The family bias

[Rapscallion]

So many press conferences have shown the cliche, "He was no angel, but..." that it lost any chance of being funny save in a really extreme case.

Rapscallion

[MadMike]

Here's one to think about... Locally, a kid got shot by police. This was, after he'd shot a police dog, and shot at the cops. They returned fire, killing the kid. As soon as it made the news, quite a few people were upset. They kept going on about how he was "a good kid," "never been in trouble," etc.

We had a similar incident in my area a few years back. Some guy with a history of severe problems went off his meds, and went around threatening people in the apartment complex. When the police arrived, he charged at them with a weapon, giving them no choice but to shoot and kill him. His family tried to sue the police department, saying they had no reason to shoot him, that he was "sick and needed help", etc. Thankfully, the officers were cleared of any wrongdoing. I don't always agree with the police or their actions, but I agree they had no choice in this case.

[Boozy]

I don't always agree with the police or their actions, but I agree they had no choice in this case.

I agree. Thats such a heartbreaking situation for everyone involved.

I can't imagine how the cops involved felt after shooting that man. And I can understand how difficult it must be for the family to endure such a senseless loss and to have nowhere to place the blame. Everyone suffers in that kind of situation.

[Wicked_Lexi]

I agree completely! My mother is a school teacher and she says alot of parents who get told point blank:

"Your child did XYZ and they are on detention because of it"

They argue with the teacher saying things like:

"My child didn't/wouldn't/couldn't do that!!"

'They were influenced by <bad element> so its not their fault"

Mum has had parent accuse her of lying about something a child did! My Mum never believed that I was angel and she knew that I was perfectly capable of doing whatever I was in trouble for! Parents seem to believe anything their kids says these days!

[MadMike]

I agree completely! My mother is a school teacher and she says alot of parents who get told point blank:

"Your child did XYZ and they are on detention because of it"

They argue with the teacher saying things like:

"My child didn't/wouldn't/couldn't do that!!"

I'm lucky that my ex's parents weren't those "my kid can to no wrong" types. They knew what she was all about, and that most of the trouble between us was because of her.

Hell, her own father even told me I should have kicked her out the first time I came home from work, found the house a mess, dinner not ready, and her sitting around all day.

Not that either of us is one of those old-fashioned guys who thinks that woman should take care of the home. I think that if both people are working, they should share the housework. And if one is working and the other is not, regardless of gender, the one that's not working should take care of the house.