[ken5050]

I don't want to sound like a curmudgeon..I'm not.. I'm sorry for his loss..but all this attention is beng paid merely becuase of his dad's celebrity...We have too much of that cult of celebrity in this country...Where is the public outcry for the families of the more than 2000 brave troops who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that w can enjoy NFL games in safety and freedom..sorry..but it's just far too..what's the word I want...phoney..

[Dahoser]

You're right. While sometimes celebrity tragedy can raise awareness of things we might not have otherwise paid attention to, there is, as you say, far too much of the only suffering is celebrity suffering going on. Some of us can remember when Michael Jackson set his hair on fire while filming a Pepsi commercial and actually had dopes sending him money for his recovery.

Related to that, I often wonder how many of the same people who go tsk, tsk at the paparazzi photographers, are regular consumers of ET, Access Hollywood and the National Enquirer.

And while we're being curmudgeonly, can someone tell professional writer Len Pasquarelli that a reactionary column would be written on a typewriter by a guy who wants to go back to the Wing T?

[OldFriend]

Better to have kept your thoughts to yourself. They really have no place on this thread of sharing and understanding of such pain.

[wallcrawlr]

His celebrity is based on integrity...thats one thing that sets it apart from other celebrities.

In regards to the military families, Ken..come on, I'm sure they even realize what a tragic loss suicide is.

Pat Tillman probably would understand.

Now go turn that frown upside down you curmudgeon. :)

[StormEye]

"I don't want to sound like a curmudgeon..I'm not.. I'm sorry for his loss..but all this attention is beng paid merely becuase of his dad's celebrity...We have too much of that cult of celebrity in this country...Where is the public outcry for the families of the more than 2000 brave troops who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that w can enjoy NFL games in safety and freedom..sorry..but it's just far too..what's the word I want...phoney.."

I agree with you. I have never even heard of the person(s) who died. Yet this is all over the news. People die every day in America; some in very tragic situations. I don't think it's necessary to make every tragic, pointless, untimely demise national news.

[F16Fighter]

"I'm sorry for his loss..but all this attention is beng paid merely becuase of his dad's celebrity...We have too much of that cult of celebrity in this country...Where is the public outcry for the families of the more than 2000 brave troops who have paid the ultimate sacrifice..."

Dungy is not only a "celebrity" (not how I suppose he regards himself), but a known man of integrity, faith and respect -- and yes, it's football season, the Colts and all that, so this does make it "news"...

As to those 2000+ brave troops who've paid the ultimate sacrifice, their pain and anguish is no less, and you're right -- the families will not receive the "support" a person of Dungy's stature will receive, but that is because most remain "unknown." We've actually seen Dungy and heard Dungy and "know" Dungy.

Personally, I am as affected and pause in prayer when I hear ANY news that 2,3, 4 more of our guys have died or been hurt in the line of duty.

[aliquando]

Good point. Well taken.