Republican Maine Senator Susan Collins in a LA Times story detailing the possibility of a compromise between Congress and President Bush on new stategies for the War in Iraq and the implementation of some form of divided federalism for the Iraqis:

“It’s essentially giving federal approval to ethnic cleansing. On the other hand, nothing seems to be working.”

And there you have it. That sound you hear is the wheels finally coming off.  
 

According to new reports, both ABC and NBC have declined to pay for any interview with Paris Hilton after her imminent release from jail. This follows rumors that the Hilton family had been seeking $100,000 from ABC and Barbara Walters when they reportedly bolted for 1 million from NBC and new “Today” show anchor Meredith Viera.

From Reuters:

Independent network news analyst Andrew Tyndall said paying for a Hilton interview would pose at least two problems.

“One, you’re not supposed to pay news sources, and two, you’ve decided that Paris Hilton is an important enough story to violate that rule. And probably the second sin is even worse than the first.”

Finally some sanity. Not that this will stop the media from breathlessly analyzing every moment of her subsequent life though.

In other news, the world didn’t end. *Gasp*

Say what you want about about FOX News and it’s alleged bias and whatnot but it’s 8:16 CST and the immigration bill just died in the US Senate and what do I see?

CNN- Larry King discussing motion to return Paris Hilton to jail

CNN Headline News- Paris Hilton being released from jail.

MSNBC- Panel discussion about returning Paris Hilton to jail

FOX News- Sean Hannity, Alan Colmes and Republican Presidential candidate Duncan Hunter discussing the immigration bill.

Greetings all. After a little break, The Daily Illini will start publishing again for Summer Session II on Monday.

I was really really hoping that the Paris Hilton debacle would stay within the realm of useless celebrity news but upon her release from prison due to an undisclosed “medical reason,” (STD? Zing!) a fate worse than anything the judicial system has to offer awaits her: The Reverend Al Sharpton.

From the Drudge Report:

“Though I have nothing but empathy for Ms. Hilton whom I have met and appeared with on Saturday Night Live the night I hosted in 2003, this early release gives all of the appearances of economic and racial favoritism that is constantly cited by poor people and people of color. There are any number of cases of people who handle being incarcerated badly and even have health conditions that are not released.

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. This act smacks of the double standards that many of us raise…”

Someone else has also come forward for some free media. Boxing promoter Don King:

“I love Paris Hilton, and I’m just delighted, ecstatic that she’s out of jail,” King says on the audio message. King said 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.”

On the bright side side though, late night comedy is going to have a field day. There is something to be said for public humiliation, just ask Sarah Silverman.