Snapshot Thoughts: June 2007: Archives

June 21, 2007

100 Percent Me genre: Front and Center & Snapshot Thoughts

Store signage in Paris - 2004

If You Give 100 Percent, Is There Anything Left For Me?

Daniel DiRito | June 21, 2007 | 8:17 PM | link | Comments (1)
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June 8, 2007

Paris Hilton: The Big-Attitudes genre: Snapshot Thoughts & Tongue-In-Cheek

I've not yet commented on the Paris Hilton situation...but in light of her early release from jail...and her now being brought back to court to face the judge that sentenced her to jail...followed by her being sent back to jail...I felt it warranted a few words and a little tongue-in-cheek humor.

First, the serious part. In the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy, I wrote about what I call our "Chain Letter Society"...the notion that we have become obsessed with the pursuit of fame, being number one, and winning at all costs. I've suggested that parents...in their wish to see their children succeed...may actually be handicapping the ability of a child to grow up and function as an adult in the real world.

Paris Hilton and other young role models demonstrate the concerns I've voiced. The mindset becomes such that they believe they are, in fact, entitled and beyond reproach. They have lived a life in which their parents have programmed them to believe they are destined for greatness and that desire is all that is required to attain the notoriety which they have been promised.

Unfortunately, when many of these young people are forced to encounter the world as it is...rather than as it has been described...they fail miserably. The expectations they bring to adulthood are virtually delusional...and they are not prepared to encounter life's travails. Worse yet, they believe that life will accommodate them in the same way they have been accommodated by their parents. This often leads them to disregard society's rules...assuming they apply to others but not to them.

The problem we face as more of these children enter the real world is that they are not only unprepared to be contributing citizens, they are unwilling to accept the consequences of their actions. What we can or will do to address this burgeoning problem remains to be seen. I can't say that I'm optimistic about the outcome.

Now the silly stuff. As I thought about the Paris Hilton fiasco, the Biblical Beatitudes came to mind...so I decided to offer my own satirical version which I'm calling, "The Big-Attitudes".

Paris Hilton: The Big-Attitudes

Paris Hilton: The Big-Attitudes

Daniel DiRito | June 8, 2007 | 12:13 PM | link | Comments (4)
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June 6, 2007

GOP Candidates' Big Crock...Tears For Scooter Libby genre: Snapshot Thoughts & Tongue-In-Cheek

Scooter Libby was sentenced to thirty months in prison for his conviction on lying to FBI agents and the Grand Jury in relation to the investigation into the leaking of the name of CIA operative, Valerie Plame.

In last evenings GOP debate, each of the candidates were asked about the prospect that they would pardon Libby. My impression is that the Republican Party views the Libby conviction as the equivalent of Bill Clinton's impeachment for perjury...which leads many to conclude that the thirty month sentence is harsh and unwarranted.

While one could argue against that assertion, the thing that struck me in the answers given last night was the degree to which a number of the candidates minimized the criminal actions behind the situation. Here’s the rub I have with the apparent sympathy for Libby...this is the same party that wants to wear its moral superiority on its sleeve...the same party that sees no need for hate crimes legislation...the same party that is comfortable with the discharge of high value translators from the military because they are gay...the same party that thinks twelve million hard working illegal immigrants ought to be denied a path to citizenship...the same party that opposed the removal of sodomy laws which made it a crime to engage in consensual homosexual sex...the same party that wants to make the burning of a flag a crime...the same party that would send an exemplary mother to jail if she had an abortion following an accidental late in life pregnancy...the same party that pushed for larger FCC penalties because they were in an uproar when Janet Jackson's breast made an appearance on television during the Super Bowl...the same party that ran the White House when Americans sat in front of their televisions following Katrina and watched in horror as people were left to suffer as a result of government incompetence.

Where were these men when cases like that of 17 year old honor student Genarlow Wilson made headlines? Wilson is serving a ten year sentence in Georgia for having had consensual oral sex with a 15 year old girl. He wouldn't have been sent to prison if he had had sexual intercourse...that falls under a "Romeo & Juliet law in Georgia...however oral sex between underage teens constituted "aggravated child molestation and carried a mandatory sentence".

An example of the shameful inconsistency might be helpful. When Terry Schiavo's husband sought to carry out the wishes of his wife and allow her to die, not only did these lock step zombie politicians rally to prevent her passage, they enacted legislation to prevent her death and the president flew back from Texas just to sign the bill...despite pages and pages of evidence that Mrs. Schiavo was in a permanent vegetative state. That wasn't all...many GOP politicians attacked Michael Schiavo...portraying him as some type of monster husband intent on ridding himself of his wife...by men that trade in old wives as if they were used cars.

I could go on but I think you get the picture. As I watched these politicians wax on about poor Scooter, I couldn't help but see why the GOP has been stereotyped as the good old boys club for white men who live in virtual isolation and routinely demonstrate abject disregard for all things unfamiliar. The minute one of their own is assailed and brought to justice, they become spokespeople for the elimination of injustice. Unfortunately, that leaves out Mexicans, gays, African Americans, poor people, uninsured people, women (unless they're the age of their daughters, have big breasts, and prone to kowtowing to old men with cash and clout), the evil entertainment industry (unless you would make a good governor or president), and all others outside the purview and the playground of these pampered and pompous prevaricators.

GOP Candidates' Debate Comments On Libby Pardon

Libby's Libby's Libby's On The Label Label Label

Libby's In The Can

Daniel DiRito | June 6, 2007 | 1:59 PM | link | Comments (3)
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June 5, 2007

Time Crunch genre: Front and Center & Snapshot Thoughts

Graffiti in Barcelona - 2004

Do You Live Longer If You Are In A Time Crunch?

Daniel DiRito | June 5, 2007 | 2:33 PM | link | Comments (1)
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