Oh, puh-leeze

Since Rebecca Eckler has been strangely absent from the Post these last weeks (and possibly longer, I'm not sure - my home subscription only kicked in three weeks ago, and before that I simply was not willing to fork over the change to read it online), I've been relying on the Globe and Mail for my weekly dose of "God, this columnist irritates me." That, of course, comes in the form of Canada's other Journalist Barbie, Miss Leah Mclaren, she of the column Generation Why?, which I often translate to Why Do I Read This Again?

Her column this week centres around poor Barbie's reduced financial straits, which in the world she lives in translates to "Poor me, I can't afford my cleaning lady and a masseuse!"

Hear Leah whine:

Unlike many of my peers, I graduated from university without a debt, and I've never taken a loan I can't repay. I have my own apartment, my own car and a good salary that easily pays the bills (when I'm receiving it, that is). And yet, I often feel poor.

The poor thing is on an unpaid book leave, and has spent part of her advance on a car, leaving her unable to buy shoes, though I doubt she's going barefoot. While Miss McLaren moans about forgoing hardcover novels, children in this country are going hungry, and people are living in the street in the same city where she visits those chi-chi restaurants.

There is poor, and there is poor, and I know the difference. I am not poor. The wolf, while it may snarl and claw at the door every now and then, is kept at bay. There is a roof over our heads, and contrary to my children's opinion, a lack of Frosted Flake Cereal Bars in the cupboard does not mean that we are starving.

Miss Leah should be ashamed of herself. Her sad tale belongs right up there with that of Whiny Jane Doe over at Salon. Sorry Leah, no pity from this reader, only absolute, unequivocal disgust at your total detachment from reality.

Comments

[Pioneer Melissa]

I read Leah's column last weekend too. I laughed out loud when she said she gave up hardcovers for softcovers. The hardships! I think she belongs to that group of people that think you are really poor (damn near homeless and worthy of cash donations) when you have to give up cable tv. I bet we all can't wait to see what her book will be about.... not. :-)

[Kelly]

Man, can you imagine if those were the only things you ever had to give up. Silly me worrying about giving up electric so I could have heat when I should have been worrying about the important things.