The Governator and his wife: exempt from the law

I saved the best for last! California has some of the strictest driving laws then any other state. The newest laws were put into effect and the top new law was hands free driving. Hands free driving means HANDS FREE! Though not all citizens have been observed following this rule and to be honest it drives me crazy! The one flaw with the law is that I do believe that it was a great idea in theory, but its not the phone, the real problem is the conversation. The more into the conversation you are the less attention you will be paying to the task at hand, driving.

Recently the Governor and his wife have been photographed breaking multiple driving violations, but it hasn't been just driving violations. Arnold has been to multiple well known Sacramento, Ca restaurants and has thrown what can be described as a temper tantrum because he wasn't allowed to smoke inside the facility! Lets get something straight, you are upset because you weren't allowed to do something that is not permitted in the state of California? Aren't you the Governor?

Arnold was caught parking in a red zone over the weekend and just shrugged it off as "everyone makes mistakes" well thats a very big mistake, did he get a ticket? Well now, and as he puts it "I haven't received a ticket in six years, well since I became Governor." Do we see a pattern here? How can we as citizens want to follow the laws when the law makers do not even follow them.

Arnolds wife, Maria Schriver was recently caught on three separate occasions talking on her cell phone here in California. When Arnold was asked about his wife's violations he said that he would take care of the matter! Take care of it? Well how long has she been a California resident? I believe they have lived here in California for quiet some time now, and wasn't her husband the one who got the bill to pass?

It floors me to see this, not only because they are celebrities, but because he is the Governor of this state? It just doesn't make sense to me, well yes it does. This is the reason that this blog was created, not to shove my opinions down people's throats, but to bring to light the real problem.

As a young child you have your role models, these are the people that they want to be like, a Governor is a very impressionable person that can and will influence those who look up to him. His wife, Maria, is a Kennedy, she is no stranger to the life of politics. She had no excuse to break any laws, regardless of the fact it was a minor violation.

check out the video's posted on TMZ.com regarding his violations.

http://www.tmz.com/2009/11/24/arnold-schwarzenegger-im-ticket-proof/

http://www.tmz.com/2009/11/24/arnold-the-governator-makes-mistakes-too/

Drunk Driving Kills, I know

We try to teach our children right from wrong, never talk to strangers, never get into a vehicle with someone you don't know, and never drink and drive. What about another important rule, never get in the car with someone who has been drinking. Lane Garrison, an actor who's life change when he landed a role on the television show Prison Break, has to think about December 2, 2006 everyday for the rest of his life. 

Lane Garrison, 26 years old, went to a high school party on 12-2-06. First problem, what was a 26 year old doing at a high school party to begin with? The party was well under way when he arrived. He was already high on cocaine and began to drink with the juveniles. When the alcohol ran out he was the first one they looked at to buy more for them. Now Lane regrets the decision he made at this moment. Lane Garrison took three of the juveniles with him to the store to buy more alcohol. The problem is, Lane was already drunk and the mixture of drugs and alcohol didn't let him get very far. He struck a tree killing a 17 year old passenger and seriously injuring the other two passengers. 

When the police arrived they administered a Breathalyzer test and found that his BAL (Blood Alcohol Level) was at .20!!! After he was taken into custody they also found that he had cocaine in his system as well as on him. Lane denied going to the store to buy the juveniles alcohol, but did state that he was driving the juveniles home from the party. 

It wasn't until his sentencing that Lane Garrison apologized to the families of the children that were injured and the boy who's life was cut short. He was charged with felony vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, felony driving under the influence with multiple victims, felony driving with a blood alcohol level above .08 causing injury, and a misdemeanor furnishing alcohol to a minor. This would only add up to 8 months - 6 years in prison. 

Lane Garrison pled guilty to all charges and was only sentenced to 40 months in prison, and only served 19 of them. Lane was released and was sent to rehabilitation and 4 years parole. To some they believe that he has learned his lesson and that he will have to relive that night for the rest of his life. Like Nick Hogan, they got off easy. 

What about the mothers and fathers of the children who were injured in this case? A report stated that those who supported Lane Garrison state that the children should have known better then to get into the vehicle with someone who was drinking. To those who believe that, you are just as guilty as Lane Garrison. He got off easy on this case, lets hope that he changes his life for the better. 

Here is Lane Garrisons Public Service Announcement: 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPhIEyQ52og

I started out young and never had a real life!

Lindsey Lohan, a name that is well know, a name that when said or heard you think of her first movie "The Parent Trap" or most recently, with drugs. Lindsey Lohan is no stranger to the good life, she started early in her life as an actress and from there she hit the floor running. Never being able to grow up in a real environment Lindsey quickly turned to the party life that was all around her. 

Lindsey's first attempt at rehabilitation was not on her own terms, she was advised by all to show that she "was trying" to clean herself up so she could land more movie roles. This didn't last very long as she only spent 30 days in Wonderland Center. This new found sobriety would not last as she lost control of her vehicle and crashed. When Police arrived they found a "useable" amount of cocaine. She was charged with reckless driving and driving under the influence. She was required to check into rehab again for the next 45 days. A VERY light sentence to someone who clearly has a problem. 

Only two months after her initial crash and arrest Lindsey was pulled over and arrested again and was asked to complete a field sobriety test, surprise surprise she FAILED! Lindsey blew over a .08 and was taken into custody for the second time regarding driving under the influence. Any other person on the street who had been arrested just two months prior for the same offense would have lost their license and most likely (not always) serve a little jail time. Lindsey, well she served 84 minutes, 100 community service hours, and probation. 

Lindsey was recently in the media again as she wasn't fulfilling her end of her probation agreement and going to her substance abuse classes. She was given yet another chance to change her ways and to clean up her act. How many chances does this girl need to get until she gets behind the wheel of her vehicle while drunk and kills someone? She has been treated llike every other celebrity. 

There are the cases where the judge does feel that jail time or even a harsher punishment would not be necessary, but in this case she needs a reality check. 

Don't you know who my father is?

Fathers, they are there when you fall down and hurt your knee, get your first trophy, and when you graduate from high school/college. When it comes to the lives of celebrities it pays to not only be famous yourself but when you have your father as one of the most well known Wrestling Champions you are bound to get special treatment. In the case of Nick Bolea, aka Nick Hogan his fathers fame, as well as his truly worked against his advantage.

Nick was street racing on August 26, 2007 in Clearwater Florida when the race went horribly wrong. He was going at such a high rate of speed that when he lost control of his vehicle and smashed into a palm tree the vehicle crumbled into pieces. Nick was not alone, he had his best friend John Graziano in the vehicle with him. Nick walked away from the accident with only cuts and bruises, but his passengers life was changed forever. John would be a bedridden and a quadriplegic for the rest of his life.

Nick turned himself in and was alter charged with reckless driving involving serious bodily injury which is a third degree felony and could lead up to 5 years in prison including fines. When it came time for sentencing, Nick plead guilty as his lawyers advised him that this will help with the plea deal, much to his surprise the judge was ready to throw that out the window. The judge wanted to make an example of Nick and sentenced the 17 year-old boy to 8 months in jail where he spent a majority of that time in solitary confinement.

Nick was street racing, but he was also a 17 year old boy who thought that he couldn't be touched because of how he grew up. the judge in this case was harsher on him because he wanted to show that there should not be special charges or lenient charges for celebrities. Nick should have received a very harsh punishment as he basically took the life of another human being as he knew it. The victim in this case will never be the same, but neither will Nick.

Fathers need to teach their children that regardless of the fact on how they grow up, rich or poor, they are just as responsible for their actions as everyone else. Nick hopefully has learned his lesson, but so should the judge in this case. An adult prison was no place for this boy, but the time served will never fade and neither will his friend who will never walk or speak again.

Nick's reaction to the sentencing was not that uncommon in this type of case. He was always taught that because of who his father was he was able to get away with anything. the actions that not only Nick, but also his father were those of disgust. Nick was heard talking about how his victim in the case was a negative person and he basically got what he deserved. Nick and his father both were aware that the phone conversations were recorded as it is posted in the jail at all times. Nick wanted to make himself look like the saint in this case when in all actuality he looked like the opposite. 

Michael Vick your local ASPCA advocate

Michael Vick was a well known athlete who played for the Atlanta Falcons for six seasons. He seemed to be on the top of his game, as a freshman in college he found himself up for the Heisman Trophy, but fell short of winning. He led the Falcons to playoffs twice as well as being ranked third rushing yards among quaterbacks. Michael Vick seemed like your everyday athlete and neighbor, until one day America was showed his true colors.

Michael had been running a dog fighting ring for over five years from his home when he was arrested in April of 2007 and suspended from the NFL until further notice. Vick had never been in trouble before and this was the tip of the iceberg. Vick was not only using the property for dog fighting, but he was also using the animals as a breeding ground for torture, not only that he performed, but torture that he allowed others to perform on the grounds.

Vick was sentenced to only 3 years in prison and was given a $2,500.00 fine, he not only served only 18 months behind bars but he also was signed on to the philadelphia Eagles for the 2009 football season where they had to cut members of the team to make room for this convicted felon.

Vick recently was on screen showing that he is now a proud supporter of the ASPCA as well as now talking and begun the works on his reality tv show. He is in the long line of our pro athletes who have been given a pass from our criminal system. Like others, he was a inspiration to our youth that watched him play as the years passed. He was given an amazing ability that he did take advantage of.

There are those who do believe that he was given a harsher punishment then he deserved, but what about the animals what were killed and tortured at his home, the animals that he watched and even hurt himself? Their argument was that it wasn't human life, well to me, and others our animals are family and they may not be human, but they still are just as important to us.

The ASPCA has made a statement regarding this case:

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS228881+21-Aug-2009+PRN20090821

I shouldn't be judged because I am an athlete

Athletes are much like celebrities, in fact they are. Young children look up to them as their rolemodels, people they want to be like when they grow up. Every child thinks that their athlete of choice is the best thing since their last new toy, they have posters on their walls, trading cards with their photo on them, and even wear their jerseys. What if your child wanted to wear the jersey of a drunk driver? What if they worshiped a man who was convicted of killing an inocent pedestrain? Donte Stallworth, a wide receiver with the Cleveland Browns was at the top of his game last season and was about to have what could have been the season of his lifetime. One night he made the desicion to go out have some drinks and without better judgement he began to drive home.

Donte Stallworth was headed onto the freeway when a construction worker, Mario Reyes, was getting off work and headed to his vehicle. Stallworth was at the legal drunk limit and he struck and killed Mr. Reyes. At the time he was arrested and was released on bail facing what should have been the sentence anyone who didn't have money or wasn't a celebrity should deserve. Donte Stallworth was sentenced to 30 days in jail, 2 years of house arrest, 8 years probation, 1,000 hrs of community service, and an undisclosed settlement.

The NFL did not take this case lightly at first and advised him that he was suspended until futher notice. They then decided to suspend him for the whole 2009 season, but was allowed to practice with the team while on house arrest. This is what is what I see as a slap in the face to our society. What kind f example are we setting not only for the rest of society and harsher punishment for drunk drivers, but what about those impressionable minds that are the youth. They look up to them and see that they not only are rich beyond belief, but they can also get away with murder and driving drunk.

MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers made a statement regarding celebrities and drunk driving, "MADD is calling on Hollywood and all pro sports teams to clean up their acts and for leaders in those industries to send a strong statement: drunk driving will not be tolerated. MADD will pursue meetings with these leaders to share information about MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving and to ask for support. Meantime, let’s stop the public displays of drunk driving (and, of course, all drunk driving) that not only sends an irresponsible and potentially deadly message, but have become a bad reality show that needs to have the plug pulled"

I leave you with a statement from Donte Stallworth that I can see that he is upset, but it does not bring back the victim or heal the pain of his family; "I urge NFL fans not to judge NFL players or me based on my tragic lapse in judgment. I am a good person who did a bad thing. I will use the period of my suspension to reflect, fulfill my obligations, and use this experience to make a positive impact on the lives of those who look up to NFL players."

But i'm really sorry, I wasn't raised this way!!!!

Chris Brown, what are we going to do with you? In history we see cases of men who abuse their wives or boyfriends abuse their girlfriends and they blame it on the victim, "they upset me and pushed my buttons" or "I drank too much and she was attacking me and i had to defend myself." The truth is, some men can't control their emotions and they let the anger take control of their lives.

Chris Brown, a twenty year old entertainer who was at the top of his game, new music, movies, and a double mint gum advertisement that even started a new trend with weddings. The argument started over an unknown topic and it left Rhianna, another musician who is still at the top of her game, bruised and bloody.

Chris Browns case is not that uncommon in the state of California, here is another case to wrap your brain around. A 22 year old women had been abused by her older boyfriend for two years with the fear that if she left he would harm her family. The victim finally got fed up with having to explain where her newest cuts and bruises came from to her family and her boyfriends family pulled her aside and asked if they were from their son. The victim advised them that they in fact were from him and they supported her decision to go to the police because they knew their son needed help. With the support of his family the victim went to her parents and told them the whole story and right then they went to the local police station and competed their report. With in 15 minute's the boyfriend was picked up and taken into custody.

Here is the real kicker! The boyfriend spent three days in jail and when it came time for his arraignment he plead guilty to all charges, and with in minutes the DA advised they were dropping all charges because 1. they were not married 2. they had no children and 3. they did not live together. The boyfriend received probation and anger management courses.

The moral of this case is that there is no justice in our society, the victim in this case was me. It has taken years for me to talk about it and to get to a point that where I am not hurt by our justice system, but it is one of the reasons I decided to go into law enforcement. Men like him, even with no prior offenses should spend time in jail, not all re-offend, but in cases such as this they are more likely to.

Chris Brown, like my case, plead guilty to felony assault and like my case he was given five years probation, community service, and has to stay away from Rhianna. Where is the justice? On either case is this showing the offender that what he did was a serious crime or is it showing them that they can get away with the crime? Chris Brown has only learned that the life of a celebrity can not only buy you the best, but it can get you out of a pickle.

Chris Brown is a celebrity, but what about our local hero's, our police men and women. According to Purple Beretes (http://www.purpleberets.com/), a group designated to help with the stop of violence against women, in 2003 of the 92% of the cases in Sand Diego that were tried, 42% were by a police officer and domestic violence is 2 - 4 times more likely to accrue in a police officer family then in a civilian family. If we are not safe from the people that are supposed to protect us, who can we turn to?

Please check out his "apology"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4SD6oBvbKY