Culture Popped: 2007-06-03

Paris: Lessons For America

Mental toughness is crucial. Sans cerebral fortitude, one will not survive. Mental toughness is a silent, conquering persona. During their lives, individuals encounter various challenges. These challenges encompass both the major and miniscule. Amidst the major, mental toughness is needed. Amidst the miniscule, mental toughness is mandatory. Why? The miniscule are those which spectacularly reduce.

On Friday, Paris Hilton’s freedom was revoked. On Monday, her sentence commenced. On Thursday morning, medical reasons facilitated her release. On Thursday evening, an irate judge ordered a hearing. On Friday, said judge resumed Hilton’s confinement. Hilton departed court sobbing and screaming.

Yesterday was spectacle. Celebrity, confusion, egotism, jurisdiction, instability, and paparazzi bred chaos. The reflexive and resulting coverage has been insipid. This tumult’s majority has been unnecessary. The noise and glare revolting. With that stated, this action was functional. Valuable lessons are inherent.

Judge Michael Sauer should have recused himself. Judges are human. Upon feeling aggravation, anger, frustration, irritation, rage, or resentment, Judge Sauer should have resigned. Clearly, his emotions dictated justice. This is wrong. Theoretically, justice is detached and impartial. Obviously, Judge Sauer was not. He should have renounced his authority.

Arrogance is undesirable. Hilton was afforded forgiveness. Unfortunately, she flouted probation twice, utilized ridiculous excuses, blamed her publicist, ignored authority, disrespected the courts, and infuriated the judge. Essentially, Hilton flipped off the system. She did this repeatedly. Her actions were not from anger. They were not from injustice. Hilton could flip the bird. Thus, she flipped the bird. The aforesaid was an immense mistake.

Sentencing is disproportionate. Education, race, and wealth are punishable factors. They do not determine sentence. However, they are considered. This is reprehensible. Hilton drove drunk. She pled (to reckless driving) and received probation. She violated probation twice. She drove with a suspended license. Ponder your punishment for these offenses. I would have been incarcerated. You would have been incarcerated. Said imprisonment would have been swift.

Across America, thousands are unfairly sentenced. The poor endure substantial reprimands. The rich receive minimal retribution. Thousands are unjustly convicted. Lady justice is not blind. She is not proportional. She condemns the impoverished, ordinary, and darkened. She elevates the celebrity and the affluent. Simply stated, plebeians suffer.

The maxim concerns paranoia. If one is paranoid, this does not mean they are not targeted. I hope this case spurs national dialogue. Because Paris Hilton was involved, does not mean valuable lessons were not.

A Beltway Retirement

General Peter Pace is finished. On Friday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Pace’s non re-nomination. Pace served adequately. With that stated, no one departs Washington voluntarily.

Burke Bounced

On Friday, Isaiah Washington was fired. During an October taping, Washington allegedly slurred cast mate T.R. Knight. Following the Golden Globes, Washington repeated his slur. For one reason, ABC’s action was surprising. Washington apologized. He apologized, checked into rehab, and recorded a public service announcement. Washington’s removal is unfortunate. With that stated, he fostered the circumstances. Grey’s Anatomy is fading. Their season finale was miserable. They have forfeited a star. Will Shonda Rhimes’ creation recover?

Busch Slapped

On Friday, Kurt Busch was penalized one hundred driver points. He was also fined $100,000 and placed on probation. Busch’s actions were horrendous. Previously, I advocated severe punishment. No affordable fines. NASCAR is learning.

Chad Johnson: Humble in Victory

Chad Johnson: “Floyd Mayweather, you're next. I want to fight you. I'd like to take Kobe and LeBron one-on-one. Jeff Gordon, we can take a couple laps. ... Now it's my time to take over the race world.”

State Department Aids Americans

On Friday, the State Department relaxed passport restrictions. Passengers can now travel with a waiver. The waiver will recognize their pending application. Preventing terrorism is critical. Disrupting family vacations is not. The State Department’s action was correct. I applaud them.

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“Paris Hilton is back in jail. If this is an episode of Punk’d, it’s Ashton Kutcher’s best one ever.”

Jimmy Kimmel Live

The Contemptible Congress

On Thursday, the Senate swallowed immigration reform. Simultaneously, the House passed a hollow stem cell bill. Given these events, I concur with Senator Trent Lott. Congress should dissolve and depart.

Russia Cooperates

On Thursday, Russia compromised. President Vladimir Putin suggested Azerbaijan as a missile defense system location. Russia should not dictate United States policy. With that stated, Russia exhibited an attitude of fairness. They deserve gratitude.

NEW RULE

For some, hell is inadequate.

During Marquis Hill’s funeral, his mother’s home was robbed. These offenders are not human. They violated the violated. O.J. Simpson considers them repulsive. Upon their death, Satan should reject them. Select individuals do not deserve an afterlife.

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be incarcerated?

Concerning Paris, Al Sharpton is outraged. Pundit’s response? No racial element exists. Reverend Al could find racism in a pie-eating contest.

Finally on Escape from F-L-A, Stan Van Gundy supplanted Billy Donovan. Donovan reunites with Florida. The Magic retain eighth place. Hope everyone’s happy.

Torii: Shut Up, Start Recruiting

Torii Hunter: “You can go to Latin America and get that same talent as a black player in Compton and if he's in Compton he gets drafted in the first round he's going to get two million dollars. If he doesn't pan out, you're out two million dollars but if you go to the Domincan, Cuba, or whatever and you can get a guy for two thousand dollars and he doesn't pan out you're only down two thousand dollars. I do agree that, you know 10 years from now you'll see no blacks, at all.”

Hunter’s comments are outrageous. As previously stated, race is irrelevant. African-Americans are simply disinterested in baseball. Instead of defending Gary Sheffield, Hunter should foster interest.

Worth A Read

Soprano Sue’s Sightings

As the finale beckons, Sue blogs. Excellent conclusion coverage.

Dying For Their Phone

On Wednesday, a North Carolina sixteen-year-old and a Wisconsin forty-one-year old drowned. Both were attempting cell phone retrieval. I understand money is vital. However, they were only cell phones.

Owning Mediocrity

On Thursday, the Orlando Magic hired Coach Stan Van Gundy. Within two weeks, Van Gundy is Orlando’s third mentor. On May 24, Brian Hill was fired. On June 1, Billy Donovan was hired. Alas, Donovan reneged and rejoined the Florida Gators.

During his Miami Heat tenure, Van Gundy compiled a 112-73 record. Humbly, he labeled his hiring a surprise . "The first reaction obviously was surprise when (Magic general manager Otis Smith) called over the weekend -- I was a little bit shocked," Van Gundy said. "And then from there, just so many ups and downs on whether I thought it was going to work out or not work out. It seemed to be changing almost hourly, and we were truly on an emotional roller coaster for quite a while."

Van Gundy is an adequate coach. However, he is not Donovan. Why is this important? Since 1996-1997, the Magic have logged a 422-448 ledger. They needed excitement. They needed expectations. Instead, they have Van Gundy.