I just read the entire article, and it's kind of all over the place...
He talks about being friends with Kurt Cobain, and then wanting to help or save Michael Jackson and Anna Nicole Smith. Huh? He talks about when he was touring, kids, favourite table, etc... It seems as though he may be struggling with depression or some other emotional issue, as I just see a lot of heartache in the article, and he seems genuinely confused as to what his life has become.
I don't think Disney totally ruined his family, and he needs to accept personal responsibility for being a friend rather than a parent. I'm sorry, but if someone was trying to do wrong with my babies, I would get in the middle of it, no matter what was at stake. And, if contracts were signed that gave up some of his parental involvement, then that is highly problematic as well. I do see issues with Miley, and have for years. If indeed Billy Ray is struggling with depression or anxiety, then he is probably feeling very scared and fatalistic at the moment (why else mention those other dead stars?), and is clearly worried about his daughter, and the rest of his family. But on the flip side, he and his wife are to blame for some of that. Nothing good can come from no discipline and no boundaries. Throw in buckets of money, and you will have major problems. Surely he knew that, as he has been famous for a long while now. What caused him to lose his way in regards to parenting his daughter?
Not sure what the answer is here? Should they have been better parents in regards to discipline? Yes, according to Billy Ray. Did Disney take advantage? Probably. Do the handlers really care about their charges? No, as money is at stake. Do teens have issues with impulsivity and high risk behaviour? Yes.
So, knowing all of that, perhaps now soemthing can be done in regards to setting Miley on a positive path, but at age 18, when you have had money and fame thrown at you for many years, setting herself on the right path is not going to come easy. Show business is a nasty business, yet they allowed their children to be a part of it, as they themselves were. Did they think they would be immune to any problems that came their way? Hindsight is 20/20, especially when your world has been turned upside down...and you yourself had a hand in that upheaval.
Interesting thread, Tiger