What can we learn from the recent media blitz on Lindsay Lohan and Mel Gibson? You may expect me to come up with some hidden message or special lesson here -- but sometimes the obvious is the hardest to digest. The lessons from LiLo and Mel: Don't drink and drive and don't beat up on your wife. I am not trying to sound trite or sarcastic here (for once). The simple elements of the cases of both Lohan and Gibson are not really being discussed in the media. I find this fascinating and slightly disturbing.
I have counted over twenty-five media hits that I have done myself in the last two weeks on both the Lohan jail sentence and Gibson tapes -- on NBC, Today Show, Inside Edition, Joy Behar, GMA, Fox News, etc. I have been asked about the celebrity justice issue for Lohan and the possibility of trial and the repercussions if Gibson is found guilty and everything in between. I enjoy being called to commentate on these cases and believe my legal expertise is valuable -- but, sadly, there doesn't seem to be lots of time on these news shows to discuss the dangers of getting a DUI and how rampant the practice of drinking and driving is (and how deadly), nor the prevalence of domestic violence in this country and what can be done to combat the issue (especially when it doesn't involve celebrities who get attention and therefore -- possibly -- some additional protection).
Once again I would like to use my platform and big mouth to rant a little about these issues. Most of you reading this probably have driven home buzzed at some point in your life. Don't do it again. It's not worth it. Just call a cab or a friend if you have had too many drinks. Not only because you don't want to go to jail, but because you want to prevent tragedies. Life is too short. As for domestic violence: Many of you may never have had direct experience with this terrible circumstance. If you have, you know how life-changing it can be and how horrible and difficult it is to get out. If you experience violence in the home tell someone immediately. You don't have to live like that. There are so many resources for you. Be brave -- make a change today.
These may seem like absolutely obvious points to make, but sometimes the obvious is the least focused on in the news coverage. As we continue to watch the media blitz on Lohan and Gibson, let us not allow the 'star power' quality of the cases/coverage blind us completely from the (perhaps obvious) important reminders about conduct in our society and what you can do for your part!