Comments on: What Can We Learn from the Paris Hilton Fiasco? http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/ On a Quest for Personal Freedom Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:56:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Jim Mirkalami http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-77176 Jim Mirkalami Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:31:31 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-77176 I have been visiting this site a lot lately, so i thought it is a good idea to show my appreciation with a comment. Thanks, Jim Mirkalami PS: I am a single dad! ;) I have been visiting this site a lot lately, so i thought it is a good idea to show my appreciation with a comment.

Thanks,
Jim Mirkalami

PS: I am a single dad! ;)

]]> By: Peter http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26992 Peter Fri, 15 Jun 2007 20:37:50 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26992 "What Can We Learn from the Paris Hilton Fiasco?" Just that when the corporate-owned mainstream media claim that the reason they broadcast/print/"report" this trash is because the public wants it, they are only half right. AND NOW A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSORS... Americans are dumb. "How dumb are they?" Dumb as a box of rocks. WE NOW RETURN YOU TO THE RANT ALREADY IN PROGRESS. That the viewing public can remain glued to the boob tube (indeed) when mention of this rich-through-no-fault-of-her-own white trash or similar nonsense is made bodes poorly for the future of what seems less and less like a democracy with each passing Oval Office Executive Order. And yet, in between commercials for useless crap that further erodes the personal savings rate thereby obscenely increasing personal debt, the so-called elected leaders continue to prostitute themselves for their corporate pimps who purposefully seminate such distractions in order to keep the masses dumb as a, well, you know. But, then again, I could be wrong. Suppose we were to ask the men and women of the Armed Forces (and increasing number of "weekend warrior" National Guard units), who haven't been killed/maimed or turned into basket cases FIGHTING an illegal WAR overseas, what their take is on America's distract-, er, I mean fascinations. “What Can We Learn from the Paris Hilton Fiasco?”

Just that when the corporate-owned mainstream media claim that the reason they broadcast/print/”report” this trash is because the public wants it, they are only half right.

AND NOW A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSORS…

Americans are dumb.

“How dumb are they?”

Dumb as a box of rocks.

WE NOW RETURN YOU TO THE RANT ALREADY IN PROGRESS.

That the viewing public can remain glued to the boob tube (indeed) when mention of this rich-through-no-fault-of-her-own white trash or similar nonsense is made bodes poorly for the future of what seems less and less like a democracy with each passing Oval Office Executive Order. And yet, in between commercials for useless crap that further erodes the personal savings rate thereby obscenely increasing personal debt, the so-called elected leaders continue to prostitute themselves for their corporate pimps who purposefully seminate such distractions in order to keep the masses dumb as a, well, you know.

But, then again, I could be wrong.

Suppose we were to ask the men and women of the Armed Forces (and increasing number of “weekend warrior” National Guard units), who haven’t been killed/maimed or turned into basket cases FIGHTING an illegal WAR overseas, what their take is on America’s distract-, er, I mean fascinations.

]]> By: Steve http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26530 Steve Tue, 12 Jun 2007 02:07:49 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26530 Roger, That is an interesting take... the invisible defendant. Justice should be blind. <a href="http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=17906">Just compare this to what happened to Vince Neil in 1984. He severely injured two people and killed a third while driving drunk. He was sentenced to 30 days, which was stayed. The judge justified it saying he it was better if he remained out of prison and worked PSAs on MTV.</a> Hilton didn't hurt anyone and got more time in jail. Mel Gibson will never get this amount of time. Paris got 45 days because she is rebellious and young, and today... the system is so afraid they won't tolerate it. Just my opinion - and I know... it's an unpopular one. I think she got stopped so many times without a license not because she is a bad driver, but because she is high profile. I can't believe she didn't hire someone to drive her around. Roger,
That is an interesting take… the invisible defendant. Justice should be blind.

Just compare this to what happened to Vince Neil in 1984. He severely injured two people and killed a third while driving drunk. He was sentenced to 30 days, which was stayed. The judge justified it saying he it was better if he remained out of prison and worked PSAs on MTV.

Hilton didn’t hurt anyone and got more time in jail. Mel Gibson will never get this amount of time. Paris got 45 days because she is rebellious and young, and today… the system is so afraid they won’t tolerate it. Just my opinion - and I know… it’s an unpopular one.

I think she got stopped so many times without a license not because she is a bad driver, but because she is high profile. I can’t believe she didn’t hire someone to drive her around.

]]> By: Roger Anderson http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26519 Roger Anderson Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:19:16 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26519 Perhaps if the defendant was not visible to the Judge or Jury than we would not know anything but the crime and what was done. Shouldn't Justice be blind? Maybe then we would see if the racial, ethnic, or economic status of the defendant had any bearing. Maybe we could use body-doubles. They stand in for the defendant. In any case - she deserves what she got. As CK said,"Where is MADD?" Where is Senator Kennedy, oh wait, he would rather not discuss drunk driving.... Perhaps if the defendant was not visible to the Judge or Jury than we would not know anything but the crime and what was done. Shouldn’t Justice be blind? Maybe then we would see if the racial, ethnic, or economic status of the defendant had any bearing.

Maybe we could use body-doubles. They stand in for the defendant.

In any case - she deserves what she got. As CK said,”Where is MADD?” Where is Senator Kennedy, oh wait, he would rather not discuss drunk driving….

]]> By: CB http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26515 CB Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:53:51 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26515 I don’t think she’ll act dumb anymore. She’ll prob. go to university, get a degree in some higher field, and cure cancer. And, lest we forget the pout face (http://parishilton.snagapic.com), we’ll never see that again. Mores the pity. I don’t think she’ll act dumb anymore. She’ll prob. go to university, get a degree in some higher field, and cure cancer. And, lest we forget the pout face (http://parishilton.snagapic.com), we’ll never see that again. Mores the pity.

]]> By: Steve http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26483 Steve Mon, 11 Jun 2007 18:15:21 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26483 Hugh, One other thing... I realize there is little luck my opinion will resonate far on this one. The liberal types, that may agree with reducing sentences, but they hate Paris Hilton because she is rich, and the more conservative types probably wonder what I'm smoking. Nevertheless, in all honesty, I think locking her (and most other petty criminals) up is a waste. Make them do something productive with thier time, sitting in a concete cell is just so... medievel. Hugh,

One other thing…
I realize there is little luck my opinion will resonate far on this one. The liberal types, that may agree with reducing sentences, but they hate Paris Hilton because she is rich, and the more conservative types probably wonder what I’m smoking. Nevertheless, in all honesty, I think locking her (and most other petty criminals) up is a waste. Make them do something productive with thier time, sitting in a concete cell is just so… medievel.

]]> By: Steve http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26480 Steve Mon, 11 Jun 2007 17:48:13 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26480 Hugh, Most previous generations did the things she did with impunity. I'm not saying she should have no consequences. I am saying jail should be an absolute last resort for lost causes. Locking people up has become the rallying cry of intellectual laziness. What else can we do? Think about it. if the baby boom generation came of age under the laws we have today, half of them would still be in prison. Hugh,

Most previous generations did the things she did with impunity. I’m not saying she should have no consequences. I am saying jail should be an absolute last resort for lost causes. Locking people up has become the rallying cry of intellectual laziness. What else can we do?

Think about it. if the baby boom generation came of age under the laws we have today, half of them would still be in prison.

]]> By: mark http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26476 mark Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:53:46 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26476 i totally agree with you. i think with paris going to jail, it could potentially raise some concerns and even spark prison reform. right now our jails are overcrowded, staph is becoming a huge issue, and it's draining out tax dollars. paris mentions she's going to be a changed woman after this ordeal (as i'm sure one must be after the series of events) and vows she's no longer going to act dumb. it'd be "hot" if she were to take up some political/social welfare cases. she's a criminal, and yet a hilton. in a lighter note: check out http://www.hollywoodzombies.com (the same people who brought you garbage pail kids) and their new trading cards that showcase the hollywood undead. i work with them, so i'm just spreading the good word. imagine paris hellton with a face full of maggots. that's hot, right? i totally agree with you. i think with paris going to jail, it could potentially raise some concerns and even spark prison reform. right now our jails are overcrowded, staph is becoming a huge issue, and it’s draining out tax dollars. paris mentions she’s going to be a changed woman after this ordeal (as i’m sure one must be after the series of events) and vows she’s no longer going to act dumb. it’d be “hot” if she were to take up some political/social welfare cases. she’s a criminal, and yet a hilton.

in a lighter note: check out http://www.hollywoodzombies.com (the same people who brought you garbage pail kids) and their new trading cards that showcase the hollywood undead. i work with them, so i’m just spreading the good word. imagine paris hellton with a face full of maggots.

that’s hot, right?

]]> By: Hugh | A Politically Incorrect Entrepreneur http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26472 Hugh | A Politically Incorrect Entrepreneur Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:16:59 +0000 http://www.steve-olson.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-paris-hilton-fiasco/#comment-26472 The issue is not that she was driving on a suspended license. She was on probation for Drinking and Driving and had her license revoked as part of the Probation agreement. She was then pulled over in January and nothing happened. She was pulled over again in February and nothing happened. She was then pulled over in May and that takes us to where we are now. Some thoughts: How bad do you have to be driving to get pulled over 3 times in 5 months? Drunk Driving (the original offense), while overhyped IMHO, demands some penalty. That she violated her probation with additional vehicular offenses seems like a pattern to me. If you or I were caught violating terms of our probation, would we be allowed to go? At what point do we as a society say that when someone is in a pattern of harmful behavior (harmful to society, not harmful to her) that enough is enough? The issue is not that she was driving on a suspended license. She was on probation for Drinking and Driving and had her license revoked as part of the Probation agreement.

She was then pulled over in January and nothing happened.

She was pulled over again in February and nothing happened.

She was then pulled over in May and that takes us to where we are now.

Some thoughts:

How bad do you have to be driving to get pulled over 3 times in 5 months?

Drunk Driving (the original offense), while overhyped IMHO, demands some penalty. That she violated her probation with additional vehicular offenses seems like a pattern to me.

If you or I were caught violating terms of our probation, would we be allowed to go?

At what point do we as a society say that when someone is in a pattern of harmful behavior (harmful to society, not harmful to her) that enough is enough?

]]>