Rev. Al Sharpton says Paris Hilton was released early from jail because she's white

**Terminator** · 06-07-07, 07:26 PM

The Rev. Al Sharpton delivered a rebuke to the California justice system for allowing Paris Hilton to leave jail and serve her sentence at home, saying the move reveals a dangerous double standard.

"This early release gives all the appearances of economic and racial favoritism that is constantly cited by poor people and people of color," the civil-rights leader and president of National Action Network said Thursday, according to the Drudge Report. "There are any number of cases of people who handle being incarcerated badly and even have health conditions that are not released."

Sharpton said he has "nothing but empathy for Ms. Hilton," pointing out that he appeared with her on Saturday Night Live in 2003. But he said the decision to transfer her from a Los Angeles County prison to her own home, where she will be under house arrest, is unconscionable.

"I have served several sentences for civil rights and civil disobedience actions and I even fasted, which caused health concerns to prison authorities who paid for a doctor to come see me daily rather than release me," Sharpton said. "This act smacks of the double standards that many of us raise."

Sharpton was not alone in condemning Hilton's transfer, as many pundits took to the cable-news shows Thursday afternoon to voice their outrage over the decision.

Even the women of The View weighed in on the move Thursday morning. While Elisabeth Hasselbeck said she found it "disgusting," Barbara Walters said, "I'm happy for Paris and I'm happy for her family" and guest host Lorraine Bracco admitted, "I'm so conflicted."

The studio audience, however, was unanimous. When Walters said, "I ask you very quickly, raise hands or shout out: Are you glad that Paris Hilton is reassigned to her home?" the crowd shouted in unison, "No!" Asked Walters, "Do you think it was the right thing to do?" Again: "No!" (See the video below.)

One man who did not seem upset in the least, however, was boxing promoter Don King. According to TMZ.com, King called the Web site's offices on Thursday morning to say he was "ecstatic" about the news. "I love Paris Hilton, and I'm just delighted, ecstatic that she's out of jail," King says in the audio message. King said he has not met Hilton, but he knows her family, and he said the heiress is "what America is all about – people that stand out from the crowd."

King added that he is looking forward to giving Hilton a hug and "telling her I love her."

**Ducky** · 06-07-07, 07:32 PM

OJ didn't go to jail at all. I didn't hear Sharpton decrying that.

**countybear** · 06-08-07, 12:31 AM

Al vs. Paris... gee, hard to know which I despise more...

**Andrewtx** · 06-08-07, 12:39 AM

I can't blame Sharpton for pointing out the obvious injustice in this case. But I think it's obviously much more about class and wealth than race. Apparently Hilton had her high price psychologist first get her out of testifying in an unrelated slander case on the grounds that she was emotionally distraught over her upcoming jail term, and then he came and got her out of the jail term itself. I'm sure that's unfair, but it's not about race. Sharpton has a legitimate point, but he shouldn't confuse the issue with his usual racial demagoguery.

**Rhino** · 06-08-07, 12:44 AM

It's because she's rich, famous, and white. He needs to get his facts straight.

**TXCharlie** · 06-08-07, 01:38 AM

Originally Posted by Rhino

It's because she's rich, famous, and white. He needs to get his facts straight.

One out of three is better than usual - this may be a record for the most facts he's gotten straight in a long time...

Actually he may just have none right as usual, because I think the Sheriff was just afraid he was gonna get sued, so he got her out of his jail.

**Star Man** · 06-11-07, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Ducky

OJ didn't go to jail at all. I didn't hear Sharpton decrying that.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

**Pedro56** · 06-11-07, 12:19 PM

this

plus this

= a good thing

**TXCharlie** · 06-11-07, 01:28 PM

Naaa - If someone did that, we'd have to name a street and a holiday after him!!!

**TacticalTim** · 06-11-07, 01:41 PM

And with my kind of luck it would be my street they would change the name on. WOW Al...........did you just figure out if your white, rich and famous you get special treatment? And you people say that man is stupid.