This morning I read an article in the 'Orlando Weekly'
a
local newspaper on culture and events. The article in question rather
annoyed me
it sounded like a lame excuse of a sob story for some punk.
The article can be found here:
http://www.orlandoweekly.com/features/story.asp?id=10605
Annoyed
I sent this to the editor:
What
exactly
was the point of this punks sob story?
How about some thoughts from the guy who's car he
stole and smashed up?
I usually really enjoy your articles
but this one was
pretty lame. The last thing I want to read is some
reporter being used as some loser's 'down-on-my-luck'
mouthpiece.
I was surprised to receive a rather lengthy reply:
Mr. Heffernan
I appreciate you writing in. Feedback - positive or negative - is
always
nice to receive (hey
at least you're reading the story
right?).
If I had to single out a "point" to this story it would be this: not
every
crime is committed by a hardened criminal. When I read small stories in
the
paper about a car chase
I immediately label the suspects as bad guys
but
that's a categorization that lacks context. The context of this story
is
that the kid hadn't done anything wrong before his parents split up. He
had
supervision
and if he did anything wrong
he had the appropriate
consequences. Smoke weed
you're grounded. Talk back
you're in big
trouble.
As soon as his parents split up
this kid didn't have anybody to tell
him
something was wrong.
Now your response will be that he should have known what was wrong
and
he did. He told me that he knew everything he was doing at the time was
wrong.
But come on
when you're 17 does right/wrong come in to play when
you're having fun? I'm not talking about him killing anyone for fun - he was
driving a stolen car. He didn't need to know if something was right or
wrong. He needed someone to step in when he first acted out
but he
didn't have anyone that cared one bit about him. There are some kids out there
who can have no supervision and go on to lead completely productive lives.
Other kids - and I would contend most kids - need someone (anyone) that will
guide them through rough times.
Having said all that
I'm actually glad he got jail time because I
think he needs some institutionalization to let him calm down and think about
where he really wants his life to go. I guess when I was writing the story
I
thought about all the really stupid things I did when I was 17. But I
had two loving parents who stepped in and whooped my ass when I did those
things. If they were never there
would I have kept doing stupid things
and become a "punk" or a "loser
" as you call Mr. Robach? I don't know. But
that question is what this story was about.
I'm guessing by your email
that you will still not agree with what I
have written above
which is fine. I hope you continue to read my stories in
the future and always write in if you feel strongly one way or the other.
May we print your letter? If so
what city are you writing from?
Thanks again.
James
James Carlson
Staff Writer
Orlando Weekly
100 W. Livingston St.
Orlando
FL 32801
407.377-0400 x 235
407.377.0420 fax
I replied with:
Hello. Thank you for the response; it was a
pleasant surprise.
I do read the Orlando Weekly regularly
and as I said
I normally enjoy your columns. However
I am afraid I will
have to disagree with you on this one. I simply do not accept the ‘My
mommy and daddy split up and so I do not know right from wrong.’ Most
people with an ounce of common sense can pick up basic moral values in
kindergarten. I am pulling these stats out of my ass
but I am going to
say that the vast majority of people with split up parents know it is
wrong to steal a car.
What could have turned this young man
around? Jail time? Counseling? I do not know. That is a vast question that
is admittedly beyond my scope of education and experience. However
any
excuses he has for his behavior will sound hollow to my ears. There is
only one person who is going to help this young man
and that’s himself.
Feel free to print my letter
I am
located in Sanford. The city where
if you drive a stolen car
‘the
police suck’.
-Ed
Just my personal opinion.
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