Everything between Washington to the East and Hollywood to the West is often dismissed by East/West celebrities as fly-over country. Especially the Midwest which is considered good for corn, wheat and hay-seed thinking.
Some Midwesterners beg to differ. We take seriously the alternate reputation that here is where the authentic America exists. Broad-shouldered, shirt-sleeved Americana where the icon of celebrity is held with slightly less reverence. Not because we are immune to its aura, rather because we may be more attuned to its price.
"Be careful what you ask for, you might get it," has many authors. However, it has only one meaning.
The pathological synergy between celebrities & paparazzi makes the point, headline after headline. From bosomy starlets to junior senators, they pant for attention. Alas, once they get it, they pant for privacy. The human condition -- forever wanting what it doesn't have. The Buddha once clarified the problem when he said: "Serenity is not getting what you want, but wanting what you get."
Surprisingly, a great many Americans really want anonymity. Daily they watch the rich and famous gunned down. If not with bullets -- like a JFK or a John Lennon -- by the withering fire of insult and slander. Fame is tough. Hardly the perfect-life the cheering crowds dream of. To those who lust for it, they must be prepared to pay the price. All too often they are not, as the records of rehab-stints and squandered-fortunes testify.
Publicists for the stars of the screen to the residents of the White House have intoned the same wisdom: "When you reach the top, there's only one direction left..." And with a culture so quick to turn on its gods, the plunge is often monstrous.
Still, without these warriors of fame, our society would be without their various contributions. In sports, art, government. So from the anonymous hayseeds of the great American Midwest, a tip of the hat. You wanted it, now god bless you, lets hope it's what you expected. Wiggle your wings as you fly over....
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How incredibly and painfully true.
ReplyDeleteJack, I will never forget a comment made by Neil Diamond at a time when I was 1st VP of Chicago NARAS many years ago. In an airline flight to the west coast he said he will urinate when he is told he is over Chicago. Needless to say, our opinion of him and his talent deteriorated rapidly.
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