WRIST SLAP FOR DEAN'S TEEN SON

New York Post ^ | 8/06/03 | Post Wire Services

[kattracks]

August 6, 2003 -- BURLINGTON, Vt. - The 17-year-old son of Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean agreed yesterday to participate in a court "diversion" program after being arrested for allegedly being the getaway driver while four friends tried to steal beer from a local country club.

[kattracks]

It's a good thing Dean's kid wasn't caught drinking in a bar, or the media would have gone into a frenzy. < /sarcasm>

[goldstategop]

Special treatment for a prominent politician's son. If he were any one else's kid he'd be doing jail time, guaranteed.

[StayoutdaBushesWay]

When was he arrested? I must have missed it on the evening news!

[Salman]

I'm sure Gunga's little boy had plenty of walking around money. Stealing beer? I'd say the motive is 'mad at dad', not beer.

[thegreatbeast]

No, it really was a stupid little escapade with little thought or evil intent to it. Hate to say it but the punishment seems to fit the crime here.

[Loyal2None]

I'd like to know when this court "diversion" program started. Is it something new that just started with this kid or has it been going on for some time.

Appearing before a judge can scare a kid enough to make them wake up and see whats down the road for them. If there is such a thing as a court "diversion" program it is stupid and should not be used.

[grania]

He was driving, they were caught stealing beer. One can't help but wonder if the kid was tested for alcohol level.

Methinks that this young lad needs his dad home, full time, to provide a strong, positive influence.

<^..^>

[gridlock]

For a first-time 17-year-old non-drug, non-violent offender, diversion is entirely par-for-the-course. The intent is to get them out of the pattern of committing crimes, not to make them dependents of the state prison system. I have no problem with this verdict.

[50sDad]

Just like Beelze-Bubba...two sets of laws, one for the rich one for the poor.

[mass55th]

"It's a good thing Dean's kid wasn't caught drinking in a bar, or the media would have gone into a frenzy."

Isn't it amazing how the media made sure they pushed a connection between the President's drinking problems of the past and his daughters getting in trouble for underage drinking? You don't hear a word from the press about Dean's admitted alcoholism and his son's alcohol-related arrest do you? Typical!

[grania]

Am I the only one who's getting really, really fed up with children of politicians acting like spoiled, uncontrolled brats who don't have enough self control or respect to understand that, although they are priveleged and have a lot going for them, still owe their parents something in the way of behavior?

If these parents can't convey to their children why it is important for them to behave, how can they run the world?

Children of alcoholics shouldn't be drinking, and they should be taught that.

End of disgusted rant.