I missed my own point ...

After another night of shitty sleep, I realized my long diatribe would be better suited by simply stating: the confluence of branding, advertising, money, public relations, and a media beast that survives on perpetual urgency, manufactured drama, and warp speed news cycles creates a space where mediocrity is celebrated as artistic achievement. I have been watching the media rise of Newt Gingrich the last couple of weeks, my dad even said: "He looks presidential to me" and am flabbergasted by it: he is the ultimate narcissistic hypocrite. But this same machine that I bemoan contributed to the rise of Barack Obama as well, so I guess I am just saddened by the decay of real, honest, complicated, civil debate in this country. Madonna just a vehicle to blather on a bit about this state of un-reality. But I still don't understand how she receives writing credits? I guess she might claim to be a com-poser or conductor?