Fifty Plus (50+) - OT....Paris, you are repugnant.

The tv is chattering at me about Paris Hilton-- her trauma, the inequity, her poor frazzled family, etc. Half a world away, there are some nameless working class youngsters carefully walking up some filthy alley not knowing if any moment could bring death or maiming. In my town, there are exhausted grandparents in my school's poor neighborhood raising as best they can their drug addled children's children. Yet how much airtime is given to those in Baqouba or those heroic grandparents? Better for the media to gather at the L.A. jail...

For a cheap, shallow twit who's as fake as a press-on fingernail......and about as valuable.

Only BP and DG are on this late.....goodnight to you all. I'm shutting off the tv...far more entertaining and worthwhile at BF tonight than cable news.

News about that woman is what makes me scream at my TV. It's what makes me want to not own a TV. It embarrasses me that our country seems to have a lot of people who actually care about this crap. G'nite, CC!

There needs to be some "straw that breaks the camels back" in our society's addiction to celebritys. Paris Hilton may be that straw, if so she's served a great purpose.

Channel selector, use it.

Have I missed something? Who is Paris Hilton?

Have I missed something? Who is Paris Hilton?

You haven't missed a thing, maddmaxx. As far as I'm concerned they should have kept her locked up much longer.

We are in someways pretty sick - we like to watch train wrecks which is the best way to describe celebrities. It isn't so much that we admire them as we cannot believe that with so many advantages they can foul up so badly.

But I rarely care to watch since it is old news "Celebrity does stupid thing" Wow, that is special!

We are in someways pretty sick - we like to watch train wrecks which is the best way to describe celebrities. It isn't so much that we admire them as we cannot believe that with so many advantages they can foul up so badly.

But I rarely care to watch since it is old news "Celebrity does stupid thing" Wow, that is special!

I was watching the local news this morning when the story of her release was broadcast. I could really hear the disgust in the local newscasters voices when they introduced the story. I'm really disgusted about the stories of how much shows paid to obtain an interview with her after her release.

She tops on my Top 10 Most Pointless People List, closely followed by Tom Cruise and Rosie.

Come on guys, get a grip. She looks good, a video of her having sex is on the internet. Sure she's self centered, and petty, but think back to how many times you put up with crap just for the sex. The last place we want he is in the slammer.;)

The rich are always treated differently. Here in SC our treasurer just got indicted for having 500 grams
of cocaine. Naturally he is a rich white guy and is at home in Charleston plotting his strategy while the family claims he is a victim.


His partner in crime; poor black guy, is already in jail.







By JIM DAVENPORT - The Associated Press

GREENVILLE — The father of indicted South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel said Monday his son has a drug problem and his family has urged the man to get help.

“He’s in pretty bad shape, you know. He’s got a drug problem,” Arthur Ravenel said in telephone interview with The Associated Press. “We suspected it.”

Thomas Ravenel, 44, was indicted last week on a federal cocaine charge. Prosecutors said he bought less than 500 grams of the drug to share with other people.

The elder Ravenel said he has spoken with his son about getting “top-notch professional help” and told him the family supports him.

Arthur Ravenel, 80, said he hadn’t seen much of his millionaire real estate developer son since he took office as treasurer in January. But he said he had heard rumors about his son’s problems.

“We were really concerned about him because he was from time to time very depressed, which is very unusual for Thomas,” Arthur Ravenel said.

The family has been through problems before, he said, but, “we’ve never had to confront the drug problem. Never. So it’s kind of a surprise to us. And naturally we’re all devastated at what has occurred.”

Arthur Ravenel is a former state senator and S.C. congressman. The new bridge connecting downtown Charleston with Mount Pleasant is named for him.

Thomas Ravenel did not return phone messages left at his business, and his lawyer Bart Daniel did not respond to a message left at his office after hours Monday.

Thomas Ravenel was chairman for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s South Carolina campaign. The day the indictment was made public, the campaign said he had left the post but did not release details.

Arthur Ravenel heads up operations in the southeastern area of the state for Giuliani and reiterated he would continue his work after Giuliani’s campaign refused to take his resignation.

“I don’t know whether that’s a good idea or a bad idea, because Thomas has got all of his stuff to go through with. I haven’t done anything wrong — hey — that they know about,” Arthur Ravenel said with a laugh.

Thomas Ravenel hasn’t spoken publicly since he and Michael L. Miller were indicted June 19 on federal charges of distribution of cocaine.

Miller sold the drugs to Ravenel, who shared them with friends, said U.S. Attorney Reggie Lloyd, who stressed Ravenel isn’t accused of selling drugs.

Authorities would not discuss the relationship between Ravenel and Miller or give details about what Ravenel is accused of doing with the drugs other than giving cocaine to others.

Ravenel will be allowed to turn himself in at a July 9 bond hearing in Columbia.

Gov. Mark Sanford suspended Ravenel immediately on the basis of the serious nature of the charge and named Columbia attorney Ken Wingate interim treasurer.

If convicted, Ravenel would lose his office. Lawmakers would pick his permanent successor.

I like to offer a different point of view.
Some countries have the news controlled by Government or at least heavily influenced.
It starts all with the best of intentions of course: We must provide quality to or citizen, children, etc. We must have balanced programming. We must be politically correct. Political agenda of party in power must be followed. Never ending political commentaries. Music only a few select people want to hear. And so on.
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Here in the USA we have only one system: Whatever sells. Few boundaries exist. Perhaps someone gets exited about some naked breast or some sexual explicit messages, other than that.......go where money flows. Paris Hilton draws a lot of attention for all kinds of reasons I do not understand. But, I had two visitors at my house from Germany. They knew every detail about that broad and were a lot more in the know about her than most Americans. Go figure.
The Americans do not have the market cornered on "kitch and klatch". Other countries are just as active with that or more.

Speaking of repugnant, is anyone else here very relieved that Rosie isn't going to host "The Price is Right"!
I don't watch the show, but it's become sort of a TV Legend, and I'd hate to see it go off the air due to a ratings drop. Or don't you think Rosie would cause that to happen?

Well, you could read important news by going to BBC. I read my news
with a tabbed browser and simultaneous with this thread found:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6239846.stm
There is also http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6240312.stm
but I don't have to read that.

I used to see a bumper sticker saying "Kill Your TV". I had no idea of
the context but think they were on to something.

News about that woman is what makes me scream at my TV. It's what makes me want to not own a TV. It embarrasses me that our country seems to have a lot of people who actually care about this crap. G'nite, CC!


It is rather disturbing, isn't it? A co-worker has an eight year old daughter, and this girl is enthralled by Lindsey Lohan. Whatever it is, book, magazine, TV show, if Lindsey is on it, this kid wants it. She can tell you anything about Lindsey you'd care to know. Naturally, she has no idea who the Bronte sisters were, or who Dr. Sally Ride is. Nope, not a clue. He jokes about it, saying "I don't think there's a Lindsey Lohan major at U-Mass", but you can tell he's concerned.

About two years ago, a grade school teacher tried a little experiment with her class of 5th graders. She held up a photograph of Ronald McDonald, and asked who it was. Of course, the kids all chimed in "That's Ronald McDonald!!" Then she held up a photograph of then-governor Mitt Romney, and asked who it was. Dead Silence. Finally, one kid spoke up with "That's the guy on TV!".

So, is there a problem here?

Paris Hilton is going to be on Larry King tonight. Be sure to watch.

If she comes across as humble and repentent, there may be some hope for her. If she blames everyone for her misfortune, then she's probably lost.

Lindsey Lohan is going the way of Anna Nicolle, I fear. it's a shame. She was very cute ten years ago.

I live in LA.
I haven't seen a national (network) newscast today but I watched the local news this AM (KTTV) and they more or less laughed through their coverage of the thing. The Sheriff's department is sure glad to get rid of her.

Awhile back I saw her and Pamela Anderson on a shopping foray in Malibu. Completely surrounded by nasty looking bodyguards and paparazzi. It really is ridiculous. The locals pay zero attention to this kind of stuff.

Don't you notice the tabloid covers at the supermarket. Tom,Jen, Brad, Paris, Britney.... do a valuable service by providing raw material for an industry that provides jobs for printers and lives for people, that for whatever reason, can't live their own.

Not to mention that you can wrap fish in it.!

The tv is chattering at me about Paris Hilton-- her trauma, the inequity, her poor frazzled family, etc. Half a world away, there are some nameless working class youngsters carefully walking up some filthy alley not knowing if any moment could bring death or maiming. In my town, there are exhausted grandparents in my school's poor neighborhood raising as best they can their drug addled children's children. Yet how much airtime is given to those in Baqouba or those heroic grandparents? Better for the media to gather at the L.A. jail...

For a cheap, shallow twit who's as fake as a press-on fingernail......and about as valuable.

Only BP and DG are on this late.....goodnight to you all. I'm shutting off the tv...far more entertaining and worthwhile at BF tonight than cable news.

I couldn't have said it better.... especially the part about the youngsters half a world away.

When I saw the thread title, I expected this to be a slam on the TdF.

The tv is chattering at me about --

That doesn't mean you have to. Consider yourself sucked into and part of the vortex.

Puhleeze! Ignore it and it will go away.

Now, about Gary's next purchase.

What amazed me while I was away on vacation was how utterly fascinated New Yorkers are with her.
I thought they were supposed to jaded but, seemingly, no. All Paris, All the Time

That doesn't mean you have to. Consider yourself sucked into and part of the vortex.

Puhleeze! Ignore it and it will go away.


BINGO!

They only keep selling it because we keep buying it.

I never read the stories on her, but when I browse Google News, I see the headlines. I remember seeing one about 2 months ago that said someone paid her a $250,000 appearance fee to attend a party - just to be a party headliner and it would make people excited to come to the party.

So why do people keep posting about her????

Or, are we just as guilty as the news channels, by giving her the publicity she obviously craves.

george

I never read the stories on her, but when I browse Google News, I see the headlines. I remember seeing one about 2 months ago that said someone paid her a $250,000 appearance fee to attend a party - just to be a party headliner and it would make people excited to come to the party.
I'll show up to parties for only a fraction of the cost. That's a good deal, if you ask me.

She tops on my Top 10 Most Pointless People List, closely followed by Tom Cruise and Rosie.

That's got to be a very hard list to compile. 10 wouldn't even begin to scratch the surface. 100 could take the top spot on a rotating basis. ;) :D

I was kinda thankful for Paris Hiltons latest problems for two reasons. One; she went to jail, and two; the story ran Anna Nichole Smith clean off tv. You couldn't ask for much more than that. bk

I'll show up to parties for only a fraction of the cost. That's a good deal, if you ask me.

Will you show up for free beer?

I've really enjoyed watching Paris make an a$$ of herself. I think she has a totally repulsive personality. Two nights ago I watched a TV show where they announced that Paris has stated she's going to give up the "dumb act". SOoooooo, what make her think its an act?
Paris is going to be on TV tonight but I think I have something better to do, like change the air in my tires or re-lube the screws on the reflectors.

About the only thing left on TV that I ever watch are Turner Classic Movies. I've been on a self-imposed pop media blackout for years, and, still, the stuff somehow seeps into your life like some weird toxic sludge.

Not to mention that you can wrap fish in it.!

Our use it as a training tool for my puppies:D

She may be repugnant, but she can ride a bicycle.

Paris Hilton riding a bicycle:
48408

In CA, a child riding without a helmet incurs legal penalties for his/her parents. Maybe Ma and Pa Hilton can do time in the slammer?

But the real question, is that a Fred outfit? Is cleavage, even rather minor cleavage, aerodynamically correct? Too much body torque in her pedaling motion? Is she a daughter figure to DG?

Come on people. She's just an airhead celebrity. If you don't like her, ignore her. It's not like she invaded a country something.

This airhead celebrity gathers thunderheads of attention, money, and strong feelings that seem to fill the sky above our heads. Yes, she is just an airhead....we've seen her sitting beside us-- a chronic study hall inmate in high school. Most of us pay little attention to her personally, but are mystified and annoyed over the vast forces she calls forth. How can a healthy world elevate such a nothing? Sadly, she's a mirror that tells us something weird about the society that is us. Hardly a portent of our doomsday, but it is peculiar.

Come on people. She's just an airhead celebrity. If you don't like her, ignore her. It's not like she invaded a country something.
Wasn't she convicted of drunk driving? Pretty serious offense...

Wasn't she convicted of drunk driving? Pretty serious offense...

True, so how many other drunk drivers are we obsessing about? I'm not nominating her as a role model, just wondering why anyone gives a crap about what she does or says.

This airhead celebrity gathers thunderheads of attention, money, and strong feelings that seem to fill the sky above our heads. Yes, she is just an airhead....we've seen her sitting beside us-- a chronic study hall inmate in high school. Most of us pay little attention to her personally, but are mystified and annoyed over the vast forces she calls forth. How can a healthy world elevate such a nothing? Sadly, she's a mirror that tells us something weird about the society that is us. Hardly a portent of our doomsday, but it is peculiar.

Hey CC, give me a chance and I will give you other things to put energy into. There are so many issues and so few people who give a damn.;) :)

Wasn't she convicted of drunk driving? Pretty serious offense...

Yes, and she went to jail for driving on her suspended license from that conviction. Of course, the wife of the prosecutor in her case drove on a suspended license also, and never served a day in jail.:rolleyes:

Can I put Ann Coulter on the list of people who should be ignored?

Can I put Ann Coulter on the list of people who should be ignored?

I've been ignoring blue meanies for years.

Can I put Ann Coulter on the list of people who should be ignored?
She's on mine, and it's a really long list.

Can I put Ann Coulter on the list of people who should be ignored?

Ah, the Coultergeist. Now there is someone worthy of contempt. :mad:

Hey CC, give me a chance and I will give you other things to put energy into. There are so many issues and so few people who give a damn.;) :)

You're right, Will. Glaring at Paris is a waste of energy and blinding oneself to more worthy issues. Yet, most hours of the day I hang with young people-- not you seasoned, rational olde fartes whom I admire. Surprizing how what's trivial/shallow to you can weigh in Big Time with a younger crowd. So, although her crime and punishment may seem relatively excessive to some, it warms my heart that an overweening twit like Paris is dragged down and tearfully deflated. Hopefully, she won't become a martyr.........even as she is preening herself as an existential hero who has travelled into the pit of Hell (gimme a break!) and come back burned clean by her suffering and with virgin pure intent to serve mankind. :rolleyes:

Shakespeare (can you imagine Paris up there with Lear, Othello, etc.?) points out that those who climb highest in their faulty ambitions crash farthest and hardest to earth. Thump.

Have you guys seen this? A very rare sight these days. Someone practicing journalism on a TV news program.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAcU3HSMKPU

Ah, the Coultergeist. Now there is someone worthy of contempt. :mad:
Here is my full sentence on "Good Morning America," which the media deceptively truncated, referring to a joke I told about Edwards six months ago that made liberals cry: "But about the same time, you know, Bill Maher was not joking and saying he wished Dick Cheney had been killed in a terrorist attack – so I've learned my lesson: If I'm going to say anything about John Edwards in the future, I'll just wish he had been killed in a terrorist assassination plot."


There's an enormous double standard going on. Liberal bloviators (Al Franken, Bill Maher, Rosie ODonnell to name a few) have been spewing hatred for a long time. In her latest column she defends herself pretty well.

[I]. In her latest column she defends herself pretty well.

Just know this TWL, you're talking about someone who said this:

"If I'm going to say anything about John Edwards in the future, I'll just wish he had been killed in a terrorist assassination plot."

Ann Coulter is a lot of things. A class act is not one of them.

For sure, Ann Coulter has an irritating, sandpaper-on-your-eyeball manner...which may well be her schtick in making a living....much as Grant Peterson's schtick is being retro-practical kool. Even Rosie, though she repels me, may have "enhanced" her stage personality as a look-at-me ploy in the jungle-like media world.

The point is that all these people are caricatures of normal people like me, you, Dnvr's wife, the mailman, etc. They're almost cartoon-like images who present attitudes and points of view. They clamber for our attention and we react to them depending on our own beliefs. I strongly doubt Ann Coulter really wants to stand gloating over John Edwards' dead body though she might like to see his ideas atomized. However, with her as a self-made caricature, then supposedly adult, reasonable people feel free to assign her the worst of motives and accuse her of anything...all for the sake of advancing their own rhetoric or feelings of self-righteousness. And the liberal side does the very same thing. Politics as melodrama. Politics as freak show entertainment. Sadly, the problems and bombs and taxes and unavailable medical care are real.

Which brings us back to another cartoon character....Paris. Normally, I would roll my eyes at an immature, minimally educated drunk driver---thicker than fleas around here. But, Paris I find indecent and "repugnant"-- me overreacting to a 'toon who has manipulated me for monetary gain. Just like the hoped for ideological gain of Ann, Rosie, Howard Dean, etc.

Sh*t, I got preachy again. No more posting for an hour as penance!