Enough is Enough
Why do some people have a hard time doing, to quote Spike Lee, "Do the right thing"? (It pains me greatly to quote Spike Lee!) Why is it in society we seem fixated on "Celeb's" who constantly flaunt the law and the norms of decency? The recent actions of one Paris Hilton come to mind as one who has displayed a rather callous attitude towards the law. Even going to far as to gather a petition to be presented to the California Governor begging for pardon.
Cut to the chase, Paris broke the law. Plain and simple. Not once but at least twice and got caught doing so. Now she must pay the price and serve 45 days in jail. Yet Paris, her posse and a surprising number of people agree with her and feel "Princess Paris" shouldn't be sent to jail to pay for her crimes.
I must admit is rather refreshing to see "Princess Paris" get dope slapped into a realization that she is not the cherry on top of everyone's Hot Fudge Sunday. And kudos to the Judge who didn't let her high priced legal team or her celebrity status influence the sentence she was slapped with. Frankly I think "Princess Paris got off way to easy in the first place. Driving under the influence is a serious crime. And it is a CRIME, one that even to this day society doesn't take seriously enough. But oddly enough "Princess Paris" isn't facing jail time for driving drunk. She is going to spend 45 days for driving on a suspended license as a result of her driving drunk. She should have spent at least 45 days in the slammer for driving drunk in the first place.
Many "Professional Athletes" are another above the law feeling group that has remained unchecked and relatively unchallenged for years. After a few too many embarrassing run ins with the law the NFL has decided to step up to the plate and BITCH SLAP PAC MAN JONES with what basically amounts to a year long suspension from the game. It is about time too. I have to wonder what MLB is going to do with Barry "Steroid" Bonds should he be indicted for his role in the current Balco investigation. Will MLB has the stones to step up to the plate and strip Bonds of the all but his Home run record? Will the powers that be overlook Bonds's "questionable" actions and behavior and elected him to the Hall of Fame when he is eligible?
Don't we as a people have the nerve to stand up and at least hold these celebrities accountable for their actions even if the legal system and in some cases professional organization seem to protect?
Now don't misread what I am saying. Our current legal system is the fairest in the world. But like everything else it has its problems. Letting people off with suspended sentences for DUI, OUI and DWI is common for 1st offenders if there was no bodily injury and property damage as a result of the persons actions behind the wheel. The NFL, NBA and MLB have a duty to protect their respective brands. At what point are we as a people going to start to demand change to the current status quo? At what point are we as fans going to start demanding that our sports heroes behave in their public lives? Or should we?
Like it or not these public figures have an impact on our society. They all have a marketed image based on their looks,talent or athletic ability. Images crafted to make money and make an impact in our lives one way or another. There needs to be a public backlash. A backlash that swells to the point that it is no longer fashionable to be on the wrong side of the law, morals or ethics. The jail term handed down to "Princess Paris" is a good start. The NFL's tackling of Pac Man Jones sends a powerful message as well. More needs to happen. And that "more" can come from you and me. We can turn these negative influences into positive ones by holding these people accountable. Don't patronize the products the sell. Let the teams the professional athletes play for know that as a fan you demand a higher standard of accountability from their athletes.
Real men and women don't take steroids. They don't drive drunk. They don't beat their wives or girlfriends. Real men and women don't do drugs. If a real man or women does break the law they step to plate, admit their error and take the punishment handed to them. We are all human and we all can make "misteaks". With many they seem to continue to make the same mistakes over and over again to the point that their behavior becomes the norm and almost expected and sadly sometimes embraced by society. They become rewarded for bad behavior. I say enough is enough.
Why do some people have a hard time doing, to quote Spike Lee, "Do the right thing"? (It pains me greatly to quote Spike Lee!) Why is it in society we seem fixated on "Celeb's" who constantly flaunt the law and the norms of decency? The recent actions of one Paris Hilton come to mind as one who has displayed a rather callous attitude towards the law. Even going to far as to gather a petition to be presented to the California Governor begging for pardon.
Cut to the chase, Paris broke the law. Plain and simple. Not once but at least twice and got caught doing so. Now she must pay the price and serve 45 days in jail. Yet Paris, her posse and a surprising number of people agree with her and feel "Princess Paris" shouldn't be sent to jail to pay for her crimes.
I must admit is rather refreshing to see "Princess Paris" get dope slapped into a realization that she is not the cherry on top of everyone's Hot Fudge Sunday. And kudos to the Judge who didn't let her high priced legal team or her celebrity status influence the sentence she was slapped with. Frankly I think "Princess Paris got off way to easy in the first place. Driving under the influence is a serious crime. And it is a CRIME, one that even to this day society doesn't take seriously enough. But oddly enough "Princess Paris" isn't facing jail time for driving drunk. She is going to spend 45 days for driving on a suspended license as a result of her driving drunk. She should have spent at least 45 days in the slammer for driving drunk in the first place.
Many "Professional Athletes" are another above the law feeling group that has remained unchecked and relatively unchallenged for years. After a few too many embarrassing run ins with the law the NFL has decided to step up to the plate and BITCH SLAP PAC MAN JONES with what basically amounts to a year long suspension from the game. It is about time too. I have to wonder what MLB is going to do with Barry "Steroid" Bonds should he be indicted for his role in the current Balco investigation. Will MLB has the stones to step up to the plate and strip Bonds of the all but his Home run record? Will the powers that be overlook Bonds's "questionable" actions and behavior and elected him to the Hall of Fame when he is eligible?
Don't we as a people have the nerve to stand up and at least hold these celebrities accountable for their actions even if the legal system and in some cases professional organization seem to protect?
Now don't misread what I am saying. Our current legal system is the fairest in the world. But like everything else it has its problems. Letting people off with suspended sentences for DUI, OUI and DWI is common for 1st offenders if there was no bodily injury and property damage as a result of the persons actions behind the wheel. The NFL, NBA and MLB have a duty to protect their respective brands. At what point are we as a people going to start to demand change to the current status quo? At what point are we as fans going to start demanding that our sports heroes behave in their public lives? Or should we?
Like it or not these public figures have an impact on our society. They all have a marketed image based on their looks,talent or athletic ability. Images crafted to make money and make an impact in our lives one way or another. There needs to be a public backlash. A backlash that swells to the point that it is no longer fashionable to be on the wrong side of the law, morals or ethics. The jail term handed down to "Princess Paris" is a good start. The NFL's tackling of Pac Man Jones sends a powerful message as well. More needs to happen. And that "more" can come from you and me. We can turn these negative influences into positive ones by holding these people accountable. Don't patronize the products the sell. Let the teams the professional athletes play for know that as a fan you demand a higher standard of accountability from their athletes.
Real men and women don't take steroids. They don't drive drunk. They don't beat their wives or girlfriends. Real men and women don't do drugs. If a real man or women does break the law they step to plate, admit their error and take the punishment handed to them. We are all human and we all can make "misteaks". With many they seem to continue to make the same mistakes over and over again to the point that their behavior becomes the norm and almost expected and sadly sometimes embraced by society. They become rewarded for bad behavior. I say enough is enough.
posted by Cerebralwaste at 12:14 PM
3 Comments:
Enough is enough. I think Paris should be thrown in jail for a lot longer than she'll probably serve. I'd bet she'll get out w/in a few hours w/ the jail saying that they're over crowded. I know that what's her face, can't remember her name, that got drunk down in Hawaii (she was on Lost) got so many days in jail and only served a few hours before being released.
I get so sick of these ppl thinking they can do whatever they want... they do drugs and flaunt it in the faces of everyone... I see the pictures - anyone can see that Paris does drugs but still she gets away w/ most anything because her daddy has money. Look at Nicole Richie... driving on the wrong side of the freeway and she gets a slap on the wrist and she is a known drug user. If it had been any normal joe, it wouldn't be the case... especially if that person was of color.
And athletes... they make me sick. Look at all the money they make and for what?!
Look at Sly Stallone just being busted ... hmm where.. can't remember.. but he had growth hormone on him that he brought into the country and he'll get what?! probably nothing done to him.
the justice system is severely flawed in this area. i think that something definitely has to be done and maybe the public should do something ... stage protests or something.
don't know if you heard but lindsay lohan crashed her car the yesterday morn. at 5:30 a.m. they found cocaine in her car. the police arrested her at the hospital and took a blood sample to see if she had anything else in her blood.
this is her 3rd offense. if it was any ordinary joe, they could go away for a long time.... w/ the three strikes and you're out clause...
i wonder what will happen to her.
I heard about Ms. Lohan this morning and just shook my head in disgust.
Not sure if the 3 strikes rule applies in her case. Sadly DUI/DWI/OUI isn't always a felony in many states. Though it should be.
I understand she had some "coke" in the car as well. So sad. She obviously has a problem but that doesn't excuse her actions. It explains them to a certian degree but doesn't excuse them.
She still needs to face the music and be responsable for her actions. At least that is what I feel!
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