Oh the joy of the holiday season just does not end. At least that is what DMX is saying right now.
Earl Simmons got a late gift in the form of a plea deal. This rapper who seems incapable of avoiding a criminal act, or police, admitted guilt to one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty, one felony count of theft, and one count each of felony possession of marijuana and a narcotic drug. He has been busy indeed.
And for admitting his guilt, which no one questioned, he will receive the grand total of ... 90 days and probation.
Screw a gift, who might he have had sex with to get that sentence. And I wonder if he paid them after he got done?
Seriously. Wesley Snipes was proven innocent of all charges except 3 misdemeanors with the full weight of the U.S. Government against him and the media lapdogs doing phenomenal bits of staging to make him look guilty as hell. Snipes got 3 years.
Michael Vick got 23 months Federal and 3 years State for his animal cruelty. And he deserves every minute of that.
A minor rapper wanna-be Rico Wright got 20 years and 20 years probation for shooting a guy and making a rap about it.
Akon got community service for throwing a minor off of a stage in front of dozens of witnesses and more than a few police officers.
TI got away with voting though he is a convicted felon.
Remy Ma got 8 years for assault, weapon possession and attempted coercion. And she "accidentally" shot a woman.
Is anyone noticing a trend here?
What the hell is wrong with the legal system. If you or I were charged and convicted with any of the things these rappers have done, repeatedly, we wouldn't see the light of day for a decade - with a plea bargain. And the bigger they are, the more the legal system is willing to ignore.
Snipes was facing 17 years if convicted. He was found innocent of everything but minor issues that normally get probation. yet he will spend more time in jail than DMX and Akon combined. And I don't think either man was allowed to vote.
Considering the way the legal system has been I would have expected Wright to have walked out the door, but I guess his song didn't get a big fat record company deal first. No wonder young kids are looking at rap as a way to live. The bigger the star the more insanely stupid things you can do with little consequence. How can we expect kids to live by the rules when the people they spend unknown hours listening to and mimicking are flaunting the law and getting away with it.
I'm glad that 2008 is ending. And that we have these examples to look at as we enter 2009. I hope judges are looking over the cases in 2009 and seeing what a revoltingly perverse job they are doing.
These criminals don't deserve to be paid, or to get glorified in music videos or movies (talk about a stupid and blisteringly dumb waste of money and talent. Yet sure to make a profit). They need to be in jails, not concert halls. They need to be serve penitence, not get served drinks.
It's one thing to be Slick Rick. But there is no question of the remorse of DMX, Akon, Remy Ma and so many others. There may be an argument to be made about their sellout shuck and jive for record executives, but outright crimes should never be excused.
If I were the people of Maricopa County I would be sure to start the New Year by calling up the District Attorney's office (602-506-3411) and let them know they need to do better in 2009. And then I'd follow that with a letter to the major record labels (to many to list but you can find them on Google) asking them to have a shred of ethics in how they reap in their money. Big Oil is bad? How about the people supplying your kids with heaping doses of convicts and ex-cons as examples of success.
The year can't end fast enough.
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