Forget Paris

As much as I think it’s ridiculous that Paris Hilton was sprung from jail after serving only three days (oh, sorry, five days by LA County’s wonky math) of a 23-day sentence, I’m almost more incensed by cable news’ salivatory coverage of her release than her actual release. The OUTRAGE! The ANGER!! The MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE!!! Never mind the completely bogus war we’re fighting overseas where thousands of young men and women have died for a lie. Never mind the continual and soon-to-be irreversible damage we’re doing to our planet as we choke the atmosphere with greenhouse gases while covering our eyes to our culpability. Never mind the racism, sexism, homophobia and other fun –isms and –obias that still bring untold pain and suffering to people whose only crime is living their lives as who they are. No, apparently what we should really be mad about is Paris fucking Hilton. Sigh. This world makes me weary sometimes.

UPDATE: Now Paris is back in jail and the TV news is peeing itself with glee. One talking head even squealed, “This is a great day for America!” Why, because some inexplicably famous heiress whose trial and subsequent sentencing have become a media clusterfuck of Wagnerian proportions is now headed back to jail the day after an inept system let her out? This is not a great day for America. This is an embarrassing day for America. Period.