[Thinkin' Gal]

"He's a good kid, an honors student and has never been in any trouble before," she said Thursday.

Apparently she expects a one free flash rule. Must be a Clinton voter. I can understand teenagers throwing aside self-control, but when they realize that stupid actions have consequences, they eventually (hopefully) learn to act like adults. When the 'adults' here demand a free pass, all this kid will learn is that self-control is not a character trait which needs to be acquired. Then he'll just be another Clinton clone.

[Billthedrill]

Yeah, I challenge the assertion that at any point this particular peccadillo would simply have been laughed off. It is, IMHO, pretty harmless, but as many 80s streakers have found out since, an arrest for indecent exposure on one's record can be a pretty uncomfortable thing to have to explain to, say, a prospective employer...or a parole officer...

Not to say we didn't do some pretty damfool things as kids, or at least my contemporaries did. I, of course, was a little angel and don't believe a word my brother and sisters say. Or my parole officer either.

[Mr. Bird]

I can understand teenagers throwing aside self-control, but when they realize that stupid actions have consequences, they eventually (hopefully) learn to act like adults

Part of that learning process is that the consequences are proportional to the action. If your premise holds true, the poor boy will think vandalism will get him the chair.

[Pintobean]

I agree with you, Thinkin' Gal. Kids who are "bailed out" by their parents continue their misconduct as adults and find ways to blame someone else for it.

If a kid screws up, he should be punished. How else do you teach responsibility and accountability?

[monday]

"I can understand teenagers throwing aside self-control, but when they realize that stupid actions have consequences, they eventually (hopefully) learn to act like adults."

I guess 'you' have always been an adult. Must be boring to be you.

[weikel]

Give her 3 weeks detention but don't mess her life up.

[weikel]

Woops its a he.