I think there *are* things we can do about it. Bringing the inequities out into the open and discussing it is a start. Thinking about how things can be changed, and then pushing our elected officials to do something about it is another. Examining the candidates for any public office, determining who best supports, and *acts* on the ideal of an equal justice system, and then voting for them is another.

In my most cynical moods, I think the same as you do. Then I keep reminding myself we have a responsibility while we’re alive to not only do what’s best for ourselves, but also contribute what we can to society. There never will be a utopia, or an “ideal” society, but as long as we keep an ideal in mind and work towards it, we can effect change, even if incrementally. After all, you don’t think the blacks sat around and said, “Oh, well, social Darwinism and the system… we’re never gonna beat that.” It took decades, but they instituted change (things are still imperfect, yes, but they’re way better than they used to be). Nothing says we can’t do the same.

I do agree with you– while I applaud the fact that she recognizes that the media attention is excessive and unnecessary, it does seem out of character for her to make such a statement. I suspect some urgent character rehabilitation is going on here…

The outcome might have been the same, but without the media as a factor, Paris Hilton wouldn’t be famous; she’d just be rich (and well-connected). There are dozens of other Paris Hiltons out there who aren’t in the media spotlight, yet still take advantage of a two-tier system.

My overall questions here boil down to these: Is there something we should do about this, and *can* we do something about this?

“The only bush I trust is my own.” :)

I am under no illusions about the Democratic party, but at least they pretend to care about the common man and practice a competent governance. I still remember fondly our “long national nightmare” of peace and prosperity during the 1990s in contrast to an incompetently led war based on lies and ideological biases and nearly a trillion dollars down the rathole.

Now, I really hope you aren’t insinuating that democrats are innocent angels directly opposed to the republican’s. If so.. then apparently somethings missing in your thoughts.

And, yes, I seriously dislike her. It is no coincidence that the galaxy of BFFs (best friends forever) around her have gotten into drug addictions, misbehavior, and various trashy behavior.

And, yes, it’s a severe indictment on ourselves and the news media in that we would rather focus on the latest perils of Paris instead of the Attorney-gate scandal, the lies and mismanagement of Iraq, and appointments of incompetent Republican hacks to various important posts throughout the government.

I must confess the blog provoked ambivalent thoughts in me. I readily admit this, I ardently dislike Paris Hilton. As a result, I may be biased in what I write after this on the topic of Ms.Hilton.

I agree with the notion that there are those who have an agenda toward the filthy rich and a desire to bring them down violently toward “our” level in society. There is virtue in all being equal before the law, and then there is excessive punishment that are not warranted.

However, Ms.Hilton for me readily deserves her time in jail and her return. Besides having blantant disregard for the law (it was, after all, her second time without a license) she has also portrayed a belief in her status as being “above” others. Besides this being implicit in the very actions of believing she could drive despite a suspended license for a DUI, there are others: She was in a reality show, which was as many has publicly said was bad, titled “The Simple Life.” In this very show which by the very nature of the topic of the show indicates Ms.Hilton believed to be above and beyond the “common “people. Her actions on that show only encouraged that self-evident belief of social superiority. Then there is the infamous socialite nightlife she pursued alongside the likes of Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan.

However, I agree that there is a tendency to tear down those who are rich and yet do not deserve it. Ms.Hilton I do not believe is one of those. Bill Gates, however, is one. Before his days of charity, he was one of the most reviled and yet admired individuals in our society. Yet he contributed to society, was relatively well behaved and in the end, sought acceptance by following the philanthropist road.

I also recognize that Hilton may not have been as punished as “severely” had she contributed something of value to society yet this same standard is also applied to everyone. If you contributed to charities or volunteered your time, and commited a DUI, it is more than likely your lawyer will seek to utilize your good record in order to receive a lesser sentence. On the flip side, if you did not then you may well frankly be in more trouble. Irregardless of your wealth status, if you contributed in some way to a community and committed a petty crime then this will be considered. In the event of a double murder, it is less likely that would be considered and again this is irregardless of your wealth status.

It is also notworthy that Ms.Hilton’s statement expressing her surprise around the media frenzy is in itself surprising. More than any other socialite, she courts the media and seeks the publicity. It is also the first time in a public statement she has referred to the war in Iraq. Call me cynic if you will, but the timing to me is suspect.

On the subject of media coverage, we have an enormous capacity for news. We are able to digest a diverse range of topic and despite Ms.Hilton’s statement the Iraq War has occupied front page news and news channels for a long time now. Unless you turned a blind eye to the major newspapers and the news on tv, you will find out how many die each day in Iraq or Afghanistan. It should be noted that along with this huge amount of news (particularly if you count the internet) we also have increased selective ability. We can easily select the news we want to read or listen to. If you know more about Ms.Hilton than Putin’s latest statement on NATO’s plans for Anti-Ballistic Missiles in Poland then that fault lay with you, not the media. The news is there for you to find.

So to sum up, no, I do not sympathize with Ms.Hilton. If you ask me to sympathise with some people who are truly victimized by the media and general public for being rich or having money, then I will pick those Lacrosse boys at Duke University.

In a perfect world, everyone would be treated equally, regardless of money or power. But then again, in a perfect world there wouldn’t be any need for prisons or jails.

Nice blog Mr. Evans. =)

anyway, my question is, if the media was no longer a factor, what do you think the outcome would have been? Apparently, the sheriff and the judge were under enormous amounts of pressure to keep things stable and under control. They had to be impartial, they had to treat her case as blindly as justice would allow…. IF the media hadn’t have been an issue, do you think Paris would still be in jail?

I’ll admit, life sucks, it’s all about who you know and who you could be friends with. but with the media in the way, is it even possible to do ANYTHING under the table as a celebrity?

ever wonder why celebrities like paris hilton who are just simple people with fortunate beginnings, are in the spotlight, BUT…. a child of a connected mobster or a mobster him/herself rarely gets into the spotlight? I’m sure in their area those kids and their folks are VERY well known…. yet they aren’t plastered all over the newspapers. must be the club in the truck or the .39 smith and wesson in the glovebox… (shrugs)