[Rodney Dangerfield]

IDK much about her drama, her music or her life other than some tidbits in the news.

It seems like she has put her destructive behavior behind her.

I couldn’t really care less about her, but she is still a human being and a Mother and I wouldn’t want to see her end up like Amy Winehouse or Anna Nicole Smith or even Michael Jackson, who was likely mentally ill based on his behavior, and at worst, a Pedophile. (Which is also a mental illness.)

Same with Lyndsey Lohan - she’s still a human being and I hope she gets her s*** together and doesn’t end up dead before she turns 25 or 30.

Most of these people self-medicate because of mental illness and/or become addicted to drugs/alcohol.

Contrary to what many think, no one chooses to be a drug addict or an alcoholic, and it’s not a “character flaw” but a genuine illness that they cannot control.

No one grows up with the goal of being a heroin addict or an alcoholic, but drugs and alcohol doesn’t discriminate and some people are pre-disposed to addictive behavior, usually to blunt the pain of their mental illness.

Imagine being so mentally disturbed that living on the streets and injecting heroin into your arm is your most viable option to be anywhere near normal.

And no, I’m no bleeding heart liberal, but addiction is a very complicated matter and about 10% of the population have a mental condition that is so disturbing that they choose to self-medicate in order to feel better, even if it means jail, prison, living on the streets, begging for money, etc...

The only people I don’t have any sympathy for are those that are in continual denial despite leaving a trail of wreckage behind them and refusing any help for their illness, even when it’s free treatment and they won’t even try.

[dog breath]

I agree with you Rodney, she is still a human being and even if she has been a train wreck in the past she is not beyond redemption. So far in this life the main person she has hurt has been herself. Her talent as questionable as it is to some people, is still more musical ability then most were given by God. I will respect her if she continues to try and lead a better life. Hard to say when people get all tangled up inside their heads, sometimes they make it sometimes they don't, and sometimes God uses that pain to create something.

[KJC1]

I agree with what you said. I don’t really follow Hollywood stuff either, but damn, some people really seem to get off on other people’s demise a bit too much. Now if Britney Spears was truly evil, I could understand, but I don’t think she is evil at all, just troubled.

[piytar]

Wow. Powerful and erudite post. Wish it was on a thread more people would see.

[KantianBurke]

excellent post!

[MikeAnder]

Great post. Very compassionate view of people with mental problems and addictions.