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08/06/2009 Archived Entry: "This Is Not Logic."

I recently listened to one of my favorite talk shows on my way down to work in Miami. The talk show is the known as the Love Doctors. It is a caller generated show and so most of the content and topics come from the callers. One of the members of this crew is Dr. Rich(not a real dr), he is an older gentlemen who does very often try to balance topics for the show. He will take an opposing point of view just for conversation sake. One of the sidekicks is a mensa reject called Lexus. She is suppose to represent the bimbo brigade. She is attractive and about as smart as a box of rocks. Now a recent conversation with Lexus about parents who by mistake left their child in a car had come up between the two of them. No caller input on this item just the two of them discussing the news and I find myself agreeing with the bimbo brigade.

In that conversation Dr. Rich said they should be punished so that other parents don't do this to their kids for the insurance money. Not based on the merits of the case or the circumstances involved, but as an example to others. I called into the radio show and yesterday and spoke with Rich about it. I was on the phone for almost an hour. Trying to explain the legal difference between neglect and intent and also to explain that not punishing them is not going to set off some crime wave of parents wanting to knock off their kids for the insurance money. Other callers joined in most with about the same intelligence level as Lexus. Proclaiming what great parents they were and how they would never make such a mistake.

Most people missed the point. That prosecution of these two was not going to prevent some massive crime wave of infanticide that they say was going to happen. I find nothing to suggest that there is this huge trend of parents to cook their kids in order to get the insurance claim. Raising children is still part of some of the most basic instinct of who we are as humans. I am not saying that some parents don't hurt or kill their kids but to say that this is some huge trend is utter nonsense and having to punish parents who made a mistake a terrible mistake in order to avert this trend is lunacy.

Now I accept that Rich may have played off me for radio show entertainment. I can even respect it. It what the show is designed for. However the true craziness came from my wife a woman who is extremely intelligent. Logic and reason are not foreign concepts to her. I explained that I was on the radio show talking about the involving the child that died and the issue of whether the parents should be punished or not. When she said they should be punished as example to others. I was devastated. She is agreeing with the sensationalist view of a talk show host over a trend that does not exist.

My wife is a wonderful woman entitled to her own thought process but I do not and will not agree with this. You should not use a devastated couple as an example to others because of something you fear other people might do. I can understand possibly charging the parents with neglect and giving them community service, but I doubt even that is necessary. I understand that in regards to the father their are some added circumstances involving the hospital. This is not some parent who went into a bar for a few hours got drunk and left their kid in the car which shows intent. Those types of cases should be prosecuted harshly again not as example to others but because it is a heinous situation.

I understand using the laws and justice system to send a message. This however borders on conspiracy corner.

Posted by Kodie @ 08/06/2009 09:07 AM EST

I agree with you totally. It serves no purpose what so ever to make an example of these parents unless there is intent proven. I raised 3 kids on my own..had no more then 4 hours sleep at any one time for many years. NEVER NEVER NEVER can I imagine forgetting them in a car or any where..it just blows my mind and breaks my heart to hear these stories. I do not know what can help draw attention to the cause..to stop this...though it is not the way they handled it.

Posted by Angel Marksz @ 08/06/2009 02:06 PM EST