6.1 Shakespeare, perfection, Brittney and Lindsey
Shifting gears I want to focus a bit on Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, and the character of Marcus Brutus. An honorable man brought into a conspiracy to kill Caesar before he takes the throne of Rome. Brutus speaks on why he took part in the conspiracy, but he fails to take notice of one little detail. He fails to notice that not everyone is as honorable as him. Several times he fails to come to this conclusion and it leads to his downfall at the hands of Caesar's forces, and the ghost of Caesar himself.
And maybe that was Miley's mistake. She expected everyone to be as understanding as she was in certain events, or come to the conclusions she (and others) had. Only to find that they didn't have the same understandings that she did.
So to that end one has to ask...what do they want from Miley? I think the answer is simple. 'Perfection'. As well as an avoidance of the sex, drinking, drugs, and club hopping exploits of Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan.
The 'definition of perfection' that may be demanded has been seen in some performers. Performers like Deborah Gibson, Tiffany Darwich (both of these were teen singers in the 1980's), Hillary Duff, as well as Alyson and Amanda Michalka-who form the singing duo of Aly and A.J. All of these performers had the wholseome good girl image in the past....
....and faded into obscurity some time later.
When they turned 18, no one cared. Deborah Gibson's career went downhill after her third album, as did Tiffany's. An article about Miley pointed out how Hillary Duff's career went down hill after several box office flops, and was lucky to get a guest role on Gossip Girl. Aly and A.J. are hardly heard from anymore as other acts have appeared. Acts like Miley, Selena, Demi, the Jonas Brothers, and more. Despite Brittney staying in the spotlight along with Lindsey.
But for Brittney the party ended with her trip to the hospital and bi polar diagnosis. Lindsey not so much as one still hears about her partying exploits.
And what has Lindsey done lately? Not much apparently. She had come out with an album and done some music. But nothing new since. She did a movie or two that seemed hardly worth mentioning, and says she has another film lined up-yet was fired from another. She also says she has a fashion line coming out, and yet what she seems best known for is clubbing and appearing in tabliod rags.
At least Miley keeps busy writing songs right? The media waited until Brittney and Lindsey were past 18 to go after them. Of course they were past 18 when they got into their club hopping exploits. Why go after Miley so early?
There are those that live their lives by ideals of perfection. Anything that is 'flawed' or 'imperfect' in those eyes is believed to be deserving of the scorn and grief they receive. And they will continue to receive grief until that person conforms to the ideal demanded of them. Or they quit. The apparent logic being "If one is not 'perfect' then one is not 'good'".
People have been known to villify that which they believe has wronged them, or have not fallen in line with their way of thinking. I speak from personal experience, and observation, when I say this. So what do they want? Conformity to the previous ideal she had? Fall in line with what is demanded? Go back to being the wholesome good girl she was and never be 'bad' again? 'Obey! Obey! Obey!'?
I can see that. I've seen environments where the order of the day with kids and people can be summed up in four words: "Do as you're told!" Which is probably the same message they have for Miley. Only they would probably add "We want you wholesome and safe again. Do as you're told!"
Or let's say for the sake of argument that the outraged parents are acting out of a genuine concern for Miley's welfare. That these parents believe they can do something to prevent the next Brittney or Lindsey trainwreck from happening. Should they not do something if they can? Especially since Brittney's and Lindsey's parents seemed to have done such a 'wonderful' job? A job you can read about in supermarket tabloids? And what happened to other teen talents of the past?
And the outraged parents seem to outnumber Miley's parents with a ratio of many to two? Is this a case of, to quote Spock, "The needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few? Or the one?" Or is this a belief that "might makes right?" The outraged are bigger in number than Miley's parents(which is two). So their bigger numbers put them in the right?
Well let me just add that adhering to a 'cookie cutter' ideal of a child actor didn't help Brittney and Lindsey any. Brittney especially. Starting out she seemed 'good', dating someone her own age in Justin Timberlake just as the ideal was supposed to do. Promote a good image, just as she was supposed to do. What happened? She turned 18, just as Lindsey had done. After that...party time. Once that happened they went hog wild and didn't stop until they were in drug busts, DUI's and jail. And they're afraid that if Miley deviates from the wholesome ideals that is expected of them even slightly then she will turn into them.
Fear, create enough of it and you can steal control and reason.
6.2 So what are the mistakes Miley has made?
If you ask the parents it would probably be that she made the mistakes she did at all.
But let's look at things a little differently here. Perhaps Miley believed there was nothing to worry about. After all she was apparently taught to believe in 'artistic expression' from her parents apparently. And, like their rules on love, they seem to set no limits for those. Or they have broad interpretations of those limits.
Some however would probably say 'too broad'. Maybe Miley's mistake was not forseeing the consequences of her 'artistic expressions'. That the audience she provided for was a little more....'narrow' in their interpretations of what is 'art' and what isn't. After all, some consider 'Playboy' art. Yet others consider it nothing more than degrading 'porn'.
Already haters are waiting for Miley to hit an issue of Playboy ASAP. Just so they can call her 'Slutty' some more. Which leads me to my next point.
6.3 The definitions of 'slut' and 'slutty'
There are people that have taken an....interest, some a pleasure, in calling Miley a 'slut', or 'slutty' as it looks to reflect behavior and make fun of her name.
I looked up the definition of 'slut' in Websters. It didn't give a flattering definition. Basically it defined a slut as "A dirty, slovenly woman. A woman that's immoral and destitute. Attributes that usually reflect a prostitute". Essentially the word is taken as an insult to women.
So is that what people think Miley is? A prostitute? And that makes it okay to hate her? Again the hate is 'righteous'?
I then took a look at wikipedia, which is not known for accuracy as it had been edited a few times. The definition in wikipedia also reflected Webster's definition, as well as adding a few terms itself such as 'A sexually promiscuous woman', 'a woman of low or loose character', 'a bold, impudent girl', and 'a person who lacks the ability, or chooses not to, to seek order to their affairs.' The term 'slutty' apparently is intended as a reflection of people seen to have such character, or apparent lack thereof. It is also applied to clothing as well.
However, wikipedia also gave an alternative definition as well. A more positive definition as the word is seen "As having a sense of pride in one's self or envy at the sexual successes of others." And while I don't know where this will end up, porn stars have used the word as a badge of pride for a sex-positive person.
The term has also been applied to gay males as well as bi-sexuals. Comparing them to those "Without merit as people who are promiscuous in that they have, or are reputed to have, many sexual partners, or whose sexuality is voracious, indiscriminate, and shameful." Geoffrey Chaucer even used the term to describe a man in one of his books. I'm assuming it was one of his Canterbury Tales, but I'm not certain.
Wikipedia also makes reference to a book called 'The Ethical Slut' which in this quote, may imply that there are (looking to avoid derogatory implications here) 'slutty' individuals that operate with a sense of order to their affairs:
The ethical Slut, the term has been used as an expression of choice to openly have multiple partners, and revel in that choice: "a slut is a person of any gender who has the courage to lead life according to the radical proposition that sex is nice and pleasure is good for you."A slut is a person who has taken control of their sexuality and has sex with whomever they choose, regardless of religious or social pressures or conventions to conform to a straight-laced monogamous lifestyle committed to one partner for life. The term has been "taken back" to express the rejection of the concept that government, society, or religion may judge or control one's personal liberties, and the right to control one's own sexuality.
But ultimately I think this is the definition that could be applied to Miley's case. Not saying that it is, just that it could be.
'To describe a woman dressed provocatively or a woman being overtly flirtatious.'
Does this sound about right?
6.4 Should a teenaged girl be blamed for the actions of others?
If Miley should be held accountable for her mistakes then should the outraged parents, and maybe even the media, be held accountable for theirs as well?
What? The outraged parents made mistakes? The media screwed up? Yes they did. And what was that mistake? Empowering malicious haters with their accusations and looking the other way as they give her grief. Or at least seeming to look the other way. I've heard nothing from the outraged whenever someone called Miley 'Slutty', or some other malicious comment.
So what do those parents think? Are the haters right to make the comments they do? Do they condone the hateful remarks? Are they part of the punishment for not being 'good'? As I said before I've learned over the years to never underestimate people's capacity for cruelty. Or their ability to enjoy it.
People have often said when it comes to being hateful, malicious, or outright bullying...just ignore it. Well I've often found as well over the years that such elements don't want to be ignored. They press on the attack until they get what they want. One's dignity, one's self respect, and feeling nothing but sorry for one's self while the bullies laugh at one's tears. Even if you do ignore them there are others willing to give them the power they want, and when they go on the attack, those others go along too until you're fighting not just one bully, but a slew of them. This can go to the point where the words they spread about someone continue to spread until they automatically become the truth no matter what one might say.
It's not just members of the public that do this. Individuals in power are believed to employ those self same tactics. Whether it be public office or Hollywood executive. Also we are expected to just ignore such 'malicious individuals'. Well here's what I say to that. If those in power expect us to ignore the malicious haters those in power must do the same when it comes to their door. Turn away from it so as not to undermine the public morale their actions provide for. If one should get through and undermine said morale with hateful comments or devaluing rhetoric then they should be punished for their actions. No free pass given. No looking the other way.
In short, don't ignore the malicious. Confront them and show them the error of their actions and consequences of them.
Some will even cite the First Amendment, the right of free speech. Somehow I doubt the founders of our country (I don't say 'founding fathers' because Abigail Adams once said for us to "Remember the ladies" as well) intended for that right to empower bullies or haters that want to fling insults at a teenaged girl. Or to tear down whoever they want because they disagree with something....
....or because it's fun to do.
Yes, I said that. there are people out there that hate someone because it's fun. And whether they realize it or not it's the accusations of those outraged parents and the media that gives those individuals that power.
In short, to quote Nick Fury in issue 1 of Secret Warriors, 'They've been working for the bad guys the whole damn time.'
And what do they do about it? Nothing. They do not even acknowledge them. As far as they are concerned it's Miley's actions that deserve scrutiny. The haters are irrelevant at best, a side effect at worse. Unless there is the belief that the haters are part of the punishment. The logic being "It's not our problem. If you stayed the 'good girl' that we wanted you to be for our kids you wouldn't have this problem would you?" So does this mean the haters are a means to an end for the outraged? Where the fear of the outraged leads to their anger and their anger fuels the haters?
As another character once said "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." Wise muppet that Yoda. He also said another favoite quote of mine when it comes to trying. "Try not. Do or do not. There is no try."
Another possibility I had been considering is that the haters could be those of conservative ideals and values. Values and ideals that drew ire from certain individuals like Perez Hilton, Remember how he felt about Carrie Prejean and her stance on gay marraige? A stance that caused her a heap of trouble? And still does?
And before anyone thinks I'm burying Perez let me just add that I'm not sure Carrie Prejean is any better as she made mention of Miley in her book 'Still Standing'. The mention she made however was where she was questioning Miley's morality. In comparison Perez comes off as one of the big Miley haters that has apparently penned the unflattering nickname of 'Slutty' on Miley. A nickname that has been picked up by haters everywhere, and haters have wasted no time calling her that on the net. Which got me wondering this question.
'Could Perez Hilton and the Miley haters be doing the conservatives dirty work?' Their hating Miley being a means of intimidation for her to fall in line with their way of thinking? Is Perez working for his own version of 'the bad guys' himself? Sounds a little too conspiracy theory I know. Yet the irony is quite amazing. Conservative and liberal haters working together to shake down a teenage girl. Sounds like a movie of the week doesn't it? Or an outrageous Hollywood story. Also it seems to me that Carrie and Perez use similar approaches when it comes to Miley. But while Carrie uses honey Perez seems to have no problem reaching for the vinegar.
Which makes me wonder 'Is Carrie any better than Perez?' And remember she did some 'tease' pics herself, so what right does she have to question Miley's morality? Regardless Miley has taken responsibility for her actions, even if they don't happen the way she expects. But her accusers don't seem to want to take responsibility for theirs. They are only worried about their own concerns not caring about the side effects voicing those concerns creates. Namely empowering the haters.
Do they think the hate is deserved for not having iron clad dedication to supposed cookie cutter ideals? If Hollywood is considering itself above the people like Ted Kennedy accused the Bush Administration to be above the law, do the people see themselves to be above common courtesy to a teenage girl? Or do they believe, as the old adage goes, that the ends justify the means? And that Miley will become the next Brittney and/or Lindsey unless they intervene. Do they perhaps see Billy Ray and Tish as unfit parents like they see Michael and Dina Lohan, or Jamie and Lynne Spears?
And if Miley does take the turn of Brittney and Lindsey, and winds up 'rock bottom' I expect the haters to do more kicking like saying "good riddance" or that they were glad the trash was taken out. I've seen comments like this before on news boards. Some of them were on when Miley's bus driver was in a crash and died. I expect the 'outraged' would be all "I told you so. If you just kept her the good girl this wouldn't have happened." With both sides picking up on the other.
It's kind of interesting. Addressing one set of deviant behavior only to cater to a different set? Welcome to Paradox.
6.5 One or two examples from the archives of Hannah
Every now and then I find myself thinking of one particular scene in the first season of Hannah Montana. An episode called 'Money for Nothing. Guilt for free.' It centers around Miley, Lilly and Oliver trying to beat mean girls Amber and Ashley in a contest on who can raise the most money for charity. In the beginning Amber and Ashley put two signs on Miley and Lilly's backs. On Lilly's back was the sign that said 'Dork' and on Miley's back was a sign that said 'Dorkier'. The purpose of the signs was so the students of Seaview Middle School would point and laugh at Miley and Lilly, in effect humiliate and embarrass them.
What irks me the most was that out of all the student body it was only Oliver that pointed out the signs to them. Two hours later. Any one of the student body of that episode could have said "Hey, do you know you have signs that say 'Dork' and 'Dorkier' on your backs?" It could have ended the laughter, and not given the mean girls the what they wanted. Those students chose not to do that. They chose to laugh, and when Miley and Lilly turned around to confront the laughter those students feigned innocence. They decided to let Miley and Lilly figure out the 'joke' for themselves. The joke being that they needed to literally watch their backs. Or let someone else tell them, like Oliver had.
With this decision those students decided that they were going to provide not for their sense of compassion, but Amber and Ashley's sense of cruelty. They turned their backs on their better natures giving Amber and Ashley what they wanted, and the sense of power that apparently followed. Miley and Lilly were left to find their own justice, which they got at episode's end.
I look at this and I wonder, if not think at times, that we are no longer a world ruled by compassion and reason. But instead by fear and cruelty. A world where only the worst of humanity is provided for, and that self same 'worst' needs everyone brought down to their level. And it is at that level where they remain, as long as the worst that bring them down remain king, or queen, of that world.
Why did those students not speak out? Did they actually think it funny? Like in a Castrol oil commercial where they see a person and their car spashed with engine sludge and they laugh at the splashing until it happens to them? Did they fear Amber and Ashley doing what they do to Miley and Lilly being done to them? So to avoid that they give the mean girls the power they want? They're like "We don't want it done to us. So we let it be done to someone else. Besides, if Amber and Ashley say their losers they must be right? RIGHT?!"
And they're scared to ask if the answer is "Wrong!"
I think each of those kids that laughed at the 'Dork' and 'Dorkier' signs would not be laughing if the signs were put on them.
Perhaps had sense of compassion been nurtured by the students of that episode Amber and Ashley would not have had the power they had in Seaview. Had they been like John Sheridan and Delenn in Babylon 5 when they confronted the Shadows and the Vorlons and said "We don't need it anymore. We don't need you." to Amber and Ashley, and others like them things would have been different. But that was not the case, and while things ended well for Miley and Lilly, that 'Dork' and 'Dorkier' scene still serves as a reminder to me how the worst of people can be given a free pass in life, and no one does anything about it. In providing for evil, do people then become evil? Or are they just ignorant?
I also found myself thinking of a scene in a second season episode called 'I want you to want me (to go to Florida)' in which Robbie Ray was injured and Miley says that she can go alone with Roxy. Robbie Ray refuses saying that Miley isn't ready to handle things alone, and refuses to let her go. Even with Miley's bodyguard. Miley and Robbie Ray get into an argument which leads Miley to say that she hates her father and decides to go to Florida anyway. Robbie Ray angrily goes after her, and tries to take her off the flight. Trapped on the plane Miley has to sit with an angry Roxy while Jackson Stewart sits with Robbie Ray saying to blame Miley for everything. Ironically enough Jackson takes his sister's defense asking "Why? You wouldn't let her go."
When Robbie Ray says again that Miley wasn't ready (probably like those parents that say she's not ready to do something so 'artistic' like the Annie Leibovitz pics) Jackson responds with "She wasn't ready? Or you weren't?"
And maybe that's another thing to consider. Perhaps Miley and her parents thought she was ready (I'd say Annie Leibovitz did), but the outraged in the audience were not. Especially with the Brittney and Lindsey tabloid stories floating around. The outraged parents weren't ready, even with all that semi nudity floating around mentioned before. They weren't ready for the 'wholesome' Miley to leave. Essentially they were saying what Billy Ray Cyrus said in his song in that episode. They were looking to tell the 'wholesome' Miley "Get ready, get set, don't go."
That's one possibility. There are others to consider as well. Some probably...not so nice.
6.6 Selena and Demi
At this point in time I want to point out and highlight Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. Two other Disney Channel stars that could be considered successors to Miley's success, although the media would probably prefer the term 'rivals'.
Both Selena and Demi got their start on the show 'Barney the Dinosaur' and had been friends ever since. Even as they entered Disney together. Demi got her start on the small three minute show 'As the Bell Rings' before moving on to semi stardom in the movies 'Camp Rock' and 'Princess Protection Program' before getting her own series 'Sonny with a Chance'. Currently she's about to appear in the film 'Camp Rock 2:The Final Jam'.
As a kid Demi was bullied. To the point where people might have considered a possible truth in Demi's biggest brush with scandal to this date. In an article in the Star it was rumored that Demi was a 'cutter'. Someone who inflicted bodily harm on themselves as a means to alieviate personal pain. A form of self torture if you will. This story was backed up with a shot of red marks on Demi's wrists. She has apparently also done some provocative dance moves of her own on video, yet no one gets on her case about them. On the back of her album 'Don't Forget' Demi does a similar dance pose (the previously mentioned dip) Miley did except with a mike stand instead of an ice cream pole. It is only the angle of the shot, and use of the stand that keeps parents from 'getting outraged' apparently. And maybe even the outfit. Also, as mentined before, Ashley Tisdale did a similar dip with a mic stand in a video that Miley did with the ice cream pole, and there were no media reports there either.
So Demi is no stranger to scandal, controversey, or having media attention on her. And already the media and paparazzi seem to be trying to generate media buzz by starting some 'lesbian' rumors looking to create a new tabloid story, as I mentioned above.
Selena Gomez also is no stranger to having attention on her, due to her dating Nick Jonas. A story that may have been inflated due to their characters being 'frenemies' (combination of friends and enemies) on Hannah Montana. On the show Selena played a rival pop star named Mikayla who on camera was Hannah's friend. Off camera she hated Hannah and wanted to steal her 'fannahs'. I guess the media decided to make fiction reality thanks to the Jonas dating.
Some tend to blur the lines of fantasy and reality. Don't believe me? Just watch the show 'Legend' with Richard Dean Anderson (MacGyver) and John DeLancie (Q-from Star Trek:The Next Generation) and see how things can get blurry. Miley haters also tend to use Selena's name as a figurative club to beat Miley over the head with, which I think does Selena no good. But why the appeal to her other than the hating of Miley, the 'feud' on Hannah Montana, the dating of a Jonas and whatever else? Perhaps this quote from Teen Vogue might shed some light on things.
"I actually get told I am a very dark person. I like to dream, but I also like to be realistic. Sometimes when something is so nice and sweet I just crush it. I don't mean to, but I don't want to be let down."
As I look at this I think that maybe this is why so many dote on her like malicious bloggers on YouTube as well as the tabloid media as they tear down Miley. They have to promote a so called sense of 'realism' while making anyone that tries to set a positive influence in the world look like a hypocrite. But frankly guys, your kind of help Selena doesn't need.
She already has a hit series in 'Wizards of Waverly Place' in which she plays mischievous wizard Alex Russo, which is in its third season. She has already appeared in a Disney Channel movie of the same name, as well as Princess Protection Program, plus a movie from Warner Bros called 'Another Cinderella Story'. Many of these were seen together in the summer of 2009, which was her 'main event' summer, as Selena seemed to be everywhere.
She has also released her own music CD called 'Kiss and Tell' which she headlines with her band 'The Scene'. To my knowledge Selena is the only teen star that has shared her spotlight with her band, at least until Nick Jonas came along with 'the Administration'. Sure other singers have done it. Billy Vera did it with 'the Beaters'. Huey Lewis shared his spotlight with 'the News'. Gloria Estefan shared her spotlight with 'Miami Sound Machine'. But these listed have been adult stars in music. Selena and Nick are the only known teen stars to share their spotlight with their bands.
For those wondering, no this does not necessarily mean the end of the Jonas Brothers. Members of Genesis have gone their separate ways only to reform later and come out with new material. Phil Collins went solo a few times and came back. Mike Rutherford found solo band success with Mike and the Mechanics. Even Tony Banks had some success outside of Genesis. And when Phil Collins left permanently Genesis continued on with an album called 'Calling all stations'.
So there's no need for Selena to be "The Next Miley Cyrus". She's looking to be "The first Selena Gomez". And she doesn't need hater help to do it. Still with Selena's character of Alex, does Selena make a better role model than Miley?
6.7 Selena in Vanity Fair
As I write this it has come to my attention that Selena has done a shot for Vanity Fair herself. A story reflecting the hottest young stars rising today.
I saw Selena's picture, and it seemed a far cry from Miley's. It basically had Selena in a dress with flowing air and a black and white back ground. A safe and sane approach compared to Annie Leibovitz's shot. Which I guess is what some people want. They probably also didn't want Annie Leibovitz anywhere near these young stars.
Another young star from Disney in this shoot was Vanessa Hudgens from High School Musical fame, who had scrutiny of her own due to some 'nude' shots posted that got leaked. This seemed evident as Leibovitz's name was not listed on any of the shots taken. Also Leibovitz's belief that "nothing is too extreme in the pursuit of the perfect picture" probably comes into play as I think a lot of parents, and perhaps Disney (and perhaps other companies) themselves, don't want their young stars anywhere near Annie Leibovitz. Especially Selena.
No one says 'no' to Annie Leibovitz? I guess there's always a first time.
And while I don't want to put down 'safe and sane', as I sometimes think that's what the world needs quite a few times (if not a lot of the time), I do wonder if Selena isn't being locked into a safe and sane mold. I also wonder if that 'safe and sane' mold is not what some wanted for Miley, at least until she turned 18.
Another question to ask is 'is Selena really being the 'good girl' the media is portraying her to be? The 'good girl' the morality police wanted Miley to be? Or is Selena being an opportunist her character Mikayla was being in hopes of taking Hannah's fans away? In short, is Selena being an opportunist towing a party line in hope of getting the fan support that left Miley's side?
I will admit that until Miley's shot there probably wasn't a reason to say 'no' to Annie Leibovitz. Still I think people wish, and I count myself among them, that Miley and her parents said 'no' to Annie Leibovitz first. It would probably have saved a lot of heartache and grief.
And self righteous haters would have had one less reason to tear her down.
6.8 'Good' and 'bad'
At the end of the day though parents wanted a 'wholesome teenaged girl' as a role model for their kids, and they wanted that in Miley. Did Annie Leibovitz take that away? Did trainreq take that away? Or would some think Miley threw it away like garbage? And if Miley went to the garbage to get the wholesome image back would it still stink like garbage?
Miley and garbage? I know haters will have a field day with that line. Apologies in advance.
I think people feel 'safe' around 'good' images. Parents can show them to kids and say, "This is a 'good' person. This is someone you can be that people will look up to and respect." Parents take that image and feel positive about it as they hope kids embrace it. Especially as they see that the 'worst' of people tend to go to what is considered 'bad'.
But somewhere along the line 'good' became 'bad'. And 'bad' became 'good'. Like being 'bad' was better. And anyone who tried to be 'good' had to be exposed as someone 'bad'. And once exposed they get hated on. So what's 'good' here? Honest 'bad'?
I have read several news articles in the past that seem to applaud Miley for any good actions that she might have done, but yet after the articles are done they have to mention a previous scandal at the end as if saying "She's trying to do good, but remember after what she had done before she's still a terrible person."
I think people would love it if the genie that was the bad Miley, or "Slutty" as some so love to call her, would go back into it's bottle or cave, and never come back out again. More out of the belief that they would still have the 'wholesome and good' Miley left in its place. My uncle once said that "Whenever a horse took a crap that some would try to put the crap back into the horse. They would later find that when someone did that the horse would just get sick and bloated, if not die." So maybe we all have to take our craps.
Still, I bet there are some that wish the scandals never happened. Or that she, her parents, and handlers said 'no' when they were apparently supposed to. Or a policy was passed that they were erased from all public record. Still that will not happen as it would lead to censorship of another kind.
Still, if kids are in trouble it should be the parents' job to discipline kids-not the media, not special interest groups, not self proclaimed morality police, and ESPECIALLY not the haters as they DEFINITELY don't have a kids' best interest at heart.
I think a lot of these groups and individuals should take responsibility for their own actions. The actions they seem to NEVER talk about, until a news article appears on CNN, or another news station, that indicates a child committed suicide as a result of malicious treatment and bullying.
6.9 New contender to the musical throne?
At this point in time the world of music seems to have a new contender to the musical throne. No it is not Selena Gomez or Demi Lovato. Rather it is country music artist Taylor Swift.
Currently she has been the apple of many an eye if her appointment as 'Artist of the Year' in People magazine is any indication. Through her music, as well as some moments that....she could have done without. Among them are then boyfriend Joe Jonas breaking up with her over the phone. And Kanye West interrupting her acceptance speech for video of the year at the VMA's. But what seemingly comes off as her biggest draw is her wholesome image. She comes off as a down home girl that analyzes everything. An image that people probably wish Miley had/or maintained. I'll get more to this quote later, but right now I want to say something about a knee jerk reaction people might be feeling about my last comment.
People may think I'm being rude when I mentioned Miley's wholesome image above. Well perhaps it is. But I'm guessing that there's another reaction that is desired when I mention a comment like that.
Essentially they see Taylor Swift's wholesome reputation and see it as another weapon to use against Miley. I know, "Sci-fi and wrestling wacky writer say what?!"
It can happen. The use of a reputation against another performer or artist they believe is going 'off the rails'. Such use of a reputation can be seen as a means to get the other artist to 'fly right' if you will. To say "If you are like this we'll love you again."
Somehow I don't think Taylor would like her good name used this way. I believe Miley wouldn't.
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