Jessica Simpson's ups and downs

I'm of two minds about this. On the one hand, I think, Jessica Simpson just can't get a break. On the other hand, I think, she's strutting her stuff on stage, and this goes with the territory.

First there was that whole Chicken of the Sea thing (yes, we know it's tuna) on her reality show with ex-Nick Lachey. Then she got the blame every time her beau Tony Romo crashed and burned for the Cowboys.

Now, entertainment TV and tabloids have had a field day showing images of her new "curvy" figure, as "E! News" and "Entertainment Tonight" have called it - while quick to point out that she's no longer fitting into her Daisy Dukes.

I wasn't going to mention any of this, but I just got an e-mail from the nasties at defamer.com about a "banned" exercise video the singer-actress did in 2005. When I went to the site, it said, "Tough as it is to believe, recent leopardskin-belt double-cinching victim Jessica Simpson was once the star of her own weight-loss video." It gets much less tasteful from there.

The Boston Herald even said she "looked a little porky."

After all the nonsense about Jennifer Love Hewitt's bathing suit shots in 2007 and Oprah's great weight debate, haven't we had enough of celebs who lose or pack on the pounds? As much fun as it is to admire those who look great in great clothes or send the fashion police after those who make missteps, as we have been during awards season, that's about clothing choice.

Why make it so personal?

Or, if you're Jessica Simpson and you have a clothing line and your signature and image are all over the place, are you fair game for catty criticism?

What do you think?