Why all the hate for Paris Hilton?

[johnnie]

Paris Hilton seems to get most of the hate here at DU, although Britney Spears runs a close second. Paris Hilton just happened to be born into a world of money that she didn't really choose to be born into.

I know many people here think that she is nothing more than a rich woman who is a "look at me" type person, but spend a few weeks here and watch how many "look at me" threads are started. It seems to me that if some of those people had the same kind of money Paris Hilton has, they wouldn't be posting here as much as probably doing what she does.

Honestly, I could care either way about Paris Hilton's life, but I am just wondering why there is so much hatred for this woman. What has she done to deserve to be trashed on here so much?

[zanne]

1. Oh, please.

Some things you just can't rationalize.

[johnnie]

2. Good answer

:shrug:

[AlCzervik]

3. i hate the media coverage of her. As for Paris herself-meh.

[johnnie]

4. Well, media coverage of just about everything blows

But they do it because people want to see it. Check out any threads around here with the name Paris Hilton in the subject, they get about 200 hits an hour.

[AlCzervik]

7. i know, sometimes stories about celebrities and i guess she now qualifies as one

are a break from actual news. I generally avoid Celebrities stories because i'm just not interested---unless Tom Cruise has another episode in public, then i'm all in.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

5. paris hilton had much more opportunity than spears to not be such a twit

maybe thats why the hatred.

i hate twittiness.

[johnnie]

9. Yeah, I guess twittiness can be annoying

But that is just part of life.

[Left Is Write]

10. You hate Twittiness?

:crazy::crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[Bake]

53. "Hello, Darlin'!"

Conway was da MAN!

Bake

[Shell Beau]

52. Not so much! At least Brintey's parents made her graduate school!

Paris was able to drop out. Her parents sucked at parenting it seems!

[JVS]

6. people are just hatin yo, because they don't live as good a life

[johnnie]

11. I hate to admit it

But if I was a mega billionaire, I would probably be a pain in the ass too. I would probably even have more people hatin' on me than I do now... :)

[JVS]

14. you and me both buddy. I would consider it a sacred obligation to the people...

to amuse them with a constant stream of sex tapes and drug-addled fuckups. I'd die by 40, hold a big lavish funeral and bequeath my fortune to an annual boozy public bash.

[Critters2]

90. Me too. I'm a pain in the ass now! As a mega-billionaire,

I'd be a mega-pain in the ass!

[matcom]

8. It isn't hate for Paris

most of us couldn't give a shit either way about her.

the hate is for the media and now, sadly the justice system, for the treatment of celebrities in this country.

i wonder if Paris was named Juanita from south LA if she would have gotten out after 3 days.

[johnnie]

13. Injustice is nothing new re: rich folks

"i wonder if Paris was named Juanita from south LA if she would have gotten out after 3 days."

Maybe not, but if her name was O.J. she might.

So, if you had the money she had and lived the life she did, you would tell the courts "please don't let me out early, I need to do my time like everyone else"..lol. Seriously, I understand the frustration of how the rich get preferential treatment in this country, but I don't understand the lashing out at her personally.

[ariesgem]

96. There's a difference between OJ & PH

OJ went through the legal process, was found NOT GUILTY and was released from jail.

Hilton went through the legal process, was found GUILTY, sentenced to 20+ days and was released after 3 days by the Sheriffs Dept. who had no authority to do so.

[zanne]

60. EXACTLY, MATCOM!

Sorry, but you're so right I had to YELL! It's like they're not even trying to hide it anymore. There are two Justice systems in this country; one for the rich and one for the poor.:banghead:

[johnnie]

66. I think that is well established

The question was, why all the hate for Paris Hilton. Did she design our judicial system? Does posting remarks on here about her lack of brains and her ass help fix the problem with the courts? I didn't think I needed to spell out so much in my OP.

[LSK]

81. you nailed it

:thumbsup:

[Richard Steele]

82. Exactly. nm

[Gen. Jack D. Ripper]

12. The only thing we "Have-Nots" actually have

is the the right to bitch and complain about the "Haves." Frankly, I think it's a fair freaking trade.

[johnnie]

15. So the "have-nots" hate the "haves" for their freedom.. :)

That's why terrorists hate the United States I have heard, they hate us for how much we have. I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard that after 9-11. I'd be hangin' with Paris by now.

That's no dig on your comment, it was just a fragmented thought after reading your comment.

[zanne]

61. I don't understand where you're coming from...

Do you have a secret crush on Paris Hilton? It sounds like she could punch you in the face and you'd say "thank you".

[johnnie]

63. No

[zanne]

70. It just seems like celebrity worship. nt

[crim son]

16. I think I know why, but have trouble mustering up the energy

required to care about her one way or the other. I do know that I felt sorry for her when she was sentenced to jail, not because she didn't deserve it, but because she seemed to believe she was immune from the consequences of her behavior and I am positive she was devastated.

[johnnie]

20. I bet her three days were pretty sobering to her

It sounds like nothing, but to someone who has had almost complete freedom their whole life, three days could seem like three months.

I am a believer in "doing your time for doing your crime", but that also can be different for each person and their circumstances. I'm sure she will get in some sort of trouble again, but who knows?

[crim son]

23. I agree with every word.

I guess we'll see if the experience has impacted her in any real way.

[jobycom]

17. I used to think hate was a conservative value, until I came here.

Tom Cruise, Rachel Ray, Britney, Paris, all blond people, SUV drivers, Thomas Kincaide... I guess liberals can hate, too. Too much hate, too little effort to make the world a better place. IMHO.

[johnnie]

22. "Too much hate, too little effort to make the world a better place."

That's what I'm talkin' about.

Seriously, I agree. I can see "hatred" for certain people and things, but I can't see it for as many people as I see who are hated.

[jobycom]

24. I can understand hating someone who has slaughtered hundreds of thousands of innocent people

But I can't understand hatred of someone who puts out a song or a movie they don't like.

[Zuiderelle]

27. Yep.

It's a bit off-putting to say the least.

[Ellen Forradalom]

18. She is the distilled essence

of elite entitlement. She is all privilege, no noblesse oblige.

She is coarsening a culture which I thought could not be coarsened any further.

There isn't even an ironic edge to her that would make her shtick more bearable.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

19. Her narcissism, sense of entitlement, and flippant attitude to everyone.

If she was actually doing something positive with her unearned money, I'd respect her far more.

But no, she has decided to become the symbol of our insipid, vacuous pop culture, and makes a killing off of it while actually not doing anything at all -- hell, at least Britney Spears has a job.

[snappyturtle]

41. Amen. nt

[Giant Robot]

62. True that. n/t

[RetroLounge]

21. I don't hate her...

I for one appreciate a woman willing to make sex tapes and post them around the net...

RL

[Midlodemocrat]

Human nature.

Unfortunately a rather unpleasant side effect of human nature. People will think of all the right things that THEY could do with all that money/talent/accumen, etc., and get ticked when someone like Paris Hilton squanders an opportunity that they will never have.

Additionally, the fact that she was born rich and is only famous for being famous ticks people off.

And, frankly, I think there is a bit of glee when someone like that crashes down.

I don't really have an opinion of her one way or the other. I will admit to not being a big fan of her mother, however.

[mvd]

25. I think it's the media coverage

And she has a reputation for being a spoiled rich person.

I don't hate her. There are many worse people in the world. And, I thought she should have gotten house arrest originally.

[ronnykmarshall]

39. I don't "hate" her.

But when I see her horrid CD in record stores and hear that screeching she calls "singing" on the radio ..... I get VERY pissed off.

Cindy Alexander has more talent in one strand of her fabulous hair than Parasite Hilton has in her entire cesspool of a body.

Cindy busts her ass to make her music and can't get a break.

THAT'S why Paris Hilton makes me sick.

[mvd]

46. Oh, as you know, I agree about Cindy

:thumbsup:

Any release date set for the new album?

But I can just avoid Paris's music. It wasn't that popular anyway.

[ronnykmarshall]

76. Cindy's still recording

I think it's almost done. I'm really good friends with her back-up singer and she said she did her vocals a few weeks ago. I think the final mixes are in the process right now.

[EstimatedProphet]

26. Paris Hilton killed my dad

I will hate her forever!

[Critters2]

91. And didn't go to prison for it, either. Not even three days' worth.

Bitch.

[EstimatedProphet]

94. Yeah! That too!

[CBHagman]

28. You know how the Bushes get special treatment because...

...they're from a powerful and wealthy family? Well, it's the same deal with Paris Hilton -- immoral and incompetent behavior, excused and indeed protected and sanctioned with vast compensation.

Their sense of entitlement is stomach-turning, and their access to money-making projects (book contracts, recording deals, etc.) is denied the average person, including those who are vastly more talented.

It's a meritocracy thing.

[bumblebee1]

29. Hate???

It's more of the saturation coverage this gal gets and for what? Being born into a wealthy family. She's probably flushed more opportunities down the toilet than most of us will see in a lifetime. In a way, Paris reminds me of *. I may not care too much for Britney Spears, but, she worked for her millions.

[ghostsofgiants]

30. A better question...

Why all the attention for Paris Hilton? All the attention she gets, positive or negative, just serves to keep her in the spotlight.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

31. Because they don't recognize...

that hate is just another form of publicity, and they're being outwitted by Paris Hilton?

If you love, hate, or pay any attention whatsoever to Paris Hilton, you lose.

[Orsino]

32. She's the armpit of the American Dream.

She exemplifies some of the worst aspects of the idle rich who rule us.

[HEyHEY]

33. She gives lousy head

[GirlinContempt]

34. Because hating a celebrity is easier

than actually addressing the injustice and suppression of people by wealth. It is easier to hate someone, or blame them, than it is to actually address the gaping cracks in the core system you buy in to.

[Common Sense Party]

55. Some of us are able to multitask and do both. n/t

[GirlinContempt]

83. And some of us wear purple underpants.

[Writer]

35. Because many people can't identify with her.

She's "foreign" to many of us.

[johnnie]

36. Some good replies

Thanks, sorry for not responding to everyone, but I'm at work and had to go to lunch. :)

[GirlinContempt]

37. You aren't forgiven.

You think I just post to ANYONE? And you can't even bother to REPLY?

[johnnie]

68. I'm sorry

Thank you for posting in my thread though :)

This thread has run it's course anyway. I wanted to see what kind of response. My question has pretty much been answered.

[GirlinContempt]

87. You just better be sorry

:P

[deadparrot]

38. I don't hate her.

Like you said, she didn't choose the life she was born into. I may not care to hear about her every move whenever I turn on a "reputable" news network, but I don't have any feelings of anger towards her. Hell, I doubt I've ever been within a hundred miles of her at any point in my life. She may be a twit, but I don't think she's out to destroy the foundations of American democracy. Frankly, that requires some degree of intelligence, which she doesn't possess. I think she's a rich party girl who is just doing what she's been told to do since birth, and the media revels in it.

However, as her fellow human being and American, I would like her to be subject to the same system of law and order that I am, without regards to her bank account. A false hope, maybe, but what can you do? My dismay at the whole debacle has less to do with Paris herself, but with what this incident says about the media and justice system in our country. :shrug:

[snappyturtle]

40. Paris Hilton Out of Jail......she uses the system.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070607/ap_on_en_tv/paris_hilton

She is privileged and she is "special" in some people's eyes. She is a citizen of the U.S. and therefore subject to its laws. But because she is so "special" she gets treatment you and I can not. That's what I find disgusting. In the article link the judge who sentenced her said there was to be no electronic monitoring etc. in lieu of the sentence. Well, so much for that judge. She got her sentenced reduced for good behavior(?) and now for an undisclosed medical problem. Give me a break. I can't see what she has done in her short life that deserves admiration.....do you know of any contribution she has made to society other than probably donating unearned dollars to charity for a tax break? I ask this honestly because I just don't understand what her "fans" see in her. And, of course, all of this is imho. Not an attack on you or Paris but on the wealthy few.


Edit: After thought: No, this is an attack on Paris. She could use her celebrity and wealth for good....like support groups who search out land mines killing and maiming people....remind you of anyone? She could get attention she craves from good deeds rather than for unlawful acts and then thumb her nose at the system that you and I have to abide.

[CGowen]

44. Oh my god she has a rash

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0718148720070607?src=060707_1147_ARTICLE_PROMO_also_on_reuters


Citing sources close to Hilton's family, the syndicated TV show "Entertainment Tonight" reported on its Web site that the health problem was a rash that she developed on her body.

Los Angeles County detention facilities, like many jails around the country, are known to have problems controlling outbreaks of staphylococcus infections, which can cause rashes, but Whitmore said staph was not an issue in Hilton's case.


.....


HOME CONFINEMENT

Under the home-confinement order, her sentence was increased back to 45 days, but Whitmore said she would be credited with five days incarceration, including Sunday and Thursday, even though she actually only spent three full days in jail.

The exact terms of Hilton's home confinement were not released.

.........

[snappyturtle]

85. I've heard she was psychologically distressed.....isn't anyone

who goes to jail? I heard the rash thing too but instead she's at home with an ankle bracelet, diamond studded?, and there's no limit on visitors.....

[Joe Fields]

42. Why are we even discussing her?

I don't like or dislike her. I do dislike all of the notoriety she gets. It falls under the "any publicity is good publicity" umbrella. The media and public should not be so obsessed by such a self-absorbed little princess of an heiress who behaves badly.

[mvd]

48. Agreed

Like Al Gore's book "The Assualt On Reason" says, we need to make our displeasure known with the media and not care about these trivial celeb stories so much. Let's get back to "the marketplace of ideas" like Gore says.

Paris's jail term might have been excessive, but most everyone would have gone to the hospital and not be freed.

[Joe Fields]

49. Three cheers for Al Gore!!

Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!:toast:

[mvd]

50. Just started the new book

It WAS in the new release section at Target, but not on the display shelves. I got the last copy, though. Glad to see it's popular. I can already tell it has a lot of good things to say about stories like this..

[Joe Fields]

59. I'm waiting for my brother to finish his copy, so I can borrow it.

[ecstatic]

43. I don't hate her; I hate double standards.

By the way, Nancy Grace is doing a wonderful job in exposing the serious double standards in Paris' case. :rofl:

[Beelzebud]

45. She's a symbol for whats wrong with America right now.

[DainBramaged]

47. She makes SURE her spoiled, rich existence is in our faces every day

The money the whore wastes in a day could feed a thousand children for a week. And I don't give a shit who thinks I'm being cruel to poor poor Paris Hilscum.

Piece of shit. May her electronic bracelet fail and make her legs turn to stone. I want her fucking punishment if I ever get in trouble.

[Shell Beau]

69. Yikes!! The whore? Wow! Sounds personal to me!

[Shell Beau]

51. In all honesty, she really isn't to blame for her behavior (I mean she is but...).

Her parents let her be the way she is. She was able to drop out of high school and go partying at such a young age. Always had what she wanted at her disposal. She is an adult now and needs to take responsibility for what she does, but who can blame her for turning out the way she did? I have no sympathy for her except she was probably raises all wrong! :shrug:

[Common Sense Party]

56. Yes, she is.

Anyone can rise above his or her upbringing, environment or heredity.

She has chosen not to.

[Shell Beau]

57. I did say she should take responsibility for her actions. My point is

is that being raised the way she was has everything to do with how she is today! Sure many rise above it but many don't.

[El Fuego]

54. She put herself out there and demanded to be worshipped by the public.

But surprise, it doesn't work that way.

[Pendrench]

58. Has anyone seen the documentary "Born Rich"?

It was made by one of the heirs to the Johnson & Johnson fortune....an interesting look at some of the young and very rich.

www.hbo.com/docs/programs/born_rich/synopsis.html

Tim

[Kali]

64. Sorry I just don't see it.

Criticism, ridicule and/or derision do not = hate. World isn't black and white, either or.

[johnnie]

67. Read post 47

Do you see it?

[zanne]

71. Free Jack A bramoff! nt

[DainBramaged]

72. Paris Lover? Know how many children went to bed hungry last night?

It's disgust, not hate. But I can be persuaded.:grr:

[Kali]

80. ok that response is pretty strong, but out of 78 so far I still don't

see "all the hate." Even that one could just be "disgust".

[Jamastiene]

89. It would take some harsh criticism from the right person or

people, who actually care about her, to make her stop some of her dangerous actions. She shouldn't be out there driving drunk, ignoring the courts, and putting herself and others at risk with that behavior. If someone could knock some sense into her, people would quit criticizing her. No, I don't hate the girl. If anything, it's the opposite to say they need to stop doing some of those things. How long before her enablers allow her to drive drunk again and kill herself, or worse, someone else? That criticism does not equal hate. You are right.

[flvegan]

65. Because we're not allowed to talk about Kirstie Alley anymore.

:shrug:

[Smooth Operator]

74. not hate

although hate can keep you warm on a cold winters night. If she used her money and celebrity to actually make a fucking difference on this planet she might not be on the receiving end of so much hostility. Most of us are sick of hearing about her and Lindsay,Brittany etc.

[VenusRising]

73. Because she didn't keep her campaign promise.

[Initech]

75. Because she's famous for not having done anything.

And she lets everyone know that, even rubbing it in our faces every single day, and the media eats it up like a ham sandwich.

[Jed Dilligan]

77. I don't have a problem with her,

I have a problem with the criminal "justice" system and how differently it treats different classes of people when they commit the same crimes.

In fact, I see Paris as kind of a sacred clown. Whether wittingly or not, her diva-ism sheds light on the world of the ultra-privileged. She could have everything she has, materially, without anyone knowing her name; and that's what heiresses normally do. I think there is a purpose to her public life. She could be the next Marie-Antoinette!

[idgiehkt]

78. she's a jezebel figure

it's an archetype, and every culture has one (or a few). Not to mention a distraction. I think she and sister Nikki supported Kerry in the last election. I try not to participate in the hating on these young women just because I remember the stupid shit I was running around doing when I was their age, and for years after. Thank God none of that was televised.

[Deja Q]

79. Oh, so any "look at me" person here does the same things Paris and Brit get away with?

Uh, reality check...

I'll agree, some vitriol - mine included - goes too far. Still, we try to work within the system. They seem to think drinking and partying and doing truly crude stuff even the likes I'd never do is normal and should be given attention to. Especially if they can violate parole, kill somebody, or anything else. It is wrong to equate us to them.

There are limits. And I need to reevaluate mine too, I'll agree. But you're comparing two incompatible entities. And it's not because of money; not all rich people are crude nor drunkies who drive and risk other peoples' lives.

[pdx_prog]

84. She should have never went to jail in the first place

It's just turned the place into a media circus. Most people around here with 2 offenses like hers have to stay at home, sell their vehicles and be ready for anytime visits.

[Bombero1956]

86. there is no God

because if there were he/she wouldn't that kind of shit to go down. A just and loving God doesn't give someone that kind of wealth without a brain to figure out the good they could do with it. Wealth has nothing to do with smarts, its luck. Once again God has shown us how fucked we are. If we did what she did we'd still be doing time, but because she has a fucking rash she's out in 3 days. If that were us they wouldn't let us out even if we were losing limbs. This woman has never known a truly hard days labor and she never will. The hardest thing she's ever done is slide down the birth canal and that was with Mom's help. Jesus,Mary and Joseph that pisses me off.

[Shakespeare]

88. Since nobody's mentioned it yet: the mean-spiritedness and malicious behavior

There are LOTS of rich, pampered celebrities with over-developed senses of entitlement; what makes Hilton so disgusting to me is her sheer nastiness. It's been widely reported (Tina Fey's comments being my personal favorite), and that behavior was on full-frontal display on her insipid reality show.

She is a despicable human being.

[Spirochete]

92. I don't hate Paris Hilton

I couldn't care in the least whether they gave her a life sentence or a good citizenship award - as long as I didn't have to hear about it 24/7.

[johnnie]

93. I agree with you

But as you can see, there are over 1400 views on this thread and 90 or so posts. For some reason people want to hear about her, talk about her or something and that's why she is all over the news. That's one reason I made this thread, I was curious as to why people seem to hate her and also to see how many people would actually talk about her. This was the first time I ever talked about Paris Hilton either starting a thread on her or posting in someone else's. She is very low on my list of things worth discussing.

Another thing is, I don't know what people expect when they watch MSNBC, FOX or and other "major" news stations. I thought it was quite well known that MSM is pure trash television.

[noamnety]

95. As a culture we have a lot of hate for women who don't "behave"

and a lot of hate for women who do "behave."

If you want to understand the sheer hatred directed at her - as a woman - you'd have to look at the bigger picture, because it's not just hatred for her.

Ken Lay completed avoided prison for two years, despite ruining lives and leading a life of privilege, all that. And we fairly universally agreed he was a privileged self-centered piece of shit with no worth or redeeming qualities.

But we didn't have this underlying tone of seething sexualized rage against him that we were obsessed with. We didn't need to call him (all the names we use to degrade women). Because he was male, he didn't get that vitriol aimed at his physical self in the way Paris gets, where it seems her entire body has become public property to comment on - with hatred. When male celebrities have a sex tape leak, you don't hear people for years afterwards still acting like their bodies are no longer theirs.

And the men aren't the other in the same way that women are. There's this weird thing that happens, if we talk about one woman here that we "hate." It brings up the connections with all the other women we hate. I see that a lot.

If we talk about Tom Cruise, we just have an all out mocking hate fest on him maybe, but it's not a sexualized hate in the same way. And it doesn't seem to invoke comments like "I hate him because this other male actor who is really talented can't get a break, and he did" and we don't tend to list off all the other men we hate, as if they are all part of "that" group. Same with Michael Jackson, twit extraordinaire.

But bring up a disliked woman, and the parade of hated women seems to be part of the conversation, as often as not. Hate the Bush twins? Not allowed to mention that without at least one person commenting on the bad MOTHERING that they got, and the bodies of the other women in that family. It's the weirdest thing for me to watch. It's like talking to my senile father-in-law, when he sees a black waiter in a restaurant, and then he has to tell them the story of the time he worked with some black people, and then later he tells us about how he talked to this other black waiter ... like there's a connection in his head he just can't shake, he sees one, and it triggers all the other times he saw "one of those people."

I see this with newscasters (using that term loosely) as well. A Bill O'Reilly thread will remain a Bill O'Reilly thread. But a thread about Katie Couric will sometimes morph into "and here's my opinion on Rosie and 10 other women in media" like that's naturally part of the same topic. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1063263#1063373

[johnnie]

97. Yup, I agree with a lot of this

I didn't want to bring in the sexism because sometimes it is spread on way too thick here, but I was thinking the same thing you said.