As much as I hate to raise the issue of this particular bit of cultural pollution, I've been watching the story with a bit of interest. Not much, mind you.. but it's marginally interesting background noise.
It's pathetic to watch this woman having a major meltdown, trying to petition the governor to get out of her 45-day sentence.
Small wonder she's panicking! I seriously doubt she has the internal resources to deal with a situation like that.
When I was a kid, I saw a lot of this. In fact, we experienced it in my own family. My brother was caught in Glendale with marijuana in 1967. (It was a big deal then.) Attorneys were hired. Phone calls were made. He got a fine and probation for something most people would have suffered more severe consequences.
Where Paris Hilton actually lives, I have no idea. If I'm not mistaken, she lives in Brentwood which is a very exclusive neighborhood. She was raised in the very insular community of Bel Air. Regardless of that, given her mother's behavior in the courtroom, I'd say Paris was not raised with any concept of how to survive in the world, no matter where she lives. She definitely wasn't raised with any concept of accountability.
I have reservations about someone like Paris Hilton or any other young person from similar backgrounds going into the Lynwood jail. That is a rough place! For those not familiar with the Los Angeles area, Lynwood is a rather tough part of the region, not far from Watts, Paramount and Compton.
I do believe her life would be at risk.
While she needs to be punished and she needs to be confined for those 45 days, it doesn't seem wise to put her in a jail where she would be seriously at risk. She needs to suffer her punishment in an environment where she will be taught a lesson but not traumatized. It needs to scare hell out of her but not to the extent that her life or her mental health would possibly be permanently damaged.
That would be cruel and unusual, in my opinion. Surely there is another facility in the Los Angeles area that can take her.
Peace,
~Chani
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Is Paris Burning?
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20 comments:
I agree.
There is nothing that chills me like the concept or actual statement, "Make an example of (person)."
P.S. That is because I do not think people are deterred by the idea of THAt being done to THEM. Most walk about feeling exempt, all of us do in some way at some time.
It sets up a more disconnected relationship with the system---the example thing---and may even cause that which it endeavors to rpevent.
I just don't buy into threats of punishment being much of a deterrent.
I think sometimes people are willing to risk it becuse the reward is great to their minds.
I try to get my kids to make the moral choice for the moral itself, on their own.
I never thought of that angle of it, Chani. That she was brought up to probably not have to rely on inner resources....and the danger she may face. Interesting & thanks for putting that slant on it for me.
I agree that she did violate her original probation & that she needs to be held accountable. In our state, it would involve a theraputic counseling service, and some in or outpatient rehab/therapy.
But I think your right. There needs to be a more fitting solution/punishment in this case.
Again, thanks for lending your take.
Oh I have not been following this particular drama.
Would any other person be given the same slack as she might get, or are they coming down heavy just because?
She's been photographed driving since her sentencing even though her license is suspended. So I guess she now figures, well they're sending me to jail anyway, let's break the law some more?
And what is the deal with like setting a date to go to jail that is over a month away? I do not understand how that can possibly work at all.
What bothers me the most is her saying she shouldn't have to go to jail because she is "beautiful" and "gives people hope". So, this means it is ok for beautiful people to break the law? What about old people? What about ugly people?
It is not like she can't afford a taxi if she has been drinking. She has no excuse for this behaviour. None. Nobody does. Period.
I agree it is dangerous for her to go to jail. I think it is dangerous for her to go anywhere. I think house arrest and taking away her licence for quite some time and a very hefty fine would be a better solution.
Sometimes people need a wake up call. I don't even think she has heard the phone ringing considering she is now out again driving with a suspended licence.
Has she never watched an episode of COPS?
Chani - I agree, but don't worry. She will be isolated from the jail population at large. That has already been determined.
In my state, she would be put in a facility where she is allowed to leave during the day to "work" (whatever the hell it is she does for work). If you don't come back at night, instant bench warrant and the rest of your sentence is served in the regular jail.
Also in my state, they allow you to choose when you want to serve the sentence for something like this, as long as it is completed by a certain date. This goes hand in hand with a treatment plan.
As long as she is isolated (which might be even MORE of a punishment - what does she live for rather than to be reflected in the eyes of others?) I think she should serve the time.
If your gonna play, you gotta pay.
I don't agree, simply because she has purchased her way out of 2 prior drunk driving arrests. She continues to drive on a suspended license and she'll be isolated from the general population.
Chani,
My understanding is that she will definitely be isolated from the general prison population so her safety will not be risked. However, I also believe that "if you do the crime, then you must do the time". She is guilty of a crime, and any other person of lesser wealth and beauty would be expected to receive equal punnishment.
Setting an example is not a bad thing. If it saves one teenager's life, or gets a potential drunk off the road, then it will be worth it. 45 days in Jail is a cheap price to pay for saving a life...especially if its her own.
Let me just tell you that I was raised in the straight up ghetto and I have spent one night in jail and it is bad no matter who you are or where you are from. This is the reason that I don't believe that prison works---because even from my tiny experience I can tell you that even a person with street smarts and experience can easily crack. I don't particularly pity Paris because I think she does not precisely what she did. I think the sentence is excessive though, and wonder if some non celebrity would be getting the same treatment.
meant to say that I think she DOES know precisely what she did...
oh, and Chani, I took off the captchas so come back, please!
Haven't follow this particular story, but I think it comes down to the fact that we need to completely rethink our prison system. Who does deserve to be mentally traumatized? (I"m not suggesting you mean that, and I know some are better suited to endure than others, but still...)
You know what? I just really can't bring myself to care what happens to her. I didn't even know she was going to jail. Guess i need to catch up on my gossip. :)
My sister-in-law was recently in a horrible accident and is probably never going to walk again because of a drunk driver. So I don't really have an unbiased opinion in the case of (repeated offenses)drunk driving. If she had hurt or killed someone in an accident, I'm pretty sure the family wouldn't give a rat's ass which jail she went and whether or not her fame and "beauty" would endanger her even more. She's old enough to understand the consequences of her actions. I wasn't brought up in privilege yet I've never been taught how to survive in a rough environment either,(lot's of us haven't) and if I committed the same offense, I would be given the same punishment- cruel or not.
I have also heard that she will be isolated from the general population for her safety.
I think it would be terribly wrong for her to get off with a slap on the hand just because she comes from a rich and influential family that has never taught her responsibility.
She arrogantly scoffed at the law when she persisted in driving drunk with a suspended license. Every day, innocent people are killed by such drunk drivers. She could have taken a taxi or hired a chauffeur, but enjoyed thumbing her nose at the authorities.
If she were a poor black kid, there is no doubt that she would be doing hard time in the worst prison.
If equality under the law has any meaning at all, there should be no exceptions for spoiled rich brats like her.
Inner resources. I sometimes forget (and pine for beauty) that it might mean my inner resources might not be developed. Having never lived as an it girl, it's hard for me to understand and remember.
Interesting perspective Chani. I see your point, but I can just can't bring myself to give a hoot about what happens to this spoiled little juvenile delinquent in jail. I've got friends with young daughters who idolize Paris Hilton, no matter how much their terrified parents try to dissuade them. I think she has contributed greatly to the trashifying of America.
All the young girls in Manhattan have been jostling the last two years to be the next Paris... the girl who can become something just from getting attention.
Never heard of her. She looks pretty and has nice breasts.
It's hard to imagine anyone idolizing this girl. I'm sure her popularity has as much to do with her family name as it does with her unbelievably trashy behavior because Americans, having no royalty, tend to turn our wealthiest families into substitute royalty. Paris Hilton's actions are so incongruous with royal behavior that people are intrigued.
If she were not rich, she would probably be living in a crack house and panhandling for cigarette and drug money.
I am so darned jealous of Geneviève!
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