Warning: This post is not anything like you would normally read here. There is a little social media, there is a little police stuff but that is about it. Also, everything below is an allegation yet to be proven in court. In the case of opinionated bable by me…it’s just my opinion, unless it’s factual.
So Justin Bieber got himself arrested in Miami after street racing. Well done. Slow, long, golf clap for you my friend.
The charges as a result of his stunt?
DUI – Driving under the influence. Influence of what? Well according to the police report, weed, alcohol and RX drugs. Again…well done Biebs.
Resisting Arrest – The little ‘thug-life’ wannabe pulled away from the arresting officer as the attempt to handcuff him was made. Mind you, it was only a pull away so no Assault to resist was laid.
Driving with an expired driver’s licence
This is just the latest in a long line of the musical phenom’s mis-cues over the last year or so. Like the quote from the LA Times says below “He is on a path of destruction…”
“He’s on this path of destruction thinking there are no consequences, but the most grave consequences, of living here and pursuing his dream, is in jeopardy,” said Brian Claypool, a Pasadena-based attorney and TV analyst. LA TIMES
I’m sorry Mr. Claypool but pursuing his dream is in jeopardy??? Back the truck up for a moment. I was not aware that JB’s dream was to kill someone or himself. Don’t for a minute under-estimate the potential consequences of his actions. Don’t you dare put his musical career before the lives of innocent people. If the Canadian Kid wants to kill himself, fine. But, driving under the influence puts a lot more than his career on the line…it puts lives at risk. And to do it while street racing? Good lord…what are you thinking. But my issue here isn’t with Mr. Claypool or for that matter Justin Bieber.
I had the good fortune of being asleep when the news of this broke so I have had the opportunity to sit back and read a lot of comments and opinions on the matter and frankly I am disgusted with how some people…”adults” are treating this.
People are actually defending the little teen heart-throb.
- “He’s just a kid.”
- “He’s immature.”
- “The media are convicting him before he’s been proven guilty.”
- “If it wasn’t for social media it wouldn’t be such a big deal.”
Yes, yes, yes, yes!! I agree with all of the above but don’t you dare defend him and vilify anything else in your pursuit of not facing the facts!
This is not the fault of the media or social media. His decisions in this chain of events suck so perhaps you can blame that on the kid issue or the immature issue. But here is a kid that has everything he could want. He can afford to live any lifestyle he wants. He could have driver’s. He could rent a drag strip in burn rubber all he wants on a closed, built for speed, safe environment. But HE CHOOSE to do it in public. On public roads!! Shame on anyone who is defending him for this.
“I’m glad social media wasn’t around when I was a kid…I’ve done some pretty stupid things.” Yes, you probably have. Not many of us haven’t. But then again, not many of us are role models that young kids look up to and idolize!! Some of those people who are blaming social media for the Bieber backlash have built their own reputations and lives, becoming local cult heroes on the back of social media. How hypocritical is it to blame the very tool that has allowed you some level of fame or notoriety.
As Scott Stratten very poetically said:
“Social media is just an amplifier. It amplifies who you are.” @unmarketing
Social is simply amplifying what Justin Bieber has become. A WANNABE THUG. He has surrounded himself with people lately that have no interest in his reputation, his values or his position in the lives of many very impressionable kids. Just look at the role one of those people in his life has allegedly played…
“Sources familiar with the situation tell us … 38-year-old Jeremy Bieber was not only present when Justin was arrested early Thursday morning … he was one of the people who helped block off the residential street so his son could drag race.” TMZ
Does Bieber deserve the simplistic yet incredibly important truth that he is innocent until proven guilty? Yes, he most certainly does. But if we continue to make excuses for him in the face of behaviour that has led straight to this then we might as well give him a pass on this.
I wonder…if you or a loved one have been impacted by the results of a drunk driver how would you feel if you were reading about this kids actions if he were not Justin Bieber? Probably not taking the stance of defending him or justifying his actions.
Stop looking at the person and start looking at the act. He put lives at risk. He was a foul-mouthed little kid that showed an incredible amount of entitlement when facing the authorities.
“Bieber briefly sat on top of a black Cadillac Escalade, where he waved to screaming fans, before he was chauffeured away.” CNN
Final thought…as a dad of two daughters I have to look at it this way now when judging this kid; Would I want my daughters to be dating him or idolizing him?
NOT A FREAKING CHANCE!!!
Spot on. My only thought when I read about this in the news was this: he really needs to grow up. Consequences of his actions will eventually sort him out one way or other.
Thanks Gemma and you are so right…hopefully the only person that will suffer the consequences are him and not others.
Let’s hope so. 🙂
I agree. Furthermore, I think most 19 year olds are responsible people doing responsible things and acting, well, responsible.
Exactly Gerry…if this was the behaviour that all 19 year old kids went through then I might have more compassion for him, but since this is what few go through, making excuses for him because of his age is an insult to good kids everywhere.
Amen!
This kid is out of control. He needs serious jail time. NOT club fed either… Real jail!
That and or a serious intervention.
Well said! Nicely written.
Thanks doll face…here’s looking at you kid!
I have never read anything that I have totally agreed more than this.
He is going to end up killing someone and or himself.
Well said.
Thanks Kim. Appreciate our comment. Hopefully he will see what is happening before it’s too late.
As you know Tim, I lost one of my oldest and dearest friends in the world Oct 18, 2008 to a drunk driver. This kid is totally irresponsible! I don’t care what age he is. As you said, he is idolized. Why does he think this behaviour is acceptable? Speed, alcohol and drugs kill! No excuses for him. Let him have his day in court and let the courts decide these allegations.
I’m with you there Tracey. Ye that was a sad day for sure!
Face it Tim – there are no men on earth that are good enough to date your daughters (speaking as a Daddy’s Girl 😉 )
However, all kidding aside – this could perhaps be the best thing thing that happened to the kid, but I don’t hold out any hope for that.
I am also appalled that he was let go on a $2500 bail amt? WTF was that judge thinking? The best possible outcome for this – he is convicted, gets real time and as soon as he is out of jail, deport his butt back to Canada and make him inadmissable for re-entry to the US.
I know, wishful thinking on my part.
I don’t think there was much choice in the bail. The charges are misdemeanors only and he wouldn’t be considered a flight risk and doesn’t have any priors, so the bail was “low”. Personally, I don’t want him back but perhaps some time back in Stratford is something that would do him some good.
Well said Tim. I have known lots of responsible and mature 19 year-olds – my own 3 and all their friends come to mind. Being 19 is no excuse!
That has a lot to do with parenting Ralph so good on ‘ya.
I do agree. Well researched and written. I also think that his dad should have been arrested. He allegedly aided his son in breaking this law. You wonder, too many blame parents for their adult child’s behaviour. It seems to be justified in this case!
Sense of entitlement, indeed. It’s shameful the way Bieber’s been celebrated. He needs a mentor and a role model.
Absolutely Jen. He had a team of them for years but you never hear from them anymore.
He’s James Dean, River Phoenix or Amy Winehouse in waiting. Pity he hasnt got somebody to guide him a bit.
All great comparisons.
What does age have to do with it? Drunk driving….drag racing….drugs….all are deadly!! No matter how old you are!! I will agree that he’s a kid that allowed fame to go to his head…BUT….obviously looking at his roots (father) it came quite naturally to him. He needs to learn soon, before he takes one of our own out with him. He has that “nothing will happen to me” syndrome. It does happen and it will. I’ve lost a friend to drunk driving so I know it CAN happen.
Thanks Beanster for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it and I am sure the friend that you lost is happy you are speaking up.