[lbo-talk] Paris Freed

[John Thornton]

Unless you can cite evidence that this is a general trend for all 
criminals, rather than simply an exception for a wealthy heiress, there 
is nothing "good" about this.
I would turn fucking cartwheels if I saw this as a sign of humanitarian 
concerns moving to the forefront of the criminal justice system.
Unless you have evidence that the "rational and humane treatment" you 
applaud is being applied universally it isn't actually an example of 
rational and humane treatment. It is evidence for special treatment for 
powerful members of society.
I guess I'll tell my brother to expect his eminent release. He's serving 
time for the same offense Paris did only he committed it rather more 
often than I believe she did. He's done 15 months now with another 9 to go.
I guess I should have told him to cry but, not being an heiress, I 
didn't think that would work well for him. Maybe it only works in 
"celebrity units" rather than for persons in the general population? If 
so does that still constitute good news WD?

John Thornton

Mr. WD wrote:
> [It sounds like she was released due to mental health considerations,
> which to my mind are as good of a reason as any to allow someone to
> spend time under house arrest rather than jail.  So good for her
> lawyers and the L.A.S.D.  I'm sure there will be plenty of moral
> outrage about how Paris got off easy, rather than questions being
> asked about why nearly everyone else in our jail and prison system is
> denied similar rational and humane treatment.  Such is the nature of
> the American ethical worldview -- better for wrongdoers to be punished
> harshly and have some lesser- or non-wrongdoers get crushed in the
> process than have someone escape her full just deserts.)
>
>
> http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/06/07/paris-hilton-is-reportedly-freed/
>
> June 7, 2007,  9:50 am
> Paris Hilton Leaves Prison for House Arrest
>
> By Mike Nizza
>
> After spending five nights in jail, Paris Hilton was released early
> this morning and put under house arrest, The Los Angeles Sheriff's
> Department announced today.
>