Daily newspaper reports regarding area crimes must certainly suffice to win the necessary support of the bill proposed by the House Judiciary Committee. If nothing else, this bill finally sends a long overdue message that rules and laws are created to be followed. How a defense attorney could oppose such a bill as being overly harsh is inexplicable. No law can be viewed as being too "harsh" in sending the message that the only way back into society is through this corridor of proof that these people are willing to abide by the stipulations of their probation. If these offenders cannot at least fulfill this part of their sentence while being permitted to go on with their lives, then there is justified concern they never will do so. [continues 204 words]
A huge thanks to the Bradenton Herald for initiating its teen forum on destructive behavior. An even bigger thanks for placing this attention-getter on Sunday's front page for all to read. Alcohol and drugs have certainly been accessible to generations of teenagers and, let's be honest, those looking for either one or the other have always known exactly where and how to find them. Also not new is the fact that some parents ease their minds by allowing offspring and friends access to both excesses in their own homes. It was extremely interesting and informative hearing facts from the horse's mouth. It's reassuring to see that there are many young people out there making use of their "common sense gene." [continues 478 words]
