By Kevin Williams
Lots of topics people are talking about in the news this week and just thought I'd throw in my two-cents about some and let others blow off steam about them too if you want. Â Everyone is talking about Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner....the topic is just sort of old to me right now. Â Live and let live and move on. Â Other topics on my mind:
The Duggar clan in turmoil....
THE DUGGARS:  I've not watched any of the interviews on Fox.  I may watch tonight's. I just find myself disillusioned with the whole thing.  I think an awful lot of people have been crucifying the Duggars when no one (except them) really knows what happened, how it happened, the context, etc.  But I also think the Duggars have handled this whole thing poorly too.  So I'm just kind of disillusioned with them, the story....I do think the Josh Duggar case is different (not better, but different) than, say, the Dennis Hastert case where you had an older teacher in a position of authority who likely committed abuse.  To me, that situation is much more clear-cut (from what we know).
BLOWING UP A MOOSE:  This story is awful.  Now don't tell me that I care more about moose than people, it's just that this story seems more clear-cut to me:  did Montana Fish and Wildlife REALLY have to kill and then dynamite this baby moose that a Good Samaritan tried to save?  I know, I know, I read the article, I get the logic, but my gut just tells me someone could have tried something else.  Just seems terrible.  Click here to read.
HOT CAR DEATH: Â Stories like this make me ill. Â Â Just a tragedy and I try not to be judgmental towards the Mom who has to now live with this for the rest of her days. Â I am often amazed just how quiet Aster can be when I'm driving her around. Â Sure, there are plenty of times when she is excitedly pointing out trucks or doggies or a robin but other times she is just silent as a stone. And while I know rear-facing seats are safest, I still don't like them because I can't see Aster (I know, we could get a mirror, but those have drawbacks too such as becoming a projectile in a crash). Â Anyway, Aster is rarely far from my mind so that is better than a mirror. Â But, ugh, Â I just hate reading these stories every summer.
Missy
A couple of things to remind you about Aster are to leave the diaper bag on the front seat, or some suggest taking off your left shoe and putting it in the back seat where she is. I once went into a store forgetting my daughter was in the back seat. It wasn't in summer, but in mild weather, and I was only in the store about 3 minutes, but I was shocked when I got back to the car and saw her. It can happen very easily.
Kevin
Good advice, Joyce!
JoAnn
Re: the Duggars
I think the Duggars are being unfairly crucified in the media. Of course it's atrocious that this boy (he was a minor) would touch his sisters, but should that define the rest of his life? Isn't it possible he changed his life and has led a decent life since that time?
And, if my son had done that, would I have reported him to the police? Probably not. Remove him from the house, probably...counseling, definitely.
I think the real problem is the release of juvenile records that are supposedly sealed. There is a reason they are kept sealed. It goes back to the great possibility that these juveniles can change their lives and shouldn't have this destroy their lives. The same for the "victims." Even if they are on TV, don't they have a right to some privacy as minors? Of course the family didn't discuss this on TV. They felt the records were sealed and what was in the past would stay there. Why would they bring it up? I don't care if they have a show or not, but this young man's life will never be restored to normalcy and his sisters will always be labeled as victims. That is their new reality.
brenda
JoAnn, the voice of reason. what a fair analysis of the Duggars challenges. I think more people should have all the facts before making comment on how this family handled things. It would seem that this child might have been much more conscientious and guilt ridden than most young people who had curiously touched a a girl through her clothing while she slept.
Not only are the entire family being condemned for how they handled this but there is such ignorance being shown about people that are commited to living a Christian life but does anyone care to listen when a follower of Christ tries to explain that we are all sinners saved by His Grace and we know only He is perfect and we are forgiven So when we slip please lend a hand to help us get back up on His Path.
brenda
I would like to add that we should all wonder how many families are in a similar or much worse set of circumstances who will not take any of the steps this family took much less counseling they received because THE RESPONSBLE AUTHORITIES BROKE THE COVENANT OF SILENCE OF SEALED JUVENILE RECORDS AND BETRAYED AND RE VICTIMIZED THESE PEOPLE ????????? I hope the police chief who is retiring enjoys her 20 pieces of silver.