[ManInKhakiExorcist]

With regard to Mel Gibson, are we talking his personal problems, saying nasty things, or are we talking his film work before or behind a camera? If the former, I can see where you’re coming from.

Unlike those other folks you mention, though, I’d say Mel Gibson does more good for people — aside from his personal problems, by virtue of his work and dedication to making quality films. Personal problems, we’ve all got ’em. It’s how we deal with them that’s important. And celebrities or not, we can can be better examples to others, while hopefully avoiding our problems being “celebrated” and considered newsworthy, and marketable.

We ought to admire and celebrate the actions and works of celebrities that inspire us to be better people, rejecting their negative behaviors and opinions. They’re free to act as they will, like any of us, so it’s what they bring to the table that’s important, what should be weighed and considered, contemplated. Sometime they bring filth and poison, others times they can bring us what might be, and should be, considered quality entertainment (works with messages, with meaning). We must be selective with our entertainment diet. And our news. Seems they go hand-in-hand more than ever these days…

As for opinions of celebrities, yeah, if you don’t like it, let it go. Lots of people hate The Passion of the Christ, but Gibson’s actions seem to play a role in their hatred of the film; their loss. Of course, not subscribing to the film’s premise of divine sacrifice for humanity doesn’t help the film’s chances for appreciation, either. Art doesn’t always make sense, but if it’s good, the artist deserves respect. If, however, there celebrity really doesn’t amount to much in terms of what he or he offers the public, their followers (willing and unwilling), they’re a profound waste of their audience’s time.

*steps off the soab box*

M.I.K.E.