Basic Human Common Sense

Published on August 4, 2004 By Lenbert In Current Events

I had agonized the entire day about posting this particular topic, based on a specific, local news item. However, since the local radio talk show host has spent an entire hour on this topic, not to mention that this particular item is all over the local news, I am compelled to vent my frustration.

There is a multitude of “common sense” issues that we, as adults, encounter every day. Unless you’re a complete idiot: you don’t stick your hand down the drain while the garbage disposal is running; you don’t clean out the discharge chute of your lawnmower while it’s running; you don’t put a wrench across the positive and negative leads of your car battery; you don’t swim or golf in a thunder and lightening storm. These are just a few of the multitude of “common sense” issues that a human being could potentially encounter on a day to day basis.

What about leaving your child locked in a car, on a hot summer day?

Yesterday was the first instance of this happening locally, for this season. Pessimist that I am, I am surprised that it is mid-summer and this is the first news item regarding this situation. It seems to be an obligatory, seasonal news story.

If there is ANY news item that makes my blood boil, a child dying from being locked in a car on a hot summer day, makes me want to punch holes in the drywall! After listening to the talk show host, my blood pressure has been ratcheted up a couple additional notches.

First of all, this “Father” has not been charged in any crime, pending the results of an autopsy. (Hole #1 in the drywall)

Secondly, there is a county ordinance that states that if a PET (animal; dog, cat, gerbil etc.) is locked in a car when weather conditions could cause injury to said pet, the owner will be charged with “cruelty to animals”, which would require initial jail time, bail and full prosecution. Apparently, there is no such ordinance for a HUMAN BEING. (Hole #2 in the drywall)

Third, and last, no one saw this child? No one saw this child and thought to question it? In the sun? On a hot summer day? With the car not running? (Not a hole #3 this time – just hanging my head in frustration)

The “Oops, I forgot” excuse doesn’t fly in this situation! It may work well for Berger, but in this situation it is inexcusable! There is a life at stake!

Since I don’t own a cell phone, if I saw this situation in a parkinglot, I would break the f*ckin glass and get this tender human being out of that oven as fast as possible! And hopefully, by the time the parent(s) was located, I would be restrained by the local law enforcement, because I would feel no restraint towards the parent at that point.

Common Sense.

If you leave your cel phone in the car, you go back and get it. If you leave your wallet or purse in the car, you go back and get it. These items have a monetary worth. I absolutely CAN NOT fathom leaving, or “forgetting” a child in a car. The child has no worth?

These people, these “parents”, are certainly, without a doubt, unworthy to be responsible for a child. Period! Daycare workers need to have a license to show they are adequate to be responsible for a child. What about the idea of PARENTS needing a license to "own" a child?

Kudos to The Mac Watson Show, 1140 WRVA, Richmond, Virginia.
http://1140wrva.com/main.html

Reference:
http://www.nbc12.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WWBT%2FMGArticle%2FWBT_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031777100230

LLS

Comments

InfoGeek

on Aug 04, 2004

"Third, and last, no one saw this child? No one saw this child and thought to question it? In the sun? On a hot summer day? With the car not running? (Not a hole #3 this time – just hanging my head in frustration)"

This by no means excuses the death, but I have a minivan with tinted windows and unless you are standing directly infront of the car you really cannot see inside with any defined clarity. It helps keeps the sun off the kids. We had a death like this one here in Albany a few years ago. The father "just forgot". I still don't understand how you forget you own kid.

IG

shadesofgrey

on Aug 04, 2004

I'm at a loss. However, I think I'd be much like you, breaking glass.

I'm not sure about here, but I know that in my hometown, if you saw an animal locked in a car on a hot day and called the police they would immediately come and break the windows and free the animal (I'm pretty sure in extenuating circumstances they would give the person calling in permission to break the windows before they arrived)...and that was just for an ANIMAL. I wouldn't think twice about breaking windows to save a child.

Dumbasses--that's all I can say.

But part of me wonders--why the hell are you leaving your child in your car on their own, EVER? It's not just a heat issue, it's a safety issue. Someone should be supervising your children...do these people even think?

Lenbert

on Aug 04, 2004

To InfoGeek

Regarding tinted glass - good point, for the casual person in the parkinglot.

As you stated, it still does not negate the crime.

LLS

dharmagrl

on Aug 04, 2004

My husband's a cop, and you would be furious if you knew the amount of times he's been called to unattended children locked in vehicles. People usually come up with the 'oh they were sleeping and I didn't want to wake them', or 'i was only going to be gone for a few seconds' - 30 mins after he responded to the scene and rescued the child out of the vehicle. I don't think he's ever come across someone who had totally forgotten.

When will people understand that you don't leave little kids alone in cars in hot weather? It infuriates me to no end...and I think I'd have the same reaction as most of you, I'd break the window to get the kid out.

As for the father in this case not being charged with a crime...well, he should have been charged with negligent homicide. At the very least he should be charged with felony child neglect/abuse Perhaps having a criminal record will make him a little less forgetful.

Lenbert

on Aug 04, 2004

To shadesofgrey

Yes there are a ton of publications regarding "Leaving Children In an Unattended Vehicle". They (the unattended children) can knock the vehicle out of gear, and if the keys are in the vehicle they can inadvertantly start the vehicle.

"Dumbasses"

Sad but true. I was hoping beyond all hope that I wouldn't hear any items of a child dying from being locked in a car this year. But apparently, there are still dumbasses, morons and idiots of society out there.

LLS

Leroy Brown

on Aug 05, 2004

"Tender human being"? From a person who supports a President that executed retards when he was governor? That's rich.

Gideon MacLeish

on Aug 12, 2004

Lenbert,

The parent licensing idea is a truly frightening proposal to me. It would almost insure that I would become an ex-pat as soon as I could get details arranged.

This would be a final step towards a totalitarian government, the idea that government officers could barge into your home and seize your children because they are unlicensed. This may not be the way the law would be initially applied, but totalitarian laws such as this have a way of becoming MORE, not less restrictive over time.

I understand your anger and your grief. But understand this: the majority of parents do NOT leave their children locked in the cars; this is why these incidents still make news. It seems to me to be ridiculous to expect the government to impose sanctions on ALL parents based on the irresponsible actions of a few.

Solitair

on Aug 16, 2004

Surely the father can be charges with involuntary manslaughter? Must be a similar level of offense to accidently running over your kid with your car.

I don't believe parental licencing would have any effect in such sad cases. There will always be individuals who make mistakes with dreadful consequences. They should pay for those mistakes though.

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