The Culture of Celebrity's Latest Victims -- Blagojevich Star Struck By Oprah & Kristol Falls for Damon

Our eerie and and sometimes pathetic culture of celebrity always reveals more about the enthralled than the celebrities themselves, however unserious or undeserving they may be.

Right on the heels of the Caroline Kennedy Kabuki theater comes news of more celebrities being taken seriously on matters far beyond their ken.

We now learn embattled Democrat Illinois Governor Blagojevich considered Oprah Winfrey as a replacement for Obama in the Senate (link), and the ordinarily sober Bill Kristol is willing to debate actor Matt Damon on the merits or demerits of the Iraq war (link). Blagojevich may just be messing around as a diversion, but even if so note he brings up Oprah and not, for example, some unknown black female accomplished businesswoman.

Lots of people listen when celebrities talk, so they talk more about more things. And yes, celebrities can attract publicity for a cause and so are put out front. But some get confused about all this attention and begin thinking their thoughts are especially insightful, like the actor who feels qualified to testify before Congress on health care policy, not because he is a doctor but because he plays one on TV.

John M Greco