The American Spectator

p> MILEY MONTANA br> Re: Judah Friedman’s In Defense of Miley Cyrus : /p>

Judah Friedman has got to be kidding: “A few racy pictures”? Miley Cyrus is fifteen years old. The pictures included a suggestive one with her father Billy Ray Cyrus, for Pete’s sake! Parents are supposed to help their children avoid making mistakes, not facilitate them. Brooke Shields’ mother was very careful to protect her daughter when she was a child and teen star. In stark contrast, today we have the parents of Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears and the aforementioned Cyrus who exploit their children and don’t give a fat rat’s posterior for the consequences. And it’s the internet age, remember? My 8 year old daughter who is a big fan of Ms. Cyrus hears about her tawdry behavior from her friends in school who pick it up off the internet, and I have to explain why it’s wrong to a child who should not even have to hear about this garbage.

p>No, Mr. Friedman, we don’t destroy our heroes, we merely enable them to destroy themselves when we accept and even celebrate their poor behavior. br> — Paul DeSisto br> Cedar Grove, New Jersey /p>

I couldn’t agree with you more. I have been about to explode over how parents and the media have been blowing this out of proportion. I am a 21 year old girl who looks up to Miley with how well she has handled her fame, and the leaking of her “racy” pictures, and her apology for the VF shoot. I guess since I am not a parent or overly sensitive I can see this for what it is: a girl growing up in the public eye, just trying to be herself and have a good time without harming herself or anyone else. Thank you for pointing out that she is learning and growing, as I have been thinking the same thing all along! Her backless photo wasn’t a big deal. We’ve all seen more exposure from 12 year olds in the weekend Mervyn’s catalogs, so what’s the big deal? You’re also right that parents should sit down and explain this to their children, and have them understand that it’s okay for them, too, to make mistakes, because they will. And that we should build up Miley because making a fuss out of her falls will only send the message to our youth that it’s NOT okay to make mistakes. Maybe by pointing out and dwelling on the mistakes of others we only fuel their self destructive behaviors anyway? Just a thought.

p>Again, thanks for an enlightening point of view on this mess. br> —