I find it disgusting when celebrity gossip and lifestyle-news creates a virtual blackout of real information on the cable news networks. Does the American public really give a damn? I suspect not. The news channels keep ranting about how many people are watching these sick, depressing, and annoying "investigations" into celebrity lives, but what other choice do people have?

This week a lot is happening. Giuliani's connections to Bernie Kerick and a series of scandals and mob connections are about to explode. The Iraqi government finally is facing up to Blackwater, trying to revoke the "immunity" Bush insisted they have...but what do we see on cable news? Archives of the dated Simpson murder trial, flashbacks from the past---Marsha, the OJ prosecuter, even Simpson's ex-roommate once again being hauled out of mothballs to seek another 40 seconds of fame. It's truly despicable.

The only ones enjoying this carnaval of banality are the commentators. It gives them a break from having to report real news. It's like a holiday for them and the gleeful look on their faces as they salivate over such wonderous tidbits as the color of the ties OJ wore during his murder trail make them look like ghouls. And then you have Anderson Cooper offering that concerned-yet-somewhat puzzled-look, the one you know he must have practiced in the bathroom for a long time.

It's enough to make re-runs of Mayberry look good.

when will this OJ hysteria end?

When OJ finds himself in the same place as Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman. Until then, see comment from Johnny Ringo.

What I find most interesting is that this break-in may shed light on how poor ole OJ lives the high-life, living in a nice house in Florida (the most debtor friendly state in the nation), playing golf, going to the Kentucky Derby, Vegas for a friend's wedding, etc. Yes, I'm sure he has a good NFL pension, which is likely exempt from creditors like the Goldmans. But, is he also engaging in some under the table sales of sports memorabilia? I believe OJ has said he was just trying to get his property back (footballs, photos). It could be that some unscrupulous sports memorabilia dealers thought they could screw OJ because he couldn't reveal that he was secretly dealing this stuff to get money unknown to creditors. OJ can't go to the police. So, OJ takes matters into his own hands and gets arrested.

I don't agree with it being the lead story. But, there's something more interesting than just the break-in and arrest.