Political ambition in the United States should be made of sterner stuff than that possessed by successful performers who can manipulate and are increasingly manipulating their celebrity for material or political advantage.  We know from Hamlet that the theatrical performer in a dream of passion can resemble reality, forcing his soul, with tears in his eyes and broken voice, whose whole function is to get listeners to accept a pretended state of mind.  Today, in the U.S., successful performers, celebrities in the entertainment world, are going farther in ambitious efforts to persuade listeners that they have the right stuff for high political office or can play a significant role in public affairs. We are familiar in fictional representation with the impact of celebrities on affairs and decision-making.  Almost everyone admires the now iconic film Casablanca, set in 1942 during World War II, in which the central figure, the seemingly cynical Rick,...(Read Full Article)