Affluenza: Say What?

It is hard to believe that a 16 year old, who drove drunk and killed four people, escaped jail. A psychologist testified that he was “disadvantaged” by his wealth and the enablement of his parents. She coined the term “Affluenza” to describe the condition she attributed to him. He was given 10 years probation and told not to drink.

Recently a video surfaced, which seemed to show the youth taking part in a raucous party. His probation officer tried to contact him, but the boy, who is now 18, and his mother had left town.

If our justice system  gives breaks, it should be to truly disadvantaged people, namely the poor, the ill, and the disenfranchised. This boy had numerous opportunities and apparently he squandered them. If killing four people in a drunken stupor isn’t a “wake up call”, then what is?” Shame on his parents for enabling him to once again escape the law. The case reminds me of Dan White, who killed Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. His “ Twinkie Defense” helped him become a “free” man; though years later he committed suicide in San Francisco.