$2,500 Bail for Justin Bieber

Today I learned that Justin Bieber was released on $2,500 bail for all of his shenanigans. Frankly, I could care less about what celebrities are doing as long as they aren’t hurting anyone (though it sounds like he could have easily hurt someone), and it seems like most teen celebs go wild at some point (as, let’s be fair, many teens do in general).

That said, Mr. Bieber has a responsibility to the millions of fans—most of them impressionable teens—to set an example. I know that lots of people think that celebrities shouldn’t have to be held to a higher standard, but as viral as our media is now—and with his story considered “breaking news” on MSNBC, interrupting a report on the NSA for goodness sake!—it’s just that important. It was one thing to find out that your favorite guitarist trashed hotel rooms when you were older and you heard it through the grapevine, but it’s quite another when it’s in everyone’s face. Don’t want to be a role model? Get out of the spotlight.

Then again, I also think it was the judge’s responsibility to take this seriously. $2,500 bail? You know that most of us would face much harsher charges. I actually learned about this through Presente.org, as they sent an email out announcing the bail amount and asking people to sign a letter asking that ALL immigrants be given the same treatment since most of them face much harsher conditions as well. I signed it because I know that our country treats immigrants horribly, despite the “They took our jeeerbs!” rhetoric that Americans love to cite, but at the same time I think The Bieb, who can obviously at least afford a higher bail, should be made into an example for all of the teens supporting him and carefully hanging on his every action.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia