Paris crying

[sabra]

Women cry as they wait to claim the body of a relative who was killed in a bomb attack, outside a hospital in Kirkuk, north of Baghdad June 8, 2007. Eighteen people were killed and 16 wounded when a car bomb exploded outside a Shi'ite in Dakok southwest of Kirkuk, 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad. REUTERS/Slahaldeen Rasheed (IRAQ)


An Iraqi embraces his dead relative outside a hospital morgue in Kirkuk. Two double bomb attacks have killed at least 35 people in Iraq, while gunmen raided the home of a police chief, massacring his wife, brother and 12 bodyguards and seizing his children.(AFP/Marwan Ibrahim)


An Iraqi man carries an injured child at a hospital in Kirkuk, 290 kilometers (180 miles) north of Baghdad, Iraq, on Friday, June 8, 2007. The child is one of fourteen civilians wounded after two suicide bombers with explosives vests blew themselves up Friday afternoon in the Shiite-dominated town of Dakok, about 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Kirkuk, killing 13 civilians and wounding 14 others.(AP Photo/Emad Matti)

[BuyingThyme]

1. kcik

[durtee librul]

2. Thank you....n/t

[Ishoutandscream2]

94. Yes, thanks.

Our media and the many sheep who watch/listen/read them need a dose of reality.

[geardaddy]

3. #4

Excellent photo commentary.

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

4. I know who I sympathize more with...and it's NOT Paris n/t

[cboy4]

5. Exactly!

Oh, the humanity Paris. :eyes:

[TahitiNut]

6. On the other hand ...

[Beaverhausen]

7. thank you for the perspective we are sadly lacking here today

[Rosa Luxemburg]

8. The Hilton image is what the world sees of America

you could also add the victims of Katrina to your list?

[cassiepriam]

9. The Iraqi women and children we have murdered, raped and tortured know real pain.

[Justitia]

10. Um, what does Paris Hilton have to do with Bush's war? -eom

[cboy4]

11. You can't be serious! n/t

[Justitia]

14. Yes, I am. Is Paris Hilton responsible for the death in those pics?

I fail to make the connection. What the fuck does Paris Hilton have to do with the crimes of the Bush Administration?

[BuyingThyme]

18. It's a matter of priorities, I think.

[leftynyc]

137. With all due respect, I think you are wrong

There are people taking real joy at what's happening to Paris Hilton. The fact the media are eating it up is a simple case of supply and demand.

[cboy4]

Paris Hilton will be spending a few weeks in jail, when the people

posted in this thread will be spending a lifetime in living hell.

How you weren't able to figure out the point of this thread is astounding.

[Justitia]

27. What exactly is your point with this? That SHE should pay for what BUSH has done?

I guess that makes it okay that we invaded Iraq for 9/11 too - geesh!

Just find a convenient target? It doesn't matter if it's the RIGHT one?

[cboy4]

33. You still don't get it? The OP is saying THESE ARE THE PEOPLE

WHO REALLY SHOULD BE CRYING.

NOT Paris Hilton who will be spending a few weeks in jail and then return to her life of luxury.

Why don't you get a grip on things? :eyes:

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cboy4]

47. You should really quit now before you humiliate yourself any

further.

You're writing is beyond ridiculous.

[Justitia]

52. So you can go back to blaming the Iraq war on Paris Hilton?

The humiliation is all yours. Especially with your "Human Rights Campaign" sig line - deliciously ironic. I would never guess that scapegoating would be acceptable to someone with that sig line.

[cboy4]

57. I'm all human rights, which includes all of the people

suffering from the Iraq War.

Paris deserves to spend time behind bars.

For you to try to link the two situations is twisted.

[Justitia]

62. You did the linking, my friend. Scapegoating should be beyond you,

in consideration of the Human Rights Campaign.

Whether Paris Hilton "deserves to spend time behind bars" has ZERO to do with the Iraqi people.

There are multitudes of people in high places who deserve your righteous condemnation for those crimes. You should be taking it to them, not the silly blonde girl on teevee.

[cboy4]

64. Sorry. Your hero Paris Hilton gets not a single tear from me. The

poor people who are suffering from the Iraq War do.

You're the only one trying to compare the two.

[Justitia]

70. You must have me confused w/the OP, who did the comparing.

My point was that they had nothing to do with each other, at all.

Your juvenile "your hero" bullshit means you have nothing further of substance to add.
This isn't the grade school playground.

But you continue flogging the blonde girl on teevee for something your gov't did - the Bush Administration thanks you.

[cboy4]

72. It's really quite pathetic that you're more upset about Paris Hilton

having to spend a few lousy weeks in jail than all of the troops and innocent Iraqi citizens who have died. :puke:

Why don't you grow up.

[Justitia]

74. Project much? Don't put words in my mouth, I said no such thing.

Again, I'm not the one comparing "Paris Hilton", "all the troops" & "innocent Iraqi citizens".

Now, you've added "all the troops" since your last response.

I'm the one saying those things are not related.

Are you being willfully obtuse or are you seriously missing the point that they don't have anything to do with each other?

I'm beginning to doubt your intellectual seriousness.

[cboy4]

78. You're the one missing the point. Why don't you read this

thread and take note of all of the people who comprehend the point the OP is making?!

And since you're the one who brought up intelligence...it's not me who seemingly has the learning disability.

You're letting your worship of Paris Hilton to completely cloud your judgment.

[Justitia]

79. What is w/you and the schoolyard taunts? Is that all you've got?

I get it, you've got some hard-on for Paris Hilton for whatever fucked up reason and think she should suffer for what George W. Bush has done to the Iraqi people.

I think that is all kinds of screwed up.

Do you kick your dog for something your neighbor does?

I feel like I'm debating an 8th grader who refuses to admit Paris Hilton did not bomb Iraq.

Whatever - get your Paris hate on, if that's what gets you off.

[cboy4]

83. You've yet to explain how the OP or I have associated Paris Hilton

going to jail to the Iraq War.

You have a bright future as a press secretary for Bush, with all of your distortion and spin.

Point out where I think she should suffer for what Bush has done to the Iraqi people.

Oh that's right, you CAN'T.

Again, I invite you to read all of the other posts from people who get it.

[whopis01]

147. The OP groups pictures of Paris Hilton and the Iraq War Carnarge together.

Explaining that the OP made an association between the two is really not all that difficult.

[cboy4]

156. Right. One photo shows Paris crying in the back of a police car,

knowing she'll be back to living her life of luxury in no time.

The other photos show people who are going through a living hell.

It's an excellent way to put things in perspective and illustrate who's really experiencing true pain.

Three weeks locked up in county jail is hardly comparable to losing loved ones in Iraq.

[whopis01]

196. I haven't seen anyone claim that her situation is anything

remotely like losing loved ones in Iraq (or anywhere else).

I was just responding to you challenge to the other poster where you said:

You've yet to explain how the OP or I have associated Paris Hilton going to jail to the Iraq War.

Frankly I think it is a poor comparison to make. There are very few people here that I have seen who feel that she is suffering one bit at all. Drawing such an association here and claiming that it puts things in perspective is frankly insulting to the intelligence of the vast majority of the people who use this site in my opinion. Time would be better spent by sending such contrasts and comparisons to the idiots over at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/PH21781/

[daveskilt]

158. linear thinkers - so frustrating

I think the point is why the media is covering trivia like ms hilton's minor infraction and corresponding punishment or covering american idol etc. and not covering real death and destruction and real suffering. your level of vitriol to the folks pointing this out seems to indicate either that you are deliberately not getting this or that you are 12 and like paris hilton too much to be healthy.

[Justitia]

163. Did you write the OP? No? Can you read minds?

Then how can you speak for the intentions of the original poster?

You can't, so don't. I asked a question as to the intent. I wanted to get at whatever implication they were making. Which is why I asked the OP - not YOU or the other poster who wanted to pick a fight with me. I don't need YOUR interpretation of the OP.

You obviously care more about insulting me: "you are 12 and like paris hilton too much to be healthy" and piling on than getting at the truth of the original inference.

So, fuck off.

[daveskilt]

168. you seem awfully angry at everyone about this - why is that?

relax a little. I think you are the one who is picking fights here. I understand though - angry about who knows what , and it is easy to say things online to people you don't know that you would never say in person to your boss or whoever made you so very angry.

This has always been a civil community at DU where even heated discussion is aimed at common understanding. the profanity laden tirades and unwillingness to accept that another point of view exists are more suited to other forums. Perhaps you would be more at home elsewhere.

[Justitia]

172. Why? Because I responded?

Should I just let you insult me and dogpile for sport?

And now, you are telling me to leave DU?

This started over my asking a question of the OP - who never responded.
Instead, I got a lot of ad hominem attacks and instant acrimony because I asked a fucking question for clarification - including YOU.

Why do you attack posters with insults who never addressed YOU in the first place?
To me, that's a gang bang.

Sorry, not leaving DU just because YOU don't like my questions.

[daveskilt]

173. In the immortal words of jarvis cocker - take it easy chicken!

I'm just saying your responses seem a little disproportionate in terms of the hostility you have for your fellow Du'ers. At first I thought you were being deliberately obtuse in refusing to recognize others might see something in a different way (and by the way I get your point, I don't agree, but I get it and see how you could think that way) but now I think you are just looking for reasons to fight with folks. I am not attacking you. whatever has made you so angry, I hope you can get past it or find someone to talk to about it.

peace

[Justitia]

177. Your first, unedited response was better.

But, I guess you just couldn't leave it alone.

Like I said, I don't like gang bangs, and this thread has been one long gang bang over the course of 2 days. YOU are now one of the most recent jumpers on. I will never understand the pack mentality of those who gotta jump in when they smell blood in the water, and that's how I see posts like yours.

Now, after taking a load of insulting shit from people who like to dogpile, I'm supposed to take YOUR analysis of my reaction as an altruistic suggestion or an invitation to LEAVE DU.

Why do people like you attack posters who never spoke to them in the first place?
To me, that is the height of rudeness and sorry if I'm not going to take the kick in the teeth and just shut up about it.

I was willing to let it go, but you just HAD to edit your response and come back and insult me further for having the nerve to not take more crap.

[daveskilt]

178. reading through all the responses - you did get made fun off a little - BUT

your reactions are just way out of proportion. get help angry lady.

[Justitia]

180. Oh, now I'm an "angry lady".

Guess you have a problem with women who talk back huh?

Too bad for you.

[daveskilt]

182. you're just funny now

[Justitia]

183. Really, gender slurs are funny to you?

Amazing how my gender never entered into this thread until you started calling me "chicken" and "angry lady" - thanks for checking out my profile!

Now I see exactly where your attitude is coming from and it has nothing to do with my original question to the OP.

Some people just like to slap an "angry lady" around and expect her to take it with no back talk.

You just picked the wrong "chicken".

[Xenotime]

191. Paris is suffering too. You just fail to see it.

[leftynyc]

138. Blaming Paris Hilton for the carnage in Iraq

is ridiculous. Taking such joy in someone else's trouble is just plain ugly.

[ProudDad]

123. I think what the OP

is remarking on is the fact that Paris' tears at losing her absolute power and freedom supplied by her accident of birth for 23 days are rather ridiculous and selfish and not really worthy if our pity when compared to the tears of misery shed by the least fortunate of us; which group happens to include the folks suffering in Iraq.

However, there IS a direct cause and effect relationship between the coddling of the Hiltons of the world, the bush administration's absolute fealty to the upper classes and the (misguided?) instigation of the invasion of Iraq to keep their stock portfolios strong and their gas tanks safely full of precious fuel.

So, yes, Paris Hilton deserves her share of the blame and does bear responsibility for the plight of the other people in those pictures.

[purduejake]

109. I think you're missing the point.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think this points to media priorities over personal affairs. According to your argument, nobody should be crying about anything if we're safe at home and that's a ridiculous suggestion. Paris has nothing to do with Iraq - whether she deserves her sentence or not, there's nothing wrong with her crying.

[cboy4]

118. Yes, you're wrong. Read:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1072019#1076102

And read the posts of the many others who get it.

[PA Democrat]

36. I took the Op as a commentary on the media, what they cover and what they ignore.

Wall to wall Michael Jackson, Paris Hilton, Natale Holloway, Anna Nicole Smith, but next to nothing on the suffering of the Iraqi people. Next to nothing on the suffering of returning vets. You have to admit that even the scandal at Walter Reed did not get the coverage that the Paris Hilton story has.

[Justitia]

38. I completely agree with the media criticism - 100%. -eom

[frylock]

40. that's what i got too..

some people can't seem to see the fucking forest, however.

[rustydad]

73. Yes, but.......

I expect that from MSM but the many discussion here on DU and the tenor of remarks is very disappointing. Let's just shut up and move on. Leave this story to Faux and the networks. Bob

[OwnedByFerrets]

142. Finally someone who

gets it. TY PA.

[PurpleChez]

132. I'm hip to your jive, but I still think that you were unnecessarily insulting

when you said that the other poster not "getting it" was "astounding."

The reason I say this is that when I first saw the post I assumed it had to do with the MSM once again focusing on and feeding us distractions about runaway brides and White girls in distress, and random celebrity drivel. Your POV is 300% legit, and well-made, and a well-deserved rebuke of the MSM and the people who read about this week's American Idol as if it were actually news, but I hope that the fact that I saw it differently is not "astounding"

Fact remains that I admire your relative calm in the wake of being repeatedly misunderstood. I started a thread a few days ago and ended up aghast at how many people simply skimmed the OP, or misread it, or maybe didn't even read it at all, and just launched into series of absurd shit fits. You can't always convey tone of voice in the written word, but you sound like you're responding more coolly than I did.

[cboy4]

135. Thanks man. One particular poster was so far beyond ridiculous,

I seriously had to laugh as opposed to getting angry.

As for your assumption about the MSM, I think you used good logic in coming to your conclusion. :)

[The Count]

43. Maybe it's a commentary on the media and ITS priorities. We shouldn't know about Paris

but we need to know more about W's victims.

[Justitia]

45. I'd like to think that. But, I wanted to make sure that's what it really was, so I asked. -eom

[Chico Man]

81. Also shows what the media should really be focusing on

Who gives a rats ass about some crying rich girl.

[purduejake]

108. I thought the same thing as you initially...

But I hope the point is to show how ridiculous the media is... who cares about Paris when there is a war going on?

Concerning Paris, I take no pleasure in seeing her like that - she genuinely has issues and I don't like to see ANY suffering of anybody who is not a total monster. Whether she deserves to be in jail like the rest of us probably would be - yes. She continuously disobeyed the law.

[TahitiNut]

19. Huh? Aren't you aware of the unflagging efforts and sacrifices made by Paris, ...

,.. using her riches and contacts, to alleviate the suffering her country has inflicted on others? After all, isn't she demonstrating her compassion for the suffering of others? She's so selfless ... so giving ... so keenly aware of those less fortunate than herself.

[Justitia]

21. I could say that about any one of my neighbors or even anyone on this site.

I don't get the fucked up conflating of pinning the Iraq war on Paris Hilton.

That's like saying the Iraqis were responsible for 9-11.

[TahitiNut]

29. "From those to whom so much is given, much is expected."

As I've said many times, we ALL share responsibility for what our country does in Iraq and Gitmo. All of us.

:shrug:

[Justitia]

34. So, Paris Hilton has MORE resposibility for the Iraq war than someone else?

I find this train of thought fascinating. If she worked for Halliburton you might convince me.

I place blame and responsibility where it is due.
Which is why I was against the invasion of Iraq in the first place.

[salinen]

35. She's an airhead heiress

Not responsible for anything. I'd work like hell to get out of jail too.

[TahitiNut]

44. Are you that unaware of the ethical precepts of a democracy and in the Bible?

"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." (Luke 12:48)

This moral lesson has been quoted by many, more recently including Bill and Melinda Gates and Tim Russert. But it's also been quoted as a moral compass by this woman ...



Dr. V. Mohini Giri, founder of the War Widows Association, which provides education and job training for the socially shunned widows of India. She is also clear about the responsibility of the privileged class. In India, 20 percent of the population owns 80 percent of the wealth. Giri subscribes to the philosophy that from those to whom much is given, much is expected. It is the responsibility of the privileged to help the marginalized, and she knows well that each has resources needed by the other.

Some (like me, sadly) find ways of pointing fingers ... while others find ways of reaching out with their hands.

I find it sad that, on a purportedly 'progressive' forum, there are people who look down their nose condescendingly at the articulation of this age-old moral precept and sneeringly claim it's "fascinating."

:eyes:

[Justitia]

49. My moral compass does not allow me to blame the Iraq war on Paris Hilton.

Just like I don't blame 9/11 on the Iraqis.

If you are trying to make some point that people with money should alleviate the suffering of the world, I don't see why that responsibility should stop at Paris Hilton's doorstep.

I don't like transference of righteous anger.
I don't believe in collective punishment either, and that's in your Bible too.

[Marie26]

53. It's a mob mentality, for real. nt

[TahitiNut]

65. Well, don't look now but that "moral high ground" on which you stand seems to have shrunk ...

... to a single mule turd on the floor of Death Valley.

:rofl:

[Justitia]

71. Huh? Was that supposed to make sense? -eom

[ima_sinnic]

129. who's "blaming" Hilton for the Iraq war?

Your obtuse "incomprehension" is rather manufactured, don't you think?
Show me one post that "blames" PH for the war.
Paris Hilton is a vapid, self-centered, shallow brat who thinks of NO ONE but herself. For that reason, her "suffering" is a sham and designed for no end other than to make people "feel sorry" for her and somehow absolve her of responsibility for anything. Perhaps in the past she has found she can manipulate people with "crying" and even throwing a tantrum. Rich little spoiled brats are good at that.
OP is saying, these "tears" don't deserve the attention they are getting.

[Justitia]

169. Here you go.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1072019&mesg_id=1076650

So, you know this woman personally and can be a complete judge of her character and who she "thinks of"?

Sounds like you have more of a problem with her bank account.

And of course, you are the ultimate arbiter of who's "tears" deserve "attention".

I love how haters get sucked in by the media blitz into who they should get their hate on for.
That's some real "manufactured" response.

[ima_sinnic]

188. oh, gee, yes, I take that back

--the Hiltons of the world CAN be blamed for *'s war.

Since she thinks every minute of her vapid, empty life is worthy of publicity, who she "cares about" is only too obvious.

Yeah, I have a problem with the "entitled," who do absolutely nothing to warrant privilege and wealth except to get born, SCOFFLAWS who think the world owes them something and who contribute absolutely nothing to the common good or to alleviating the problem of poverty and suffering in the world, when they are the very people who have the power to do something. Cry me a river for the poor widdle misunderstood rich girl. And I don't need "the media" to "tell me who to hate." So I'm prejudiced against useless, self-centered people, tough s**t.

[ProudDad]

124. You Nailed It, Nut

How goes it? :hi:

[TahitiNut]

155. Greets, my fellow cadet/midshipman! Good to see you!

A little blonde birdie said you're in Azirona these days - the Land of Kyle-McCain? Yikes! I hope you're doing well and staying (almost) sane, bro!

[ProudDad]

184. Yep, In Arizona now

The good news is that it's Tucson -- Pima county went for Kerry. Arizona's Phoenix and Prescott's fault...but that may change.

The bad news is that we bought a house 3 blocks into District 8 which means we've gone from the best Congressperson in the House, Barbara Lee to a major Dino, Gabrielle Giffords.

Well, we always did like a challenge... :hi:

[Flatulo]

107. No offense, but I still think you may be missing the point.

The point is not that Paris has anything to do with Iraq's suffering.

The point is that as a nation, we seem to be obsessed with Paris' plight, when in fact there are much larger tragedys taking place.

It's called irony.

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

Thank you for trying to clear up this strange conversation.

You get it. Others, maybe not.

[daveskilt]

179. Irony - its like goldy and steely but made of iron

to quote baldrick

it seems that is the level of irony awareness on the boards today though. :eyes:

glad some people get it

[daveskilt]

176. HA.

that was a snorter of a laugh - thanks :)!

[Pacifist Patriot]

25. They are related in terms of media coverage and the manufacture of sensitivities.

Nothing against Paris Hilton personally, but MUCH against the American media that is complicit in covering up the true toll Bush's illegal invasion has had on a foreign country.

[Justitia]

31. Now, THAT is a valid point (media criticism). -eom

[Zambero]

111. Another media smokescreen

We had Anna Nicole Smith, DEAD FOR WEEKS WITH ZERO PROSPECT FOR IMPROVEMENT

and NOW,

Paris Hilton, GUILTY AS HELL AND BLUBBERING FOR THE CAMERA

The Neocon war machine needs this unending series of diversions to distract people from their dirty little war. And the MSM is more than willing to accomodate them. While we're fixated on whether Paris does 5 days or 45 days, how many hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and American GI's will experience their final day because of lies that were perpetrated on us some 5 years ago? This National Enquirer circus mentality is the best thing that ever happened to Bush-Cheney as they continue run out the clock while their crooked money-grubbing cronies run up the ill-gotten spoils of war.

[leftynyc]

139. Now that I can agree with.

Bush's crimes should be trumpeted 24/7. Although I'm seeing a lot of venom for Ms. Hilton and not so much for the media who are just giving the people what they want in terms of coverage. The blood on the fangs hatred for this woman is very disturbing.

[Pacifist Patriot]

144. Are they giving the people what they want or...

manufacturing desire by delivering what they want to give? If media coverage was legitimate I don't think ratings would fall. Our national discourse would simply be about different things.

[leftynyc]

208. If people weren't watching

they wouldn't be showing it. Look how many threads there are on this nothing story. And I can understand the interest in a certain sense - it's a diversion from the ugliness all around us. I think you're wrong about the ratings and that will be borne out when they are reported for Friday. They'll report whatever generates ratings.

Do they shape stories? Of course. Do they ignore stories we find important? Undoubtedly.I don't think that's Paris Hilton's fault and I find the attitude of some on this board that seem to think she deserves the 10th level of hell for being born rich very disturbing.

[butch1227]

119. Paris vs. Bush vs. Jackass Judge

There is NO connection between Paris and the Iraq war......... other than it (the war), being run by an incompetent jackass, i.e., the judge, who is out to make a name for himself after spending most of his lackluster life on a traffic court bench.... a pathetic individual, who does want he wants, regardless of the evidence around him.... Yeah.......... BIG MAN........... Paris is such a DANGEROUS criminal, who needs to be incarcerated.... The judge is obviously a republican.... one of those "compassionate conservatives" we've all come to know..... My compliments to the sheriff, Lee Baca, for trying to set justice right.... I just wish he (Lee) had a little more "balls" to ignore "mine fuhrer's" back to jail order.... I hope Paris' mom uses her vast financial resources to fund a recall effort against this mental case judge....GOOD LUCK PARIS...!!!!

[ikojo]

153. This war is being fought primarily for members of

her socio-economic class. She has done nothing productive but instead lives off her mommy and daddy's money. The only thing she did was win the genetic lottery.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bucky]

17. Why are you mad at Hilton? She's not bombing anybody.

She's useless, sure, but she's living her own life, albeit badly. But she's not forcing any news station to cover her entirely banal life story. Get mad at the inept news media; they're the prostitutes. Get mad at the Bush administration for killing tens of thousands directly and hundreds of thousands indirectly.

Calling the irrelevent Ms Hilton ugly names seems to validate the whole distraction she's become.

[jeff30997]

23. I agree.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Justitia]

39. And as a woman, I find it appalling that you so easily label another woman a WHORE (all caps) -eom

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bucky]

58. I don't think you understand the economics of prostitution, Wise but Angry Sara

See, the person who pays for services isn't the prostitute, but the procurer of sex, a.k.a. "the John". If someone paid her for sex then she'd be the prostitute. But then again, she wouldn't be very good at the whole "rich girl" thing.

[WiseButAngrySara]

63. You know what? Understanding the 'economics of prostitution'

is not what I care to understand.

[WiseButAngrySara]

26. What made you think I'm mad at Hilton? I could CARE LESS

what she does. She doesn't deserve the attention she gets (or she does depending on your POV) ...and you'ld better believe I'm mad at the media. She is a rich whore. No one should be subjected to this circus when we have a war, major political corruption, Katrina and Mississippi still burning, and ad nauseaum on all count.

[Marie26]

46. She doesn't seem to be

enjoying that attention. I see two groups enjoying that attention: 1.) the media that can use (and possibly worsen) her problems in order to get some big ratings. 2.) The public that seems oddly gleeful & grateful to have an opportunity to see her suffer. The public gets a chance to call her some bad names & laugh at her; while the media gets a chance to distract people w/a brainless story that requires no time, money or journalistic skill to cover. Win-win! IMHO, Paris Hilton is just a pawn & a scapegoat.

[WiseButAngrySara]

61. You'd better believe it! I couldn't agree with you more. But it

is her wealth and her selling of sex that has her in this position of attention. So, who's first at fault? Her actions or the media's consequent obsession with her actions? Her actions came first. It's not as if she needs the 'profession' to eat bread!

[Marie26]

77. "Her selling of sex?"

What are you even talking about? Paris Hilton doesn't need to sell a thing - she lives the live of a wealthy heiress. I don't get where all these sexual slurs come from.

[Bucky]

56. You confuse me. You say you don't care about her, then keep returning to her & calling her "whore"

and you'd better believe I'm mad at the media. She is a rich whore.

Did you mean she's a "whore" in the nice sense of the word? You do understand that this is a word used to sexually degrade all women and keep them in their place, right? If you use hate language, you don't just hurt the one person you're talking about, you hurt everyone who's targeted by it.

[Name removed]

59. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bucky]

75. Ok, I tried exactly what you suggested.

And Mr Belly Button says...

"Jesus dined with prostitutes, but he'd never call them whores!"
Thank you for your opinion, Mr Belly Button

[Justitia]

76. OMG! ROFL! -eom

[Name removed]

82. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[immoderate]

98. What have you got against pigs?

They are as moral as any other animal. Just sayin' :shrug:

--IMM

[Morgana LaFey]

90. There is no nice sense of the word -- but I do love the rest of

your post. Thank you!

:thumbsup:

[Morgana LaFey]

87. No woman, however ignoble, deserves to be called whore, either

It is a term that demeans ALL women and helps keep us oppressed. If she can be called a whore, you can. If she can be called a whore, ALL women can, any woman can. If she can be called a whore, your own sexual activities are neither beyond inspection nor reproach.

If you're not one who would use a racial slur to criticize Clarence Thomas or Armstrong Jones, or an anti-Semitic remark to criticize Wolfowitz, or a racial slur against Alberto Gonzalez, then you have no business -- even less, considering that you are a woman -- using a gender slur against ANY woman, even spoiled brat rich ones.

And ThAT is the point: criticize her for her actions, her beliefs, her personality, her shallowness, etc. Criticize her for ANYthing as long as it's not a gender stereotype you're using (e.g., her sexual activities), and preferrably is under her control.

[whopis01]

146. well, other than women who actually are whores. n/t

[gemlake]

67. "Calling the irrelevent Ms Hilton ugly names seems to validate the whole distraction she's become."

That sums it all up.

Thank you.

[butch1227]

128. AMEN, Bucky.....!!!

You're ABSOLUTELY right, Bucky.........!!!! Paris IS pretty much useless, a mere distraction in today's tragic world.... EVERYDAY our soldiers are killed in a useless, war.... not to mention the UNTOLD NUMBER of unknown Iraqi citizens.... Men, women and children, slaughtered everyday and for what....??? Bush's EGO...?????!!!!! The news media has become a hungry shark, chasing ANY story, irrelevant or not, to beat their competition....!!! Paris my ass.... The networks SHOULD be hounding the Bush Administration, questioning why they lied us into an unjust war, killing the greatest asset we have......... our young people....!!!! WHAT A TREMENDOUS SHAME...!!!

[leftynyc]

140. Well said....I agree (eom)

[malaise]

13. A little perspective never hurt anyone

K & R and fugg Paris

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

15. Finally someone gets it

Enough of this bullshit Paris Hilton nonsense. Coked out celebrity vs. grieving mother.

[babylonsister]

16. Some much-needed perspective; now if only the media whores would

'get' it.
Thanks! :hi:

[karlrschneider]

20. I love Paris in the Springtime

I love Paris behind the wall


dum de dum de dum...tra la la

[Swamp Rat]

22. k&r

[LSK]

24. K&R

[spanone]

30. K&R

[swimmernsecretsea]

32. This is why I don't feel at all sorry for Paris Hilton.

I'm sorry. I just can't. She put other lives in danger by driving intoxicated, and then again by flouting the law and driving twice while her license was suspended. I save my feelings for the rain of sorrow on this world, only a bit of which was glimpsed in the other photos you supplied.

[Marie26]

41. I don't get it.

People all over America have cried over problems that pale in comparison with Iraq. What's the point of posting Paris Hilton?

[cboy4]

48. Because! Paris carried on today like she was being sent to

Guantanamo Bay.

The point is there are people in Iraq who REALLY have something to cry about.

Not a millionaire who is spending a few lousy weeks in jail.

[BlooInBloo]

50. Like Marie said, *that* applies to about 99% of all American criers.

[Marie26]

51. So what?

Getting sent to jail isn't fun; probably many people cried over it. Celebrities have cried on Oprah - why weren't their picture paired up? Probably you've cried over something that doesn't even begin to approach what's happened in Iraq. I do not see the linkage - at all. It seems to be some odd attempt to divert & channel people's anger at Iraq onto a totally different target.

[cboy4]

55. I seriously doubt the OP is trying to "divert and channel

people's anger at Iraq onto a totally different target."

The point is puting things is perspective.

The people in the photos have something to REALLY sob about.

Not Paris who will spend a few weeks in jail, and then be back to shopping on Melrose Avenue

[Marie26]

60. Not consciously

I agree that that was probably the nominal reason for the thread, but what I'm saying is that there's a deeper reason that most people aren't really ready to acknowledge. Because otherwise, why only pair this picture, instead of the thousands of other pics of people crying over less serious things? Why link Paris Hilton to Iraq at all? To me, it's a kind of propaganda, that does flame people's emotions in order to target them at an appointed scapegoat. And that is how a mob mentality works. One person suddenly becomes the embodiment of all of the crowd's fear, anger, indignation, and they exact punishment. It doesn't really matter if the scapegoat is responsible, or even relevent, to the pain, all that matters is that vengence is secured.

In a vicarious way, that's just what the DU mob is doing here. People can take all their anger about Iraq, Bush, class imbalances & target it onto Paris Hilton. Then people can laugh & feel glee when she is "punished" & brought down - it's an emotional catharis. The fact that she has nothing to do w/the actual reasons for their anger doesn't matter. All that matters is that the scapegoat has been punished, and the crowd gets a brief feeling of power. It is a total mob mentality.

[cboy4]

69. Oh please. What would you have said if the OP posted photos of the

distraught families of the Virginia Tech victims or the 9/11 victims?

Would you go on and on about how the OP shouldn't link those tragedies to Paris Hilton.

You've already admitted you understand the "nominal reason for the thread."

Stop trying to read more into it.

The OP was trying to illustrate the people who really have something to cry about.

[Marie26]

80. Yeah, I would

If people tried to link Paris Hilton to VA Tech, or any other tragedy, I'd have a problem w/that. Cause she's not responsible for these tragedies. And there is a lot more to read into it. I'm imagining a comparable scenario - OK, Justin Timberlake is arrested for driving w/a suspended license & has to serve a month in jail. Would the cable networks give NON-STOP coverage to the story? Would MSNBC show live shots of his house all day long? Would DU'ers be posting vicious slurs, violent imagery, & hate about Justin Timberlake? Somehow, I don't think so, and he's a much bigger celebrity. There's something else going on here, and I think it has to do w/misogyny. I think there's a connection between the pure hate that Jessica Lynch got & the pure hatred Paris Hilton gets. I think women are often the appointed scapegoats for people's rage. And I think that sucks.

[cboy4]

84. Why are you trying to lump any other Paris Hilton thread/post

to this specific thread?

I'm only talking about THIS THREAD..

And in this thread, the OP successfully puts things in perspective:

People who have lost loved ones in the Iraq War have far more to cry about than Paris Hilton.

It's as simple as that.

What you're arguing is there's no tragedy that compares to three weeks of jail.

And that's unbelievable.

[Marie26]

86. Because it's all of a piece.

I think it's pretty clear what my argument is. You seem determined to misinterpret it & come up w/strawmen like "there's no tragedy that compares to 3 weeks in jail." That's your prerogative. All I'm saying is that the pure vitriol against Hilton is disturbing & IMO quite misogynistic. The attempt to make her some sort of poster girl for all wrongs isn't right. But I've made my point, so I'm done here. Please continue the bile, insults & viciousness already in progress.

[cboy4]

95. Misogynistic?! OMG, now I've heard everything.

Martha Stewart spent how many months behind bars without whining!?!?

And she even feels she was not guilty.

Yet, she didn't cry and carry on and accuse people who felt she should serve time of being women haters. :eyes:

Paris could have wiped out a fricken family that night when she drove drunk.

And yet she spit in the face of justice when she continued to drive, even though anyone with half a brain knows your license is suspended when you get busted for DUI.

Three weeks in jail is a bargain.

Stop advocating that she should receive special treatment because she's a female celebrity.

[emilyg]

114. You have good sense. Thank you.

[cboy4]

127. Thank you emily....I appreciate that after a frustrating day of

arguing with people. :)

[Marie26]

160. It totally is

I'm not referring to the sentence; she deserved to be sentenced for the crime, though 45 days might be excessive. No, I'm referring to the media coverage, and most especially, the public reaction. The crowd howls with rage & hatred as they throw the stones, laugh with glee when they see her cry, pelt her with sexual slurs, insults, demeaning remarks. They hypocritically pretend that they're righteously angry about a parole violation, but can't resist saying that she deserves to be punished for her wealth, her looks, her "loose morals." People openly wish for her death, or rape. WTF? Where the hell is this hatred & vitriol coming from? I swear, it reminds me of how villages in Afghanistan will stone "loose women" in order to maintain control. It reminds me of how the French targeted their rage at Marie Antionette, the English targeted women as witches to be burned at the stake. It's the same dynamic, on a different level. The mob has spoken. The Jezebel must be brought down, the scarlet woman must be punished. The rage is not just against her as a person, but her as a female. And it is creepy beyond belief.

Lwfern posted an excellent thread a few weeks ago about how female activists have been silenced. Women who speak out will receive death threats, incredible hate mail, & threats full of violent sexual imagery. This goes for Cindy Sheehan, Jessica Lynch, the Dixie Chicks, whoever doesn't comply w/the unwritten rules for women's conduct. And I see the same type of vibe in the violent imagery that people have expressed on this thread & others. I am not a fan of Paris Hilton as a person, but I will speak up against the sadistic glee that's been expressed here. See, NO WOMAN deserves to be called sexual slurs, just like no minority deserves to be called racial slurs. NO WOMAN deserves to receive jokes about her rape or sexual humiliation. It's really pretty simple. But apparently not at DU, where progressives will launch their rage & hatred at Paris Hilton as some sort of twisted scapegoat for everything they hate. The mob laughs gleefully at her pain, silences the critics, and launches more verbal stones at the appointed target of their rage. It's like a scene out of "The Lottery". It is a mob mentality, and it is totally disturbing.

[ima_sinnic]

131. Justin Timberlake has EARNED his celebrity

He actually HAS TALENT and DOES SOMETHING NOTABLE.

What EXACTLY has Paris Hilton "DONE"?
She is "famous" for nothing other than her accidental existence. She has done nothing that indicates she cares about anything or anybody but herself; therefore I actually feel a pang of glee at her faux "suffering." Maybe she will actually have to think of someone else while incarcerated, but from what I understand she is actually housed in a "celebrity wing" of the jail, so it is unlikely she will meet anyone who has truly suffered and of whose pain she might even get a glimpse.

As a female, I find your tying of "hatred for Paris" with oppression of women misguided.

[Marie26]

162. Has he?

Eh, he'd be nothing without Timbaland. And Paris Hilton also released a pop album, so they're about equal, right? It's a rather fine distinction - we'll gleefully laugh when reality TV stars are incarcerated, but not when vacuous pop stars are? That's not what this is about. My example was just to show how odd & excessive the media & DU reaction has been to this non-story. If it were Justin Timberlake, or some Survivor reality TV star, I don't think there would be the same amount of vitriolic anger. There's plenty of people who are famous for nothing, but they wouldn't be getting this kind of coverage. I don't like Paris Hilton, & I hope she does learn something from her incarceration. What I don't understand is the total, over-the-top, almost violent level of rage & hatred for a minor celebrity. IMO, the "hatred of Paris" isn't just about her as a person, but her as a symbol. And yes, IMO to a certain extent it is about her as a symbolic representation of the "scarlet woman". People are just way too excited & gleeful about all this, way too willing to jump to violent imagery.

[Warren DeMontague]

92. Because it gives us an excuse to have a nice "15 minute hate", that's why.

:eyes:

[Hippo_Tron]

130. It's much easier to cry about things when they directly effect you

I can honestly say that if I were going to jail, people dieing in Iraq wouldn't be the first thing on my mind. Although I do know that when I'm in a bad mood sometimes I do consider what it would be like to be one of those people in the OP's pictures and often that does help make my problem seem a lot smaller than they are.

I'm fine with Paris crying over her situation. I just hope that other people don't waste too much sympathy on her. The people in Iraq are far more deserving of that sympathy.

[FloridaJudy]

88. Because *those* people

Don't have their faces plastered across magazines at the check-out counter. Or have updates about their problems reported on the nightly news. Or have a brazillion bucks that they could be spending to help people who really do need it.

Paris Hilton is just a distraction from what really matters. The decadent Romans had more compassion than the present administration. They provided bread and circuses to keep the masses content. The bread got cut as an unnecessary program, but - Boy! - do we ever have circuses! Anna/Paris/Lindsey/Britney are merely the Head Performers. I almost said Head Clowns, but that title rightly goes the Commander Guy in Chief.

[onecent]

54. K and R.

[stirlingsliver]

66. Poor Paris!

Poor rich, no-talent, over-indulged, Paris Hilton.

She deserves to be thrown into the lowest stinking jail they can find.

She wants her "mommy".

She needs to understand what real suffering is.

[High Plains]

192. Enjoy your hate.

[Jack Rabbit]

68. That really put Paris' "problems" in perspective

She doesn't how lucky she is.

[Madspirit]

85. Jail For Ted Kennedy the Killer Drunk!!...n/t

[Uncle Joe]

89. Poor thing, it must suck to be rich.

:cry:

[Warren DeMontague]

91. Unless someone can show me how Paris Hilton is responsible for the Iraq war, or even SUPPORTS it

As far as I'm concerned, they have jack diddly fucking doodly shit to do with each other. The media should be focused on Iraq, not Paris, but that's not Paris Hilton's fault. All this is is another excuse for folks to bitch and moan, screech and poo-fling and call for her head and blame her for shit that she didn't do.

So... what did she do? She broke some laws and she needs to pay for the laws she broke. But if you want to blame the Iraq War on someone, blame it on Bush, Cheney, and the others responsible. For Fuck's Sake, enough already.

[stirlingsliver]

93. Oh, But It IS Her Fault

"The media should be focused on Iraq, not Paris, but that's not Paris Hilton's fault."

Oh, but it IS Paris Hilton's fault that the media obsess on her.

Paris Hilton hires people to keep her name in front on the media -- she is a celebrity -- famous because she is famous!

Paris shares in the blame for the media obsessing on her.

[Warren DeMontague]

97. You know what? That's stretching. Really stretching.

She's not responsible for the Iraq War.

I realize she's someone that is really fun for some folks here to hate- hey, I'm not particularly fond of her, either, although every post calling for her to be guillotined somehow raises her in my estimation- but seriously: Unless someone can post a link to a statement of hers supporting Bush or the Iraq War, I think the premise behind this thread is real weak.

[immoderate]

99. So everybody with a publicity agent shares the blame for the war?

Or is it just Paris? She's being punished for being an airhead. If she wasn't, DUI or not, she wouldn't be in jail.

Hey, Britney said we should support the president, and she's got a publicist too. Let's make it her war.

The OP could be a commentary on journalism, but it isn't framed that way. It's just a non sequiter.

--IMM

[hatrack]

96. As accurate and succinct a comment as I've seen on "journalism" as currently practiced here

Thanks. Right on the money.

[Roland99]

100. But she's a PRINCESS!!!!

F8ck that worthless pile of carbon.

[High Plains]

194. Enjoy your hate.

[Roland99]

203. It's not hate... but, uh, thanks for your holier than thou attitude and love of attention whores.

[mondo joe]

101. Irrelevent - it's not her war. Or is everyone bitching about her saying they haven't cried

at all during the war?

[cboy4]

112. Do you really not understand the point of this OP?

The OP posted these photos to illustrate these are some of the people who really, really have something to be devastated about.

Not a millionaire who has to spend a few weeks away from her shopping and parties.

The OP could have very well have posted the sobbing photo of the father of the Kansas teenager who was kidnapped and found dead yesterday.

It has nothing to do with whether it's Paris Hilton's "war" or not.

What is this "irrelevant?"

Unreal!!!!


--on edit, read post #110. That says it all.

[mondo joe]

117. People cry for great tragedies and smaller personal ones alike.

I don't think devastation is the only justification for tears.

People cry for a lot of reasons -- breaking up with a boyfriend, having a bad day at work, watching a movie. I suspect a lot of people going to jail for a few weeks might cry as well.

I have no particular sympathy for Paris Hilton, nor have I any particular antipathy for her.

[ProudDad]

126. You'd better hope she doesn't

crash into your car while driving drunk with the lights off some night...

As for me, I have ZERO tolerance for drunk drivers...

[mondo joe]

149. What does that have to do with my comment in any way?

Tolerance for drunk driving is a legal standard.

What does that have to do with people crying?

[cboy4]

157. Because, you're coming across as an apologist for drunk drivers.

It's good to see I'm not the only one who noticed.

[mondo joe]

167. How so? What have I said that in any way minimizes the potential harm caused

by drunk drivers, or the need for appropriate legal penalties? When have I said drunk drivers are not responsible, or deserve special treatment?

You won't find such a thing because I've never said such a thing.

What I have consistently said is that Paris Hilton should receive the same penalty anyone else would for her actions.

How is that apologizing for drunk drivers?

[shaniqua6392]

102. Good point!!!

It all makes me sick.

[provis99]

103. jeez, a lot of you Paris defenders are plainly glad there are a lot of dead Iraqis

I mean, thats all I get out of this thread. Your racism and vitriol, as well as misanthropy, are self-evident.

[Kat 333]

116. racism ?

WTF ? She cried because of having to go to jail. So what. Not an odd reaction. One thing is probably for certain. Paris Hilton will do more time behind bars for driving with a suspended license than bush* ever will.

[ProudDad]

190. Actually, she was crying

because she WAS in jail, avoided it by being returned home on some bogus (or maybe real) "medical condition" (which condition qualified her to be returned home ONLY by virtue of her celebrity -- a regular, non-VIP prisoner would be afforded NO SUCH CONSIDERATION) to "house arrest" in her mansion and then, UNEXPECTEDLY was being dragged back to jail in handcuffs.

That was the source of her tears; getting double-crossed by the system that so well supported her in her privileged life before.

I can understand her grief, it was a (typical) cruel joke played by the criminally-unjust system.

But that doesn't change the fact that she is a privileged member of the Amerikan Aristocracy and as such is always held to a different standard than the rest of us.

[AntiFascist]

104. Why is CNN waiving around OJ Simpson's defense attorney...

when OJ Simpson was clearly guilty?

Why is CNN so focused on Paris Hilton when it should be focused on the criminals running our government? What a second-rate news organization. I can't wait until internet-based news takes over.

[Control-Z]

105. Bottom line

People make mistakes. We all do. And for some of the bigger mistakes we are punished. It shouldn't matter who you are. A DUI will get you a suspended license in California these days which can be a tremendous burden on most, I would think. And my guess would be that the majority of arrests made on, let's say, New years Eve, are by first time, average Joe, offenders. It must be a hardship for most of them to find alternate transportation, especially here in So Cal where public transportation is poor. I doubt there are many who can afford a taxi to work every day. Some even lose their jobs because of that. There are those who break the law, out of desperation.

Paris could have had a car and driver any time she wanted at any hour of the day, and at her convenience. She had no compelling reason to break the law. (again) She wasn't bustling to get to work so she could put food on the table. She chose to break the law. She felt she was above the law.

She is spoiled, greedy and self centered. She deserves to go to jail. Period.

[BrklynLiberal]

106. Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

:(

[Beartracks]

110. This thread is certainly a fine example...

... of how difficult it can be to communicate, in an electronic forum, the following:

- sarcasm
- satire
- juxtaposition


It seems someone will always misunderstand. :argh:

[19jet54]

113. Boo "God Damn" Hoo

:cry:

People are dying in Iraq & Afghanistan; Children are dying in Africa; Americans are living in contaminated trailers in New Orleans; And Paris is crying about her pussy hurting? (undisclosed medical condition) If you can't do the time, don't do the crime!!!!!!

Boo Hoo :nopity: Grow up Paris - I think the judge is doing her a big favor by showing her the "real world" the rest of us live in.

[DesertRat]

115. Thank you for putting this into perspective. n/t

[bluestateguy]

120. She never bothered to vote in 2004

And as far as I am concerned, that is the equivalent of a vote for Bush.

[Erika]

121. My nephew is on his third tour of Iraq

From an IED, he's already suffered hearing loss and a concussion.

So why do we care about Paris?

[upi402]

122. Paris is imprisoned by self-centeredness n/t

[Poll_Blind]

125. Equating Paris Hilton's despair with Iraqi suffering is...bizarre. Care to explain further?

?

PB

[cboy4]

134. No No No....the point of the OP is Paris Hilton has nothing to cry about

when compared to the people in those photos who have suffered unthinkable suffering from the Iraq War.

The OP is attempting to put things in perspective!

Here's Paris Hilton sobbing over spending three weeks in jail versus these poor people in Iraq who have something really legitimate to sob about.

You might try to read through the thread before posting something like your question, which has been addressed numerous times throughout.

[mondo joe]

148. So have you cried for any reason since the start of the Iraq war?

Or is this the new standard - if you have it better than those suffering in the war you have nothing to cruyu about?

[cboy4]

154. Paris Hilton carried on in court yesterday as though she lost

a relative in Iraq.

That's the fricken point of this OP.

Stop defending a grown woman who was arrested for drunk driving, and then was stopped not once...but TWICE for driving on a suspended license.

She completely spit in the face of justice, and she should have a smile on her damn face a mile long considering she could have wiped out a family the night she chose to drink and drive.

Stop defending drunk drivers.

They destroy lives.

[mondo joe]

164. No defense of drunk drivers. She should get the same punishment as anyone

else would for the same crime - not more, not less.

People cry for all sorts of reasons. I don't think you need to lose your family in Iraq to justify crying.

[daveskilt]

181. ALL drunk drivers should go to jail - and more than 45 days too IMO

doing something that deliberately puts other peoples lives in danger like drunk driving ugh

[Kat 333]

171. "For you to try to link the two situations is twisted"

Those are Your Own Words. From post 57. Yet now you're saying "Paris Hilton carried on in court yesterday as though she lost
a relative in Iraq. That's the fricken point of this OP". Maybe consider allowing people to have their own opinion of the OP without trying to "explain" yours repeatedly. Much less accusing those who do not agree with you, or the post, of supporting drunk drivers.

[daveskilt]

175. and you would think that point would be obvious

maybe if I post a picture of the three stooges and a picture of Auschwitz, I will get angry profanity laden posts telling me how dare I say that Larry Curly and Moe were responsible for the holocaust.

reminds me of an onion headline from late 2001 post 9/11 "greiving nation longs to care about stupid shit again" with pictures of danny almonte (the 15 year old little league kid) etc.

I wonder if some people are deliberately obtuse or just daft.

[Kat 333]

161. I agree ...

Very Bizarre. Don't bother to read the "explanations". It won't, likely, change your opinion.

[Jamastiene]

186. I think the point the OP was making is that some people

really have something to cry about, i.e. those suffering the war, unlike Paris Hilton who is merely crying as part of a gigantic temper tantrum.

[Poll_Blind]

204. I'm really really glad that was it. Without any explanation it appeared...

...to place her "suffering" on the same level as the Iraqis'.

  I have seen far stranger opinions on here broached with the same level of seriousness.

PB

[Bentcorner]

133. I think a lot of you are missing the point. Most people

find it highly entertaining to see Paris Hilton in the back of a black & white crying her head off as she is taken back to court and then to jail. People aren't commiserating with Paris Hilton. They are laughing at her.

I don't think anyone is laughing at any of the horrors of Iraq. I don't think anyone enjoys seeing pictures of dead Iraqis.

[terrya]

136. Thanks

Who the fuck cares about her and her "suffering"? She'll be out in, what, 30 days? And then she can go back to her vapid, self-indulgent, partying ways.

I practically laughed when I saw the footage of her screaming and crying and whatnot.

[leftynyc]

141. May I ask why you practically laughed at her?

Do you laugh at anyone in those circumstances going to jail and crying about it? Or just when they're rich?

While I agree that the media coverage of this is over the top crazy, I don't see why this woman deserves the hatred she is getting on this board.

[fudge stripe cookays]

143. Because she's exactly like Bush.

Rich, vapid, self-centered, and cares nothing for other people. SHE'S actually getting what she deserves for fucking up.

He never will, because he's never been made to account for his actions.

See?

[NJCher]

209. you got it

I didn't realize it until I read your post, but I think that's a lot of what the preoccupation with her is. So many DU-ers, myself included, are so sick of this type of person: "Rich, vapid, self-centered, and cares nothing for other people." We see this everyday in our so-called president.

The two have an amazing amount in common. Neither one of them has done anything worthwhile; they are famous for the last name. "Worthless" pretty much sums it up but there's more to it than that. I digress. however. Let me return to my point, which is that PH is an archetype of the self-centered, worthless person who seemingly never gets a reality adjustment.

Why do we read mystery novels? We read the mystery because we have a need to see justice done. I took a class in the mystery and the instructor, the head of a chain of mystery novel bookstores in NYC, observed this and I've never forgotten it. We hardly ever get to see a direct connection between wrongdoing and punishment. The mystery novel provides that, as does this situation.

----------------

Now, on another point, many posters on this thread do not see a connection between Iraqis crying and Paris Hilton crying. They seem to think there has to be a connection.

Not so.

In writing/thinking/exploring, any juxtaposition can serve as a means to explore thought and meaning and this thread certainly has done that. If one reads the many posts here, there is a variety of meaning taken from looking at the two situations.



Cher

[cboy4]

150. It has nothing to do with the media coverage being "over the top crazy"

and everything to do with the fact if Paris Hilton was "Mary Smith" from South Central Los Angeles, she would have been told, "Too bad you have a medical condition, you're serving the time."

That's why the overwhelming majority of America, from every poll you look at, has been so up in arms about Paris getting out early.

She doesn't deserve to be hated, but you'd can't deny there are two justice systems.

One for the poor and one for the rich and famous.

I actually more disgusted with the LA County Sheriff, who unfortunately wasn't charged with contempt, as the court documents hinted he might.

It's not Paris' fault she was let out early. It's the sheriff's fault, who disregarded the judge's initial order.

[Jamastiene]

189. Could it possibly be the fact that she is exhibiting classic

signs of a temper tantrum pitched by a spoiled brat? The behavior exhibited at her age is somewhat laughable. She needs to grow up. That ain't hating her. She just needs to grow up. I'll admit I rolled my eyes when I saw the picture. Different people have had different reactions to her temper tantrum. Part of me wants to pity her, but then another part of me thinks it's all so ridiculous how she's acting. It's not like she got life or anything serious. She will be pampered like normal, just not allowed to gab incessantly with her friends and party her ass off. Boo-fucking-hoo. She needs to serve her time. Period. An adult should act better.

[treestar]

159. Exactly, she won't pay in other ways like ordinary people do, either

Having that on her record isn't going to make a different to her lifestyle - she won't have to be looking for a job with a criminal record.

[autorank]

145. This is brilliant! Thank ou. K*R

[wtmusic]

151. I can...almost...feel sorry for her there

Sometimes all the money in the world doesn't matter.

[L0oniX]

152. So I guess the new Paris pr0n flick will be delayed because of this.

:sarcasm:

[femrap]

165. Why didn't our society go after Robert Downey, Jr.

with the viciousness that is pointed at Paris Hilton when he had trouble with the law? Why? He's not a woman.

A very special meanness and cruelty is for women....hell, Sabra, why don't you just stone Paris?

[mondo joe]

170. True. Look at Paris Hilton or Martha Stewart. There's a special glee some people get

in seeing women being punished.

When I heard Paris Hilton was being released to home confinement I was originally appalled because it appeared to be another case of preferential treatment based on her wealth.

But I've since learned that her punishment is rather worse than standard for these cases.

I don't think her celebrity or wealth should get her better or worse treatment. And though I don't find her an appealing or likable person, I don't see any reason to rejoice in her unhappiness.

[Kat 333]

174. Thank You ...

For pointing out the obvious. "Look at Paris Hilton or Martha Stewart. There's a special glee some people get in seeing women being punished."

[Danieljay]

187. as I recall, they did. Making this about cruelty toward women is a bit of a stretch in my opinion..

though I do respect yours...

[femrap]

195. The hatred spewed here against Paris was

certainly not displayed toward Downey....he was pitied. Men love to hate women...it's all part of our culture. Open your eyes just a bit and look around at how women are portrayed on TV, in magazines, etc. Would you like to be a woman?

[mondo joe]

198. But it's not just men who get off on hating women. Other women do it too.

Paris Hilton and Martha Stewart had the nerve to not only be women, but to be blonde women with money too.

[Danieljay]

199. "men love to hate women, its part of our culture"? Are you flipping kidding me?

Women are not being bashed over the head with a club and dragged on to TV and magazines, etc. I do believe, in our culture, most women still have a choice as do most men. Are there exceptions? You bet. But those are the exception and not the rule.

Paris Hilton is NOT a victim here nor are the majority of women. She chose her lifestyle, magazines, media, tv and all. She could have been a doctor, a lawyer, or a flippin astronaut. She chose to be what she is. No one made her do it. And the very fact that women continue to have the power of choice is what makes 'our culture' great and different than others.

As a man, I will not sit back and be lumped in to a fictional category of 'men who love to hate women'. Its bullshit. That is not only a slap in the face to men, its a slap in the face to women.
Be grateful you ARE a woman in THIS culture and use your power of choice to empower other women to do the same. Don't sit back and blame men for all your problems. Not here, not now.

[femrap]

210. You didn't answer my question....

you want to be a woman? Worry about going out after dark....walking across the dark parking lot...always on alert for the lurking rapist?

Wanna wear high heels? Wanna paint your face? If not, are you willing to be ridiculed?

Look around you....look at our culture. Our culture hates women....all we are sex objects. LOOK. Take off the blinders...stop taking it personally and LOOK at how women are viewed in our society.

I'm blaming the patriarchy. Google that word and read a bit...then we can chat, OK?

[Kat 333]

202. It appears that women love to hate women too ...

Especially if they have money and don't look half ass bad. She made a mistake. A series of them. And will, undoubtedly, spend more time behind bars than bush*, cheney, and the rest of the law breaking murderers that have killed hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. Guess we could look at the OP from a different light as well. How unfair to punish a little rich girl more severely than those responsible for the suffering in the photographs that follow.

[Danieljay]

205. Right on fellow Oregonian!

Not doing the Rose Festival today?

[Kat 333]

206. I'm having my own of sorts ...

Just came in from planting three roses. In the past the deer have eaten them so am trying to set them closer to the house. Which is probably futile unless I can come up with some night vision device.

Thanks for the high fellow Oregonian ... :hi:

[HughSeries]

166. She should have something to cry about. nt

[Danieljay]

185. For me, the OP was a reflection on priorities. People are dying in Iraq and Paris Hilton gets

all the coverage.

She has a right to cry her spoiled little eyes out. My frustration is why Americans/and media seem to care more about Paris Hilton than they do the death and carnage in Iraq?

[slick8790]

193. I cannot believe people are misunderstanding the original post so much...

No one is saying "Paris hilton is responsible for the war". It seems blatantly obvious that the OP's intent was to show how Paris hilton is sobbing over a month or so in jail, then a return to a life of luxury, as opposed to the people in Iraq, who will have to be reminded of the pain of losing a loved one every day. Hence, Paris hilton is a self centered, spoiled bitch who has no insight in to any real pain or suffering like the people who have lost loved ones in Iraq. She needs to get a grip, as some people here do, apparently.

[Danieljay]

201. Exactly. Is she entitled to her feelings? You bet. But frankly, I DON"T CARE. I care about

ending the suffering of the true victims of this war, not some spoiled rich kid having a temper tantrum when held accountable for her choices.

The suffering of Iraqis wasn't and isn't a choice. Ironically, the choice was made for them by another spoiled rich kid throwing a temper tantrum.

[OHdem10]

197. Our own elected officials Dems and Repubs are responsible

for anything wrong or right in America.

I fail to see how a young woman who had no choice
as to whom she was born (she did not choose her
parents) is suddenly the epitome of all that is
wrong in America.

I now see what is wrong---Misplaced Blame.

Blame Paris but never hold our Congressmen accountable????

Why no one has seen what is going on here. This is
a circus created by the media. They have not been
so frenzied since Bill Clinton"s mistake.

Sex, Sex Sex. They have permitted this storm because Paris
has to be punished--remember the sex tape that got
out on the Internet. I am waiting to see our
Media with Stones ready to throw at her when
she gets out again. The Culture War goes on.
I love the way DU marches behing OReilly and Fox

Righteous Anger about things wrong in our society
is a good thing. Direct it at the Culprits in DC.

[Bluebear]

200. I know this won't be popular, but blame fucking George Bush, not Paris Hilton.

Paris Hilton is not bombing the shit out of Iraq. She is annoying and pointless, but I will not "enjoy" her crying or call for her prison rape like so many have here over the last couple days.

[The Stranger]

207. Kick it