[gthomas]

Originally Posted by CitySnake

I find this argument interesting. Prior to becoming a parent, I would hardily agree. It's the parents fault. Now, being a parent for almost 4 years, I have grave doubts concerning the simplicity of that response. In MOST instances, the parents are, certainly to some extent, at fault. BUT, not always. Sometimes you can do everything "right" as a parent and not incubate a good child. There's more to it than that. There's socio-economic issues, biological issues and random issues. I think that most parents would agree that it's just not all that easy to raise a completely responsible child. Despite ALL your parental efforts, your kid is going to make mistakes. I'd like to think that my daughter's mistakes will be the likes of getting home a half hour late from a party rather than stealing cars for killing joy rides...but that fear exists (to a minute extent) for me.

The previous is not stated to exonerate idiot (and ultimately self indulgent) parents. It is simply to suggest that it's way too easy and simplistic to say, "throw the parents in jail".

The 'throw parents in jail too' was meant about the one that happened here. Just from interviewing a witness, who was on the 'side' of the deceased/injured, there is more than this one instance. They want to look ghetto/gangish, hey, this is what happens. But, there would have to be past instances, that is why I said to throw the parents in jail also.
Socio-economic reasons? So if someone has no money, it is excusable to steal, prostitute, lie, cheat, etc.? NO!!!!!!
Biological issues? Having a foot in their ass would be better than the Prozac they are given. Granted, there are real biological issues, Tourrets(sp), but to place this label on all, or most, is a no-no. They are looking to excuse their own lack of responsibility.
I agree, everyone will make mistakes, but come on, do we not pursue a thief/robber/rapist/murderer because after all, it was a mistake? Some 'mistakes' have severe, even fatal consequences.
I have seen people grow up like their parents, and not like their parents.I have a feeling this was not the first time for these kids. Have the parents called the cops for their child's behavior? Did they try kid's homes? There are things that can be done, but blaming everyone else, when it is the kid's behavior, is not right.
When I get pulled over, and cops ask to search the vehicle, I say yes, when you show me a warrant. They said what are you hiding? I say if you had probable cause you wouldn't be asking me. They have never brought a dog to sniff, but if they ever did, my lawyers would be released on them. And I would make sure it would cost them alot of money.

TIEPILOT: Yes, armchair quartbacking sucks, should have done this, or that. But we have all had our experiences, and even though I would not wish death to them, they are the one's that brought it on themselves. Granted, I am not sorry it happened, But also I am not glad it happened, but it was something that should not have happened(by a different course of actions by the kids), but it did happen(they shouldn't have done what they did).
You know, with all the 'talk' we all do, I had the opportunity to shot/kill a rapist, but when he saw me running to him with a gun, he ran away, and I didn't/couldn't. I have been in other situations where I chose a different course of action, and let the person die, and I have no guilt to this day, nor do I believe I did the wrong thing.
With that being said, the kids should not have stolen a vehicle, should not have been in that vehicle, and should not have run away from the police. They were all old enough to know that it is wrong to steal. Everything else just played on what they should not have been doing in the first place.