April 14, 2005

Rehab "Courage" in Hollywood

On MSN today, we get a heartwarming story about Joaquin Phoenix's entry into rehab:

Joaquin Phoenix has checked into a rehabilitation facility to deal with alcohol abuse problems. "He was uncomfortable with the way that he was living his life and found the courage [emphasis mine] to deal with his disease," publicist Susan Patricola said in a statement Tuesday.

Brave Joquin. He can now join the ranks of such notables as Martin Sheen and others who have "found the courage" to deal with his "disease."

Why is it when an actor/actress/singer/comedian/Hollywood blowhard enters rehab for some sort of addiction we all call it "brave" and "courageous?" These people continue to get work and to be praised by their peers for their struggles. Robert Downey, Jr. is a perfect example. (Heck, even child rapist Roman Polanski can get an Oscar for his artistic contributions to Hollywood, even though he can't step foot in the U.S. for fear of immediate arrest.)

Yet during the election (both of them), George W. Bush's past as an alcoholic was dragged through the mud over and over...not just by the Democrats (who have Teddy Kennedy in their midst), but by such Hollywood hypocrites as...Martin Sheen, who had the gall to call Bush a "white knuckle drunk" because Bush didn't receive the kind of treatment Sheen considers to be proper. First Martin Sheen figures he knows all about being the president because he plays one on television...now he knows all about rehab options for everyone because he was in one? What's next for Sheen, being an expert on medicine if he happens to land a role as a doctor?

The H in Hollywood stands for hypocrisy. It's getting more nauseating by the day.

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