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LIVE G8 talks and Paris Hilton released

David Mazower | 18:07 UK time, Thursday, 7 June 2007

We're on air with Peter Dobbie today and you talking about the G8 - is it relevant to your lives? Do you think these meetings ever achieve anything? Or are our expectations if them just too high? What do you want these leaders to be talking about?

And Paris Hilton's released - the most read story on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ website and we've already had around 600 emails in an hour to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ site about this story. She's been allowed to leave prison after just 3 days on medical reasons, she'll now be under house arrest. Has she got off lightly because of who she is? There are some who argue that she's in fact been unfairly treated and given too harsh a sentence because of her status. We'll be talking to a US criminal defence attorney who thinks just that.

What do you reckon? You can post your comments here, call us on +44 20 70 83 72 72, text your thoughts on +44 77 86 20 60 80 - remember add 'Call me back' if you want to be on air, otherwise you can always email at worldhaveyoursay@bbc.co.uk

And we've had these text messages

Lubna in Iraq says "I believe the G 8 is an occasion where the leaders of the free world meet to prove that they're good-looking in front of the cameras!"

Alistair in Prague writes "Evidently American justice is an urban myth. If the law is to be respected at all it must be respected by all."

And an anonymous text says "Too much corruption in africa, we should not give money to them."

Jim in Gambia writes "G 8 we want poverty change not climate change in africa"

An anonymous Iraqi texted to say "Hi there, do iraqis have a right to assess the G 8? If yes, i wonder what did the G8 do for my country, nothing but lies and false promises."

Banks in Amsterdam says "George W. Bush is the Paris Hilton of international politics. All show and no substance."

And in the emails coming in

CW in Poland sent this quote "Those who have the gold make the rules."

Lia in Boston writes "You can't print my initial reaction so here's what i'll say; It's good to be white and uber wealthy in America! I however, happen to be neither of those . . . "

Anto in Brittany says "ONE law for the rich, And one law for the poor. DISGRACEFUL? a buddy of mine had the same coviction and got 12 month in prison; SHE should be sent back inside"

Gitanjali writes from Sri Lanka "It is funny that Paris Hilton should develop a medical condition at the prospect of spending her full term in jail. It is funnier to know officials fell for her story."

Jan in San Jose says "It is so great that the American penal institution treats everyone the same, rich or poor. I have never heard of a poor person getting out of jail for medical reasons. Do they expect the readers of the press to believe that she had a medical condition? If it was a medical emergency, and they did not have the facilities for her care, she could have been treated as an outpatient at the appropriate medical facility that serves the normal jail population."

Adrian in Milan believes "This is a slap in the face to the people who actually have to pay for their crimes!"

Michael in Boca Raton thinks "Just another example of how our justice system can be abused and how our society promotes bad behavior. I'm appalled at how easy it is to "snow" the "authorities" into this type of action. It's no wonder why so many children have no sense of responsibility."

Stephanie in Vancouver writes "This Paris Hilton situation sickens me. Apart from mental chewing gum entertainment, this girl offers nothing to society!! Now is she getting out of jail early on doctors advice? Give me a BREAK. This ridiculous summation of her antics proving again there is no justice system."

Mugo in Nairobi says "That sounds just GREAT! Whilst the rest of us non-celebrities serve our full jail terms in custody and receive all needed medical attention from government doctors in prison. She gets to go home and rest after just three days - which we shall call five days for the record. But of course she will be confined to her home, must wear an ankle bracelet and will not be allowed out for parties or social functions. No mention of the fact that the social functions can come to her! and that she probably lives in a home that will help her forget about prision, and her offence, within the first hour! "

Tom in the UK emailed "This is an absolute debacle. The justice system functions on the fundamental point that everyone is treated equally. Hilton's escape from prison on her the basis of a medical condition is unbelievable! There are many people in prisons with medical conditions, and I am sure that Hilton's complaint is no worse than anyone else's."


Helena in Colorado writes "Is the prison hospital unable to handle one socialite jailbird? This is unequal justice. I am embarrassed! I just hope that the next time she is caught drink driving, that she doesn't end up harming an innocent person."

Spencer in Portland says "I'm hoping this year's G8 can provide entertainment value to match last year's Bush/Blair open-mic gaffe. Seeing my president talking with his mouth full was, for me, a defining political moment."

TJ writes "I think the G8 should change its first letter to H for hypocrisy. Honestly, I really don’t understand how anyone who has paid attention to American politics can really take seriously any organization of which our president is part. One can only promise to take meaningful action so many times before losing the faith of those who are still listening."

Tom in Oregon thinks "The rich and powerful nations got that way by creating poverty in the lesser nations. They are not about to do anything real about poverty."

Kurt in Texas says "The G8 is not set up or prepared to deal with political corruption in Africa. Specifically, Nigerians (and other African nations) need to take responsibility for the corruption of their own governments. The G8 can only deal with nations via the governments that exist, corrupt or not."

Tina in Portland emailed to say "I understand people’s frustration at topics important to them being left out of the G8 discussion, however, shouldn’t the world leaders speak as often as possible? Even if the G8 leaders only discuss climate change this year, they are covering a topic important to all of us. I think it is worth holding the G8 conference, and I think world leaders should have as many avenues for discussion as possible."

Armands in Washington writes "With regards to the agreement by the leaders of the G8 to reduce emissions by 2010 - none of the leaders will be be in power through 2050, much less the next ten years. This agreement is utterly irrelevant and supports the fact that this meeting is simply a cliche gathering. "

Andrew in Australia says "Paris-ite Hilton has been released from jail after only 3 days... what a surprise that this over-valued nothing is now free of her obligation. With a blatant disregard for the law, why has the law done her a favour. I wish for 2 things, that she could have just rotted in her jail cell for the full term and less likely, that such a worthless individual just go away and never be so in the headlines. But our society just adores and celebrates such valueless people."

Jay writes "How can Africa's economies grow when countries like the US and their own governments keep undermining them at every step?"

Ellen emailed "Since the U.S. Justice Department is unwilling to punish rich criminals, the job falls to society: Paris Hilton needs to be treated, by her peers and the public, as a criminal---stop photographing her, talking about her, treating her as a celebrity. She is famous for no reason, and should now be treated as infamous, for a reason."

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