The Ignorance of Entertainers

By William D. Zeranski

Historically, performers, of any kind, singers, actors, actresses, storytellers (i.e. fiction writers) and the like, occupied the lowest rung in society. And for good reason they didn't do anything constructive.

Now, I shouldn't be, but I am amazed at the ignorance of entertainment-types:

Rupert Everett, the actor, has made an unreserved apology for calling soldiers "wimps" and suggesting they went into the Army to torture prisoners.

The star of My Best Friend's Wedding, 49, caused consternation with his attack in The Sunday Telegraph.

In an interview to publicise his new film The Victorian Sex Explorer, in which he plays the renowned explorer Sir Richard Burton, he said: "In Burton's day they were itching to get into the fray. Now it is the opposite. They are always whining about the dangers of being killed. Oh my God, they are such wimps now!

Of course, Rupert Everett's comment is one in a long series of ignorant comments from entertainers, which won't stop any time soon.

But one can always hope that people might see entertainment for what it really is, a diversion from the important aspects of live, such as work, family and concern for one's neighbor. That is why the feudal court jester was also known as the Fool.