Private Lives of Public Figures... Again

When I was young, I was told that going to the movies meant I'm okay with the "Hollywood Lifestyle".  I wasn't quite driving age, but that logic seemed wrong and it still does.  Yes, celebrities are role models with huge areas of influence, but they are still human beings. 

Bill Cosby once scolded Eddie Murphy for profanity.  He waved around an honorary PhD as if he'd actually earned it.  I didn't like him then, for those things, and we've learned since that he was doing way worse things.  Yet I still enjoy quoting his old stand-up routines.   

Linda would have broken up The Beatles if Yoko hadn't.  Both  Paul and John wrapped their whole worlds around a woman, and Paul acted like John was in the wrong for doing it.  I don't like hypocrites.  But Paul is a fantastic musician.  His talent can't be denied.  

Johnny Depp stands accused but never convicted.  Michael Jackson stands accused but never convicted.  (Innocent until proven guilty but I digress.)  I am a fan both of the men, in their creative fields.  Depp can act circles around most of Hollywood and Jackson made amazing music. 

JK Rowling has said a lot of things, some I agree with and some I don't.  I don't think I'd enjoy having dinner with her.   I've also read the Harry Potter series repeatedly and will continue to do so.  

We've had a series of adulterers and racists in the White House.  Most of this nation's Founders were slave owners.  Yet we judge those men, at least the more historically distant ones, on the quality of the job done.  We should be judging the recent ones the same way.   

I consider the money I spend or the vote I cast to be payment for a job done well.  The amount of support I give for said job depends entirely upon how well.  The private life of payee is none of my business.  This applies equally to a celebrity and to a grocery store clerk.