Send in the Clowns

I really hate to say this, but I'm feeling just a tad bit embarassed about being an American right now. I'm sure it will pass, but if you would spend just a few minutes reading the news on CNN, you might be embarassed too. Hmm, what do we have today?:

1. A crazy family pretends that their child has been lifted away in a homemade balloon, prompting local authorities and the military to spend precious time and money. In the process, they convince their children to lie to all these important people. Apparently this is done in the hopes of securing a reality television show. Hmm...

2. A "beauty queen" who makes questionable photographic and video decisions and sees nothing wrong with parading around in a very small bathing suit in public becomes a national spokesperson for family values. Hmm...

3. A 19 year boy whose only claim to fame is exercising poor judgment with the daughter of a politician also makes questionable modelling decisions and says that he may want to pursue a career acting in films. Some now consider him a minor celebrity. Hmm...

Are people losing their minds? We are trying to hold together a civilization and this is the raw material we have to work with?

When will the artisans, chefs, architects, volunteers, medical researchers, nuns, and inner-city school teachers get the recognition due to them for their contributions to society? Maybe their problem is that they are doing TOO MUCH.