Recent events, well, kind of.

I'm in no way condoning a man hitting a woman, ever, but I would like to talk about it. People may surprised to learn that greats such as Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra were arrested and charged with similar offenses. Frankly, unless a woman is about to stab me with a knife or shoot a member of my family, I couldn't even imagine raising a hand to a woman. In fact, even in the knife and gun instances, I would feel terribly guilty. Anyhow, I really don't want Chris Brown to bounce back from the situation he has gotten himself into. Oftentimes, many celebrities get special treatment in the form of acquittal by virtue of the dollar, reduced sentences, bizarre and lame community service projects, white-collar jails, and 24 hour sentences--really?!

It's insane the way pop culture has adversely shaped society in the chance of rules, in some instances, that your average citizen must abide by. Since it is the entertainment industry, perhaps society gets a sweeter revenge of sorts because these fools repeatedly do asinine things. OJ for example--anyone dumb enough to hold up a collectibles dealer in a casino should not only be caught and thrown in jail but be forced to watch silly, children's programs like in Addams Family Values. Talk about stupid. In all the many hours OJ Simpson sits around, you're telling me he hasn't watched the various programs and movies which show people winning a visit to the infamous back rooms of Las Vegas casinos after being caught counting cameras, stealing chips, etc. Yes, OJ, there are a lot of cameras in multibillion dollar casinos.

But, I think, Chris Brown takes the cake. High profile, young, successful. On his way with Rihanna to becoming the next Jay-Z and Beyonce. How could he possibly think it would be okay? How could he possibly think he could get away with assaulting your celebrity girlfriend in a car rented out to you. Did I also mention that paparazzi follow them around like dogs chasing the mailman (insert another simile if you're more comfortable, I'm trying to make a point). Dozens of radio stations are boycotting his music, burning his CDs, throwing away t-shirts, etc. We will, and very well should, remember Chris Brown as a weak individual who beat on a woman. If Rihanna is stupid enough to take him back, which sadly and unfortunately happens often in abusive relationships, she will only have herself to blame as the whole world rolls their eyes yet again.

On another note, it's disgusting that a network (MTV) would air a show produced to reduce a sentence of a repeat offender of possessing and illegally owning a closet full of weapons. Without getting too political, Bush and the GOP launched a multi-billion 'war' against multiple countries to supposedly rid them of "weapons of mass destruction." Here, in the United States, however, it's okay to have an adult items store next to a children's daycare, liquor stores next to high school recreational playing fields, and gun stores next to elementary schools (Call me on this and I will list specific examples). Whatever the case may be, our society is basically saying that it's okay that a rapper, like T.I., can have multiple assault riffles and other illegal automatic weapons. If you make a reality show, as if we didn't have enough already, displaying your supposed remorse and willingness to help others, in an attempt to help people who will end up dead or in the correctional system anyhow.

Again, it is crazy the ways in which popular culture has altered our society. We certainly can't live without social freedoms, freedom of expression, and having the right to explore new media such as this blogging platform. Popular culture, of course, should be a representation of the world in which we live. However, what more are we willing to sacrifice in terms of morals and ethical values. It is a double-edged sword, I suppose. Maybe, in 30 years, our kids will have no idea that Chris Brown brutally assaulted Rihanna. After all, many people have forgotten about good old Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.