There is a tragic yet potential teen on teen homicide in New Freedom which alcohol is allegedly involved and yet folks are focused on SESD school policies and alcohol - cut it to brass tacks - thats what this SESD rage it is about. Classic case of not in my back yard so I dont care?

http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_9109658

Please, I seriously doubt that a high school policy on extra curricular activies would have done anything to prevent a 19 yr old from drinking and fighting with his ‘friend’.  Of course people care, but I can’t see that there is a relation between the subjects.  I don’t understand what you are trying to say.

jmkas - 30 April 2008 10:51 PM

There is a tragic yet potential teen on teen homicide in New Freedom which alcohol is allegedly involved and yet folks are focused on SESD school policies and alcohol - cut it to brass tacks - thats what this SESD rage it is about. Classic case of not in my back yard so I dont care?

http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_9109658

Where either of these teenagers still attending high school? The way I look at it is that we don’t need schools to enforce illegal activities after hours we need the police. That is my whole thing about the SESD school policy on alcohol--that it is too open ended and needs to be revised. When you say classic case of not in my back yard, so I don’t care do you mean that the SESD doesn’t care about this incident since it did not happen in their school district? If so, it would be hard for them to keep up with all the other school districts & happenings. I think more than anything police need to enforce the law as it pertains to underage drinking and illegal activities. The schools should only be involved when the children are on their premises. Other than that, it should be parents or law enforcement.

I have to agree with you KATY, completely tragic, but nothing to do with the other except that it includes underage drinking.  I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who didn’t have a drink or get drunk before they were 21.  I’m sure there are some people, but I didn’t know any when I was a teenager.  I think it’s pretty unrealistic.  It sucks because you never know what’s going to happen, they were obviously responsible enough to not be driving as the article mentioned they were walking from place to place, but you just never know what you’re going to do if you’re that intoxicated, I’m not surprised they’re getting/giving different stories.  It’s a terrible situation.

Perhaps there is not much you can say about the tragedy one way or another besides its awful.  I understand and I realize that I did a bad job at making the connection to underage drinking and the SESD and that entire circus.

This is likely not the place to continue on with the topic either however but there is the commonality that is mentioned and that is where I would like to continue. One cannot help but wonder if this tragedy would have happened if alcohol were not involved. No one will ever know.  At this point the alcohol subject in this tragedy is just another charge that will be brought upon the accused and perhaps another.

I am not making the connection that underage drinking creates mayhem and crime, but there is no doubt that it contributes otherwise where sober heads would prevail.

I get the underage drinking thing, all of it - I was part of it and with or without my parents consent. It is a social behaviour that will never go away, even if alcohol were banned (tried that once) and no matter what age they make it legal.

What gets me going is that the law is very simple, its black and white and there are no provision for ‘ands. ifs or buts’ However when the law is enforced the general disbelief and outcry that it creates is just amazing. I don’t recall the bill that gives parents or guardians the legal right to interpret law on behalf of the government for minors but I get the impression based upon reaction that some believe that bill has passed.

I had posted on the other thread some comments about the media, the law but ultimately taking responsibility for your actions however it created little comment. The focus was still the inept school board and policies.  As far as the SESD thing goes, I sincerely believe that the board was right, they were unprepared for the consequences of their actions (media), the tables were turned and the actual truth will be lost. Heads will roll on the board, changes will be made and it will all be an injustice. All parties need to be standup types here and take whats coming to them, small or large.

As far as the underage drinking and the law, the law will remain as will underage drinking. If there was ever to be a change to the law regarding age I hope it would be towards the service men and women of this country. If the nation can call on its teens to make the ultimate sacrifice then they should also be able to raise a toast with their friends too without fear of breaking the law.