The American Ju$tice System

I'm not someone that pays particularly close attention to celebrity happenings. However, this had to change the moment I read that Paris Hilton was released from jail, to serve out her already-reduced sentence in her home.

At first, I wanted to treat this as a big joke because I had a feeling that all Paris does is crave attention. But when you really get down into it, letting Paris serve her sentence at home, even though the judge for her case explicitly mentioned that she was not to serve her sentence on house-arrest, proves that the American Justice System is a joke. A system where fairness can be sold to whomever can pay the price.

Putting Paris back in jail, as was done today, gives me faith in the system again. I'm not for or against Paris being in jail, I'm for justice being done as it was intended when her sentence was given. Letting Paris go on house-arrest for something as ridiculous as, "mental anguish," is the equivalent of giving the statue of justice, blind and holding a scale, a sucker-punch in the gut.

This whole case has me torn. As I write this, on CNN.com, there is a list of the most popular videos watched. Paris occupies the first 3 ranks, followed by a story about a murder in Kansas. On one hand, I'm glad this has national attention because justice shouldn't have a price, but on the other hand, I find it sad that we care more about a celebrity than news like a murder.

Look, all I want is for us to stop caring about Paris and for the American Justice System to stop tipping in favor of the highest bidder. Is that so much to ask for?

Link: CNN.com story

The Power Of A Smile

It was Saturday morning. My grandfather is no longer able to drive due to various complications, mostly related to advanced age. So, either my dad or I have to take him where he needs to go, whether it be to go shopping or to get a haircut.

Today he has a doctor's appointment. I don't mind taking him so much, until we get to the hospital and sit in the waiting room. And wait. And wait. And wait some more. There are about 80 different things I can think of to do on my day off, and sitting in a waiting room doesn't lie anywhere near the top of the list.

I flip through the magazines that are in the waiting room, and the most interesting one I can find is about scuba diving.

Finally, my grandfather is seen by the doctor and is ready to leave about 15 minutes later. My attitude is somewhere between "pissed that this appointment took so long" and "ready to go home hours ago." I can't see my face at this point, but I imagine "permanent scowl" to be pretty descriptive.

I pull up to the end of the driveway of the hospital and am ready to turn back on the busy street to bring my grandfather home. And that's when I see it.

I see a guy riding a bicycle on the busy street, on the side closest to me. I have to stop early in the driveway, otherwise the front end of my car may be in his way. He sees what I did, and flashes a smile.

Instantly, my attitude changes from anger to happiness. Suddenly, my problems don't seem so big anymore. "The world is a bigger place than you and me," I think to myself.

Today's going to be alright.