Make no mistake, it is a tragedy when a 27 year old self-destructs.  She leaves behind her parents, who helplessly watched her head toward this iceberg for years, unable to turn the ship around.  Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to diminish their pain.

But what does it say about our culture when so many songs about truth, love, and courage never have a shot at getting airtime while millions of people are drawn to the message "tried to make me go to rehab, I said, 'no, no, no'"?

We live in a society where people with something important to say have no chance of getting on the radio, while train wrecks like Britney Spears, Lil Wayne, and Rihanna dominate the airwaves.  Today, brilliant muscians have little hope of being heard while no-talent hacks like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Ke$ha make millions by "kisssing a girl", dressing like hookers, or saying or doing something provocative.

Amy Winehouse won five Grammys because the public was attracted to her drug problem.  Yes, I am saddened that she passed away, but I am also saddened that we know who she was.