Maybe They’ve Got Something Here….
So apparently Mr. This! Is! Spartaaaaa! managed to get himself into a fight with paparazzi last month, and despite the fact that he put said paparazzo in the hospital, the law is apparently willing to bend for Gerard Butler, and offer him an out.
He’s been ordered to attend an “informal hearing” at the city attorney’s office in Los Angeles, with the intent of “resolving the issue without a messy court case”.
I’m all for plea bargaining–it speeds up the courts and allows everyone access to a speedy trial as provided for by law, but I’m just plain old offended by this. One, how exactly do you “resolve the issue”? Butler put a guy in the hospital. There’s not even an “allegedly” involved here–it’s a point of public record at this point. It sure wasn’t for self-defense, either–once again the paparazzo in question had nothing but a camera. So now Butler’s going to get a special out from the law to get out of criminal charges.
Let’s not forget–HE PUT A GUY IN THE HOSPITAL.
If any of us mere mortals did that, we wouldn’t be getting any “informal hearings” at the city prosecutor’s office. No, we’d be getting introduced to Big Lupe, a four hundred pound Filipino who thinks we have a “real purdy mouth”. So why is Butler getting clearly preferential treatment?
And why am I actually thinking this is a good idea?
See, there’s one other way that “issues” can be “resolved”, “without a messy court case”. Namely, through the payment of DAMAGES. If Butler’s on his way to get fleeced to the tune of several million to keep himself out of county lockup–not to mention keeping the Persians out of the goat path, if I may use an extremely clever bon mot–I find myself somewhat in favor of this.
If we can make paparazzi pummeling highly unprofitable for celebrities, well, maybe they’ll think twice before they slug one. Say what you will–and the last time I said this I got in a very civil go-round with a fella named Frank–but the paparazzi are still the press, and have the same rights as any other journalist, regardless of their beat. If we start putting limits on celebrity photographers, how long unto those same limits being placed on, say, the White House press corps? You don’t think Bush would’ve loved to slug a paparazzi hounding him about his gross mismanagement of the United States for the last seven years? Best believe he would.
So I look forward very eagerly to hearing how this comes out…and how much cashola Butler will have to fork over to stay out of jail. Special note to the paparazzi–soak him, man.; Soak him like a water slide. This is no less than the freedom of the press being defended here, and you’ve got to stand up for all of us.
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First, if you had done any research at all into this piece of news, you’d discover that the paparazzi in question was recklessly stalking Mr. Butler through the city streets for a couple hours. According to many witnesses the paparazzo’s car even went up on the sidewalk a couple times during the pursuit. So kudos to Gerard for standing up to this moron who put not only him but others at risk just to get a photo. Not only that, bravo for having the balls to stand up and say “yes I did this” and taking responsibility for it. Gerard is usually very accommodating to not only the press but his fans as well, more so then many actors or actresses. This photographer put others lives in jeopardy and definitely does not deserve you short-sighted accolades Mr. Anderson.
Thank you so much for your words, Zapot. I couldn’t have said it any better.
I concur with Zapo1. Not to mention that your repeated reference to Mr. Butler having put said pap “in the hospital” is outright hyperbole. The man did indeed go to the hospital ( only after having phoned his lawyer and another hour of driving around the streets of LA) where he was treated and released.
I’m sorry, I find your position the our First Amendment rights hinge on a case like this to be ludicrous. How you can draw a parallel to someone who makes their living stalking “celebrities” in the hopes of obtaining a compromising photograph, to say a reporter for the Wall St. Journal or another photographer imbedded in Iraq, with a straight face is beyond me.
IOne thing we do agree on, ‘m sure the pap in question is just itching to file his civil suit.
The paparazzi should NOT have the right to stalk and harass celebrities when they are living their day to day lives. After this incident happened…Mr. Butler went golfing and was harassed by paparazzi at the golf course, he of course was trying to ignore them the best he could, but they were obviously outraged for his conduct the night before and completely hounded him while he was trying to play…that to me was ridiculous and that is not journalism. When did “freedom of the press” infringe the rights of others simply because they are of celebrity status. They have the right to live their lives without being stalked and the paparazzi should not be compensated if they are slugged. To even say Mr. Butler should have to pay millions for giving the jerk a split lip is sickening. Maybe the paparazzi should have to pay for the people he almost injured and scared half to death for his careless behavior…maybe he should have to compensate Mr. Butler for stalking him and upsetting him to the point he felt the need to strike the guy. Personally, I think paparazzi should have to suck it up and take their medicine, it should be something that just goes with the job.
You know the thing that gets me is the way these Paparazzi stalk people and get up in there face flashing those freaking flashbulbs a lot of time when people are trying to drive.
It takes my breath away to watch videos of Mr. Butler or any other celebrity that are being stalked.
I think it is a pathetic way to make a living. I would have went off a long time ago if I were Mr.Butler from the sheer claustrophobic feeling.
I do not think Mr. Butler is a violent man by nature. I think something provoked this behavior.
I am truly sorry someone got hurt, but I also know there are some Paparazzi that provoke celebrities hopefully to have an altercation so that they can have financial gain of a law suit.
Not knowing the particular person that was injured I cannot
say what was the case,
Mr. Butler punching someone for no reason I cannot fathom.
I just wish the Paparazzi would back off of him.
I hope the man gets well soon and considers a different job.