Money Talks.......

[susannah 2]

Hey, I find her release under home detention to be so offensive. Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence. My friend Alastair was killed by a drunk driver in 1991. He was only 21 years old. Of course the drunk survived with only bruising and scratches, and got a pathetically light penalty. This is serious. You can kill other road users if you drive under the influence of alcohol and other illicit substances.

Susannah

[susannah 2]

Hey, Well it looks like sanity has prevailed and Paris Hilton has been returned to jail. I am sorry but there is not one rule for the masses and another for the rich. She was heard to yell "Mom it's not fair" while being led from court. Well I am sorry love, but it is also not right or fair that your action of driving under the influence could have killed another person. Suck it up.

Susannah

[lisah25 3]

I think she behaved like a spoiled little brat, and WAY overreacted to having to spend 40 days in jail.

I did read something though that got me thinking. That being a comment that because of the crowded jail, often prisoners are allowed to serve a small percentage of their sentence, then the rest in home detention. I know the judge had ordered she couldn't do that, but I'm almost wondering if she is getting "special", harsher sentence then she might have if she wasn't Paris Hilton? Anyone know?

I can't believe I'm typing that, I think she's a worthless spoiled little rich girl who thinks being young and rich entitles her to things. And I'm glad to see her go to jail, so I wonder if the judge felt the same in a way?

[anonemouse 1]

I think the judge was so pissed that she's been given special treatment, and that he was being asked to give her even more, that he gave her a harsher sentence than he probably would have. I don't blame him, though. We've seen so many cases where celebs get away with a slap on the wrist, it's nice to see one getting what she deserves. And to me, she was released because of who she was. Another person would not have gotten out of jail because of the reasons she did. Yes, if that hadn't happened, she may have been released early anyway, but it did happen. And I think it rightfully pissed off the judge.

[areellady 1]

I guess there are SOME things that these spoiled, rich people's mommies CAN'T do for them. Too bad she has to do her toileting in front of other people. I bet the officers are getting quite a kick out of the whole thing. I know I would be if I was working in that jail!!! Deanna

[gadgetlady 4]

I flipped on the television today and used this as a life lesson for my kids. They had no idea who she was, so luckily when I flipped it on they were going through a photo-montage of Paris posing for the camera, on the red carpet, etc. We talked about what she looked like, what kind of clothes and jewelry she wore, what her life of privilege is like, and then I told them what happened to her. They were wide-eyed. We talked about what her reaction to being in jail might be like and how she might act when she gets out: angry or repentant. They asked me which one it would be. I explained that I didn't know and that we'll have to come back in a month or so and watch what she does. It was very interesting to see them work through everything in their minds -- they're 7 and 9. Here's this girl who lives the life of a "princess" like they read in their storybooks, and then here's the reality.

[green 6]

I flipped on the television today and used this as a life lesson for my kids. They had no idea who she was, so luckily when I flipped it on they were going through a photo-montage of Paris posing for the camera, on the red carpet, etc. We talked about what she looked like, what kind of clothes and jewelry she wore, what her life of privilege is like, and then I told them what happened to her. They were wide-eyed. We talked about what her reaction to being in jail might be like and how she might act when she gets out: angry or repentant. They asked me which one it would be. I explained that I didn't know and that we'll have to come back in a month or so and watch what she does. It was very interesting to see them work through everything in their minds -- they're 7 and 9. Here's this girl who lives the life of a "princess" like they read in their storybooks, and then here's the reality.

This is an interesting post, Gadget. Did your kids have any other comments about Hilton? I am interested.

[Carlene 12]

I think what pissed the judge off in the first place was her attitude at the probation violation hearing. She was just so "above" all us mortals - including the judge. When she said she didn't know her license had been suspended, he told her the state had mailed her a letter,to which Paris replied, "I don't open my own mail. I have people who do that for me." What an idiot. No wonder she dropped out of high school. She doesn't have to use her brain...she has people to do that for her.

I agree that a lot of people hate Paris Hilton because she is young and blonde and skinny and beautiful and rich. I'd like to be all those things, too. Heck, I'd settle for rich and young - screw the blonde thing, and I'll buy myself some plastic surgery and a personal trainer. But she is just such a waste of perfectly good oxygen. Famous for being famous....what is THAT all about?????

[gadgetlady 4]

This is an interesting post, Gadget. Did your kids have any other comments about Hilton? I am interested.

It was a very interesting conversation. When I asked them to look at her and tell me what they thought, their first comment was that she was rather ugly. When I asked them why, they said she was wearing way too much makeup (like she needed to cover something up).

After I told them who she was (we travel a lot so they know the brand Hilton), the 7 year old said she must live in something like a castle and she must have a room just for money :biggrin1:. Those fairy-tales sure do have an impact on little girls, don't they?

It was interesting to see what they came up with as to what she might feel after she is released from jail -- the older one said "angry" (fits with her personality) and the younger one said "she would feel bad about what she did" (also fits with HER personality).

When they saw her name they thought it was a very silly name.

When the news said she turned around in court and called for her mom, I asked them why they thought she did that. I had to explain to them that it was probably very likely that her mother was always there to fix her problems for her in the past, but when you do things that are illegal and could harm (or DO harm) others, those are the things that your parents can't fix.

I'll let you know when we have a family chat about it again. Let ME know if there's anything you want me to ask them. It certainly is interesting to see it from the eyes of a child who's had no knowledge of her prior to this.

[susannah 2]

Hi Carlene, I don't hate Paris Hilton for having the list of attributes that you mentioned. I don't hate her for any reason. I just hate the act of drink driving. Susannah

[green 6]

Thanks for replying, Gadget. I found it interesting that the girls thought that she was ugly because of the make-up and that they felt that she was trying to cover up something. To tell you the truth, I myself have never "got" her looks. I think she looks vapid and squinty-eyed and, well, plastic. I was also amused by their response to her name, Paris.

It might be interesting to ask them what effect they feel that her fame might have on her sense of herself, particularly as it is not anchored to actual accomplishments. You might also ask them what they feel about Paris's obvious resentment about being punished. These are just suggestions of course. Please post more about your conversation with your kids concerning this. I find it fascinating to view the sillier aspects of our culture as viewed through the sensible eyes of a couple of children. Again, thanks from Green.:girl_hug:

[Carlene 12]

I find it fascinating to view the sillier aspects of our culture as viewed through the sensible eyes of a couple of children. Again, thanks from Green.:girl_hug:

I had three girls, ages 14 and 15, at my house yesterday. We got to talking about Paris and her problems. These girls all readily admitted that they would love to be Paris Hilton, because she has so much money and can, seemingly, do whatever she wants to. I thought the "go to jail, do not pass Go" thing was a great lesson for them....in America, when the justice system works as it was intended to, no one is allowed to do "whatever she wants to".

Paris Hilton, IMHO, is almost an icon for her generation. They want everything mommy and daddy have, but they don't want to work 25 years for it, like we did. A dream mentality for the credit card companies, no doubt.

Our instant media, of course, is what has created celebrities like Paris (famous for being famous). In eras past, wealthy people had over-indulged children, but we did not hear a lot about them because we lacked TV and the Internet. Or perhaps people were simply more dignified back then. As my redneck friend would say, Paris Hilton ain't got no couth.

[anonemouse 1]

I don't know if the media created people like Paris. I personally feel that they've always been around, people getting what they wanted when they wanted is and getting away with everything, just because of who they are. Maybe the media just exposes it more now. I mean, yeah, Paris is a well-known figure to everyone now because of the media, but simply being the heirress to the Hilton empire and being so rich seems like it would probably have gotten her out of quite a bit, even if the media wasn't like it is. It's just more obvious and public now.

[Carlene 12]

Interestingly enough, the great-grandfather to whom Paris owes her initial wealth did not intend for his descendants to be "trust babies". Most of Conrad Hilton's assets were willed to the Catholic Church, but his son, Barron, contested the will and won. The net worth of Barron and his descendants then jumped to over $335 million.

[green 6]

I don't know if the media created people like Paris. I personally feel that they've always been around, people getting what they wanted when they wanted is and getting away with everything, just because of who they are. Maybe the media just exposes it more now. I mean, yeah, Paris is a well-known figure to everyone now because of the media, but simply being the heirress to the Hilton empire and being so rich seems like it would probably have gotten her out of quite a bit, even if the media wasn't like it is. It's just more obvious and public now.

I believe that you are right. There were the it girls and, yes, the spoiled naughty society brats of industrial barons (in America) and of nobility (in Europe). These were the young women whose activities made the society pages and the gossip columns.