Drugs, Booze and Jail

I find myself wondering if it has always been this way or not. I remember when stars were stars and expected to be role models for the rest of us. A celebrity going to jail was virtually unheard of. Perhaps it is just because of our access to news these days.

Paris Hilton parlayed her name and relentless partying into worldwide notoriety, and had to forgo her high fashion wardrobe for prison stripes for about 45 days. The ironic thing is that she demands a higher appearance fee now than she did before that publicity. Hilton told Fox News Magazine that she now collects $500,000 in fees just to show up at parties and other events from Las Vegas to Tokyo.

The latest star to go behind bars is Kiefer Sutherland. He was sentenced Wednesday to 48 days in jail for his latest DUI arrest and for violating probation.

It appears that there is a whole new legal category; star defense. Sutherland hired attorney Blair Berk, who is also currently representing Lindsay Lohan. I think that Johnny Cochran started something when he manipulated the jury into allowing wife killer O.J. Simpson to go free.

Give it a break!!!

When I first read about Dog’s latest fiasco I thought it was something he has said “on the air”, and I could understand, and even agree with the outrage. I now read that it was in a “private” conversation that he was having with his son on the telephone, unaware that his son was recording the call. His son, Tucker, then sent the recording to The National Enquirer for “a lot of money.”

As offensive and indefensible as the remarks were, nobody would have been hurt by them had his son not chose to make them public. Doing so has now created a national outrage with many innocent people being hurt, not the least of which is Dog himself.

The A&E TV network released a statement today announcing that Duane “Dog” Chapman’s hit reality series would be removed from its schedule “for the foreseeable future.”

And now Hawaii’s NAACP is actually hosting a public forum on Sunday to hash this out further, make more news, and no doubt hurt even more people by calling more attention to the hurtful racial slurs that were made.

I sometimes think that too many people don’t have enough to do, and the media creates more problems than it reports. Let’s get back to work.

“Watch Your Mouth”

That was good advice given to most of us by our mothers or fathers. In the Dog’s case what he got from his father was more likely to lead to misbehavior than good behavior. In spite of growing up with regular paternal beatings, early drug abuse and a life of crime, he managed to turn his life around and become known more for the good he does, rather than the bad that he did. Yes, you can “teach an old Dog new tricks”.

Dog The Bounty Hunter was one of very few shows that my DVR is programmed to capture; I will miss it. While I surely cannot condone his use of the “N word”, I had to wonder why there was no criticism of his constant use of the “F word” (bleeped out) during his show.

I found it humorous to see him holding hands with his family and praying for the fugitive they were about to track down, and then say, “Okay, let’s go get that Mother F—-r!”

I’m fine with the open reporting of his misspeaking, and can also accept his apology. People do make mistakes. But, I think that cancelling his show amounts to throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I would like to see the show continue and let the viewers determine what the punishment should be by choosing whether or not to watch it.

Is That All?

People Magazine reported that Britney Spears said to Ryan Seacrest recently, “At the end of the day you gotta know in your heart that you are doing the best that you can.”

In my classes I say that none of us are “doing the best we can”, at least not every day. When you say that, either to someone or just to yourself, you are saying that you can’t get any better. Don’t be guilty of such limiting beliefs. Instead ask yourself, “How can I do better than I am today?” Asking that question will lead you to ideas that when acted upon will invariably lead you to greater heights than you may have felt was possible.

You Never Know!

As a retailer, you never know who might drop into your store to shop.

When Victoria Beckham goes shopping with her kids, the body guard goes along. I have to wonder if his instructions are coming from her or from a husband that wants to control her spending.

I’m guessing it’s her that is calling the shots.

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YOU CAN RUN BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE

Jury of Peers!

If only it could be this fair!

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Press Release Just Issued:

THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE A DECISION TO CONTINUE TO HOLD HIM AND HIS ASSOCIATES ON BOND DESPITE MEXICO’S FULL DISMISSAL OF THE CHARGES

Hawaii hero Dwayne Chapman is having a tough time doing his job of arresting criminals these days. Here’s a brief history of events:

Andrew Luster was convicted of rape 82 times. He hid out in Mexico until The Dog and his boys tracked him down and brought him back to the United States for trial.

Next; Mexico puts out a warrant for The Dog, for breaking Mexican law, and he gets arrested in Hawaii.

Next; Mexico drops the charges.

Now: The US Government won’t release the bail.

Next: God only knows.

Visit Glenn Beck’s website (www.glennbeck.com) for a recap of his exclusive interview yesterday with The Dog.

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