Blaming the victim in North Sac hit-and-run death

The problem with being a self-described “advocate” is that you are often in the unfortunate position of having to advocate for your cause even when doing so ignores a more important cause. Case in point: Child’s hit-run death in North Sac spurs school safety warnings (Sac Bee)

Safety advocates sounded a grim reminder to drivers and walkers after Monday’s hit-and-run death of a 4-year-old boy outside a North Sacramento school: Drivers need to be extra cautious in school zones, and walkers need to hold on to little ones when crossing a driveway or parking lot.

Yes, obviously parents and caregivers need to keep their kids safe. But in this case we are talking about a hit-and-run driver who ran over a 4 year old boy in a crosswalk and dragged his body into the street. We’re probably not dealing with a fellow parent who forgot to slow down. I grumble as much as the next grumpy old man about lazy parents. But with a hit-and-run it should not require a Criminal Science degree to place roughly 100% of the blame squarely on the driver. If there is a time to ask questions about what the victim could have done better, it is not the very next morning.

Continue reading “Blaming the victim in North Sac hit-and-run death”

I’m Scared, You’re Scared, We’re All Scared of the Red Scare!

Red-MenaceThis Friday at the Center for Sacramento History, you too can be frightened out of your wits by the hoary spectre of COMMUNISM! Starting at 6pm, with lectures at 7:30, you can take a stroll down memory lane to 1935, when our civic forefathers tried over a dozen farm labor unionists for trying to overthrow the government.  Good times, good times.  Refreshments may or may not be served, but if anyone over there has a sense of humor they’ll serve red wine…or vodka shots.  Check out the CSH website for more details.