"Why is Britney Spears Always on TV?"

[demgurl]

This question was posed to me by my SEVEN year old son and all I could do is laugh because he seems to have more sense than most of America. Of course, this is a seven year old who, when NPR mentioned Exxon this morning, said he could not understand how they made big profits when that is the company who ran a boat ashore and killed and harmed all those animals. He can not seem to grasp why people will pay money to Exxon when they thumbed their nose at the American people stating they did not care how much of a punishment is doled out because they would just pass it onto Americans. He understands not only about boycotts but the reason behind them. (He is also well versed about Walmart)

This, may a proud Mom add, is also a child who knows about the budget surplus under Clinton, who told John Edwards, in person, that he hoped he would be the next President (which made John laugh) and who can tell you that the female Democratic candidate is married to Bill Clinton.

I tried to explain to him why there is so much Britney coverage but said it still baffles a lot of us when the whole country is in trouble and going down the tubes. I wish everyone would stop and wonder and then demand better coverage.

[mitchum]

1. Because she has been convinced from an early age that she wouldn't exist...

if she's not on TV

Your son does sound like a wonderful young man

[demgurl]

12. He is wonderful. Thank you. nt

[Donk Yore]

2. Britney is my life

Yes, I am a MSM slave. (drool, spit)

Do not take the Britney stories away from me or suffer the consequences (drool, drool, spit, cough)

[MADem]

4. Are you the Leave Britney Alone fellah? nt

[MADem]

3. Because she is mentally ill, shows her hoo-ha to strangers, and is quite famous for being a dreadful

singer and "lowest common denominator" entertainer.

She's pathetic. She is a walking, talking, swearing, head-shaving example to the poverty-stricken, unwashed masses that "Money doesn't buy happiness."

She's the CIRCUS part of a Bread and Circuses theme--the bread is supposed to show up in a Bush rebate check, maybe.

[demgurl]

13. But why do people care to watch that stuff

when our country is going down the drain? I prefer to know what goes on my country because it effects me in so many ways.

[MADem]

17. It empowers stupid people. They sit in their misery, and point their

beer can at the tee vee, and pass judgment on the pathetic, crazy rich girl. "At least AHHHH don't have the cops at the house all the time!!! At least AHHHH put the kid in the carseat!!!! At least AHHHHHH can go to the store and not plow into a parked car!!!"

It's a way of making themselves feel "better than" someone who made a lot of dough for shaking her assets and warbling badly.

Only twenty percent of Americans give a shit about the future of the nation. The rest are playing video games, watching Total Request Live, arguing about the LOST plotline, and shopping.

[demgurl]

20. We need to chanage our priorities in this country..............

or we are doomed.

[AlCzervik]

5. the Britney story is an easy one for lazy networks and journos, no thinking goes

into the coverage.

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. "Well sweetie, it's because most grownups are stupider than you".

Sometimes you have to package the truth in ways that kids can understand.

:hi:

[demgurl]

15. Hi, lumberjack........

If I was to be totally truthful I would tell him about coporate ownership of the media and how they are the lapdogs to the GOP. I just have not wanted to go there yet but I have been quite open and honest about everything else. People are lazy but I think this subject has many layers to it including the media being comlicit in covering up GOP crimes.

[doc03]

7. Everyone likes a wreck

just watch on the highway everone has to slow down to see if someone got hurt or killed. Why do many people really watch Nascar, for the wrecks.

[Marblehead]

8. because.....

they don't want you to hear real news...

[PoiBoy]

9. WMD...

...a Weapon of Mass Distraction.. is that TeeVee machine...

your seven year old is AWESOME, demgurl.. to be so aware of the world he's growing into... and kudos to you for being such a caring Mom... exposing him to truth and experiences that will inform and inspire him..

what a remarkable young man..!

[demgurl]

19. Thanks, PoiBoy but I am only one half of the equation......

My husband is so smart and we raise our kids together. We decided we would never talk down to our kids in any way. We talk politics at the table at least 5 nights a week. NPR is on the radio every morning on the way to school. We always explain choices we make (such as not shopping at Walmart) so that they will grow up knowing that they need to question things and make intelligent decisions.

He is so smart. He wants to grow up to be a doctor and move to China! His Santa wish list included books about inventors! I am afraid he is so smart I may run out of guidance I can give him but I will always love him.

[2rth2pwr]

10. Because a hell of a lot of people are interested.

Her picture sells magazines, newspapers, gets ratings, gets internet advertising and clicks on websites that feature her story.

Good or bad, that's what the people want.

[demgurl]

21. I wish they found their drinking buddy so interesting.

I find Bush scandals so much more interesting than anything Britney might do. And, quite honestly, I think anything that happens with her is just none of my business!

[msongs]

11. u know the story - say anything u want about X but make sure you spell the name right nt

[Quantess]

18. she did spell the name right. Britney Spears. (n / t)

[demgurl]

22. I did spell her name correctly.

And if I hadn't that would have made my point even more about how little I care about her. What she does is her personal business and none of mine. I feel the same about any celebrity. The real point of my OP is that my seven year old son is smarter than most people that get pulled in by all this and totally neglect the state of our country.

[Karenina]

34. I believe you misread msong's reference...

That's the PR golden rule. "Let them write whatever they want as long as it gets to print with the name spelled right." The corrolary is "There's no such thing as BAD publicity." Ink is ink.
Follow the money.

msongs wasn't commenting on YOUR spelling.

[demgurl]

35. Oh, OK.

They will print what they want as long as it is nothing bad about the GOP. Then, Fox will change that 'R' to a 'D'and tout what a bad party we are .

[SmellsLikeDeanSpirit]

14. They want to see her die, so they can start writing books and making TV movies about it.

[Quantess]

16. A big time celebrity train wreck? C'mon. She's before your son's time.

People are fascinated with a rich, famous celebrity who is on a downward spiral. Then we normal people can feel sorry for her. And I really do feel bad for Britney Spears.

[demgurl]

23. I think all he sees is that every time they mention her name on TV.......

I end up shutting it off as quickly as possible. But that is the same as all celeb news that comes on my TV, I turn it off because I don't have the patience to listen to it while our country crumbles. Our priorities are so sad.

[Quantess]

26. I do agree. How's IRAQ? How's the economy?

Tragedies happen every single day that we have a "war" in IRAQ. The economy is not going to improve if we keep funneling taxpayer money, and trillions of dollars in debt, to the IRAQ "war".

While I do feel bad for Britney Spears, all this undue attention is only making it worse for her. And worse for us.

[demgurl]

36. What is sad is that when they do 'report' on the important things....

it is always spinning the information. The economy is 'robust' and we are 'turning a corner' in Iraq. They tout how the surge is working but they do not bother to give details about how we are paying the Iraqis not to attack us. I want out of this Orwell novel.

[BeHereNow]

24. "Because America is full of sick fucks, honey" ...well maybe modified for the age range.

Tell him that our country is currently inflicted with
a certain "soul-sickness." That we are a people
who have placed our values in the shitter with the help
of corporate marketing and brain washing.

Tell him Britney is a symptom of our collective dis-ease.
Then offer him a copy of Animal Farm.

BHN

[demgurl]

37. Hey! I love the "Animal Farm" idea.

He has to do one book report a month and he has not yet chosen a book for this time around. Thank you so much, BeHereNow.

[Donk Yore]

25. A better question is why hasn't * rubbed her head? n/t

[Quantess]

31. Why hasn't Bush rubbed Britney Spears' head for good luck?

Was that the question?

Okay, first, Britney Spears' shaved head is not like a fat Buddha. Nobody will get anything but bad luck from rubbing her head or belly.

[madrchsod]

27. why? tens of millions are generated off her misery

she is a grand distraction from the insanity that is called america...

[bluedawg12]

28. They exploit her for greed; I say send positive vibes/prayers

that young woman has talent, her life is a wreck, I am very glad she is in hospital and not another young D.O.A. celeb.

I think she has a serious diagnosis that goes beyond craving fame, I think she may something very real and troubling and it must be frightening for her.

I say do the other thing, the one they don't expect-- show kindness and grace and send good vibes or prayers or positive thoughts-what ever you prefer- only we can break this cycle of exploitation by the media who have no shame.

[margotb822]

29. The Republican Party pays her

And other celebrities to act like fools so the nation will focus on them instead of the fact that our "leaders" have trashed our country.

[nadinbrzezinski]

30. Introduce him to Cicero and bread and circuses

though since he is also asking about Mrs Spears, also use the opportunity to intro him to mental health and the treatment of mental disease, and the wonders of 51-50 holds.

She offers a rare opportunity to intro your son to a real issue, that is swept under the carpet

[demgurl]

39. I do try to talk to him when presented with the opportunity.......

and even when I am not presented with the opportunity! I am also just not sure how to explain to my son that mommy may be telling you things about mass corporate cover-up, via the media, to protect the government but please do not tell anyone because they will ostracize you.

Last year my other son's classmates were discussing religion and my son spoke up to say he does not believe in God. They called him names and one little girl said she was not allowed to play or talk with him any more because he does not believe. (my, how Christian of you!) There are a lot of right-leaning folks at that school and I hate when my kids pay for having thoughtful and honest views.

A few months ago I was volunteering at a book fair and this other volunteer was going through a rough period in her life. I turned to a page, in the book I was reading, and read her a passage about what to do in times of trouble. This passage perfectly matched up with what the librarian just told her and the librarian is a staunch Christian. The girl dismissed what I told her because it was from a book pertaining to Buddhism!!!! So, let me get this straight, 'my guy' just won a nobel peace prize and there has never been a war fought in the name of Buddhism but somehow her belief system is right and mine can be easily dismissed.

Those are the types of people my son has to deal with and since so many of them STILL support Bush, it would be easier if my emotionally sensitive son did not end up ostracized over this. That is actually one of the main reasons I have not brought up the vast right-wing conspiracy to him. I know they will crucify him if he ever talked about it.

[alittlelark]

32. She has a big enough butt to hide Iraq troop deaths????

Just guessing here ya know.

[Golden Raisin]

33. Crash & Burn sells, distracts, self-satisfies & numbs.

Easier and craftier for MSM to do a saturation campaign showing Britney imploding 24/7 instead of 4,000 body bags full of American boys and girls massacred in Iraq, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis blown to bits, tortured, maimed, etc.

[Snarkturian Clone]

38. "Because we worship celebrities with low intelligence, dear...

and elect them as our leaders."

[NC_Nurse]

40. Because they make money every time she's on. nt

[Orsino]

41. Because the only thing we love more than royalty is the guillotine. n/t

[B Calm]

42. I love watching Olbermann, but when his nightly Britney Spears coverage

comes on, I change channels!