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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 8,318
Top 20 Poster
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OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 8,318 |
Dear Paris,
Welcome to the real world.....you know, the one without the scripts, producers or directors. That's the one "I" live in. In fact, that's the one most of us live in. For better or worse, we know that for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. Unlike you, when we make a mistake we understand that there will be consequences. We expect it.
It's the fear of consequences that keeps us from making the same mistake over and over again. I'm very sorry that you are having to learn the hard way. Doing it “your way”, wasn't working. In fact, you blatantly disobeyed a court order with complete disregard for what could have happened. Thank heavens someone stepped in to keep you from harming yourself or an innocent bystander.
In the real world, people are expected to abide by the law. If we drink, we simply don't get behind the wheel. It's that simple. Cars can be as lethal an object as a machine gun. Being couped up in a prison may be the worst fate you can possibly imagine. However, be thankful that is all the “punishment” you've been asked to endure. I use the word “endure” because it infers somehow that you will suffer. I sure hate that for you but it's time for a reality check. So far, being an insolent, spoiled brat has gotten you nowhere. In fact, as the days go by, you are making a bigger and bigger fool of yourself.
I'm wondering if community service would make any impact on you. I doubt it. Tickets haven't. Fines haven't. What I am proposing, would possibly leave a longer lasting impression on you. I think you should have to work in a Rehab facility that deals with young men and women, who unlike you, have suffered a major brain injury or a spinal cord injury as the result of a drunk driver. And, when you're finished with that course of penance, then you should have to work with parents in grief counseling, who've lost a child to a drunk driver.
You'd learn very quickly, that while the effects of alcoholic pleasures for you, or someone just as hard headed as you, are fleeting the pain caused to victims and their families burn forever in their minds. Oh, yes. It gets easier as time goes on, but it never completely goes away.
You've never had to bury a child. You've never had to watch someone struggling to relearn to walk or write their own name. You've never had to teach someone how to place a catheter temporarily in order to drain their bladder or insert a suppository so that they can have a bowel movement. You see, the simplest things that you take for granted are no longer simple for people like this. These guys would gladly change places with you in order to have their own lives restored. Forty days would mean absolutely nothing to them.
So, when i see you on the news with your face red from crying and you whining about going back to jail for 40 days to serve the sentence that you deserve, I have no sympathy whatsoever. None. In fact, it pisses me off. In the real world fame means nothing to the rest of us. It will never ensure happiness. It can't buy bodily functions or mobility or cognition. It won't help you dress yourself or feed yourself when you can longer do these things for yourself. It won't keep you turned to prevent bedsores.
The only thing I would like to see from you is for you to take your punishment the same way Martha Stewart did-with class and dignity. Hold your head up high and admit that you were wrong. Be damned thankful you are not lying in a hospital bed with a ventilator tube hanging out of your neck. Then and only then will I respect you for your position of so called power. Right now, it doesn't impress me in the least.
Sincerely, Patricia Baker, RN, CRRN, P-ACM
"Grits is one of those country-boy words that is both singular and plural-like deer, elk and sheep. I think the singular is appropriate when there's a modifier that makes it clear one is talking about something specific. Like, 'Grits are good for you, but these here grits is tasty.'"~~Joe Wrabek
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,857 Likes: 1
Top 10 Poster
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Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,857 Likes: 1 |
You nailed it Tricia. A very emotional write, done on good taste. Actually had a small tear as your story was ending. Calvin http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,618
Top 10 Poster
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Top 10 Poster
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,618 |
Forget about Iraq, and a world going off track. The queen of the brat pack is back in jail. Oh did you see that girl wail, as they put her spoilt tail. Back in the can. Oh yeah man. It felt good to me. To see Paris hauled off to jail once again. Good one Tricia. Graham
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 31
Casual Observer
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Casual Observer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 31 |
Thank You, Tricia You speak truth. Reality. Life is so precious. It's so easy to be a jerk, and not see, and be a whiner. You have to at least pay for your mistakes if you're gonna make them. It's frustrating to watch people with little talent get so much attention. Your writing jumped out to me. I just wanted you to know that. I've just spent the last 36 hours with my precious children. They are healthy, wonderful, talented, smart, boys. I took them to an AA meeting with me yesterday so maybe they won't make the same mistakes that I did. Let them make different ones. They really liked it. What's more, they have their dad back. Peace!
Neil Rosengarden cdbaby.com/all/curdsandwhey - music nrosengarden@roadrunner.com - email Neilrosengarden.com - webpage
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 57
Serious Contributor
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Serious Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 57 |
Well written and well said! People should be more conscientious of how their actions can affect themselves and others.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 170
Serious Contributor
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Serious Contributor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 170 |
Tricia, not only did you hit the nail on the head, but you also hammered your point home forcefully and convincingly...ever consider becoming a judge?
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 8,318
Top 20 Poster
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OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 8,318 |
Thanks, guys. I don't know what came over me the other night. She just made me mad.
Neil, it's good that you can speak openly like that about your addiction. I'm very happy for you. Keep the faith and sobriety going, man.
James, I don't think I could do that job. I'm ok with the one I have.
Graham, I believe all celebrities pay a price for being one. Some handle it better than others. She's one who isn't handling it well at all. It's that whole generation of girls-Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears, included. I guess that's why they're calling them the Brat Pack. You got that right.
Howdy, Calvin. Happy Sunday to you.
"Grits is one of those country-boy words that is both singular and plural-like deer, elk and sheep. I think the singular is appropriate when there's a modifier that makes it clear one is talking about something specific. Like, 'Grits are good for you, but these here grits is tasty.'"~~Joe Wrabek
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 10,240
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 10,240 |
Strong writing, Tricia! Thanks for speaking for a lot of us.... best..w/hugs Kaley
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 8,318
Top 20 Poster
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OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 8,318 |
Thanks, Kaley. Nothing like a good old fashioned rant every now and again.
"Grits is one of those country-boy words that is both singular and plural-like deer, elk and sheep. I think the singular is appropriate when there's a modifier that makes it clear one is talking about something specific. Like, 'Grits are good for you, but these here grits is tasty.'"~~Joe Wrabek
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,438
Serious Contributor
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Serious Contributor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,438 |
Tricia,
here i am making a one man victory pyramid chanting, "GO Tricia Go! Go Tricia Go!.
-steve
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 8,318
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 8,318 |
Steve, thank you. I'm the one that should be cheering YOU!! You rock, man.
"Grits is one of those country-boy words that is both singular and plural-like deer, elk and sheep. I think the singular is appropriate when there's a modifier that makes it clear one is talking about something specific. Like, 'Grits are good for you, but these here grits is tasty.'"~~Joe Wrabek
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,246
Top 200 Poster
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Top 200 Poster
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,246 |
All considered, this letter says everything that we all feel when the God honored/protected/worshipped rich and famous are given such leniency for the same offense that the rest of us common folks would suffer lasting devastation from.
The loss of our license would force us to miss work, resulting in loss of income, which might place us in very serious danger of suddenly becoming homeless and destitute. YES, THIS HAPPENS.
The courts often place heavy fines upon us which make our already precarious existence much more difficult. DUI charges aren't fun and joyful, either, that stays on your record and accumulates unless you straighten up..
That doesn't mention spending time in jail, and being forced, if we can, to bond out, spending a lot of money that we don't really have. Probation is another barrier that we have to endure for the same offense, and not to be left out, God forbid, we might very seriously injure or kill someone because of our negligence in driving drunk to begin with. We then have to live with that.
I have lost the best friend I ever knew to a drunk driver, I have known the pain and suffering of being stuck in a hospital bed with tubes and wires going to and fro, I have spent time in jail for things I should not have done.
I've been me for 42 years come Monday, I'd love to see these characters try it for a week.
If we could just subtract the money issue from the equation entirely and completely, then would we see a real human being underneath, or would we see some kind of android that a Hollywood producer assembled in some back room laboratory?
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 8,318
Top 20 Poster
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OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 8,318 |
I don't think Hollywood did as much damage as the life of priviledge did, snake. Truth be told, people like Paris have no real purpose-nothing to really sink their teeth into or to work towards. It's all "given" to them. I'm not saying that all people with money do that-I'm saying that most have a problem with purpose or finding one. Life seems to be just a big party to them. Shame, too. GQ Public might like to know the substance part of the brats.
"Grits is one of those country-boy words that is both singular and plural-like deer, elk and sheep. I think the singular is appropriate when there's a modifier that makes it clear one is talking about something specific. Like, 'Grits are good for you, but these here grits is tasty.'"~~Joe Wrabek
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,657
Top 100 Poster
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Top 100 Poster
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,657 |
Hi, Tricia,
AMEN!!!!! I agree with ALL of it.
This is some of your best writing, IMO.
Emily
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 8,318
Top 20 Poster
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OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 8,318 |
Thanks, Emily. I appreciate that! I was in a rant mood that day, eh?
"Grits is one of those country-boy words that is both singular and plural-like deer, elk and sheep. I think the singular is appropriate when there's a modifier that makes it clear one is talking about something specific. Like, 'Grits are good for you, but these here grits is tasty.'"~~Joe Wrabek
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