Even NPR cannot resist going to Paris

Showing that no media outlet can resist covering the Paris Hilton story, the NPR program “Tell Me More” today has this extended segment entitled “After Paris: Sentencing in America Under Scrutiny.”  Here is part of the promo:

Changes in the case of Hollywood socialite Paris Hilton is renewing debates about criminal justice in America; the U.S. jails more of its citizens than any other nation in the world….  Marc Mauer of the Sentencing Project is joined by Jenni Gainsborough of Penal Reform International to discuss who should be locked-up and why.

As befits NPR, the “After Paris” segment is quite thoughtful and covers lots of important issues having little to do with Ms. Hilton.  Relatedly, the program also has this segment entitled “Drunken Driving Penalties: Too Soft?”.  Here is it’s set up:

More than one million drunk driving arrests are made each year in the United States. Following a string of recent high-profile incidents, some believe the courts should be tougher on those who drive under the influence.  Chuck Hurley, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and Maryland State Delegate Jolene Ivy discuss the issue.