US Weekly -- United States Weekly?

Never in a million years did I think I would be writing my blog about Paris Hilton.  Not because I don't like pop culture-I love it, and am not ashamed to admit I own a Britney Spears cd (or four).  But after McCain's attacks against Obama, calling him a "celebrity" and flashing pictures of Paris and Britney, Paris was savvy enough to shoot a message back to McCain.  What was really interesting to me is that in her message, which can be watched here, she delivered her own energy plan.

Yes, that's right, even Paris Hilton realizes that our planet is in trouble, and that if we don't do something today, her popular catchphrase, "That's hot," will not be used to describe a fantastic new handbag but our planet in general. 

Part of me is ecstatic because energy and environmental issues are finally becoming a major issue for this year's election, but the other part is disappointed that what is making the headlines is the drama: the attacks the two candidates are expending on each other rather than the details of their energy plans.  In fact, when reading the news, I find myself confused -am I reading a story reporting about our presidential election, or am I reading a story in Us Weekly?

Focus on celebrities is at an all time high: actresses are getting run off the road from salivating paparazzi, famous babies are smiling back at us from magazine covers when we stand in line at the grocery store, and grown men can be seen reading an Us Weekly word for word in their business suits on a plane ride home.  There's a time and place for an Us Weekly, but our news is not one of them.  After all, this is a Presidential election, not another fight between Paris and Nicole (I know, that's so two years ago-ok, another fight between Heidi and Lauren).

I really get frustrated when the attacks don't even make sense and just end up confusing the general public.  For example, the Republican National Committee had a field day when Senator Obama suggested that if all Americans inflated their tires properly and took their cars for regular tune-ups, we could save as much oil as new offshore drilling would produce.  In response, on Obama's birthday last week the RNC sent tire gauges to reporters labeled "Barack Obama's Energy Plan," mocking his suggestion.  But Obama's suggestion is a great one: it is something we can do immediately to reduce our oil consumption and it's simple and easy-- we can use less energy without significantly changing our lifestyle.  And by the way, Republican Governors Schwarzenegger and Crist also suggest keeping your tires properly inflated and going for regular tune-ups amongst other things as a way to lower your energy bills today.  Time Magazine says, "It's sad to see [McCain's] campaign...promoting the fallacy that Americans are powerless to address their own energy problems" (http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1829354,00.html).

  In conclusion, what Paris's ad did for me was poke fun at the ridiculous attacks that are being made, and I commend her for responding with her own energy plan.  However, I disagree with some of her suggestions.  Even "limited offshore drilling with strict environmental oversights" will not solve our problems, but will fuel our ongoing addiction to oil.  What will solve our energy problems is breaking our addiction, conserving energy, and becoming more efficient, which is something we can all do. 

That's hot.