Refocusing Blame for Loss of Life
* I appreciated your article (“Desert Crash Probe Targets Anaheim Store,” Sept. 19), recalling the unnecessary, tragic and needless loss of life of four young men. There seems to be a lot of blame being pushed around to the liquor store that sold the teen-agers this beer. We must not lose sight that there were eight young men out breaking the law.
Not only did they misrepresent their age when they bought this beer--by obtaining a false identification, which is punishable by law--but they went out and got wasted with total disregard for their safety and the possible safety of others. It is sad that these young men were killed, but even worse is the family members attempting to put blame on a third party deceived by these young men.
These kids, and I emphasize kids, should not have been drinking. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the young men who were killed, but let’s not forget who brought this upon them: eight youths out doing something they should not have been doing.
I offer my unconditional support for these families and tougher laws to stop the sale of alcohol to minors, but we as a community must work to get young people to learn life can be enjoyed just as much without the buzz of alcohol.
We parents must work to discourage the use of alcohol by young people and severe punishment for those who knowingly provide it to them.
TOM VALENZUELA
Stanton
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