Sharpton Has It Almost Right

(Los Angeles, California) Okay, everybody knows too much about Paris Hilton already. The media have been spoon-feeding the public of her travails not only daily but hourly. And a great cheer was heard when she was put back in -- sort of -- jail.

The medical ward she now calls home still irks many people, though. It's been said that people hate Paris but I disagree. I think they hate the fact that the privileged in society always seem to get away with breaking the rules and Paris just represents one who -- sort of -- didn't. She went back to jail, albeit in a fancy-schmancy medical ward, and all the common folks, those who have been frustrated over time when a neighbor, schoolmate or colleague gave the finger to authorities and got away with it, believe she received her just rewards. Yeah, the good guys finally won one.

No, people don't hate Paris Hilton as much as they hate seeing the rich in society play by different rules. Even now, Paris has special privileges -- her own medical suite, her visitors go to the head of the line -- which still rubs raw with many common folk. This is where Al Sharpton, someone with whom I rarely agree, has something almost right. He's thrown his voice into the mix by stating that if rich white people can get special perks in jail, why not rich black people?

It's a good point. If rich white people are given preferences so should rich black people. Likely there's some stats indicating that rich blacks in jail are discriminated against when compared to rich whites in jail. Like I mentioned, Sharpton has that point right, however, he's wrong in thinking that anyone should be getting special treatment in jail.

In the eyes of the law, everyone should be treated the same -- white or black, rich or poor. I know it's idealistic thinking and doesn't represent the real world but at least it's a goal to keep in mind.

By the way, I contend that people are fired up about the illegal alien issue for the same reason. Border-crossers are breaking laws with impunity and it makes people angry. It's not a race issue and makes no difference whether the trespassers are Hispanic or Chinese or Middle Eastern, they are breaking the law and getting away with it. And I'm not talking just about sneaking into the U.S., although that's part of it. Among many other crimes, it's also the ID theft, the drug smuggling, the human trafficking and the drunken driving. All the while, the illegals are given preferential treatment. It's like law enforcers consider them to be radioactive.

Regular American citizens wouldn't get away with the same. Consequently, they're angry. The current immigration law proposals also make Americans angry because they just compound existing problems without a glimmer of hope for a secure border. Any politician advocating the latest iniatives who says that the border will be secured is a liar. Take that to the bank.

Tip: WW