Thursday, July 23, 2009

A Culture "Seriously Messed Up"

This has been making the e-mail rounds so you may have already read it. I hadn't. So thanks, Jeanna. You're right; it's one to share.

Ed McMahon died this week. He was a great entertainer, but prior to his stage accomplishments he was a distinguished Marine Corps fighter pilot in WWII earning six Air Medals. He was discharged in 1946 and volunteered to fly again in the Korean War. He joined the California Air National Guard and was later promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.


Farrah Fawcett died this week after a long career in Hollywood as an actress. After she was diagnosed with cancer, she became an activist for cancer treatment and devoted her last remaining years encouraging people to seek treatment. She documented her plight on film and used it to encourage others to stay positive and upbeat despite their diagnosis and suffering.


Karl Malden died this week after a long career in Hollywood as an actor. He also served in the US Air Force during WWII and also served on the US Postal Service committee to review and recommend commemorative stamps. In 2005, the US House of Representatives authorized the US Postal Service to rename a Los Angeles post office the Karl Malden Postal Station.


Michael Jackson died this week. He was perhaps one of the greatest singers of modern time. He will also be remembered for his eccentric lifestyle that included sleeping with a chimpanzee, living in a carnival-like atmosphere at Neverland, his fascination with Peter Pan, and his numerous masks and costumes. He also admitted to finding pleasure sleeping with young boys and paying out millions of dollars in settlements to the families of these boys despite being acquitted by a court on one allegation of sexual molestation.


QUESTION 1) - Which of the above did the House of Representatives declare a moment of silence for today? (Hint - It wasn't one of the first three.)


QUESTION 2) - Which of the above's family received a personal note of condolence from President Obama? (Hint - It wasn't one of the first three.)


Seriously messed up.