respond to an article

Does Hollywood have a bad influence on our kids?
The New York Times 2008

Hollywood has influence, no one would argue about that, but is it a negative influence?

I would have to say, in the most part, yes it is. There are several ways in which 'Hollywood' and it's 'stars' negatively impact our world. One way is in the clothing they wear. Younger and younger children are trying to dress like their idols. Today they display their nakedness and sexual gyrating in our living rooms every day. Another way they influence us in a negative way is by their attitude. Many of them have so much money that they have lost touch with the lowly peons who pay their salary by watching their movies, buying their CDs ... Then go on TV and spew out all their nonsense when they don't even really know what's going on. Unfortunately, people tend to believe them because they are celebrities rather than checking out the truth. Finally, celebrities have a negative impact on our kids because they are stars. They are held to a higher level than the average being and accorded idol status. They are given far too much money and far too much respect for what they do. Along with that status should come an extra load of responsibility for their behaviors. Whether we like it or not, our kids are looking to them, and they have a major impact on our clothing, our opinions, our politics, our religious beliefs and more.