Saturday, June 09, 2007
Paris Hilton's Great Adventure: I'm fascinated by the coverage of Paris Hilton's Great Adventure, and in my mind I've been tossing over the so-called facts in the matter. Here's my take- for what it's worth (probably not much when all is said and done)
In my mind there are four elements to this saga. The judicial system, Hollywood celebreties, Paris Hilton, and a judge.
First, largely our judicial system has become a "process" where people have a brush with the law, they come into the process, someone in a black robe drops a gavel, some money is paid, and then the perpetrator returns to their life. The process continues on, and on, and on.
Second, you have the Hollywood celebreties that lead dangerously out of control lives that occasionally brush up against "the Process". They do something stupid, or dangerous, or both, then get on the "process-go-round", pay their fine and get on with their lives.
Then you have Paris. She is living that dangerous life, has her brush with the process, and expects to get kicked out the far end of the "process-go-round" and get back to her life. But.....
Finally you have the judge. This judge apparently resents the Hollywood types that play the process game and then end up killing either themselves or an innocent "passer by" on the celebrity road to self destruction. On top of that, celebrities tend to get high paid lawyers and then flaunt the system and the courts.
My guess, and that's all it is, is this judge looked at Paris, saw that no one in her life has ever said "no" to her, that she was on the Anna Nichole Smith Express, and that she merely expected to play "process-go-round" and get back to her life. I think the judge said "not this time". I believe he decided to do two things; bring some sanity and purpose back to the judicial system in the form of accountability, and intervene in Paris' life and try to give her that Life Lesson that may save her life.
Jail is supposed to be punitive; it's NOT supposed to be a part of process that "other people" experience. I totally believe the judge indended to send a wake up call to Paris that her life is way off track and to other Hollywood celebs that his court is not a part of "proccess-go-round".
In my mind there are four elements to this saga. The judicial system, Hollywood celebreties, Paris Hilton, and a judge.
First, largely our judicial system has become a "process" where people have a brush with the law, they come into the process, someone in a black robe drops a gavel, some money is paid, and then the perpetrator returns to their life. The process continues on, and on, and on.
Second, you have the Hollywood celebreties that lead dangerously out of control lives that occasionally brush up against "the Process". They do something stupid, or dangerous, or both, then get on the "process-go-round", pay their fine and get on with their lives.
Then you have Paris. She is living that dangerous life, has her brush with the process, and expects to get kicked out the far end of the "process-go-round" and get back to her life. But.....
Finally you have the judge. This judge apparently resents the Hollywood types that play the process game and then end up killing either themselves or an innocent "passer by" on the celebrity road to self destruction. On top of that, celebrities tend to get high paid lawyers and then flaunt the system and the courts.
My guess, and that's all it is, is this judge looked at Paris, saw that no one in her life has ever said "no" to her, that she was on the Anna Nichole Smith Express, and that she merely expected to play "process-go-round" and get back to her life. I think the judge said "not this time". I believe he decided to do two things; bring some sanity and purpose back to the judicial system in the form of accountability, and intervene in Paris' life and try to give her that Life Lesson that may save her life.
Jail is supposed to be punitive; it's NOT supposed to be a part of process that "other people" experience. I totally believe the judge indended to send a wake up call to Paris that her life is way off track and to other Hollywood celebs that his court is not a part of "proccess-go-round".
Labels: celebrity, Jail, judge, Paris, Paris Hilton, sheriff
Monday, May 07, 2007
Paris Hilton Jail Sentence- Unfair? : Is the 45-day jail sentence for Paris Hilton unfair? If you've read most of my blogs by now, you'll likely think my position is that she should go immediately to jail without passing go. You might be wrong.
What kind of tickets, fines, judgements, sentences have been handed down to a State Governor who, while violating state seatbelt laws, was in an incapacitating accident that almost killed him?
What kind of tickets, fines, judgements, sentences have been handed down to a New Jersey State Trooper that was driving the Governor at 91 miles per hour while talking/texting on a blackberry?
Now, I'm not saying Paris doesn't deserve her punishment. But when you compare driving on a suspened license with hurling yourself down the highway at 91 miles per hour, playing with a blackberry, and not wearing seatbelts, I'm kinda wondering where the equity is in the situation?
My final opinion? Yep, send Paris on off to the lock up for her 45 days- she might get her wake up call. But let's also drag the Governor of New Jersey and his state trooper in front of a judge and make some judicial judgements as well!
If the rich and famous (Corzine) are going to get a break because of who they are, then apply the standard equally. If they're going to get locked up and treated like most people would, then apply that standard equally as well!
What kind of tickets, fines, judgements, sentences have been handed down to a State Governor who, while violating state seatbelt laws, was in an incapacitating accident that almost killed him?
What kind of tickets, fines, judgements, sentences have been handed down to a New Jersey State Trooper that was driving the Governor at 91 miles per hour while talking/texting on a blackberry?
Now, I'm not saying Paris doesn't deserve her punishment. But when you compare driving on a suspened license with hurling yourself down the highway at 91 miles per hour, playing with a blackberry, and not wearing seatbelts, I'm kinda wondering where the equity is in the situation?
My final opinion? Yep, send Paris on off to the lock up for her 45 days- she might get her wake up call. But let's also drag the Governor of New Jersey and his state trooper in front of a judge and make some judicial judgements as well!
If the rich and famous (Corzine) are going to get a break because of who they are, then apply the standard equally. If they're going to get locked up and treated like most people would, then apply that standard equally as well!
Labels: Corzine, Democrats, driving, Governor, Hilton, Jail, John Corzine, New Jersey, Paris, Paris Hilton
