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You have probably heard the story by now and I was off pursuing other interests when this story broke but I thought it was so symbolic of what is wrong with America today that I decided to run with it even though I am a day late. When I sat down to write this post I was imagining myself as that old man shaking his fist in the air standing on his dichondra lawn shouting “You KIDS!”
18 year-old Ms. Penelope Soto was caught yesterday with 108 milligrams of Xanax in her possession, I am not exactly sure what that means, but I am told that is a lot for one person but not enough to have her accused of selling. When called to stand before the judge Ms. Soto certainly thought quite a bit about herself as she giggled and preened herself more like she was flirting in a club than someone standing before the person that can tell them whether they are going home or going to jail.
This is not obvious from the video, but as a lawyer I know that the judge and the two attorneys (both heard but off camera) are trying to help this girl who happens to be a first time offender. The public defender is trying to get himself appointed as her lawyer (for free) and the prosecutor is recommending a drug diversion program rather than jail for this jail newbie. The plucky Ms. Soto doesn’t know when to shut up and acts like she is smarter than everyone else in the courtroom. She brags to the judge that she has as much bling as a rapper and then goes into what looks like a minor drug induced seizure.
Since she has now declared that she has the means to hire a lawyer the judge rightfully refuses to give her a free lawyer or to let her go without bail indicating that “she can sell her jewelry.” Now understand (and you will see for yourself) the judge has been VERY patient to this point nudging her to act more appropriately so that it can appear that she is at least pretending she is facing potentially serious consequences. Ms. Soto will have none of it and when the judge dismisses here she flippantly waves the judge away saying “adios.”
The judge has no clearly lost patience, though he maintains his demeanor, and demands that Ms. Soto return. Soto struts back into the courtroom with the air of a rockstar and asks the judge “wassup?” The judge doubles her bail to $10,000 and for the first time Ms. Soto reacts in a way that lets you know that she finally understands her surroundings as she clutches her face and gasps in horror. Not happy that she no longer feels in control, the arrogant Ms. Soto turns her back and walks away from the judge flipping him the bird and shouting “f*#% You.”
To his credit the judge is able to maintain a judicial demeanor and beckons the rude and arrogant Ms. Soto back into the courtroom. Before the judge can even say anything Ms. Soto, arms folded across her chest, petulantly says “I said it and I am not going to take it back.” The startled judge looks at her patiently and asks “Did you just say F*#@ You to me?” Ms. Soto again petulantly confirms that she did. The Judge doesn’t miss a beat and says “I find you in criminal contempt, 30 days in jail.” Ms. Soto still fighting the stupid fight says “fine” and is finally allowed to the leave the courtroom. Watch for yourself.
All kids throughout history were cocky and thought that they were right and took their lumps when far more often than not their arrogance was misplaced and it turned out that they were completely wrong. This generation of kids is fundamentally different. They have been told that they are special and unique since birth. They have been given trophies and grades for showing up. We have worried far more about creating strong self-esteem than strong young adults. This generation has been raised that when they get in trouble in school or with the law it is the fault of the school or the system. Misguided parents have “protected” their children from the consequences of their actions.
Ms. Soto is symbolic of all of these horrible parenting techniques. She came into court KNOWING that she was right and that she should not have consequences and, probably for the first time in her life, ran into someone who was going to hold her accountable. I guarantee you that Ms. Soto is sitting in her cell right now KNOWING the system screwed her with no recognition at all that she is the one responsible for her plight. We have raised a generation of helpless children, I pray for our country’s youth nightly.
Cheers!…
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“We have raised a generation of helpless children…”
Another Henny Penny penning. WOW! A whole generation? Are you, too, raising helpless children since you are attempting to perpetuate the “one equates to all” fallacy? Or are you the sole citizen raising exemplary children? I guess we should all include you in Friday’s Prayers.
I need a Xanax after reading this fallacious article. Makes me want to fire up the TIVO and catch up on my Judge Judy reruns to gauge the SOTU.
I wonder what triggers the “Your comment is awaiting moderation”? Maybe the word Xanax! Or could it be “Friday Prayers”? We may never know. (cue Twilight Zone theme)
Unfortunately it is the word Xanax. When I opened the site I was bombed by every pharma spam in the world. If you use the words viagra or cialis you will have the same result.
Makes sense. Luckily we have an excellent moderator! Sooo glad it wasn’t Friday Prayers.
Snoopy, do we not give everyone “participation trophies” for just playing? Do schools not constantly battle with parents over resonable discipline even when the student is clearly in the wrong? Is the current school of parenting “everyone is special?” Every generation has its own problems, the overriding problem with this generation is the feeling of entitlement regardless of whether deserved.
No, GW, we don’t give “everyone” trophies just for participation. Some programs may adopt this motivational tool, perhaps, but I’m not buying your “some = all” BS as this is not my experience. Are you opposed to motivational tools? Or only when a “liberal” comes up with the idea?
The “battle” over discipline is nothing new. Even back in my day (a few days earlier than your day) there were discipline battles.
And yes, “everyone is special”, if by special you mean different. Do you not tell your child(ren) they are special or do they have to prove they are “above” others while others are “below” them? I suspect you teach them that they are better than others when in reality they are nothing more than different than others. The conservative is all about dividing into groups and classes and good vs bad (conservative always good and liberal always bad, of course).
Your “entitlement” repetitive meme is really growing stale as there is no basis in fact. You still are trying to conflate need with entitled. My children and their peers are quite motivated and successful on their own and expect little more than food, shelter and clothing from us. The rest is earned and appreciated rather than expected. Get a new false narrative, please.
“This generation” is no different than “that generation”. This generation’s parents (such as you) are still whining about change like my parents did. it’s a right of passage to complain with the “I remember when” garbage and this generation will destroy the country. Each generation has destroyed society…yet society just doesn’t seem to self-destruct. It’s just called change GW. Embrace it…or write a blog complaining about it incessantly. Your choice.
People like the author are more the cause of the problems in society today than the girl in the video. The gross generalization that the girl depicted is like the generation as a whole is ludicrous, and unworthy of discussion.
The author is just another guy looking for something to be angry about. I’m sorry I wasted my time reading the blog.
“Thinking Rightly Blog” is certainly a misnomer here.
Being in the position of trying to find good folks to hire, I think that I am in a position to state my position and opinion. I am not angry at anyone, I just think that there are problems with how kids are being handled in many situations. You can disagree, that is your right.
I’ve seen this video and I don’t get it. The judge flippantly told her “bye bye” and she responded just as flippantly with “adios”.
I see an idiot judge playing “cutesy” and when he gets back what he gave he tries to pull power politics.
Young people may be idiots, but in this case the girl is learning her tricks from the idiot generation before her.
The judge should have showed seriousness and decorum instead.
I have not one ounce of respect for this judge and am suprised at how many people keep defending this idiot for teaching a younger generation to be idiots instead of serious responsible citizens
Matt, this is not a level playing field and shouldn’t be viewed as one. The Judge has gone to law school, passed the bar, been appointed and confirmed and been given a tough assignment (the arraignment desk) which he takes seriously. He probably processes 100 people through his courtroom every day. Penelope Soto is an eighteen year old girl found and arrested with 108 miligrams of Xanax. Working with the public defender and the prosecutor the Judge was doing his job and trying to determine if Ms. Soto qualified for a public defender. Toying with her hair and giggling Ms. Soto made a mockery of the court. This is not a meeting of equals and it was only after the judge had been disrespected several times did he exert his power by dismissing her. I have tons of respect for this judge and feel that he showed incredible restraint.
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