h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

MY GOD.

My school is corrupt. I now know this to be a fact. A senior football (American) player was driving under the influence of alcohol, underaged, and nearly killed a kid by throwing him off his car hood, and then, deciding that the other person was dead, tried to make a break for the state line. He was apprihended a few towns away. The wounded kid was sent to the hospital, and barely survived.

His punishment? Well, as a high school football player, the punishment would have been expulsion from the team, removal of his driver's licence, and fine or jail time for the attemped manslaughter (the incident was on purpose.).

Instead, because he was needed for the football season, he was let off without any penalties.

NO! ING! PENALTIES!

An adult would have wound up in JAIL! But instead, he is still drinking, still on the road, and still a menace. And still playing football with other's lives.

I WISH FOR JUSTICE TO RETURN TO MY LIFE!

Sounds very wrong.

Does the press know about it? I'm sure other citizens who will be sharing the road with this guy would be just as incensed as you are. Nothing like public outcry to set a wrong right.

(Here for Peaceful discussion)

It's more than the skool system. Most pro atheletes get off the hook far too easily as well. Caes and point, Mike Tyson.

It seems unbelievable! It is appalling that such an act could go unpunished.

However, what ever action taken has to be legal and the media seems to be the best way forward to gain support. Nothing like public opinion expressed by lack of ticket sales to hit where it hurts.

Since the authorities do not wish to prosecute this offender, perhaps the victim's parents will sue the offender in civil court. It won't get him out of school and off the football team, but at least it's something.

The district my kids are in has a zero tolerance program from drug and alcohol use. Being in attendance at a place where those items are found results in an automatic 12 week suspension from their sport. Doesn't matter whether they use the stuff or not. It was enforced last year. A few of the parents protested, but the Board of Education held their ground and didn't cave in.

Too many people don't give a about anything but "Juniors Championship Game". If there were more rational human beings on the planet, than we would all be better off.

It's awful that things like this happen. We're living in a sports crazy, celebrity crazy society. Around here high school football is a religion. I can imagine something similar happening here. These kids have to learn that their actions have consequences. Please tell me where they're going to learn responsibility when everyone from Aunt Harriet to the investigating officer to the judge has season tickets and hefty wagers on the game and is willing to cover for the players no matter what? It stinks!!!!!!! I hope the injured young man will recover.

Yes. We in theory have a zero tolerance policy...

I need to find out as much as I can about this. If I can gather enough facts, maybe I can get something done...
I mean, really! This is High School football! They don't even get paid...

My suggestion? Get a hold of the nearest BIG news station, be it a large city in your state, or, perhaps even better, something like Dateline, or 48 Hours. Tell them the story. Let them investigate it and broadcast it nationally.

Nothing works like A WHOLE LOT of pressure.

The ones to go after in this case are the coach and the school principal, for corrupting the values of a whole school full of minors.

That sounds like a totally disgusting situation. Do you know the victims family? Are they planning on any action?

*Getting out her political moxy and sense of justice*.

You can do something about it, even if the parents don't, Mysty. It is my experience that no one does anything because they don't think anyone else will. Find out what media coverage there was (if any), organize within your circle of influence, GET HEARD.

What size town do you live in? It makes a difference how these things are handled. Like, if you are in a really small town, one of the best first steps is to write to the local newspaper. If they did a story on it, you can comment and keep it going, or if they didn't you can state your case and ask why. Small town papers always need fodder and love any contribution, so you are more likely to get published. If you need any more ideas, let me know.

Yankee-shoes.

My town is rather small... and I'm starting to get details that this happened about the end of the summer.

Thank you all for your advice. I feel much better, and I must see if I can get justice's blindfold back on before she gets me with that sword...

in a small town news travels like wild fire, it shouldn't be too hard to get all the details if you ask some of the right people. Do you have a local sherriff? As an elected official of the law you could really twist his arm to do something by showing him a well written article that you as yet have not 'decided' weather or not to publish it. Make sure you include certain key phrases like 'failure to uphold the law', 'corruption of the judicial system', and 'what exactly are we paying them for again'.

If you write to the O'Reilly Factor I'll bet he'll put it on his talking points or invite the law enforcement of your town onto his show and tear them up- he's rather good at that.

Thanks. I'll try...

Fight the power

We all try every day...

I've got all the info, and a few witnesses. Now, to get the ball rolling...

Good good!

You could also mention that you just so happen to have mentioned it on an international section of the BBC website....

perhaps the phrase 'it has now become and international incident' would catch their fancy. Or perhaps 'voices have been raised across the ocean calling for justice'. All of which is perfectly true- from a point of view. They'll think that it's been reported far and wide or they'll think you're just lying. If the former, thats great, if the latter then you could point to this or just let it slide.

mwahahahahahaaa!