For those of you that have followed Anna Nicole Smith's career the last few years, it should come to no surprised that her traveling freak show would come to such a stunning halt. The statuesque, buxom blonde bombshell from Mexia, Texas went from desirable Playboy Playmate to America's favorite punchline.
The level of media attention given to Smith's death is another indication of America's fascination with news that is tawdry beyond words.
Am I shocked that Anna Nicole Smith died on Thursday? Yes.
Should I be surprised? No.
You would think that the importance given to this story, that Anna Nicole Smith was a U.S. Senator, or worse, a former President who's claim to fame was pardoning a crooked politician.
Sure, I will give the devil her due.
Anna Nicole Smith was far more famous than any U.S. Senator, President, or any entertainer with far more considerable talent than her.
She couldn't act, nor sing, nor put together sentences, but America loved to gawk at her, poke fun at her, and be shocked by her.
Famous for being famous: That's what it takes to get by in George Bush's America.
After her stunning Playboy Pictoral in 1993, Smith should've faded away like all Centerfolds did before her.
Yet, we as a society granted her 15 more minutes after she married a 89-year-old Billionaire.
And, then we granted her an additional 15 minutes when she fought for his estate.
Then another 15 minutes for that reality show.
Then another 15 minutes when she waltz into the hallow halls of the United States Supreme Court.
After that, it just wouldn't end.
Even in death she's given another 15 minutes.
The mainstream media's unhealthy obsesion with news like this is one of the reasons why a rogue administration is able to what they please.
The media is supposed to be the watchdog for our country.
Instead they've steered course and put all their energies to news that doesn't have anything to do with the overwhelming problems we face as a country today.
The Bush Administration is loving this.
This is what they thrive upon.
After Hurricane Katrina, it was a safe bet to believe that the media finally came to its senses.
But with John Mark Karr duping millions into thinking he was Jon Benet Ramsey's killer and now the sad, sorry spectacle of Anna Nicole Smith's death, the mainstream press is back to its old and sorry habits.