How many times a day must we endure reports of the latest perils of Paris Hilton? It seems you can’t turn on a television any more without hearing about the plight of America’s favorite poor little rich girl. Paris’ recent stint in jail has only served to increase her popularity, not diminish it. Is there anywhere on earth one can go to escape all the Parismania?Several days ago, while Paris was still behind bars, one journalist appearing on a TV news show panel discussion noted that while the whole Paris drama was unfolding, a woman astronaut was making history in space. But, he asserted, nobody in America cared or even noticed, because we were all so caught up with all the Hilton hype. (In case you missed it—as I did—on June 16th, U.S. astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams set the record for the longest single spaceflight by any woman. Williams, who has lived at the international space station since December 2006, 
surpassed the record of 188 days set by astronaut Shannon Lucid at the Mir space station back in 1996.) When the journalist made this remark—clearly blaming the American populace (rather than the media) for all the excessive focus on Paris—I wanted to yell back at the television screen: “The reason we don’t ‘care’ about the astronaut is because we don’t even know about the astronaut! You aren’t reporting on her! All you reporters want to talk about is Paris Hilton! You’re so enamored with her that you aren’t telling us about anything else!” But I decided that yelling at a television screen wasn’t going to solve anything. The guy on the screen wouldn’t be able to hear me anyway. But truly, many elements of our entertainment-driven news media seem much more obsessed with reporting on gossipy frivolities than helping to inform us about issues of real substance. By the way, had you thought about this? How much news coverage did the recent passing of Ruth Bell Graham receive in comparison with the coverage of Anna Nicole Smith’s death some weeks ago? Anna Nicole—like Paris—was really famous for no good reason. But Ruth Bell Graham—along with her husband Billy—spent a lifetime touching the lives of others in a positive way. Truly, a lot of things are upside down in this world.
surpassed the record of 188 days set by astronaut Shannon Lucid at the Mir space station back in 1996.) When the journalist made this remark—clearly blaming the American populace (rather than the media) for all the excessive focus on Paris—I wanted to yell back at the television screen: “The reason we don’t ‘care’ about the astronaut is because we don’t even know about the astronaut! You aren’t reporting on her! All you reporters want to talk about is Paris Hilton! You’re so enamored with her that you aren’t telling us about anything else!” But I decided that yelling at a television screen wasn’t going to solve anything. The guy on the screen wouldn’t be able to hear me anyway. But truly, many elements of our entertainment-driven news media seem much more obsessed with reporting on gossipy frivolities than helping to inform us about issues of real substance. By the way, had you thought about this? How much news coverage did the recent passing of Ruth Bell Graham receive in comparison with the coverage of Anna Nicole Smith’s death some weeks ago? Anna Nicole—like Paris—was really famous for no good reason. But Ruth Bell Graham—along with her husband Billy—spent a lifetime touching the lives of others in a positive way. Truly, a lot of things are upside down in this world. Another example of misplaced values and priorities: The so-called Pants Suit. You know, the Washington area judge that decided to sue a local dry cleaning establishment for losing his pants. He wanted some $1000 for the loss of the actual pants, which were part of a suit (the kind you wear), but additionally he wanted some $54 million for court costs, legal fees (the plaintiff represented himself!) and mental anguish! Mmm, I’ve heard of “taking someone to the cleaners” but this is ridiculous. The vindictive plaintiff didn’t just want to 
recover the cost of his pants. He wanted the cleaners to “lose their shirts”! By the way, for me, mental anguish doesn’t occur when I lose a pair of pants. It occurs when my waistline expands and I have pants hanging in the closet that I can’t wear anymore! That’s anguish. So who do I sue over that? The restaurant or the grocery store that sold me the food that caused me to gain weight? Sounds about as reasonable as what the plaintiff in this pants suit was seeking to do.
Anyway, sanity ultimately prevailed. The court wisely found for the defendant. Let’s hope now that the poor, embattled dry cleaners can recover from the plaintiff all or part of the $100,000 in legal fees they have had to pay out over the past two years to defend themselves in this bizarre, costly and unnecessary law suit. (NOTE: They had offered on a number of occasions to pay an out-of-court settlement worth far more than the price of the pants, but the plaintiff repeatedly refused.) And let’s hope that the vengeful and greedy plaintiff—who was up for reappointment as a judge this year—never sits on the bench ever again.
By the way, I wonder what King Solomon would have done in that situation? Perhaps if the pants had been recovered, he would have had them cut in half!
Then, one more news items caught my eye recently. The American Medical Association recently toyed with the idea of classifying video game addiction as a mental disorder for which one potentially could receive health insurance benefits. After announcing that the matter would be presented for a vote this week, it was withdrawn from consideration at the last minute, the
powers-that-be feeling that it still required additional study. But can you imagine the potential outcome of such an action? As if health insurance rates aren’t high enough already! If proponents of this new designation had their way, all of us soon would be paying through the nose to help little Timmy recover from his uncontrollable desire to play his Xbox non-stop. Numerous treatment centers and clinics would spring up, all to help gamers work through their withdrawal symptoms. The Betty Ford Center in California would probably open up a brand new video game rehab wing. Really! Rather than going down this treacherous road, how about mom and dad simply pulling the plug? Wow, what a novel idea! Think about it, video games actually have an “off” button. So, why not use it? And—hello!—video game usage can be monitored and limited. The last time I heard, establishing boundaries for your children is still part of healthy and responsible parenting. Maybe some parents should help their kids pursue a more balanced, well-rounded life, rather than relinquishing their parental responsibilities by letting video games serve as convenient 24/7 babysitters.
OK. I’m off my soapbox now. Just don’t get me started on Rosie O’Donnell or Don Imus.
Pastor Danny
recover the cost of his pants. He wanted the cleaners to “lose their shirts”! By the way, for me, mental anguish doesn’t occur when I lose a pair of pants. It occurs when my waistline expands and I have pants hanging in the closet that I can’t wear anymore! That’s anguish. So who do I sue over that? The restaurant or the grocery store that sold me the food that caused me to gain weight? Sounds about as reasonable as what the plaintiff in this pants suit was seeking to do.Anyway, sanity ultimately prevailed. The court wisely found for the defendant. Let’s hope now that the poor, embattled dry cleaners can recover from the plaintiff all or part of the $100,000 in legal fees they have had to pay out over the past two years to defend themselves in this bizarre, costly and unnecessary law suit. (NOTE: They had offered on a number of occasions to pay an out-of-court settlement worth far more than the price of the pants, but the plaintiff repeatedly refused.) And let’s hope that the vengeful and greedy plaintiff—who was up for reappointment as a judge this year—never sits on the bench ever again.
By the way, I wonder what King Solomon would have done in that situation? Perhaps if the pants had been recovered, he would have had them cut in half!
Then, one more news items caught my eye recently. The American Medical Association recently toyed with the idea of classifying video game addiction as a mental disorder for which one potentially could receive health insurance benefits. After announcing that the matter would be presented for a vote this week, it was withdrawn from consideration at the last minute, the
powers-that-be feeling that it still required additional study. But can you imagine the potential outcome of such an action? As if health insurance rates aren’t high enough already! If proponents of this new designation had their way, all of us soon would be paying through the nose to help little Timmy recover from his uncontrollable desire to play his Xbox non-stop. Numerous treatment centers and clinics would spring up, all to help gamers work through their withdrawal symptoms. The Betty Ford Center in California would probably open up a brand new video game rehab wing. Really! Rather than going down this treacherous road, how about mom and dad simply pulling the plug? Wow, what a novel idea! Think about it, video games actually have an “off” button. So, why not use it? And—hello!—video game usage can be monitored and limited. The last time I heard, establishing boundaries for your children is still part of healthy and responsible parenting. Maybe some parents should help their kids pursue a more balanced, well-rounded life, rather than relinquishing their parental responsibilities by letting video games serve as convenient 24/7 babysitters.OK. I’m off my soapbox now. Just don’t get me started on Rosie O’Donnell or Don Imus.
Pastor Danny
