Bubblehead1980 |
12-13-13 07:08 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbuna
(Post 2151081)
I'm getting a strong sense of double standards and a fair amount of hypocrisy here.
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Well, your senses are off then.There is a huge difference between a US citizen, a teenager at that, making a stupid decision vast majority of us have made at one point or another, to drive after consuming alcohol.Unfortunately, his stupid decision resulted in the tragedy of four people losing their lives.Now, the kid was 16 at time of incident and this specific case leads into the big picture issue of our flawed and failed justice/corrections(prison) system.Our system is focused on punishment and satisfying the human need for revenge in lieu of punishment and rehabilitation.Sure, some violent offenders are beyond help but the US has 2 million plus people in prison and an extremely high recidivism rate.People usually learn how to be "better" criminals in prison and once out, due to the stigma, are excluded from society in many ways and end up right back in prison.I am certainly no bleeding heart but I am for what works here, and how things are now, do not work.I believe that was part of the judge's thinking, prison is no place for a 16 year old kid who simply made an idiotic mistake that lead to tragedy.Dislike him all you want because is wealthy(seems a lot of hate, kid can't help if he is wealthy anymore than a kid who is poor can) but he is still a kid who made a stupid mistake, he deserves punishment sure but being removed from society and put in prison for many years? Ten years of felony probation is not a slap on the wrist, eps if he ends up with a hard nosed Probation Officer.Imagine trying to finish high school with all these special restrictions? Imagine trying to go to college? Imagine having to ask permission to leave the county, the state, the country? This kid is under the thumb of the government for ten years and I find it highly likely if he does not obey the terms, he will end up in prison.
The illegal immigrant who hit me is a different situation.First, he had no right whatsoever to be in the country.Second, he is not a 16 year old who made a stupid mistake but a criminal already illegally in the country who made matters worse with his dangerous behavior.Since an illegal, would not deserve the same consideration in my opinion, even if legally entitled.I seek no revenge, simply for him to be punished and deported, all within the law.The 16 year old in Texas was punished and sentenced within the law. I tried to put myself in the families of the victim's shoes, I would be angry as well and want revenge but once the initial anger and emotion calm down, 90 percent sure I would still not want him in prison. I think of a DUI manslaughter incident that occurred in my hometown a few years ago.17 year old kid was drinking and driving, hit a car and it killed a 16 year old girl.The victim's parents urged the judge NOT to sentence the boy to prison but to give probation, I believe he got a heft probation sentence along with other things.That is the definition of having evolved beyond the natural, gut reaction instinct of revenge and letting sense prevail. I like to think if it were me, I could do the same, 90% sure I could eventually but yet, just a a big thing to do.
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