The Latest Celebrity Fad: Is the price too high?

We admire them every day; the stars. Our eyes watch their every move and we aspire to be like them. The public praises them, mimics them, and love them from bits to pieces. However, the latest celebrity fad seems to be getting arrested for breaking the law and that, my babies, is NOT HOT.
And still, we’re still watching their every move. I have to wonder is this attention (albeit negative) egging them on to continue on the path of recklessness?
Ah, I’m just throwing that out there. I don’t really believe that the celebs are getting criminal charges (driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, illegal dog fighting/gambling, and assault/battery) just for the attention. And I don’t feel that celebs are having all these relationship issues just so the cameras won’t forget their faces. I think that the celebrity legal woes and personal relationship problems are just REAL problems that exists for any of us; the only difference is that they are broadcasted for the world to see.
My issue is this (see, I do have a point): Celebrities are role models whether they like it or not. And being a role model has certain responsibilities. It’s just not right to be irresponsible with your life when you have chosen for the world to see you. And if you are not a responsible celebrity, I feel that the powers that be should simply take you out of the limelight.
So is it the fault of the casting agents, the recruiters, and anyone else who puts these people that are clearly not mature enough to handle themselves responsibly or behave within a standard code of conduct in the watchful eyes of our children? If Joe Blow when out there are committed a crime, it would simply show up on the news that week very briefly, and then it would go away. Unless Joe Blow really just set it off, his name wouldn’t be remembered. His face wouldn’t be posted all over the world, now would it? He’d do his time forever how long that was and the only folks that would be aware of it would be those closest to him.
There should be some sort of mandatory universal conduct agreement form that ANY celebrity needs to sign PER JOB. It needs to be sworn to and signed and notarizedby anyone who would be working in a job or position that would make the person a public figure. And that form should basically read that he/she agrees to act legally and/or morally responsible as seen by society’s standards, if not the celebrity should have to pay a hefty fine (and that amount will be different for each person based on their last year’s earnings-like 10%). And they should not be allowed to work again in any field that would put them back in the public until that fine is satisfied. The money from the fine should then go to inner city schools, after school programs, health clinics, etc. And they should not be able to work for six months at least. This would perhaps nip a lot of this foolishness in the bud, and also show our youth that irresponsible behavior is not acceptable.
I don’t care how great an actor you are, how strong an athlete you are, how melodic your singing voice is, or how great a politician you are- if you are a bad boy or girl they should not hire you at all. It’s a liability to our youth, for one, and our society. The NFL has a Conduct Policy that I feel is very admirible. And they hold their players accountable, as we've seen with the Mike Vick situation, as well as other athletes in the past.
So yeah, I know that everyone makes mistakes. But whatever. If I made a million plus per year, do you think I’d be driving around drunk, fighting dogs, hanging my kid over a balcony, fist fighting a girl because she said my music was too loud? Hell no! I’d be smiling big, counting my money, attending charity events, swimming at my mansion, and being the best me I could be. But that's just me.
Now it’s Q&A Time.
Here are the questions:
1- Do you think celebrity mishaps affect our youth?
2- Does the idea about the universal signed conduct agreement seem to be a good one?
3- If the universal signed conduct agreement is a good idea, how could we get people to require it?
4- What can be done about celebrity coverage in the media that is so negative?
6- Is the celebrity only responsible for him/her self or do they have a responsibility to the public?
6- Any additional comments?

There’s the Q, now give me the A! What are your answers?

Copyright ©2007 Attica Lundy

UnLucky Number Seven - The Mike Vick Saga

Seven has always been my lucky number. It was always good to me when I played dice (just for fun). I got married on 7/7/07 at 7pm.
I chose Seven because it seemed to be the most logical number for luck. You figure if God made earth in Seven days, there has to be something signifigant to it. Then you have the seven wonders of the world. And my favorite child hood store was the infamous 7/11.
Was it a doubt that when Michael Vick showed up playing for the Atlanta Falcons that he would gain my undivided support? I wear my #7 jersey proudly around Atlanta proclaiming to be on Team Vick. And it breaks my heart whenever he gets bad publicity, and now I'm seeing that whereas Seven has been lucky for me, the same can't always be said for Mike Vick.

It seems Lucky 7 wasn't so lucky in 2005 when a Georgia woman accused him of giving her herpes.

The 17 page complaint was filed in Gwinnett County on March 14, 2005 and was the topic of major media bashing. It put a scare in our hearts, and especially for single women who thought hanging out with athletes and having sex with them was a "free ride". Wow...it made people think! Elliott (the woman from Georgia) supposedly settled for an undisclosed amount.
Now in 2007, new allegations of dog fighting has warranted an indictment on a federal conspiracy charge, and other charges may follow.


The fans this time around seem to be keeping an open mind, but the rest of the world is singing a different tune. "I don't think anybody on this team right now is hoping that Mike comes back," Dunn said. "If he comes back, that's great, but I just think right now we're at a point where the guys that are here are trying to get better and move on down the road. Mike is going to be missed and has been missed, but at the same time you have to go on." I guess one person can't stop the show. And let's not forget that the retail circuit had already deemed him guilt, pulling away his endorcements as well as his Number 7 items.
On both notes, I don't agree with promiscuous sex nor do I believe in dog fighting. Both show a lack of self control, respect, and maturity. The saddest part is that no matter how many victories Michael Vick has contributed to, the bad overshawdows the good at moments like these. He must feel really low and lonely right now, and my heart goes out to him. He's only 27, and this could possibly ruin his career. I hope he's invested wisely.
Word is he has until Friday to cop a plea if he wants to, and this could possibly be his best bet. Seems the other's that were indicted with him have all tucked tail and copped pleas-so they may just turn on him. I'm sure Lil'Kim is real pissed off right about now-you know she feels about snitches!
I'm wondering, though, what is your take on this. Here's the questions:
1- Do you think Vick is guilty of dog fighting and/or funding dog fights?
2- How do you feel about Mike Vick apparel being snatched off the shelves?
3- What do you think the outcome will be for Vick?
There’s the Q, now give me the A! What are your answers?

Copyright ©2007 Attica Lundy