What is happening to this country? I have no feeling about Paris, one way or another, and it amazes me that she could possibly cause so much angst. She doesn't strike me as a bad or evil person in any sense of the world. She is just a silly 26 old girl who has a little more growing up to do. Big deal!

What scares me to no end is the mob mentality to railroad her into a substantially increased punished beyond anything anyone else in her situation would get to satisfy the "mob." America is so prone to a mob mentality, it really stuns me, and scares me.

There are laws, and there are rules and regulations for a well ordered society. Laws are of the "Thou shalt not" variety, while rules and regulations. She broke no serious laws. Yes, she blew a .08; however most alcohol related traffic accidents and fatalities are caused by drivers with much high blood alcohol levels. Yes, she drove on a suspended license, but she wasn't drinking.

Consequently, what we have is a 26 year old girl with no previous criminal record who blew the minimum BAL, and then drove with a suspended license. The judge threw the book at her because he doesn't want to look soft on her, and basically sentenced her to 45 days in solitary confinement.

Where is the proportionality? Sheriff Baca was just being realistic. Average Jane would have been released on this set of circumstances after 3 or 4 days max. However, because the media watching mob doesn't like Paris, she requires a non proportional punishment to satisfy the mob sense of outrage in some symbolic fashion to prop up the power structure against revolt?

That is not justice.

Why not address the real issues concerning how come we continue to crimanlize, incarcerate, and basically torture an increasing number of low level offenders in horrible conditions? Is basically torturing one mentally fragile, blond girl from the upper class the payback the mob demands?

Not growing up in the US, I guess I was taught that we don't criminalize our citizens solely for political gain, nor jail people to make political points and placate a mob. We certainly don't put vulnerable, young women in solitary confinement for minor parole violations on minor regulatory infractions in the first place. You must all be proud to be Americans!

I could personally care less about Paris Hilton one way or the other. What is sad is torturing a girl by releasing her from solitary confinement, and then tossing her back in jail. But then again, you live in a country where they send 17 year old boys to jail for 10 years for having consensual initiated by the 15 year old girl. Americans typically like to blame the messenger than dealing with the message that your justice seem is a joke.

So you want to sing...

How many times have I heard that? I am making as assumption that you have some ability to sing, hear pitch, and you have a decent range.

My suggestion is going to help you tremendously, and it is relatively simple. Learn to play guitar and/or piano. It will take you several years, but if you have the ability to really sing well, then you can express yourself independently regardless of what anyone think or says.

If you can play some keyboards, and some folk guitar the door is wide open.

Then you get a computer, Digital Audio Workstation software (Cubase, Logic), a Firewire audio interface, and a good microphone or two, and you have everything you need to create, produce, and perform music to you hearts content. In fact, I will simplify further.

1. Apple Macbook

2. Logic Pro software

3. M-audio 1814 interface

4. Rode NT1a microphone

5. KRK RP8 Monitors Monitors

6. M-audio Axiom 61 key controller

With this equipment, and some skill, you can create and fulfill your music desires. BTW, this can be done cheaper, but this is an elegant solution.

Jon Stewart is on vacation this week.

Apparently, even God needed a good editor.