RESPECT FOR THE DEAD.

I have a dirty little secret. Really dirty. And it used to be a little titillating, but now it is just embarassing and disgusting and filthy and it makes me feel really bad about myself.

I read gossip columns.

I'm trying to stop. I really am. But let me tell you, kicking gossip is harder than booze, smokes, and pills put together. (This experience talking.)

I made the decision to ween myself from the destructive forces of Satan's-minions-in-journalists'-clothing after reading about how Heath Ledger was a hopeless drug addict. The proof of this? He was at a Hollywood party where other people -- other people -- were known to have done drugs. Re-read the sentence. Say it out loud. Go on. You are right. It does get more ludicrous each time you read it.

I've been at parties where two women made out. Does that mean I'm a lesbian?

If I continue to consume the crap these sites produce, I am just as guilty of defiling Mr. Ledger's memory as the craptastic "writers" who intentionally speak lies of the dead. And I want no part of it.

I know I can't take back those hours spent on the internet, reading up on Danilynn, and I can't un-read the blog reports of Mr. Ledger's death. I can't un-laugh at Britney Spears' devolution. But I can change my behavior in the future and I can ask others to join along.

I hereby, officially, through the power invested in me by this blog, declare February 10 through February 16 National Say No to Lies Week and urge you, my friends, to join me -- no E!, no Perez, no TMZ, no Entertainment Tonight or Hard Copy or National Enquirer or World Weekly News or Faded Youth or WoW!. No. No. No. No. No.

Drop me a Comment if you are with me. And pass the word on to your friends.