It's not fair...

[reddog]

I do feel sorry for the Hollywood Stars who just lost their son, it's discussed on every station at every hour. It is tragic, no question about it. But what about my Heroes? What about the Families who will get that heart-wrenching news this night or tomorrow that my son or daddy won't be coming home, either. I guess they don't count enough to make front page news. Where's the parity?
Easy Brother,
Reddog...

[soccermark23]

It's not fair but ultimately I feel that the family should be given their privacy. I don't care if they are celebrities or not, this is a time of mourning and they should be allowed to mourn in private as opposed to having to dodge cameras every step they take.

[SlightlyCatholic]

I think not having any privacy comes with the occupation. In our culture, making seven figures (especially as an actor) immediately gives the public permission to your life's story as it unfolds. I'm not saying it's right, but I think these actors and actresses should think about that before they take million dollar paychecks for doing movies.

[HairyEyeball]

If people are willing to pay to see a movie or concert or ball game, that's all they're entitled to - not a piece of the actor's/singer's/athlete's life. For those who put themselves in the public eye outside of their areas of 'expertise' - the high school graduates who take the political stage and pontificate about foreign policy or military operations, all of which they know less about than I do of nuclear submarine design - the parameters obviously differ. We can empathize with Travolta, even sympathize, but there is no justification - other than the 'normal gawk reflex' - to intrude on his grief.

Doing well enough at your chosen profession to be a 'household name' (come to think of it, just what is Paris Hilton's 'chosen profession'?) does not make you or your life 'public property', and if multi-million dollar paychecks alone are the criterion, how many CEOs should have their private lives open to public scrutiny?