When did Domestic Violence become acceptable

On the news recently, we have seen Chris Brown get punished (?) for beating Rhianna.  Now we have Shawne Merriman in trouble for choking the train wreck known as Tila Tequila.  Shawne's defense seems to be he was trying to keep her from drinking and driving. While I will commend anyone for keeping a drunk off the road, its the method that bothers me in this case...until I saw peoples comments.

On twitter, comments started popping up defending Merrimans actions because of Tila's character (or lack there of).  Others were outraged that people havent forgiven Chris Brown.  Very few messages were posted condeming Merrimans actions. Is this what we"ve come to?

Proponents of Brown cite he merely made a mistake, when he beat Rhianna into unconciousness.  Survivors of domestic abuse knew that it wasnt the first time he had done this.  A mistake is forgetting to sign a check, or an uncorrected typo not putting someone in the hospital because you were angry.  Is he sorry now? DUH, he is in trouble so of course he is sorry, now. Should he be given another chance? No, what is did was serious, he can try and earn a second chance.

Merrimans case is a little different.  He made a concious choice to have Tila in his life and specifically at his home.  Who dosent know Tila has a drinking problem, an identity problem, std problems, and the maturity of a 14 yo.  She has actively marketed these issues of hers into a carrer.  When you hang out with effed up people, guess what, effed up things happened.  Shawne is young, an athlete, and fairly well off financially...Why risk loosing it all because you hang out with loosers...In fact, I encourage Mr. Merriman to contact Mr. Vick to see what happens when you let any ol person ride on your coattails, for any reason.

Either situation, we the public seem to not be horrified by Domestic Violence anymore.  We become the jury saying so and so deserved it, or calling it a mistake.  As a survivor of domestic violence I am horrified what I see happening around me.  Yet antoher reason I want my own island. SMH