...and give these people what they deserve...

Isaiah Washington? - unprofessional, fire him.

Lindsay Lohan? - dumb bitch, next.

Britney Spears? - call child services

Mel Gibson? - needs ass-whuppin' in the drunk tank.

Tara Conner? - take away her crown, call penthouse

Nicole Richie? - pathetic. hook her up with Rosie's chef.

Pat O'Brien? - laughable. mid-life desperation (ala Marv)

Ted Haggard? - future role model in cell block 8.

Michael Richards? - who really cares?

Mark Foley? - future bitch in cell block 8.

James Frey? - life's tough (unless you have to invent it) loser.

Rep. Bob Ney - comic relief in cell block 8.(...alcohol?)

...why are people so quick to idolize notoriety, and then maniacally obsess,(as in "the big letdown"), when these people reveal their human side?

If these people are celebrities, should we automatically hold them "in high esteem?"

Should we let the off so easy?

No, they were a bunch of lucky bastards that didn't know how to handle their 'privilege'...

Kick them all in the ass, like ordinary people, and move on.

I think Salon's bias is showing in selecting two Republican Congressmen and not Patrick Kennedy. Patrick Kennedy entered rehab for the third or fourth time after his traffic accident last year. And he is hardly alone in his family for having entered rehab. As a matter of fact, the whole article could have been written about the Kennedy's.

However, except for the idea that celebrities are getting special treatment, the idea that anybody with a drug or alcohol problem is getting treatment is good. And the idea that people are going to rehab instead of prison is a positive trend, particularly if it were made available to a wider group of people who's underlying problem is substance abuse, not violent criminality.

how long before they open rehab centers that treat imbecility and egomania?

Here's hoping ...

So this is a new sign of the times- boorish, spoiled, generally-drunken "celebs", committing potential prison offenses (tell me that Lindsay Lohan never risked anyones' life, driving under the influence, like Mel did?) and then sanctimoniously "checking into rehab". Why are these offensive people worshiped by the public? Role models, they are not. Good way to state our revulsion with their dangerous behavior? Boycott their movies. How long before we read "What ever happened to Lindsay Lohan?" "Gee, I don't know, wasn't she a lush?

I like to drive around with DMX's "My Niggaz" blasting out the car stereo. Windows down. Even next to cops, even black cops. You have two choices: a) send me to rehab or b) shut the ever loving fuck up. City law says if you can hear more than 75ft away only then is it a violation.

I recommend people grow a non transparent skin and get over themselves. If you really want to be offended at everyone everywhere all the time then fine. No one can stop you. But we'll just point and laugh.

I can understand the focus on politicians and religious leaders, after all the are to be held accountable by the public they supposedly serve; but who cares about the rest?

Lindsey, Brittney and whoever else happens to be in the bad girls and boys news, is that worthy material for Salon?

Just wondering...

EMM.

Re: Your self-satisfied/highly innacurate headline: "Lindsay Lohan, perennial party girl, serial dater, occasional actress"--reality would seem to contradict your glibness if you take a look at a partial filmmography:

I Know Who Killed Me

Georgia Rule

Chapter 27

Bobby

Just My Luck

A Prairie Home Companion

Herbie Fully Loaded

Mean Girls

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen

Freaky Friday

Then there's three CDs I'm aware of, the last of which is a very credible teenpop/rock effort. And the imdb lists about 5 films in-progress.

When did Salon become a priggish--did the author spend his late teens at a Buddhist retreat studying Spinoza?-- less-informed US?

These celebrities get ranked out for going to rehab cynically. No more than a handful of drunks and addicts ever goes sincerely. The only thing drunks and addicts do sincerely is drink and drug.

Addiction is a primary disease. That is, if there's sex addiction or an eating disorder, for instance, and chemical addiction as well, nothing's going to improve without treating the chemical addiction first.

Patient compliance with recovery is no worse than with any other medical treatment.

Recovery and psych (though less the drug therapy fad) can work. The standard complaints against them are mostly not real.

There's nothing wrong with getting better. And there's nothing wrong with the precondition for getting better, to acknowledge you've got a screw or two loose.

Best,

Monty

(Read more for free: google "Rabid Fanatic" +"Monty Johnston"

You are my hero.

Now, really, Salon, who really cares about these publicity hungry nobodies? This gossipy s--- is not worthy of your really great on-line news.

Now, really, Salon, who really cares about these publicity hungry nobodies? This gossipy s--- is not worthy of your really great on-line news.

Salon has far too much material on celebrities. If I wanted that kind of junk, I'd pick it up in the supermarket. I subscribed because I'm interested in coverage of current events, politics, and the arts. But your recent trend toward pop "culture" is causing me to rethink my subscription.

Charles Fisher

Dublin, Ohio

Thanks for the passive-aggressive hide-behine-your-monitor snarky little spineless swipe at "the black guy." If you learned to stand up for yourself in public you would not have suffered a lifetime of ass-whuppings. Instead all you have is a keyboard and salon, where your subscription means your infantile rants won't get scrubbed. You're still the whiny little jerk you were as a kid. Face it. No wonder you're still single and living at home.

Clarissa French

Sandusky, OH

I've been sober for 21 years and these losers are giving us drunks a bad name.

I think all of this is funny. Most addicts and alcoholics fall flat on their face just destroying the lives of their families. I do not like James Frey because he is untalented and he actually (before I ever knew who he was) let out a statement that said, "Let the haters hate, let the liars lie...." Anytime anyone uses the word "hater" you know you are witnessing pure garbage in human form.

I am very attracted to Lindsay Lohan and would one day wish to make myself worthy of her through success, bodybuilding, cardio, penile implant, new wardrobe, etc. I will do all that I can so that one day I can win her heart and make love to her. Beautiful little fire crotch. I have been masturbating to her image since I saw "Freaky Friday."

Britney: Love you babe, but you are most likely too loose for me. Your lunchmeat must hang down to your ankles.

Nicole: Definitely hit it and try to break that back. Break that back, break that back.

Kramer: who gives a shit if you called a black person a nigger? So what? All that he was trying to do was insult some asswipe and he went for the jugular. It isn't a crime to insult someone.

Black guy from some stupid show I have never watched: calling someone a faggot is just the lazy man's insult. I will say however, that most dudes do call other guys faggot when they get into arguments (and motherfucker). Hey we have been brought up to call weaker guys sissy and faggot. They are weak they deserve death. Other than that, yeah, the gay guy should just realize that being called faggot is just an insult in general and he should lighten up or lighten some other man's load in his mouth.

Rep. Ney: you are just pathetic. Do you toss your own salad? If you would like, I could bend you over and cream in your butt.

Pat O'Brien: whoever thought you would be so fucking cool?

and for the rest: Just drink and be happy. Hell, why does everyone have to fret about a little partying? For all those dipsomaniacs, imbibers, tippers-backers, just relax, have a nice cocktail or two, and keep on keeping on.