Let's talk about something of great interest to us all: Charlie Sheen.

What? No lost socks, or paragraph after paragraph about adorable children?

No.

Trust me-every where I've been this week the "water cooler talk" has been about Charlie Sheen.

Although it's a broad statement, this popular actor's current situation is indicative of what's wrong with our country.

We love to see people fail.

We love to see scandal, we love depravity, we love the wiffle-ball bat to the crotch.

Maybe it's because we are not happy with ourselves or our situations.

There's not a lot to be happy about right now with gas nearing $4 a gallon, unrest in the Middle East, and our local occupational tax (and that's what it is-a TAX, not a "fee") about to triple.

So, let's watch someone famous self-destruct so we can feel better.

Now, there's two ways this thing can go: 1). He can come through bigger and better than ever-kinda like Robert Downey, Jr. did.Or,  2), He can spiral downward to a sensational end.

Are you aware there are "Charlie Sheen Death Watches," and some media outlets already have obituaries prepared for him. (That's actually a common practice for famous people.)

Why is it that we seem so entranced to watch his increasingly bizarre behavior?

He seems to brag about his wealth and power, but would you consider him a happy person?

Would we be as interested if he became "born again," and was praising Jesus, instead of advocating chocolate milk and porn stars?

You know the answer to that....NO.

Charlie Sheen is certainly a gifted actor.

His current status can command media attention with a mere wave of his shaky hands.

That's a bad thing.

When the media senses blood in the water, they all rush to outdo each other with some bit tidbit no one else has, or more importantly to them, an "exclusive."

And you know what's becoming more and more interesting as our society disentergrates?

One of the predominant "sources" for all-things-Charlie Sheen is tmz.com, which ironically, is a GOSSIP website.

You want "super-scary"?

Many "mainstream" news organizations use TMZ as a "source" or reference.

But let's look a the man of the hour. (That's quite literally the case as there seems to be constant updates about him.)

Is it possible (as some say) Charlie Sheen is riding a wave of destruction to his demise...or is the joke on us?

Is he clever enough to manipulate the media, and use all of this publicity (they say any publicity is good publicity) to boost his career?

More imporantly, what difference does it make to you or me in the grand scheme of things?

Really-how is what happens to a Hollywood actor going to affect your life?

If something tragic was to happen, most people are just going to say, "Told you so!"

Sad as it seems, we WANT to see "the big crash" during a car race.

We can't help but slow down when we see an accident on the road-hoping to get a look at the carnage.

We, as a nation, have lost our compassion.

Someone on talk radio said this morning whatever is going on with Charlie Sheen should only be of interest to him and his family, and should be handled behind closed doors, with no cameras, no "Tweets," and no extended media coverage.

There's a cohesive argument to be made for that.

But every performer must have an audience. Let's just hope this isn't the final curtain.

And if that's what we're waiting for, what does that say about us?