Book Board Chat

Paula, re: Miley, I agree. I think that's why I was surprised that there was some actual talent there. I often look at people in that situation and feel deep pity for them. Fame seems to utterly destroy some people. They are a product to be marketed, whatever the cost. I look at her, Amanda Bynes and several other stars raised under the thumb of The Mouse as modern examples. Then back to Judy Garland and what they did to her to keep her marketable as long as possible. I often wonder how some people (Shirley Temple-Black comes to mind) manage to survive and thrive after growing up in show business.

Re hospitals asking about domestic violence: back in the 1970s my mom did what you only see in movies. She actually stepped on the tines of a heavy garden rake, causing it to swing up. The handle whacked her hard in the face, nearly knocking her out and badly blackening her eye. She was too dizzy to drive and I was too young, so she put an ice pack on it and waited for my dad to get home from work to take her to the ER. She laughed as she told them what happened but they didn't believe her. Several nurses asked her several different times to tell the story and they finally sent my dad out of the room and explained that she was in a safe place and they would protect her if she told the truth. They never did believe her and reluctantly sent her home with my dad. I wonder how many, if any, of them continued to worry about mom into the future. Too bad my parents didn't take me along to confirm the story, though that may not even have helped...