this is such a great board... it's so nice to have "hot topic" conversations without resorting to angry bashing, which happens on many other boards...

pkq- yep, thank goodness for hopefully impartial juries and judges! I have pretty strong feelings about our laws and legal system and think sometimes we are far too lenient and other times far too harsh... but I work with law enforcement so my views are based on what I SEE personally... hard to remain impartial sometimes... I still feel bitter over an coworker who was killed by a drunk driver... since it was her first offense she only got 18 months for killing him (he was riding his bike home from work)... out in 9 months on "good behavior"... my coworker is gone forever... a permanent sentence due to her lack of responsibility...

drplasma... I don't know what the medical evidence is... but he was alive when the cement truck driver stopped... died on scene is my understanding... I am apalled that the boys who killed your grandmother didn't even get ticketed! wow... again, lack of responsibility... as to this situation, I will be surprised if he gets 4 yrs... he is 58 yrs old and on kidney dialysis... most likely his sentence will be less that 4 yrs... it must be devastating for HIS family too... his actions impacted so many people...

Irulan... another disturbing story... I guess I just can't understand how we are not holding people accountable for their actions... I don't have any perfect solution and don't have the answer... but it makes me sad...

AudioA... after 9/11 happened, my niece called me from Seattle... very frightened as she is half Saudi Arabian and looks middle eastern... she had not yet had a problem but was scared about the stereotyping that might be coming based on her appearance... I understand your sensitivity... and appreciate your stand on this as well as respect your responses...