Rosie and Donald Need a Time-Out

Before I talk -- very briefly, promise -- about the truly shameful "feud" between Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell, I want to apologize for being away from this blog for far too long. I've been working hard to spread the Benevolent Planet philosophy via national magazine articles, Web publications and media companies, so that our community of Everyday Altruists continues to grow and intensify its energies. I may be asking some of you, in the monthly e-newsletter, in our forum and on this blog, to contribute your experiences from time to time, so please do check in.

Now, on to the nastiness. My take is simple: Going spontaneously for the cheap laugh, Rosie lost sight of the fact that a man is often every bit as sensitive about his hair loss as a woman is about her weight. Jokes at the expense of another are never all that funny. Donald Trump's response, however, is beyond cruel, and his excuse of it as "just being honest" is even less excusable. Those who confuse honesty with hateful words intended to wound are as dishonest as they come. I find it particularly shameful that children are being exposed to this juvenile war of words between adults, and that Trump is currently featured in a "The More You Know" public service ad that discourages kids from smoking. I would imagine that his credibility, even with kids, is shot, and that using him as a role model is a terrible error in judgment.

Which brings me to the entertainment media, whose role in this, I would suggest, is the least admirable of all. If they hadn't reported it, it never would have gained ground, and we -- and our kids -- wouldn't have been exposed to it. If they hadn't gleefully broadcast every letter and repeated every exchange, neither party would have enjoyed the brighter spotlight and the whole thing would have been contained as brief industry gossip. Rosie and The Donald may have revealed their most childish selves, but the media, by treating us like children cheering on two playground bullies, have proven just how much growing up they have to do.