Thomas Kincade Dead (finally)

[marions ghost]

170. I have serious empathy

for the millions of people who got exploited by Kinkade on his way to the pinnacle from which he fell. I'm not a believer in "buyer beware"-- I would rather see a demand for more ethical business practices to protect consumers and investors. I'm also empathetic to the situation of honest artists who don't get rich because they don't sell their souls. I'm empathetic to people who make a difference in their communities without forming their own cults of me-worship. Etc etc

Just because someone's relative has died I don't feel any special empathy, especially if I don't like what that relative stood for. We all have had relatives die and it hurts like crap but I save my emotions for people I care about. That doesn't mean I wish his family any ill. But we are talking about a public figure who leaves a dubious legacy. The truth about his activity is fair game.

I have sympathy for his family (for being related and having lost him) but I do NOT have empathy for them. BIG difference.