Underage Drinking and Driving- A Minor Rant
Hello All:
I’m sorry I’ve been away for so long. I’m officially a student at UW-Eau Claire now but never fear, I’m my heart is still in Wausau!
Break a leg to the cast of SWEENEY TODD! I’m sorry I won’t be there to see you, but I know you’ll shine. Especially Andy and Jill!!!
I’m also sorry that my first post since I’ve left has to be such a downer. It’s probably by far the most controversial thing I’ve EVER blogged about, so we’ll see how that goes.
It’s as follows….
So, I’m crusing around Facebook the other day, when I see that a guy I went to middle school with has this very depressing status.
It’s something along the lines of “Can’t believe it’s happening, RIP Mike, Praying for Shawn”, except written in thug spelling where the LeTtErs ArE LiKe ThIs.
I get a tad alarmed, as I also went to middle school with a “Mike” and “Shawn” so I investigate further, because I want know now if someone I know is suddenly no longer alive anymore.
I find a local article in the paper that matches the description. Apparently, a 17 year old got into a crash, killing this Mike, and critically injuring Shawn, who was flown to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
As it turns out, I did not know these people. However, this feeling of relief was quickly replaced with anger as I read further.
Because then it reads that the driver, who was apparently treated for minor injuries and released, is being charged with negligent homicide, and intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.
WTF?!?!?!?
Seriously people, you need to get your heads out of your asses.
I got to the “Memorial” page on Facebook, and it’s filled with this crap, like “Man, Mike waz teh best at PaRtYs!!” and other completly unreadable trash.
Everyone is COMPLETELY SHOCKED as to how something like this could happen… and then go on to talk about how there’s a party this weekend and it’s too bad that they won’t be able to be there.
And then there’s the Related Groups on the Side of the Page, and I quote:
RIP Troy
Pray For Shawn
You know you’re from Wisconsin if…
WISCONSIN: OUT DRINKIN UR STATE SINCE 1848
Hail to Wisconsin: #1 most underage drinking state!!11!!
*breath*
How on earth is this some sort of mystery?!?!?!? Every single picture on Facebook depicted these kids being high, or drunk, or both. And yet everyone is COMPLETELY MYSTIFIED as to how something like this could happen, even when it’s not their first friend to die!
And now, this 17 year old has to live with the fact that he just ended one friend’s life, and the other is on the brink of dying.
I’m not preaching some holier-than-thou attitude towards drinking or anything like that, because it’s the driving that bothers me not so much the drinking. (Whatever happened to taking keys away??)
And I have nothing but sympathy for the families of these kids who are going through an incredibily tough time.
However, I say this to the Youth of Wisconsin, America, and my OWN generation:
Get a life, get a clue. And your friends just might live longer.
Citizen Wausau » Blog Archive » Your Voice: Sept 9 said:
[…] • Our own politicalactorvist, now a freshman at UW-Eau Claire, has a close call where he temporarily thinks an old friend died in a car crash. They didn’t, but the kid who did really, really did not have to. […]
September 9th, 2008 at 9:49 pm #