Remembering Elizabeth Taylor 1932 - 2011

I don't comment too much on pop culture but the world lost a shining star early this morning.  While in the near term, Taylor will be remembered for her 8 marriages as much as her two Oscars and many personal demons.  She will always be remembered for her style, beauty and transition from child to adult actor.

You have to look at Taylor's work with the disease AIDS that will last the test of time.  Back in the early to mid-1980's when AIDS was called "gay cancer" by the media, Taylor stood up and stood by the side of former co-star Rock Hudson who was probably the first big name celebrity to die from the disease.  At that point in time and looking back, the act was brave and courageous.  Taylor was way ahead of curve in humanity and we are still trying to catch to catch up.  In this day, will humanity catch back up to her?

While my only ties to Taylor was sharing the same birthday date and her visit to a local amusement park in the 1988, we could look at her charitable work as stepping stone for us all.

In another local tie to the area, Taylor won her first Oscar in the movie BUtterfield 8.  The novel by the same name was written by Pottsville native John O'Hara.