Fairness and the Slick 50’s

* Your article titled “A Wake-Up Call for Suburban Refuge” and subsequent coverage have prompted discussion about the beer picture. I think it’s time I answer.

The picture was taken completely out of context. The families involved with the incident got together routinely for Sunday dinner.

A guest at this dinner had stated that she came from another event and had some leftover beer. She asked if she could bring it in the house. After dinner, she offered the adults a beer and two accepted. As you can tell from the background in the picture no others had anything to drink in their hand.

We were having a great time enjoying the kids’ music and being together. We were goofing around and my son was pretending to play his guitar to me as if I was a fan. I joined in his fun and pretended to be a fan.

I would have held up a lighter if I had one in my hand, like they did in the ‘70s. However, the closest thing to me was a beer. I held it up and my son took a sip. A photographer took advantage of that situation.

We asked for him not to print that picture for fear it would be misunderstood. He stated that he didn’t even know it was beer. I’m sure some of you can imagine what I’ve gone through as a result of that.

Granted, holding that beer up was a stupid thing for me to do and I deeply regret it. I’ve been asked the question “What parent has not given their kid a sip of beer or wine?” Well, I never have before and I never will again. In fact, I doubt I’ll ever pick one up again.

The caption “ . . . offers her son a beer” misrepresents what really happened. I hope that this clears up the context and puts to rest the conclusion formed that I provide my son beer.

I do not provide beer to my son nor do I approve of him drinking alcohol.

YOLANDA RADIG

Aliso Viejo

* The May 9 editorial “ ‘Just Boys’ in S. County?” demonstrated a high degree of shortsightedness and dissimilar comparisons.

Instead of generalizing from globally obvious wrongs like those in Colorado, The Times would have been nobler to compare another incident reported [this month] where five youths in Aliso Viejo beat up a young man after a movie.

Part of the power in “zero tolerance” is consistency in application. The movie incident and that of the Slick 50’s is very similar. Yet in the movie incident the sheriff is recommending that the district attorney drop the charges.

Additionally, authorities have had a talk with the victim’s mother, explaining how dire the consequences would be for the perpetrators if charged and convicted. The Slick 50’s members are subject to 15 years in prison and have already served several months in jail.

Where is the consistency of punishment when one group is punished so little and another is penalized so harshly for similar crimes?

The need for programs to keep kids off the street is important in this era of single-parent households. But praise should be given to a single mother who has raised and educated her children, paid her bills and provided a loving and supportive environment for her family.

JOEL R. BISHOP

Dana Point