We're in the 3 D's!

There was an article in the newspaper early this month about a police department foul-up in Austin. A 19-year-old was driving with her 10-year-old nephew as a passenger. The 10-year-old was hanging out the window. A police officer stopped them. Here's where the foul-up occurred. He cited the little boy for not being belted in properly. He should have ticketed the driver.

At any rate, the little boy says he was scared. I really think his family's just trying to get their 15 minutes of fame. However, there's something exceedingly sad about this tale. The little boy told the reporter, "He made me sign my signature, but I don't have a signature because I'm 10 years old." A 10 year old doesn't know how to sign his name? Folks, we're in the 3 D's -- deep doo-doo! The important part of this story is not about a bureaucratic mistake -- it's a scathing indictment of our educational system.

"10-year-old ticketed in seat belt slip-up." The Dallas Morning News; June 4, 2011; p. 5A.

Dallas Morning News funny: Headline on page 4P of the June 26, 2011, issue: "Death nell for cartels?" Snidely Whiplash tying Nell Fenwick to the railroad track floated through my mind. What a goof for a nationally known newspaper!