I've always appreciated that, when somebody has to say it, Will Rogers
does. However, he missed one.
It seems the News-Press is not addressing the fact that the two
teenagers killed in La Crescenta were experimenting with drugs or, at
least, they are attempting to minimize that aspect of this crime.
I do not believe that the victims should ever be blamed. I certainly
know that these kids made only a mistake, the same mistake that many
young people make. They put themselves in a risky situation; that does
not mean they should pay with their lives.
What isn't being addressed is that, when we are searching for lessons
to be learned, the issue of personal responsibility is being skirted. One
of the lessons for our young people is that sometimes, when we put
ourselves in serious jeopardy, we get or hurt or hurt others.
Couldn't we be urging them not to do so as readily as we are urging
our community to keep communication with our children open and
aboveboard? Are we setting the right example if we avoid this issue at
the same time we are talking about open communication?
There is no point in maligning the reputations of the victims and it
is only natural to want to protect the family from any more pain. I don't
believe avoiding the very issue that would help the most young people in
our community will do those things. I think even the parents of those two
beautiful young people who died doing what many young people choose to do
would agree.
It is not inconceivable that one or more of them may choose to crusade
against the use of illegal substances. It would be a fine way to pay
tribute to these young people who have lost their lives.Carolyn
Howard-Johnson
Glendale
