What kind of family has 8 children and no help from their family? But sure, they'll expose them to strangers and camera crews. It seems that Jon & Kate have done a great job alienating the people in their lives from wanting to have anything to do with them. Let's assume that Jon & Kate don't like their parents. Those children have every right to have grandparents and any parent who would deny their children such an experience has every right to be seriously questioned. It's not about them, it's about what's best for their kids.

Kate's unhealthy habit to berate her husband constantly (particularly in front of the children) is annoying and resorts to not just emotional abuse but also physical abuse by smacking Jon when he doesn't do what she wants. Kate's controlling nature and Jon's passive aggressiveness make for a very unhealthy combination.

Part of what upsets people so much about these two is their constant complaints and insistence that they are poor, just to get sponsors to send them free stuff they can publicize on the show and send them on vacations. They make over $70,000 AN EPISODE and are millionaires. Jon & Kate don't do much to hide it anymore, having recently been spotted at a very pricey LA celebrity eatery. Kate complains anytime she does chores and cleans up after her family, meanwhile when the cameras are off they have a personal organic chef who cooks for the family and maid service. (I eat organic and I can tell you it costs about three times as much as the alternative, I can't imagine their food bills. While I'm happy to see anyone convert to organic, no poor family can afford it, nonetheless a large one.) They didn't even have to pay for their house.

The worse part is the exploitation of those innocent kids. Some people argue that they watch the show "for the kids". That's like watching a train wreck and saying it's for the good of the people in the crash. Watching isn't helping and giving this show ratings contributes to an awful cycle these children should be freed of. California and New York, given the entertainment hubs they are, have very strict rules involving children working in the entertainment business, i.e. Coogan Laws, etc. Given that Jon & Kate live in Pennsylvania, their children aren't subject to the types of protection they would have if they lived elsewhere and are taped far more than should be allowed. Yes, that is work, and it does stress them. The show is taped several days a week and the children are constantly filmed. There aren't rooms in the house that are off-limits, the bathroom is fair game. Sadly, these children are even taped using the potty or bathing, NOT the actions of parents that care about the welfare of their children. The exploitation they already receive is bad enough, but exposing them to perverts across the country is unacceptable. The toll on these poor kids must be tremendous, who are all going to need therapy. Imagine their embarrassment growing up knowing that their most private moments were shown to millions of people. Hopefully the Gosselins will invest the money they made off of their children on their psychological well-being one day, but it's doubtful. The stress will inevitably topple these children. Already affected is Maddy Gosselin, i.e. the kid from hell. This poor girl is so constantly negative and miserable it's painful to watch. I don't blame her, I'd be screaming to get outside of there, too, and she's clearly a product of a highly chaotic environment. Being that she's one of the oldest (the twins), the negativity will have a trickle effect on the younger ones who emulate their older siblings. If you think Jon & Kate have it bad now, just wait. And it will be a prison of their own making. I am reminded me of a scene in which Maddy placed a sign on her door with explicit instructions that no cameras enter and a giant frowning drawn face. It was a cry for help if I've ever seen one. All children need privacy to grow into healthy adults, these children don't even have a room in the house they can disappear to if it all becomes too much. That's because they'd spend all day in it.

Unsurprisingly, photos of Jon completely drunk at a party surrounded by women (sans Kate) surfaced. He was uninvited.

According to town locals, Jon makes his way to many of these shindigs and has no shame hitting on the town meat. I don't advocate infidelity, but being married to Kate must be a living nightmare. Not having the balls to stand up for yourself in the world must be pretty bad, too. Nonetheless raising a huge family and being on a show he supposedly doesn't even like. Of course, the Gosselin's came out swinging fists and denying any problems. Even Jon & Kate's renewal of wedding vows sounded like a ploy for a nice free Hawaiian vacation. They didn't look thrilled then either. These two don't seem happy with their lives or children at all. This is typical reality TV fakery at it's best. Someone call Dr. Drew, quick. So that he can exploit them too. Don't worry, I'm doing a story on him ASAP. You knew it was coming...

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, folks, but Jon & Kate are NOT good parents. They are not healthy, they are not happy, and they are destroying their children's lives. So are you if you continue to watch, I change the channel now. Why contribute to that? It is NOT cute. The fact that it got picked up for yet another season despite the public catching on to their inappropriate behavior is sad. Once again, America lowers it's standards. If you really care about the kids, STOP WATCHING.

The Jade Goody Phenomenon

Jade Goody was one of the biggest media stories of 2009. For those who don't know who she was, Jade was a reality television star that frequented several several reality shows including Big Brother, during which she became a controversial figure in the house for her lack of knowledge and racist comments towards Indian actress Shilpa Shetty which resulted in Jade being kicked off the show and over 50,000 consumer complaints to the networks. Jade continued to be a prominent figure in reality television shows and became a big star in the UK, having been part of numerous books (including a biography) and headlines and sold many products despite many polls suggesting most people had a negative opinion of her. While doing the reality TV gig "Bigg Boss" in India, Jade received the call that she had cervical cancer and left the show. She eventually found out the cancer was terminal and continued to live her life in the spotlight, heavily relying on the media to cover her every move and making a documentary as the disease ravaged her body. Jade gave interviews and allowed the media to tape and photograph her throughout the last months of her life. Jade even sold her wedding photos (marrying long-term reality TV star and criminal Jack Tweed) to the tabloids. Jade justified such behavior by saying that she was saving the money for her children, Bobby and Freddie, despite the huge salary and assets Jade already had as a result of her career choices. The media descended on Jade and public tide for her flipped, resulting in the public fixating on every morbid detail of her last days and elevating her into a somewhat saintly figure. Her husband Jack was able to get a significant portion of time out of jail (for assault) to spend time with her during her final months. Sadly, Jade Goody passed away on March 22, 2009, at age 27 on Mother's Day. Her home was flooded with flowers and cards of sympathy and mass public outcry (somewhat like the events that transpired after Princess Diana's demise, on a smaller scale).

Jade Goody made many enemies during her years for her racist views and comments and aroused antagonism from many in life as well as with the choices she made in handling the last month of her life so publicly. When Jade got cancer, public polls went from strong disagreement to a positive image and even many of Jade's detractors began to think of her as a wonderful person and forgot how much they had disliked her. They watched her deteriorate and die like bloodthirsty hounds, anxious for every new development. Even OK! magazine leaked the cover of their tribute issue with the years of her birth and death before she even died. The British public couldn't seem to get enough of Jade Goody.

I am astounded that the public could change their opinion so widely about someone because they became terminally ill. The truth is that cancer or any terminal illness is a horrible fate not to be wished upon anyone. I am appauled by the hypocrisy of the public for sanctifying Jade Goody after their constantly ridiculing her. I am disturbed that the public salivated for new photos of her and grisly details about her last days and that magazines and newspapers kept feeding the public very private details and fueling an inappropriate fire. I am completely baffled by the fact that Jack Tweed was able to get a get-out-of-jail-free card to be with her. As much as the public romanticized these two, the man committed serious crimes of assault and shouldn't have been given special privilege regardless of the circumstances as other criminals don't receive such treatment. Part of the punishment of being in jail is not being able to be there for milestones. As much as the public sympathized with Jade and wanted Jack by her side, it is unbelievable that he was shown such leniency and exception in the matter when that option is not available to anyone else in any similar situation. I am surprised that a disliked public figure and her criminal husband could be perceived as one of the great romances of the year. There are many wonderful couples who never receive such unprecedented attention who have a far more positive story to tell and many cancer patients and terminally ill stars who deserve to have their stories told as well and never get that chance, even if they were far better an example. I'm am not a fan of Jade's decision to live the end of her life in the public eye to raise money for her sons, but I can see both sides of the argument. I think it's noble to try to ensure her sons have a good life but she already was banking quite a bit of money and her husband was a TV presenter and the children weren't going to live poorly by any means already. Marrying someone guilty of assault and exposing your sons constantly to that person doesn't seem to be an idea of great foresight. Sure, we all make mistakes (though most of us never on that scale). However, Jack Tweed committed assault twice, once against a 16 year old boy. Fortunately, the children will spend most of the time with their father (who is not Jack Tweed). Jade Goody's short life and death is a great example of the media's exploitation of human suffering and the public's incessant and unnecessary "need to know" as well as the concept of elevating someone to a status they don't deserve just to sell papers.

I am glad Jade Goody is no longer suffering and is finally at peace. I may not have been fond of her but I was sad to hear she got cancer and I hoped it would not be fatal. I hope the media and public can finally leave her alone, even though I am aware she invited much of that attention. It just all went too far. My only consolation is that the rates of cervical cancer screenings in the UK went up 40%. Perhaps something good comes out of tragedy after all.

Prince William: What Does He Do? Part II

Above: Prince William surrounded by women and grabbing a young women's breast... And to think, this guy will most likely be King William V of Britain. Fortunately, royalty truly has no political power anymore, otherwise I'd be scared. Given that, they do have great symbolic value and are sources of pride to their country. Clearly, Princes William and Harry care so much about their family's reputation...

Sigh. I know I have harped on this before (see earlier post), but there's more. Recently, Prince William was publicly criticized by a royal commentator in Britain for "doing nothing". Cited as evidence was the fact that by his age, his father had done 84 royal engagements, and Wills has only done 11 (5 of which were related to football). I've been making this argument for quite some time and apparently several people agree or are waking up. In the few weeks since this happened, it appears the powers that be in the royal family are sending him off on one giant much-needed PR junket. Prince William has done more charity work in the last few weeks than in his lifetime. Going from charity to charity, holding children while cameras snap away, then going for the ultimate heartstrings tug by talking about his mother Diana publicly for the first time. The speech wasn't even written by him and his delivery was so void of feeling one couldn't help but cringe. On top of that, he was then interviewed on TV by a young cancer patient and he has now talked about flying economy on planes to aid the economy and has most recently been quoted about his desire to fight in Afghanistan. The public is eating this all up like mush, forgetting all about the allegations mere weeks ago. I would be too if it weren't all so contrived.

Forgive me if I don't buy it. If Prince William truly cared about any of this, he would have been doing it all along and prior to being criticized and called out in such a public manner for not doing the only responsibility he actually has. As for the economy, William isn't going to do all that much for it by suddenly flying with *gasp* mere mortals. If he cared that much about saving money, he wouldn't be flying off on lavish ski trips to begin with. I'm not even sure you can call them vacations because I'm not really sure that he's ever "worked". It appears William is far too happy to keep shirking his responsibilities and somehow the Queen has tolerated this, much to everyone's detriment. While fighting overseas for his country is a noble cause, Prince William is not blind. Even before entering Sandhurst [military academy], he knew they would not be sending him to war and risking his precious hide, whether he wanted to or not. The monarchy simply wouldn't take that kind of risk. Yes, Prince Andrew did pilot during wartime, however he was most likely never going to inherit the throne. For William the military is just one more way to hide from paparazzi and appear to be doing something when he isn't, something William is massively skilled at.

Note: Prince Harry did go to Afghanistan. Supposedly. Though there are rumors he wasn't really there and it was staged in some random desert, I'll believe this one. However, I don't believe he was there actually doing anything more than a photo op. His cover was "blown" by the media and so he was pulled out of Afghanistan early. If Prince Harry was truly covertly in Afghanistan on a dangerous mission, I fail to see how he was followed by a camera crew the entire time he was there. Obviously some media new of his whereabouts and he was intentionally filmed the whole time with his knowledge. This is not the behavior of someone actually doing their job but rather showboating and getting a rare opportunity to look positive in the press. I'm sure what the camera didn't show you was all the bodyguards standing around. It was also claimed that Harry killed a bunch of Taliban, which is completely unlikely. I do commend Harry for his bravery and I'm not going to deny that he must have taken some risk to be in such a place even for a short time, but given the non-stop camera presence I honestly don't take any of it seriously and with good reason. Also, it seems he would be a huge liability to all the troops around him and I don't know why the military would take that risk other than as a favor to the Queen, which could have turned out to be a deadly affair to all his fellow soldiers out there with him, which certainly wouldn't be fair. I have the utmost respect for military and the men and women risking their lives overseas. If they don't get constant media pampering in the desert, neither should he, if he is serious about it at all which doesn't appear to be the case. To make matters worse, Harry has continued to get himself into trouble. Along with fighting paparazzi, cheating on exams, wearing a Nazi costume, and smoking pot, Harry can now add to his resume new racist insults made while in the military and a shocking video in which he not only shows his level of homophobia but also talks about his pubic hair and insults his grandmother, the Queen. I wouldn't doubt that the Queen was happy to ship him off and hope he came back somewhat straightened but we all know that's wishful thinking. Such talk is always met by people calling Harry a hero for his brief engagement in Afghanistan (nevermind the men and women who have been there on their third and fourth tours for a few years apart from their families) or they say that everyone in the military makes racial slurs or that Harry is just being a typical youth. Being in the military does not mean less is expected of your behavior or standards, if anything discipline is important and enforced, even the military criticized his remarks. And in case you didn't notice, Harry is NOT a regular guy. He certainly has responsibilities and rarely tends to them. Harry should be ashamed of himself with the constant barrage of jokes and insults he's always hurling and the embarrassment it casts as a symbolic representation of his country to the world.

Back to William. Honestly, I want so badly to support these two young men. But they make it so difficult and are frequently praised merely for existing or being somewhat attractive instead of being given chastisement for avoiding their most central duties. It must be nice to have your lifestyle paid for and even so to resist doing your part. It seems that anytime these two are on a charitable endeavor, they make sure a camera crew is right there to capture it all. Being a patron of a charity as they both are is also a clever ruse, I see their names on paper and rarely ever see any opportunity in which they partake in charitable causes.
People want so badly to see Diana in these boys and sadly beyond the physical, it does not appear they have a strong desire to commit themselves to the service of others, a crucial part in being a monarch. As Prince William's looks fade, I have the feeling the public will be less endeared and begin to expect more from him as they should have from day one. Even Prince Charles, as hard a time as the media and public give him, has done a splendid job of engaging in philanthropy and royal duties, despite his private life. There is room for both.

Let me put it this way. If I was Prince William (or Harry) and had an ancient tradition dating back thousands of years hanging on my shoulder and I was the last living link to ensure its survival, I think I'd be taking this all just a wee bit more seriously. It's shocking how cavalier these two are about the duties they were born into. I am appauled when I hear people say that the crown should be passed over Charles and given to William. This is the most rediculous thing I've heard. Prince Charles may not be the most charming and charismatic individual but he has done everything asked of him and more. William has done nothing to deserve his place in the lineage. Sorry, being attractive doesn't make you fit to be a king. I am willing to give William and Harry the benefit of the doubt. If they were to take their responsibilities seriously, I would give them the respect they deserve. Until then, I am not going to be sucking up to them and thinking they are the greatest thing on earth when they haven't done anything to prove themselves as examples to their country or anyone else. If people think they have been great role models, I suggest you take a deeper look. And to William... I am glad he is FINALLY doing his job but saddened that it took public ridicule to get him to step up. Given that these things weren't done or said before, I highly doubt his sincerity. If in a few months William tucks himself under the radar again as I suspect he will, don't be surprised. I'll just have to say: "I told you so."