The Exponent - Purdue's Student Newspaper

First there was David Carradine, who achieved renown for his role on the television show “Kung-Fu,” then former “Tonight Show” sidekick extraordinaire Ed McMahon. These were followed in close succession by former Charlie’s Angel Farrah Fawcett and King of Pop Michael Jackson. After that, last Sunday, TV pitchman Billy Mays was found dead in his Tampa home.

That’s five high profile celebrity deaths in a matter of weeks, and the media won’t let us forget it.

The night Jackson died in an L.A. hospital, CNN, FoxNEWS, MSNBC and virtually every other news station covered his death extensively. CNN has dedicated an entire section of its Web site to Jackson’s death. On the homepage of IndyStar.com alone there were at least five stories about Jackson’s death in the days following. And a short distance below these stories – in much smaller font, almost as an afterthought – was the most recent news updates from Iran.

Now, Jackson’s death is sad, and there is a time to reflect and remember what these figures have contributed.

But at what cost?

When their deaths overshadow more important things, such as the demonstrations in Iran – in which people are dying for their right to be heard – then there is a potential problem.

So celebrate the lives and accomplishments of these figures because it’s true most of them earned it. Just don’t lose sight of the more pressing matters at hand.