Why can't we smack people like this?

[Graphite]

Is it just me or are many of these comments over the top?

[james-d]

I don't think the comments are over the top. as a senior I see too many young people getting away with bad behavior. There does not seem to be any or little accountability anymore.I think the key word here is young people. Too bad they could not publish the names of young offenders , Not to punish them as much as to embarass the parents ,So they might take a little more interest in what their kids are doing,

I remember as a young man growin up and doin something you knew was wrong.If caught you could count on being punished. today they just say "f" you, I will do as I please, And I don't blame them. Too many kids today are being left to their own devices, While both parents are trying to give their kids What they think they want. TSK TSK TSK, Too bad a lot are totally missing the mark. But there is a saving grace, If you do not punish children to some degree for bad behavior, Be assured ,the police will when they are older.

[mexi cali]

No, they aren't over the top. As the previous poster points out, it comes down to accountability and I think that most would agree that there is none these days and that is why many, maybe not all but many act as they do.

There are no real consequences.

This guy and people like him haven't had their personal come to Jesus moment and they basically fear nothing because history tells us that there is nothing to worry about.

Why do so many come to the defense of the indefensible? why do they try to make us try to feel as though actions are not the fault of the actor?

Drunk or not. High or not. Young or old. Actions have to have consequences. This guy won't have to pay for his damage nor will he get any more than what he has already gotten; that being a night in the can, a PTA notice and a court date where he will walk away unscathed.

Happens every day.

The young offenders act HAS to be abolished and our youth need to feel the weight of the law and the pain of the victims if anything is ever going to change.

So no, these comments are not over the top.

[WhatThe]

The less people want to be "smacked" the more they rebel; content, balanced and happy people don't behave badly. Go figure.

[Donald G]

Unfortunately our "justice" system does not permit society to determine why the young man went on his crime spree BEFORE determining what his sentence should be ... IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY. We are so carried away by protecting our THEORETICAL civil rights (and enriching lawyers in the process) that we consistently prohibit common sense.

[WhatThe]

Unfortunately our "justice" system does not permit society to determine why the young man went on his crime spree BEFORE determining what his sentence should be ... IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY. We are so carried away by protecting our THEORETICAL civil rights (and enriching lawyers in the process) that we consistently prohibit common sense.

You know, it's not rocket science. When we don't robustly invest in psychological health care and chronically underfund the education system and undercut social support (ie. looking after each other) this is the result. One can argue about the ridiculous "spare the rod" routine but the fact of the matter is when children don't receive the required attachment needs and their parents aren't helped by the collective we all suffer the consequences. Everyone wants to blame the parents for their poor parenting when kids go bad but when the collective "parenting" fails its the individuals fault. Could there be anymore of a social and intellectual disconnect?
I'm sick and tired of uneducated and arrogant fools running/dictating/ignoring the needs of everyone and then have the audacity to blame everyone but their own ineptitude for what we witness. The "good ole days" aren't the answer but the cause of this catastrophe.

Not solely directed at you Donald. Though your civil rights comment irks the bejeezus out of me. What have we in this world but to hold onto ideals freedom from oppression and tyranny?. I don't want to live in a world like that and I'm sure that those that do wish they didn't.

[Donald G]

Inherent in your comments is the philosophy that the state is responsible for the origin and errant behavior of every person in our society. That is a bit left of center for me to agree with.

I believe that every parent is responsible to raise their own children within the limited socialism that our society offers. And every adult must be held to account for their parenting (or lack of) and their own personal behavior.

As an example, society should have the right to treat drug addiction and psychoses capable of being treated, BY FORCE to the extent possible ... like it used to. When we closed the mental health treatment centers (in the name of freedom) we merely relocated all present and future patients to a life on the streets where they are routinely taken advantage of. When we did away with mandatory parenting education in the name of the same personal freedom we damned a percentage of their children to far less than an equal chance in life ... and generations of recycled families who won't or don't know enough to seek help.

Real people being assessed by and forced to live by theoretical rules ... like the criminal court system as again demonstrated by this example.

[fvkasm2x]

Give them vasectomies.

Thumbs up.

[Fritzthecat]

She will eventually join the BC Liberals, run for office get elected and we'll all think she is a God.

[kgcayenne]

:-/