In a wonderfully irresponsible and confusing article in today's Spokesman-Review, Rebecca Nappi passes on tips from experts to help you keep your child safe during the summer.
Pools and parks are busier than ever this year, thanks to economy-induced “staycations” and the opening of new pools in Spokane. Rebuilt pools at Shadle Park and A.M. Cannon Park open today.
But the sunshine of summer can get clouded over by the presence in playgrounds, parks and pools of people who shouldn’t be there – sex offenders.
One wonders why parents allow their children to go to the Spokane parks and pools what with the profusion of child molestations and abductions occurring there. The whole tone of this presumably helpful article reminds me of former Vice President Richard Cheney's description of the Bush administration's anti-terrorism doctrine. If there's a one percent chance of something happening, we have to treat it as a certainty.
Be afraid and make your kids afraid, too. And if you're a lone adult out enjoying the park or pool, be careful you don't set off someone's sixth sense by talking to a child. So we are duly warned. Why bother with talking to your kids, building their confidence and self-esteem, etc., when telling them to be afraid works so well?
But wait! They're not done warning us of who to look out for.
Sgt. Jim Faddis, head of Spokane Police Department’s sexual assault unit, said, “The people you should be aware of, too, are people in your own home.”
According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, 43 percent of children who are sexually abused are abused by family members, 33 percent are abused by someone they know and the remaining 24 percent are sexually abused by strangers.
And you thought the parks and pools were unsafe.
Try Not to Sing Along
2 months ago
3 comments:
Sometimes Nappi comes across as a very talented, insightful writer. Then there are the other times, such as your example.
I still remember one of her so-called serious articles on national events when she disclosed that she could not watch President Bush on the television because he made her physically ill.
And with all of this she is supposed to be the unemotional, just the facts reporter . . .
Shallow indeed! I just found you through One Minute Writer. After reading through a few of your recent posts and accompanying links, I have to say, I'll be sticking around. Thanks!
You're very welcome. And thank you for the compliment.
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