No, I don't feel sorry for her at all. She was driving drunk for the third time when this happened. She could have killed someone. It's not like it is that difficult to call a cab or have a friend drive her or even better to stop drinking that much. And then she only spent three days in jail. She was sentenced to 40 days. A month in jail is not a horribly long time. I think she is a spoiled brat and was having a tantrum about not getting her way. I hope that the jail time does her some good and maybe she'll realize she needs to change her life and take some responsiblity for herself.

As I opened this thread, there was a pesky fly hanging around my computer screen. When the name Paris Hilton came up, the fly flew away.

I do feel sorry for her, as it appears she may have some real loonies inside. Having had the real loonies myself [massive depression for a year during college] I do feel for her with all of the restrictions and constrictions of jail. Also, I don't think it's fair for folks to assume that she does not have real mental issues... why not, and how would they know? If she's faking that, may a thousand hungry gnats peck at her eyelashes ;)

OTOH, it's just a small room and bad food but they can read, etc. I think, right? I abhor drunk driving and honestly would have 3-6 months in jail for any offense be the lightest punishment for anyone. The truth is that she could have died or killed folks, and I agree with laws that begin to acknowledge that fact RE driving under the influence.

Now, it sounds as if she also got a stiffer sentence than usual. That's not cool if it's about her celebrity, but it is cool if it's about her repeatedly ignoring the law and showing up very late to court, etc. Dunno which it is.

No more so than I would be for any drunk or drug addict I saw or see. I'm not bothered by jail or no jail thats what our culture deems necessary to protect the rest of society from a (disease, disorder, condition, life style choice gotta be careful with words... folks get hung up on them and then make them the focus of discussion). If your into punishing and the need to punish and your in the majority then punish but it rarely has ever taken care of an underlying character flaw or deffect (terms used in my own recovery) Treatment in a posh or down and dirty facility (I have no preference) may stop the active use and abuse of substances and that lets everyone else breath easier! I'll use the old 12 step term here "a personality change sufficient to bring about recovery" thats what it defines as a spiritual awakening! Some folks make a lot of hocus pocus around that it's very simple but not so easy and rarely an overnight job! It is an inside job and often not very pretty and full of pit falls! Other than that shes just another garden variety drunk doing what drunks do cause scenes, get in trouble, ruin their own life and others lives around them, and cause a lot of drama. Lots of internal shame and lots of external arrogance.....well gee! it's such an old story!

I often wonder about the rich - the very rich. I wonder why she did not finish high school or go to college.

So many people die because of drunk drivers. She refused many court orders leading up to this. I cannot feel sorry for her.

Maybe this experience can be good for her. Up to now everything has been perhaps too easy. I didn't realize until just a day or two ago that she is 26 years old, I thought she was 20 or 21. I am sorry for the fact that because her family is so well off that she has been led to think that she is immune to the laws. I pray for her and that she may change and become a POSITIVE role model for the girls who admire her.

Cry me a river for Paris. Why does she go out on the town partying every night or so it seems driving herself when she could have a permanent driver? If she were to kill a loved one of yours would it make you feel better that she cries when she finds out her stupid stunt is going to result in jail time. She really did get more jail time than most people would have for doing the same thing even if they had done it eight times.

I just hope the whole lot of these young women ie Brittney, Lindsey and Nicole in addition to Paris finally learn that life is not partying all of the time. It is just a matter of time until one of them ends up as the next Anna Nicole Smith and the tabloids write their articles about the tragic end of another young starlet. Meanwhile they go out looking for the next target to aim at.

Hmmm, Sammy, are the very rich different? I have to say that many that I knew were, growing up in such an insulated environment and truly treated as if they walked on water by so many folks. There were many that were very down-to-earth as well, but it was surprising how much of a problem "the next generation" could make of themselves. It was as if it were a subconscious goal of theirs.

If the very rich were exposed to many kinds of situations and people, scratch all of what I observed. These folks that I mean were of one social circle [albeit one that crossed all of the 'in' cities in the US... when I moved, I found that the new ones knew the old ones in other states, vacationed the same places, etc] and they were ridiculously ignorant of how life was for other folks. Or at least their kids were. I found them pitiful in that, really.

It is not so hard to raise a brat, as it turns out! A brat of leisure and unlimited wealth is a really scary thing ;)

The latest chapter in the poor little rich girl saga.Why does anybody care about their lives is the real question.

I too find it hard to feel sorry for her. She has shown a repeated disregard for societal norms and mores and broken the law... now she pays the price. And no, I don 't think her sentence is any stiffer then it should be - she woulda got likely the same amount of jail time here. If she had been wise, her lawyer would have set her up in some kind of treatment plan, but too late now. yes, jail sucks - and isn't that the point?

Sometimes her visible suffering gets to me, but mostly I get irritated--rich girl throwing a tantrum. I also, like some of the above posters, sometimes think she is going through withdrawal from alcohol/drugs--tough experience, but any recovering alcoholic/addict will tell you it saved their lives. And they do have medical staff to monitor her withdrawal, if that is what it is--like she wouldn't be the first addict to go through the penal system.

What really gets me though is, if she really has a medical condition that requires medication, why didn't she tell the authorities when she was checked into jail? They ask incoming inmates to list medical conditions/needed medication. She didn't mention anything evidently. And then her psychiatrist vists her the first day--he/she knows about the medical condition/needed medication but doesn't mention it to anyone. Why not? And finally, what about that expensive lawyer she has--it is his/her job to make sure things like that are covered. Why didn't the lawyer mention the medical condition/needed medication?

Either the medical condition is a snow job, or these people (including Paris) are all conspiring dangerously and deliberately to cause her a breakdown so she can get early release. That's a shocking thought.

I'm leaning to the alcohol/drugs withdrawal theory at the moment.

Kate

This is probably the first 'timeout' & the biggest reality check she's ever had. Having a month to be sober and time to think independently with a clear head about the choices she's made could be very good for her. I hope she uses her time well.

Cheers,
Michelle

I actually do feel sorry for her -- besides not being bright she appears to be emotionally handicapped.

It goes without saying that she was not brought up with necessary life coping skills and, by being spoiled, has not had to face consequences for misbehavior.

Until now.

It's all hitting her in the face and she feels helpless and terrified.

They say she hasn't eaten for two days and is afraid to use the toilet for fear a guard might take a photo.

Pitiful.

I had read that also. Kind of interesting that she had no problem doing things in front of a camera that the world at large should not ever be seeing but now that she is not in control of what can be seen she is upset.

Lance

Do I feel sorry for Paris Hilton? Hell no! She violated the law how many times? She was caught driving while her license was under suspension how many times? She really thinks, she is above the law and better than everyone else. She is one dumb, ignorant and spoiled brat. She needed this a long time ago. Time to grow up Beach!

I see I am in the minority here.

Someone stated she was driving drunk several times. Maybe I don't have the fact correct, I thought she was DUI 1 time and then drove with a suspended license 2x.

And someone else made a great point, if she would have killed or hurt someone driving while intoxicated I"m sure I would feel different.

I feel sorry for her because she's given vacuous new meaning.

I don't feel sorry for her because she's in jail; I think that's an excellent place for her to spend 45 days--or 450 days--or 4500 days. I don't like drunk drivers.

Otherwise, the HIPAA laws prevent me from even hinting at what I've had to deal with in the ER because of drunk drivers--which is just as well--because for some of it there just aren't words.

True horror on a number of occasions.

MichaelAT

She should be doing her time in a chain gang, swinging a pick, in southern Alabama. In July. Then she can learn a second lesson: what is work.

Pete, your comments leave me concerned. The next thing you are going to tell me is that you don't even care who Jen is dating now!

I don't feel sorry for her. Well, let me say that in a broad sense I do, I feel for her that she was probably not brought up to be a normal, well-adjusted person. She obviously was allowed to run wild all her life and no one ever stopped her. Discipline is taught, it is rarely an internal thing.

I think (hope) this will be a good experience for her. Good as in good-for-her. I would imagine she's never been all by herself, ever. This should be a good time for her to be quiet and think about where her life is headed. I suspect however that she is being given extra privileges because of who she is and that just will reinforce the idea to her that she is different from the rest of the world. The very fact that she is in a special part of the jail where she does not have to deal with the real world population is already sheltering her from true reality.

I applauded the judge upping her sentence back to 45 days. That is exactly what I would have done. It was like watching a two year old trying to manipulate an adult.

It seems like a bunch of young stars all imploded about the same time...I hope they all come out of this stronger and wiser.

Lisa

She lives in a bubble and really has no idea what the average life entails. She has stresses and problems...they just are on a different dynamic than ours. This does not excuse her NOR does it mean we should feel sorry for her.

I think the important factor here is that she LEARNS that life cannot be replaced. Perhaps as she is guarding hers in jail she will learn a respect for others.

It just goes to show that money does not make one happy. Oh it can make it a bit easier and perhaps more interesting....but happiness?? That comes from within. I have found that gratitude is a great source for inner happiness. Perhaps as she sits in her cell she will have time to reflect and find gratitude.

As far as feeling sorry for her. No. I have seen so many lives lost to drunk drivers...I cannot. Even if she didn't have a private driver on call at all hours (who she didnt call) I make no exception for her. What if she had killed a family...a small child....we should be more concerned for those tears.

Jail then, by comparison, is nothing.

NO!

"Violation of probation on reckless driving" is what I read.

Look, she's not sorry for having broken the law, she's mad that she got caught. And, HELLO, she fashions herself as some kind of ACTRESS! Why do all of that crying and hugging outside of the house? Hug mom INSIDE then QUICKLY get into the police car!!!! I can act depressed too! Oh, My roots will show when I get out (bet she'll be wearing a hat) and those extensions already look a mess. There are all kinds of depressed people in jail. I think she's detoxing. She's getting off lightly. All that Bible-toting she did in the weeks before jail was just a pose, and an insult to those who are true believers. All of that "I'll do my time" before she went in was bogus. She has not apologized for what she did. There are a whole bunch of idiots awaiting her "book" (which, I wish they could take the proceeds of and donate to a charity) and her "first interview" (looks like that will be with Barbara Walters). Ick. So disgusting. There are many, many, many more important things to discuss. Besides the obvious issues, what about gas prices, the education system, health care?

STOP DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE! HIRE A LIMO!!!! and GET OFF OF MY TV!!!!!

Hi Maureen,

I just want to say that while I don't appreciate much about Paris, I do appreciate YOUR spirit. My grandmother has the same sort of ability for compassion toward the downfallen.

Cheers,
Michelle

She is in a treatment center of the jail. She has her own room, but can get out and mingle with the other prisoners. She hopes to be out in 14 days. This was what Barbara Walters said on the View today.

I looked up her Biography since I couldn't understand why she would not have even graduated from high school. This really bothered me because she could have at least gotten a GED. Well, she did that. CNN reported that she had not graduated from HS, but on the biography it says she got her GED.

What MAT said.

PS Who IS Jen dating now?

alicia7b, see People Mag's web site... ;-)

I would feel charitable and forgiving and all of that if she and her family would stop acting as if she were the victim. And if she knew how to show real remorse. But when I read that her father is "shopping" around Vegas casinos for a place to sponsor her "get out of jail" party, where THEY pay HER upwards of $500K to appear, then I am not forgiving at all. It also points to the problem here, these people all want to be celebrities in the worst way. The Hiltons need to counsel their daughter to stay on the down low for a year or so. But no, it is all about the fame and the $$, and a pox on all "media outlets" that buy into this mess. I guess I'll be watching a lot of NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and BBC News. I just know that it would have been party central at her house if she had stayed under house arrest, and that's why the judge said no to it in the first place.

I'd have to say--wait, let me think..yep, pretty sure--no sympathy. And I'm glad I don't have TV; I don't think I could stand actually watching all of it. Reading it online is enough.

Sure, I'm sorry if she's upset and/or medically/psychologically/whatever/disabled/in need/ill, but I have to applaud the judge for whipping her butt back to court and then back to jail, as in "I SAID you couldn't DO house arrest." If they'd let her saunter on out of there after three days, she'd have been right back on the red carpet, smirking that stupid little smirk and tossing her hair around and feeling satisfied that she didn't have to do what the judge very specifically, distinctly told her she DID have to do.

If she's addicted/ill/disabled, well, I've never read anything about THAT in the many many many many many many many many many (did I say many?) times she's been talked about in the press. If she's an alcoholic, she needs help, and this is as good a place to start as any. If she's mentally ill, she's been doing a darn good job keeping it quiet, and I hope she gets whatever help she needs.

So, I'm sure she WAS hysterical at having to go back--she figured she'd stop by, say "I'm sick; I can't be in jail. And that outfit is NOT hot", and then go figure out what to wear to her "house arrest" parties. I bet it floored her that it didn't fly. Spoiled brat, is all I can say.

I do agree with Maureen, though, that as a mom, it would be hard to watch my kid being that upset. But if my kids acted like her, I'd have nipped that in the bud LONG ago. And if they DID turn out like her and committed the series of things she's done to land herself in court, I'd have to sit there and love them and say "You made this bed; you have to lie in it now."

Well, for someone who doesn't care a hoot about someone who's famous because...why IS she famous anyway????...I sure had a lot to say about that. lol

"Well, for someone who doesn't care a hoot about someone who's famous because...why IS she famous anyway????...I sure had a lot to say about that. lol"

I've wondered why she's famous.

One day I read something where she talked about her "fans".
That puzzled me.

I've always thought of fans as people who admire you because of something you do...
play an instrument
paint a picture
enact the part of another person
drive a race car.

What does she do?

stand around, as someone said, with that insipid little smirk...

& I'm irritated with myself for knowing as much about Paris Hilton as I do:
I don't *like* Paris Hilton, don't like the cult of celebrity, don't like spoiled brats.
But the media saturation is such that I do know a lot about her.

Erase the mind tapes, Sylvia!

Erase! Erase! Erase!

No, I don't feel sorry for her. Why does she need to drive to begin with when she can be driven around whenever she wants? How stupid of her not to use a car service, especially since she can afford it.

I wonder if she thought she'd beat the system because after all she's a Hilton. Anyone see the time line and the charges?

She was pulled over twice for DUI - then drives without a valid license twice, which IIRC was a violation of her probation. If a normal Joe was busted, they'd be doing over a year in jail for sure.

It made me sick to hear she spoke to Barbara Walters while in jail. CNN's Showbiz Tonight has been having a field day on Paris; which is probably one reason why she spoke to BW in the 1st place. Now she's saying she may donate time / money to breast cancer.... To me, she should have started doing something to benefit victims of drunk driving; not that I'm against breast cancer, but it would fit what she did and make me think that maybe she was learning from her mistakes.

Here is a chronology of events since Paris Hilton's arrest last year.

Sept. 7: Officers arrest Paris Hilton in Hollywood for investigation of driving under the influence after she was spotted "driving erratically."

Sept. 26: Hilton is charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence.

Jan. 9: Hilton's lawyers enter not guilty pleas on her behalf to one count each of driving under the influence and driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or above.

Jan. 15: Hilton is pulled over by California Highway Patrol and informed that her license is suspended. She signs a document acknowledging she is not to drive.

Jan. 22: Hilton pleads no contest to a reduced charge of alcohol-related reckless driving. She is placed on three years probation, ordered to enroll in alcohol education and pay $1,500 in fines.

Feb. 27: Hilton is ticketed for misdemeanor driving with a suspended license. A copy of the document signed Jan. 15 is found in her glove compartment.

March 29: The city attorney's office says it will ask a judge to revoke Hilton's probation.

May 3: Prosecutors recommend Hilton serve 45 days in jail for a probation violation.

May 4: Judge Michael Sauer sentences Hilton to 45 days in jail.

May 6: Publicist Elliot Mintz says he and Hilton have parted ways over an apparent "misunderstanding she received from me regarding the terms of her probation."

May 8: Hilton rehires Mintz.

May 9: Hilton hires a new attorney, Richard A. Hutton, who specializes in DUI cases.

May 14: Psychiatrist Charles Sophy says in court documents that Hilton is "distraught and traumatized as a consequence of the findings at the May 4 hearing ... and her fear of incarceration."

May 16: Sheriff's officials say Hilton will serve 23 days in a special unit away from the general population.

May 17: Hilton drops an appeal of her jail sentence.

June 3: Hilton reports to the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood after attending the MTV Movie Awards and saying she's ready to serve her sentence.

June 4: Hilton's attorney says his client is doing well under the circumstances.

June 7: Hilton is released from jail because of an undisclosed medical problem and is ordered serve the rest of her sentence in home confinement. Judge Sauer later orders Hilton to appear in his courtroom to determine whether she should return to jail.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fox news article

Reading the latest People Magazine, (Lindsay Lohan mess) Ty Pennington (DUI arrest May 5) was sentenced (May 25) to 36 months probation after pleading no contest to DUI in LA. He was fined $1,500 & ordered to attend a 90 day alcohol education program.

According to the Paris time line I posted, she'd been busted a 2nd time DUI before going to court. Who knows what her punishment would have been had she learned the 1st time...

Diane I just know that it would have been party central at her house if she had stayed under house arrest, and that's why the judge said no to it in the first place.

Diane, I feel the same way. The biggest reason she was freaking out when they brought her back to court was because she'd already planned a large "welcome home" party and had probably bragged to her friends about how she was let out (ha ha ha)

I remember recently seeing the cover of a PEOPLE magazine that asked the question:

"What happened to Lindsay Lohan?"

My answer: Paris Hilton.

The girl (she sure isn't a mature woman) is a disaster in expensive high-heels. Everything she touches comes off soiled. Drunk drivers are a real danger to society. This spoiled rotten rich kid drove under the influence three times. Twice while under probation! She is where she belongs. And if she doesn't learn to stop drinking and driving then she should be sent back for a much longer sentence.

Oh and get her off my tv. She stands for everything that is wrong with the wealthy in this country and frankly I'm tired of looking at her simpering face.

Pretty on the outside - UGLY on the inside.

My question is what is the first talk show she will do

After having my daughter hit by a drunk driver, I don't feel sorry that Paris screwed up, driving drunk apparently happens way too much.

Carla

Every darn one of them will be panting to get her on after her stint in jail. She'll probably come out talking about how it affected her, how she's changed, ad nauseum. Leopards don't change their spots - maybe temporarily, but not for real. Things like this are why I don't bother watching talk shows (or any television at all, for that matter).

Like Michelle said, I can see that you are a compassionate person Maureen. That is a good thing.

My daughter was killed by a drunk driver. So I applaud every law enforcement officer out there who stops someone before they hurt or kill someone.

I do always wonder how celebrities can take it, especially young ones. There is already so much pressure that us normal people have (I'm not implying that any of us on the rose forum are normal mind you, ha ha). But I can't imagine never being able to step out of your house, car, etc. without a camera waiting for your expression to say you are down, or messy or just without make up to be used later in the scandal sheets to fit whatever story they dream up. It's got to be hard to never have an ounce of privacy.
Nancy

Nancy, I am very sorry to hear that.
I resent the fact that there are so many drunk drivers around, that the subject is taken so lightly by the courts, media, and people in general.

Often there is no difference in alcohol consumption between a close call, and a tragedy.

Sammy

I wonder about the privacy issues though - aren't there some people who are rich who are not famous because they are rich? paris seems to court the spotlight and media... when *MY* ship comes in and I win the lottery, once you see my picture with the big ole check, that is likely the last time you will see it! I'll be so busy spending money and traveling that I won't have time to stand around getting photographed for my legions of adoring fans...

She courts publicity because that's how she makes her money. Apparently NBC is willing to pay her $1 MILLION dollars for her first interview. There is something seriously sick about paying someone that kind of money because she was in jail!

Lisa

Ah well someday someone will say who? Just like you probably would if I asked what folks thought about Evelyn Nesbit!

Now THAT would be poetic justice, wouldn't it? Paris..who?

I'd rather be middle class and annonymous than rich AND famous. No wait, I'd still rather be rich. But fame? ugh, I can't imagine.

And when *I* win the lottery, I won't even let them take my picture--it'll just my hand sticking into the frame, holding the check. And no names, please. LOL

Well, looks like Larry King gets her... and it looks like he isn't paying her either. There was so much bad publicity, (about interview costs) she realized she wouldn't get to tell her side unless she did it for free..

quote- BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Jailed socialite Paris Hilton will give her first post-prison interview on veteran CNN newsman Larry King's show on Wednesday, the cable network has confirmed.

King would interview Hilton in a one-hour special on Wednesday, just 24 hours after the 26-year-old star is released from prison in Los Angeles, a spokeswoman said Saturday.

The show, "Larry King Live," does not pay for interviews.

I also saw that People may have an interview, not sure if it's still on. The photos were $300,000... Would be nice if she would donate the money to help drunk drivers...

Here is a link that might be useful: news article

She should be released any minute now.
I will bet that as thoroughly disgusted as we are at her publicity, so many of us will watch Larry King. I watch it almost every night, but hope to stay away from it when she is on.
Sammy

She is free as a bird. Caught it while watching the morning news. Got to give her credit. Miss Thing was working that sidewalk like it was a plush red carpet. Her mother did look happy to see her. Lets hope that the party girl has learned her lesson and will hire a driver to take her to all those "events" (if you are going to be a celebraty lush then please have the sense to pass out in the passenger seat). It is not like the Hilton family can't afford it.

US Weekly is supposed to have a moratorium on her this week. Not on the cover, no mentions inside of the magazine (although Suri Cruise on cover). If this is true, then I will buy US Weekly this week to support them. Next week will probably be all her on every page.

She's already had the weave retightened for her Larry King appearance tomorrow, been shopping, and had a party at the parents house. I don't watch Larry King now (it is like watching "The Mummy" again, shudder), and I won't watch it tomorrow, the Yankees and "So You Think You Can Dance" will be on.

That strut out of prison was so disgusting. I guess her sister is back from partying in Greece over the weekend, nothing like supporting your sib by keeping your party on. But, I must say that she looked better than all of the made-up red carpet photos.

On the Larry King website, there's a poll about whether the legal system treated Paris fairly. Be sure to vote

Here is a link that might be useful: Larry King