[meowmeow]

But a man or woman who makes a huge wage for memorizing lines and reciting them in front of a camera is no longer my idea of a shining star we should all look up to.

Why was it ever?

[xzins]

That is actually a fascinating question.

Why has America been so enamored of movie stars who only pretend?

And why all the transferrence onto them of the great qualities they sometimes portray?

[Fawnn]

Why was it ever?

I think for the longest time, because "stars" did get the attention of the media -- and therefore our attention as well, they were put on pedestals to attract further notice. We were sold a bill of goods. Today we have more "fair and balanced" ways to discern our truths. We now know what we've always suspected: The "beautiful people" are most often anything but....

In the same ways that many of us no longer falsely equate intellectual with intelligence, what we're now realizing is that one cannot demand respect simply because of a fabricated lofty perch (Barbra S. et. al.). Rather, we now recognize that one must earn our respect by his or her actions....

Ben Stein is now one I believe to be worthy of my respect.