IWA For Sunday 011010

Why Parents HAVE to be involved.

Hey folks,

It's time for the IWA. You know, this is one of those things. A reminder if you will, that no matter how good a Parent you may be, YOU are not there 100 percent of the time. So anytime you feel you need to be a bit more inquisitive, or are concerned about something, you NEED to follow through.

Our Idiot this week, is placed in charge of your most PRECIOUS gift ever given to you, your child. She arrives every morning and returns every afternoon, carrying the whole time, your Children. What's her name?

Most parents can tell you the names of their Kid's Teachers. But can you tell me the name of the Bus Driver? Do you know if the Bus Driver has a criminal past? Do you know if your Bus Driver has any problems? Medical, or otherwise?

Yet from about age Five, you gladly give up your Child to this person, and trust them, to care for your Kid's safety and well being. Well, then we have a story like this. According to AOL Parent Dish - Parents Outraged Over Drunk Bus Driver's Punishment

A school bus driver who drove 37 students while intoxicated was sentenced to five years probation and jail time, but some parents of her terrified passengers say the punishment is not nearly harsh enough.

According to the "CBS Early Show," bus driver Martha Thompson, 56, of Almond, N.Y. pleaded guilty Nov. 2, 2009, to 37 counts of child endangerment and driving while intoxicated on May 8, 2009, while students screamed and begged her to stop. On Jan. 4, the Allegany County Court sentenced her to six months of electronic home monitoring, five years of probation, 12 weekends in jail and mandatory alcohol counseling. She was also fined $1,000.

A video captured the frightening ride, during which several students beg Thompson to pull over. The "Early Show" reports that her blood alcohol level was .15, almost twice the New York state legal limit of .08 percent.

Double the legal limit, a bus full of Kids, NO JAIL TIME? Click the link for the Video. Do you see the Picture of our Idiot? This is not the first time she has had a drink. Thank God for these Kids.

Grace Scherzer, 16, and Chelsey Pierce, 15, were on board that day and were instrumental in helping their fellow passengers off the bus through the back exit while Thompson ranted for them to stay on board. Scherzer tells the "Early Show" that she approached Thompson after noticing the bus was swerving all over the road.

"I went up to talk to her and asked if she was OK to drive," she tells the "Early Show."

The teen says Thompson said she was fine, yet continued to drive erratically. Later, the girl managed to get the bus's back gate open and helped usher her fellow students off the vehicle.

Pierce tells the news program that she called her mother during the scary ride. Her mom, Lori Loomis, says Thompson's punishment is less than satisfactory.

"I am outraged. I am very upset with what she received," Loomis tells the "Early Show." "And I just don't think it's a harsh enough punishment for this woman. She put all these children's lives in danger. She could have killed them all. I'm very upset with the outcome."

Thompson's attorney, Thomas D. Trbovich, tells the "Early Show" that his client is "embarrassed."

"She's very sorry to the children," he says. "She never, ever would intentionally put any of those children ... in any type of risk."

What in the Blue Hell are you talking about Mr. Trbovich? No one FORCED alcohol down her throat. She CHOSE to drink. No one FORCED her to drive the Bus that day. She CHOSE to drive the Bus. No one put these kids in danger EXCEPT Martha Thompson. So she DID "intentionally put any {ALL} of those children ... in any type of {GRAVE} risk." Well, then again, DOES she have a record? Did the School Bus Company check her out? Were there any signs that there could be a possible problem? These are the questions I would be asking.

Congratulations Martha Thompson. You ARE the Idiot of the Week. Didn't anyone ever tell you that with great responsibility comes higher standards. You were responsible for all those Kids. Parents from every walk of life entrusted their well being into your care. YOU chose to allow yourself to drink, knowing that not only would that be placing YOU in danger, other drivers in danger, but all those Kids as well. Yet, YOU chose to do so anyway. YOU Ms. Thompson should be in JAIL! It goes without saying, that YOU, should never have a license to drive ANYTHING ever again. You should be VERY happy that I was not one of those parents.

Kudos to Ms. Grace Scherzer, and Chelsey Pierce. Job well done.
Peter

Sources:
AOL Parent Dish - Parents Outraged Over Drunk Bus Driver's Punishment