Is it just me, or are people (regardless of their own age) generally more age-biased than ever these days? In a culture that considers its perspective not only enlightened but defiantly post-prejudiced, it’s apparently still okay—even appropriate—to use age as a measure of who is deserving to: lead our country, star in a movie, host a TV show, hold down most any job, voice an opinion, conduct a sexual relationship, drive a car, have full access to health care, live next door, and of course sell a screenplay—among other crucial issues. No matter the contributions these people have made and are continuing to make to the society in which they live. They’re over a certain age, and they’re history—or, according to some, should be.

Now, to add fat to the fire, here comes this new slick magazine, Radar, with its youth-oriented slant on 21^st century lifestyle. Its May/June 2008 issue offers a “Senior Moment” article by Choire Sicha, who has likely not yet reached her 30^th birthday. In what was apparently intended as a movie review of the soon-to-be-released Indiana Jones film, Choire queries, “What summer blockbuster is most likely to make audiences fear its star will fall and break his hip? Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, starring 65-year old Harrison Ford and his threadbare fedora.” Choire then makes an abrupt segue here in deference, no doubt, to her political agenda, and shreds John McCain and his “equally sluggish demeanor,” which hasn’t “slowed his quest to become the oldest president ever elected.”

And the writer doesn’t stop at Harrison Ford and John McCain. No. She’s after blood from the veins of such venerable members of society as: U.S. Senator Robert Byrd, 90; Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone, 84; New York Post gossip columnist Cindy Adams 83; Playboy’s Playboy Hugh Hefner, 82; and TV icons Regis Philbin, 76; Larry King, 74; and Barbara Walters, 76.

It appears that Miss Sicha is chomping at the bit to shortcut her way to the top of her profession. She would do well to realize that it generally takes years of working at your profession before you hit your stride and become of particular value to your part of the world. Miss Sicha has a long way yet to go.