The common denominator in the lives of these tragic children is alcohol and drugs.

I completely disagree with the highlighted statement above. It would be accurate to state this is what the media is interested in and what they buy into.

The rest of America is quite normal in what it wants and it is most certainly NOT what is depicted by the very few radical celebrities and politicians that are glorified by the media.

My biggest issue, pet peeve, annoyance in life is the amount of generalizing done with isolated incidents.

The America I know and love, the 90+++%, and the Americans I know and love are not into the gutter lifestyles, the 2-5%, put disgracefully on display.

Who the heck are the people who "idolize" Erroll Flynn and James Dean or even Babe Ruth?

Bieber isn't a "kid". He's over 18 so he's and adult and judging by his antics in the last couple of years, he's a loser. So he gets judged by his actions and appropriately condemned for them.

Redwitch... I agree with you on one level, but at the time those people were doing such things, it wasn't widely publicized. I still think there's a lack of parenting involved when it comes to Hollywood kids and their sudden wealth.

BTK... I agree with you too on one level, but there are an awful lot of people in the grocery store checkout lane snapping up those ridiculous gossip rags. And how do you explain the instant and ongoing success of People Magazine? I think there's a section of the population we're not necessarily aware of, and they thrive on this stupid stuff.

CF, won't even argue the lack of parenting but I can remember talking to OJ Simpson's mother once. She would try to ground him for some action he took and not only would the coach come and say how he needed he was (in junior high, no less) but members of the PTA would call her and so on and so forth. Hard to parent when the whole world refuses to hold your child responsible.

I'd say the bigger lack of parenting goes on by parents who let their kids worship these people rather than the Mandelas, the Mother Theresas, the scientists, teachers and neighborhood cop. I know my parents went out of their way to let me know that admiring the talent of an athlete or performer was the right thing to do but we didn't have to admire the behavior and we most certainly should not emulate these people.

I'm not condoning Bieber's behavior. It is childish, ill-advised and downright stupid but it is also understandable. The big difference between him and most of our kids at that age is that he has more money and everything he does is news, especially if he does something bad. Of course, we rarely hear of him visiting kids in the hospital just cause he happened to drive by one (and he has done this -- he gave my friend's granddaughter the shirt he was wearing).

And, yes, technically 19 is an adult. However, the brain doesn't stop growing until age 25 for most of us. So, maturity is still a few years off for him.

We idolize Babe Ruth, Errol Flynn, and James Dean? Maybe 50 years ago some people idolized James Dean and 65 years ago for Errol Flynn and Babe Ruth.

These young celebs are followed by photographers 24/7 and the magazines like People and tabloids like National Enquirer are anxious to buy pics. It sells big time.

As far as the young celebs behaving badly, they are young; have lots of money; and no personal responsibility. They are living life for the moment.

How about the pro basketball players, baseball, and football players that earn multi-millions? Most are responsible but a few are not - carry guns in clubs, etc.

If the ordinary citizen did not pay money to hear and see all about the young celebs, this would not happen. Do not blame the celeb. Do not blame the media. Blame each other for buying the magazines, CDs, movies, and music of these people.

But I don't think I should stop buying NFL Ticket or going to baseball games, two sports I absolutely love, because a few players are irresponsible, law-breaking jerks.

It's not the celebs I'm paying $ to hear or see. It's the sport.

Tough situation, is it not? The team owners could ban these irresponsible law breakers but what would that gain?

I thought the Steelers were doing that with the lawbreakers. They even got rid of Santonio Holmes after a terrific catch to win the Super Bowl... and then along came Roethlisberger. I was very disappointed they didn't let him go.

I guess even the Rooneys have a bottom line.

Another case of a young person, who was barely held in control by his parents, and the madness of becoming, obscenely wealthy.

They can't wait until there are legal, so they live their life on their own terms. Unfortunaly, they are too immature, to live a responsible lifestyle.
They become the breadwinners in their family, and probably tell their parents, to pi## off.

I hope this young man wakes up and smells the coffee, before it's too late.

I always find it sad that so many actors, actresses don't save their money.
They live in homes much too big for themselves, to impress future employers, give lavished parties and when the work stops comming, they wind up broke.

Excellent distinction Cyndy. Sports fans may have their favorite players, and yes there are a few who idolize a particular player, but most sports fans are really fans of their favorite team and not so much the individual players. I grew up as a Kansas City As fan (may explain my warped personality) but every time I developed a special interest in a player - BOOM; he was traded to the Yankees (Clete Boyer, Roger Maris, Bud Daley and on and on) for some has been. I continued to root for the As, however, as that was MY team, until they moved to Oakland, in which case I hated them and loved the Royals. Indianapolis fans loved Peyton Manning, but now they love Andrew Luck, Patriot fans loved Aaron Hernandez, but not so much now. Justin Bieber, Elvis, Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Adele, Taylor Swift, etc. are or were idolized for their perceived artistry, as individuals. They are the franchise, and like allegiance for sports teams, many are willing to overlook their shortcomings.

Well to illustrate how upside down this country has become recall that once moral clauses were inserted in contracts to prevent celebrities from display such behavior in public. However, today's contract insert moral clauses stating celebrities better display bad behavior because it sells big time.

and the public is watching just look at the popularity of reality shows. and to add insult to injury reality TV moved into sitcom Talk shows, etc

Celebrities have made a pact with the devil and most would do anything to stay king of the hill r just to stay on the hill. some people will do anything for money

The unfortunate thing is that young kids are watching and emulating this behavior because that is all they know. and the kicker is some parents foster such behavior because they believe it makes their kids cool. Why because they did some of the same things and well you don't know wha you don't know. Well kids will be kids.

At 19 I was married earning pay to live on and continue my education to make a better life for my wife and the kids that would eventually appear

Today's news
 

TORONTO (AP) — Justin Bieber was charged with assault for allegedly hitting a Toronto limousine driver several times in the back of the head last month. The news broke just after the Canadian pop star's attorney entered a separate not guilty plea in Florida to drunken-driving and other charges.
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Bieber turns self in on expected charge in Canada Associated Press
Justin Bieber pleads not guilty in DUI arrest Associated Press
Police charge Justin Bieber with assault AFP
Canadian police charge Justin Bieber with assaulting limo driver Reuters
Justin Bieber to be charged with assault in Toronto: CBC Reuters

The baby-faced 19-year-old turned himself in to a Toronto police station Wednesday evening, arriving amid a crush of media and screaming fans. He was charged with one count of assault and is scheduled to appear in court in Toronto on March 10.