}

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Paris and reason

If you want to know what’s wrong with America, two words: Paris Hilton.

The American media has been covering her and her going to jail as if it’s real news. She’s famous for being famous and nothing else—well, also for having a name that sounds like somewhere you might sleep (I mean like a hotel, for goodness sake!), yet she’s news and not what the current US Administration—or anyone else in the world—is really doing.


But is that the fault of the media or the people? Do Americans prefer voting in American Idol rather than real elections because they’re shallow, or has the American news media made them that way? I honestly have no idea, but I’m betting on the latter because time was people actually cared about real things and real issues. Can we ever get back to that point again?

4 comments:

Adam said...

Americans prefer to vote for American Idol because their vote counts on American Idol whereas it doesn't when they vote for public officials.

Look at the disparity between public opinion, congress, and the supreme court. Most people support hate crime legislation to include protection for gays and transgenders across all political groups. Not to mention the public opposition to the war and how congress is doing NOTHING to stop that trainwreck.

Arthur Schenck said...

I couldn't agree more, Adam (no surprise, I know). I'm wondering if any politician in America will ever stand up to the Bushies.

I think there's a growing vacuum in American politics, with Bush, Republicans and their fellow travellers among Democrats on one side and, well, not much on the other side. That vacuum can't last and will be filled either by democratic change or authoritarianism. I'd say it's at best even money right now as to which side will win.

d said...

I was thinking the same thing as I was watching the "news" last night. I understand why Paris makes the US news - the US is consumed with "celebrities" and people who are famous for being famous. But here? I was sorely disappointed that the NZ news mentioned that Paris spent her first night in jail as a headliner.

What gives? She deserved to go to jail, and tons of people every day go to jail for the same thing. Why is 23 days so difficult for her when she clearly broke the law? Why am I even aware of her issues? Argh!!!

Arthur Schenck said...

You're so right, D. It just goes to show the saturation obsession of the mainstream media that we know about her. If I never heard the names "Paris Hilton", "Lindsay Lohan" or "Nicole Ritchie", among so many, many, many others the media treats like news stories, I'd be very happy. And, I'd no doubt have the chance to be better informed about the things that really matter, and how magazine-like Paris Hilton's mugshot is isn't one of those things that matter!