Poor Hollywood

Have you ever noticed that the ones usually most engaged in class warfare against the "filthy rich" are among the most wealthy in our society? When you think of the richest people, who comes to mind? For me, I think of Wall Street bankers, trial lawyers, big-name entertainers, and corporate moguls like Warren Buffet and Bill Gates. But, aren't these among the most leftist people in our country - the very ones who rail most against the rich who get all those Republican-sponsored tax breaks?

Isn't it wonderful that none of these people stoops so low to take any of these breaks, but instead gives such a high percentage of their income in taxes to the Government and charitable donations to all those great organizations caring for the homeless, orphaned and otherwise down-trodden?

Right.

We've bailed out those Wall Street bankers (you know, the ones who consistently vote for Democrats), we continually make legislation and other policies that help foster more trial lawyers, and the media is all too eager to ask the opinion of Hollywood elitists (as if they had an opinion worth listening to). And, the largesse of the Bill Gates' and Warren Buffet's of this world to the poor is surpassed only by their donations to lobbyists and liberal politicians.

Maybe one day, if we're lucky, we could be wealthy enough to not care how much their leftist policies impact our wallets. We, too, could be among the "filthy rich."

Staying Power

I'm sitting here watching "Julie & Julia" (for the second time), and I'm just thinking how incredible Meryl Streep is. I still vividly remember the first time I saw her - in "The Deer Hunter." A few months ago, I watched "Mamma Mia!" for the first time. Who knew she could sing? I thought for sure the producers would have done a "Marnie Nixon" with her, but she was fantastic. (Of course, Pierce Brosnan was an odd choice - he can barely act, much less sing, and Daniel Craig has made us all but forget his go at being Bond.)

Several weeks ago, another lady was attempting a comeback of sorts - Whitney Houston. A great example of a very talented woman who, unfortunately, made some very lousy choices in her life, the worst being her choice of "husband." Hearing her sing brings tears to my eyes. Tears of sadness for what could have been - what should have been.

Julie & Julia just makes me think of Meryl & Whitney. An incredible example of the difference between making wise choices versus making self-destructive ones.