Pubdate: Sun, 12 Jan 2003
Source: Traverse City Record-Eagle (MI)
Copyright: 2003 The Traverse City Record-Eagle
Contact:  http://www.record-eagle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1336
Author: Daniel Learned
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/judge+Gilbert

A MIXED MESSAGE

This is concerning our young people. We tell our children that illegal drugs
are, well, illegal. If you use them there are consequences to be paid for
using them. We tell them that alcohol use by a minor is illegal, and
irresponsible use of alcohol - by anyone - may not only be illegal, but have
serious, life-changing consequences.

We teach them this from a very young age using many different tools; it
starts at home, is taught in school (DARE) and continues through examples
set by adults.

There have been some incidents involving law enforcement officials I find to
be alarming. Recently in the Cadillac area an off-duty officer involved in
an early morning accident; Mancelona chief fired; Antrim assistant
prosecutor forced to resign. All may have involved alcohol, which could have
possibly resulted in criminal prosecution. But of course none of them
resulted in any legal action.

The issue of Judge Gilbert! He must do the honorable thing and step aside.
It's the only way that Judge Gilbert can put his life together and the
district court can put its (life) together. This certainly cannot happen
while he is a sitting judge.

Allowing these double standards to exist sends a very dangerous
mixed-message to our young people: The law applies to you and me but not to
the few above the law. Suppose one of these individuals gave our children a
DARE lecture on drugs and alcohol? I think a child might be a little
confused.

These are not just anonymous people; they are supposed to set the standards
and examples we are to live by. It is no wonder there is so little respect
for authority, law and order, or that many of our young turn out like they
do, when we send this mixed-message. 

Daniel Learned

Bellaire
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