Defending Britney Spears

I have to admit that I didn't see Britney Spears' much maligned performance on Sunday night, because I didn't watch the VMA's. I'm not so much into that world. I stopped, long ago, caring about competition and glitz and glamour--in fact, I don't recall ever caring. That said, I couldn't help finding out about the lousy reviews Britney's Sunday performance received. I'd pretty much have to be in a coma to miss that news, as it's been splattered all over the internet. In fact, even if in a coma, I'd probably hear the doctors and nurses around me talking about it, so it would still seep into my subconscious. There ain't no avoiding it.

So I figure that I might as well chime in on the story, along with everyone else. Here's my take:

I'll admit that I've never been a big fan of La Spears. When I saw her in her first video, all those years ago, the Catholic schoolgirl one, I thought "Wow, here's a pedophile's wet dream and a little girl whose parents don't care." That was the last Britney video I've ever seen. But over the years, it's been impossible to miss the outfits (or lack thereof), the snakes and the scandals. I used to joyfully participate in the Britney-bashing (yes, it is possible to get sucked into that mob mindset even when one likes to consider oneself on the spiritual path ... I ain't proud of it, but I ain't gonna deny that I did it.)

But now I feel true compassion for the tortured being that Britney Spears has become because ... damn.

The reviews of her performance talk about how low energy she is, how fat she is, and how off her lip-synching is. Doesn't anyone else see that it's not that she sucks, it's that her heart just isn't in it anymore? Maybe she doesn't even know that yet, but the realization is coming.