Did You Hear the World Wide Groan?
Widely reported yesterday, Paris Hilton's exodus from jail and just as widely, further reports that she must appear before the sentencing judge at 9 AM Pacific Ranter Time today. One can only hope that the judge has good sense that God gave a goose and will remand her back to Los Angeles County Jail to continue her jail time. It turns out the California State's attorney is more than a little peeved that she was released so quickly and why the Sheriff seemingly decided this single-handedly.
I don't completely agree with Al Sharpton's assertion made yesterday when he said,
"I think that it's both another glaring display of how race and money seem to get different treatments. There seems to be a different criminal justice system for some than others," Sharpton said.
While I do agree there does seem to be two different systems of justice, one for the wealthy, and one for the rest of us poor slobs, I don't believe race is the issue, after all we can't forget OJ. Or the slap on the wrist other rap musicians have gotten when involved in serious crimes. And lets not forget the sports figures that beat their wives, participate in dog fighting, drunken driving and a host of other crimes.
How Much Justice Can You Afford?
Clearly it's about money and the level of fame that separates us from the elite that seem to get away with everything. Sports figures often get away with more than the average person would because of their importance to the team or game they participate in--not to mention the fans allow it, as though it's a 'boys will be boys' mentality. Even Mike Tyson got a rather slap on the wrist when he committed his crime that was supposed to keep him from ever boxing again. They let a convicted rapist and psychopath like Tyson box, yet Pete Rose is denied being part of the baseball hall of fame because he gambled? Does anyone else think this insane?
How is that we live in a society that thinks nothing of paying thousands of dollars of a picture of Nicole Richie eating a hamburger, yet doesn't care about illegal immigration? Everyone waits with bated breath to hear what Sean Penn will say about Iraq but they don’t listen to the people who might have valid opinion on it. They'll listen and cheer with a mob mentality when Rosie spews her hostile, antagonistic, ill-informed opinion of September 11, yet refuse to give equal time to people that know what the hell they are talking about. I'm sick of this! I'm mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.Justice is supposed to the great equalizer, regardless of ability to pay, everyone is entitled to a defense. In theory everyone faces the same rules and requirements, yet for some reason those who have a truckload of cash seem to the rules are just suggestions for them to follow or not.
Clubs should allow Lindsay Lohan into their establishments because she'll bring other famous people to their club and not famous people to gawk. Never mind she's not even 21 yet, the rule doesn't apply and everyone looks the other way, even when the pictures are plastered all over the tabloids of her partying with a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other (California has a strict no smoking policy in any public establishment). No one thinks to ask why. Yet in a regular bar, if someone underage is caught drinking alcohol, the bar faces steep fines and the underage drinker goes to jail. Lindsay Lohan doesn't go to jail; she goes to some holistic rehab. The same place that believes there is no alcohol addiction, and once she's cured, she'll be able to drink like a normal person. Right.© 2007 Whimsical Ranter
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2 comments:
Unfortunately, the Paris thing, the Lindsey thing - they aren't about justice as they SHOULD be. They are about WOW and ENTERTAINMENT. That is a sad measure of what our society has become.
For Al Sharpton, when it comes to privilege, there is really only 1 word, but as a man who made a living on "whitey did me in" I have only 1 word to say:
Brandi.
Yes, it's our vehicular manslaughter girl who is countersuing those who are suing her for auto related death, and will probably skate the system because she has money AND Because there aren't enough people who remember who Moesha is.
But she's back!!!
And when Alan Colmes defends you, that says something.
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