Agreed. There's SO much more to consider than just the outcome. No doubt this is a horrible tragedy though.

 

Unbeliveable the inconsistencies in our system. My brother, with no record other than traffic violations was sentenced to 2 YEARS in prision for driving without a license.
This girl KILLED SOMEONE. Accident? Yes. But the dude is dead and she caused it. Period. Jail.

 

We don't need them. We have more the enough ineffective laws on the books already. Without consequences, laws mean nothing. We don't suffer from a lack of laws, we suffer from a lack of significant and fitting sentences.

 

I want justice, with appropriate consequences. If people felt they would face serious consequences for taking a life, or injuring someone, they might be a bit more careful to begin with.

Nope. That's her choice. I know several people who have done time and come out better.

I agree. As soon as she has completed serving her time in prison, as a condition of her parole, she should be required to give talks at high schools about what happened to her as a result of not taking driving seriously.

Well, I didn't kill anyone, and if I had, I would have expected there would be consequences.

Same is true of anyone who kills someone. It's not better in this case that she used a car to do it.

Yup. In this case, something very serious happened. She killed someone. She was careless while operating a car. Had she been equally as careless when handling a gun, and killed someone, would that change your outlook?

Me! ... but I'd do that for anyone who was awarded the death penalty.
Of course, this being her first killing, and with no intent or premeditation, the death penalty wouldn't be on the table.

Perhaps you are not aware, there are quite a number of murders, rapes & robberies that *don't* happen because the person considering these acts has no desire to risk going to jail. I don't think it's something for which statistics are ever reported. I can tell you I personally have not assaulted people, and in a couple of cases, not killed people, due to my strong allergy to prison.

 

Sorry for your loss. Lawyers protect the wrong people. It's a sad testiment.

 

Sadly, that is not necessarily the case. In days of old ... from 'back in the day' where you would get your hand cut off for stealing food (even if you were starving) to the wild wild west where you could be gunned down for the stupidest things or hanged for breaking the law ... There were always those who chose to 'test' the consequences and take their chances. Most children of 'the day' were taught manners, respect and wouldn't dare cross the line for fear of not only the legal system but more importantly ... their parent's disciplinary actions. Pfffttt! Not even that long ago, if you were doing something you shouldn't be doing ... the words "MOM (or DAD) is coming" .. would make your blood run cold...cause you knew you were 'going to get it'.


Now days, where our young'ngs are taught that there ARE no consequences for breaking the law. From a parent not being able to spank their child to the so called legal system that protects young offenders from being punished even in the smallest way. They haven't got a chance. How the heck do we expect them to respect it when they become adults ... I think society just expects them to miraculously 'get it' and become law abiding citizens once they become an adult. Pffffttt ! It's a freek'n joke!

People, in general, especially in those days, had every respect for the hard times they all experienced. In order to survive they had to depend upon each other just to get through a cold winter or a hot summer. They would band together to help the less fortunate of their smaller communities. The survival of the individual family would often depend upon the survival of their community as a whole. Times were tough. They worked hard and were hardened workers...and felt pride in it. Everybody did their part, and where equally proud of that too. THAT is not so common anymore. We seem to live in the 'me generation' where a large portion of our population doesen't want to do their part or thinks they don't need to, but still expect the community to take care of them.

If anything, society and our legal system is to blame for enabling them. Just think, how it was back then, where parents actually 'parented' their children ... Now days, after removing that factor (to a large extent) ... We are raising children with completely different values and ideals. Children that will someday rule .. and take care of the rest of us when WE are old.

There simply is no (or a the least, very little) consequential threat that is instilled in our young (to a large extent, NOT all .. (because, we have to admit, there are parents that do try to do their best in a system that constantly undermines the good values they try to instill in their children).

Sure, there is always exceptions..No matter how hard you try. There will have always been and will always be bad asses. The general changes in attitude and collective thinking that has transpired over time, to 'improve' the quality of life has actually accomplished exact opposite. No one is safe anymore .. Instead of teaching your children to be polite when talking to strangers .. You have to teach them not to talk to them at all ... and to not even make eye contact.

This is just the nature of the world, in which we live.

 

Hhhmm. Seems that there is something more to this story not being mentioned here, unless you live in Iraq.

 

I read your other posts on this subject and I am now going to take a step out side and take a breather because if do not I will probably wright something that will get us all upset.