I had no intention of commenting on Heath Ledger’s overwhelmingly tragic death today, as the surfeit of news coverage — particularly in the online gossip rags — would render any words of mine entirely redundant. However, while combing through TMZ just now, I found something that really irked me, regarding Ledger’s family:

They are particularly distraught over media reports that he may have taken his own life. The family says he was not that kind of person.

They never are. You can take my expert word on that one.

EDIT: I’ll admit even I didn’t see this one coming: apparently Westboro Baptist Church (if you’re looking for a link, forget it) is planning on picketing Heath’s funeral due to his involvement with Brokeback Mountain. And honestly, I hope they do — just imagine the shit-storm that will await them. I’m all for free speech and freedom of assembly, but freedom and license are two very different things. John Cameron Mitchell’s mother taught me that.

Filed by Trevor at 8:15 pm under Pop Culture