Is Paris Hilton a Pawn?

United States
June 8, 2007 11:10pm CST
I realize that I may be rubbing a lot of people the wrong way with what I'm about to say but I think we need a little perspective on what is happening. First of all, I believe that Paris should be held responsible for her actions but I also think that this isn't just about her being held responsible. You have to keep in mind that she has been very sheltered from the real world her whole life. That's not her fault, it's her parent's fault. I'm not saying that she shouldn't be held accountable for her actions but what has happened to her in the past few days is not justice or fair treatment. My guess is that her father and the other power players around her, in an attempt to free her from jail, set up the thing with the medical condition issue. I'm not even saying that it's a fake because I can tell the girl is scared and is emotionally raw at this point. Also, for those of you who are her worst critics, remember that in the past few days, she's been booked and has likely had a body search. I, for one, have never experienced that but have heard about others who have and it's humiliating. I wouldn't be surprised if the person who performed such search wouldn't have gotten some perverse pleasure out of doing this to Paris Hilton, heiress and playgirl. I'm sure that her doctor convinced the Sheriff that she was truly in danger emotionally and mentally and the Sheriff didn't want to be on the losing end of a lawsuit if something happened to her. But keep in mind that it was the Sheriff who chose to send Paris home and disobey the judge and it was someone else who told Paris that she could attend the court hearing by phone. I think the judge is acting out of humiliation and embarassment that his orders were overridden and he's allowing that to cloud his judgment of the situation. Treating Paris the way he did today by hauling her into court via patrol car and not even bothering to address what the Sheriff did but instead pretty much used it as an excuse to punish her was wrong. My concern is that Paris isn't tough enough for all of this because she's never had to be tough. She's being used by the media and some court officials to get their jollies out of this. They are doing their best to make an example out of someone who may be too fragile emotionally to deal with it all. We all go through trials in our lives but when a person is never really held accountable from the time they are a child for wrongdoing, they never develop the ability to handle consequences. Paris has been pampered her whole life and has never had to deal with consequences and she has been led to believe that money and her position in society can get her out of anything. She's being hit with some rather tough consequences that she just may not be prepared to handle. Most of the rest of us know that we can't behave as she does and not end up in jail. But jail is a scary place for even tough people. Years ago, someone I care about who fought in the Vietnam War and had seen some pretty horrible things on the battlefield was arrested for DUI and was only in jail for a few hours and it scared him big time. And, he knows how to take care of himself. Paris, on the other hand, is just as innocent as my kitty cats when it comes to dealing with the harsh realities of life. She has no more clue about taking care of herself than my cats would if they were put out on the street. My cats would have a better chance of surviving, though, because they have survival instincts built in. Paris does not. Again, please know that I do think she should be held accountable for her actions but I don't think she needs to be dealt with as harshly as she was today when she isn't calling the shots. My guess is that her father, lawyers and doctor are manipulating the situation to get her out but in the process they are making things much worse for her. I just think people should see this with a little perspective and realize that she is a person and not just someone to make jokes about. Remember, she was born into her lifestyle and no one ever gave her instructions on how to live her life in the middle of the public eye. I think people should have a bit of compassion for a young woman who is in a serious situation that she doesn't have a clue how to handle. All of us make mistakes and wish we could go back so try to have the compassion that you would want if you were in her place.
2 people like this
9 responses
@JackBravo (970)
• United States
9 Jun 07
I agree. She hasn't anything to anybody (prior to this whole escapade) and people hate her because she has no obvious talent and yet is crazy famous. Well - that IS talent. I think jealousy is rampant. I heard this guy say over the radio that her situation happens all the time, and the most people get is 10 days in jail, of which they serve 1-2 days at most. And that's teh harsh punishment. Usually they do commmunity service or some crap like that. Poor paris.
2 people like this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
9 Jun 07
I have got to agree with you on the jealousy part. It is really sad how the public has seemingly turned on her, as if they have never done wrong, so they are somehow superior to her. But, I think that she got more time because her obvious defiance in driving when her liscense was already suspended. She could have easily had someone drive her around.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jun 07
Honestly, I think she's just a flake. I don't think she really pays attention to anything, except maybe herself and her popularity. I doubt that she thought "Well, I'm an heiress, I can drive myself without a license. Don't care about the law." I'm not sure if her thinking goes that deeply (it might...but that's not the impression I get).
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jun 07
I definitely agree that there is a large amount of jealousy involved. I don't think she drove around with a suspended license because she thinks she's an heiress because I doubt she really thinks about that much at all. Having come from a wealthy family back when I was around her age, I know that you just don't think about a lot of what people outside your circles think about. I was the exception for the most part. What I'm trying to say is that Paris probably just never understood how serious the situation was and what she could face and no one around her thought it was that serious either. Her father and lawyers probably thought that they could get her out of any mess she got herself into. Like one of you said, anyone else would have gotten a few days in jail. However, since she continued driving after having her license pulled, she probably unwittingly made the judges and lawyers that pulled it look bad and they got even. They made the whole thing a lot bigger than it is and the media jumped on board and then a lot of people out there got mad. I think the American people need to get a dose of perspective on celebrities. They build them up as if they are superhuman chasing after them and buying those stupid rags that perpetuate idol worship but when their precious idol make a mistake, the first thing they want to do is tear them apart by standards no one would want to be judged by. Celebrities are just human beings who happen to make a living performing in some way. In Paris Hilton's case, she was just born to a famous father and is trying her best to find her own niche in spite of parents who obviously didn't teach her how to behave properly. People need to remember that they all go to the bathroom and have flaws just like the rest of us. If people would quit buying all of those stupid magazines that are mostly lies anyway, the companies that put out the magazines wouldn't have any reason to make such a big deal out of them and they wouldn't be so news worthy.
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
10 Jun 07
It's very true that Ms. Hilton was born into the lifestyle that she is accustomed to, and therefore has led an extremely sheltered and pampered life. And I think that her parents had a lot to do with getting her back out of jail, as did her doctor. I've never been to jail myself, nor do I ever want to. But I think that Paris needs to learn, albeit maybe the hard way, that she is not above the law and that what she continues doing in her life is wrong. What if she had seriously injured or killed someone while driving under the influence? That would have been beyond tragic. Ms. Hilton is a very fragile little girl that needs to grow up a bit. And while I am one of the ones that is applauding the judge for placing her back in jail, I am also sad that she is so naive, and so ignorant of what can sometimes happen in life. I sincerely hope she learns from this and tries to amend her partying ways a bit and take responsibilities for her actions, instead of relying on rich mommy and daddy to take care of her problems for her.
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
11 Jun 07
First off, thanks hon for straightening me out as to why she went through all of this in the first place. My brain has been a little fuzzy the last couple of weeks. Secondly, I hope you didn't think I was going after you for what you said about Paris's situation. It's true that other people were in the wrong in the situation, especially the sheriff and the judge for handling things the way they did. And I have to admit that I agree with you about the length of time that they are making her serve....something is wrong with that picture and I also think that someone is trying to set her up as an example, and it's not right. I understand what you're getting at, and I just wanted to let you know that, and apologize if I came across to you in a harsh way. Please accept my apology.
• United States
10 Jun 07
In the first place, she's not in jail for DUI. She's in jail for violating her probation and driving with a suspended license. And, I agree that she should be held accountable. I just don't agree with how they are handling things. Paris turned herself in early in good faith. Now, I don't know if the medical stuff was real or psychosymatic or what but the Sheriff made the decision to send her home not her and she's being punished for his decision. I'm not saying that she shouldn't have had to go back to jail but the way that they sent her back was wrong. She was wrongy told that she could attend the hearing via the phone and I'm sure that she believed that was so but the judge treated her as if she intentionally didn't show up in court. Then, he didn't hold the Sheriff accountable for his decision but took out his anger on Paris by treating her as a hardened criminal. The reality is that she is not used to the real world and even if she has to go back to jail, it shouldn't be for any longer than the average person who did the same thing would go to jail. However, I'm told that the average person would spend no more than a few days in jail and she's been sentenced to 45 days. That sounds like she's being held up as an example simply because she is who she is and that's not right. That's the only thing I was trying to get at.
1 person likes this
@pendragon (3350)
• United States
9 Jun 07
Her behaviour disgusts me,her parents have done her the worst disservice by never helping her grow up and learn how to handle herself, no outside forces will have to, and so be it, it may be harsh, but she could kill someone the way she's going.She may have to stop being whiny and irresponsible soon, like the rest of us.
@pendragon (3350)
• United States
9 Jun 07
*now
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
10 Jun 07
Paris belongs in jail what she did was wrong. If that was someone else thats where they would go. Just because she is rich she thinks she can get by, she probably paid the Sheriff to get her out of jail. And some stupid excuse she had that she was sick.All the rest of the people that are in jail would not have the pleasure to go home like she did. I am so glad that she went to jail for what she done.
• United States
10 Jun 07
Well, there's something wrong with your argument because most people who do what Paris did get just two or three days in jail and they sentenced her to 45. So, why should she get more time than the average person simply because she's rich. I think you are just jealous of her and that's sad. Instead of wasting your time being jealous and hating her for being rich, why not get out there and work to become rich for yourself and walk in her shoes for a while before condemning her?
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
9 Jun 07
She was arrested for drunk driving, her license was suspended, she violated the suspension and they let it go then she drove a second time and violated it again (also driving with no headlights on - another violation) and her excuse, she needed a burger really bad. Now she is well aware what she has done and now she has to be a woman and serve her sentence that was court ordered. She is not the first celebrity who has been arrested and served time, Martha Stewart, Diana Ross, Sofia Loren to name a few have all been arrested for different crimes and they all served their time without any the drama Paris is throwing, she needs to finish her sentence and learn from this experience. She is still getting special treatment where she is being held so she needs to stop complaining and stop trying to find ways to get out of this.
• United States
10 Jun 07
Well, I agree to a certain point with this. The challenge is that all of the celebrities you mentioned were not born into celebrity and were not sheltered from reality. They all had a sense of how harsh the world is and how to deal with it. Paris has not had that. I agree that she should be held responsible for her actions and that she shouldn't get away with it. I also realize she is getting special treatment but you guys need to grow up and realize that Paris will always get special treatment whether you like it or not. It's reality. Her father has tons of money and he will use it to protect her the only way he knows how. And, getting so worked up over it isn't going to change it.
9 Jun 07
Nobody is above the law and Paris is not an exception.Why should she be given a fair trial?Was she born differently from everybody in america?Did she fall from heaven?The law should be the same for everybody.irrespective of who you are.There are so many prisoners suffering in American jails.Are they not born the same way Paris was born.Paris did something wrong and she should be punished for it the way others are being punished for the same offense.
• United States
10 Jun 07
Excuse me, but it sounds as if some of you didn't even bother to read my post. All you chose to do was read the headline and start bashing Paris. For all of you Paris bashers who simply are jealous of what she has and want to slam her, don't post here! A few of you have not even bothered to read what I said. All you've done is shown me disrespect by reading the headline and bashing Paris. If all you want to do is bash Paris, do it on your own post, not mine!
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
9 Jun 07
Yes... I fully agree with what you are saying. Paris Hilton is now paying the full price of Stardom. The price you have to pay for having the audacity of being famous. When you are a celebrity... you cannot afford to put a foot wrong. The people, the media and the law are watching your every move... ready to pounce on you like piranhas. It is the very people who take the liberty away from celebrities and prevent them from living like normal people. Then the people whinge because those celibrities don't seem normal. The people wants celebrities to be a clean model of example for their children. Why? And the law wants to make an example of them... if they break the law. Why? Paris Hilton has to be very careful. Because if she continue to rebel and fight against the law... they will lock her up in a mental institution. Because the way the law of any country function is... if you don't accept the law... you must be insane.
• Mauritius
9 Jun 07
what i know of her is sad. I've just seen a video of her..anyway you all know about all this stuff do you. She isn't worth even to be considered in any discussion
9 Jun 07
Can no one see that the medical thing is a whole load of rubbish she would of made that up in the prision that she is depressed and she would of gotten away with it i will have to use that if i ever get sent to prision "I canit stay in prision anymore because im depressed" could you imagine how many people would laugh at athat but just because she is paris Hilton its oh no we better get her out then , what did she expect the prison cell to be like all pretty in pink?? the fact is she should be punished the same way as any normal person would forget she is a celebrity then re look at this issue would you even care she has been sent to prision ??