Like Father, Like Daughter

[Mischka]

Jenna Bush is facing her second alcohol-related incident in a month. After pleading no contest to a minor in possession charge last month, yesterday she tried to buy alcohol at a restaurant in Austin using someone else's ID. No charges have been filed, though Austin police are investigating.

A few things struck me about this story. (1) Did she not think anyone would recognize her or her entourage of Secret Service agents? (2) She hasn't even completed her community service for the first offense - wouldn't common sense dictate laying low for a while? (3) Her Yalie twin sister was with her - even if the greater likelihood of recognition of BOTH Bush daughters wouldn't deter her, why didn't the smarter sister stop her?

Now I understand that most freshman - especially at UT - try to score alcohol anywhere and at any time. But when you are the First Daughter, doesn't she feel a greater obligation to set a good example? Especially with her father's past "indiscretions"? Or are we witnessing the next Bush alcoholic in need of help?

http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/05/30/jenna.bush.02/index.html

I tried to find the corresponding right-wing version on foxnews.com, but alas, they have not mentioned the incident.

 

[Merelan]

I think we are witnessing a teenager, a young woman being just that. A young woman. the spotlight is on her cause of Daddy.
Poor kid. Being the President's daughter, any President, would be enough to make me drink.

 

[WriterDom]

I find that article about as relative and interesting as this one.

America's Elite Close Ranks over Gore Son's Suspension

By Stephen Robinson in Washington
London Telegraph, March 22, 1996

The crusading American media and Washington's political elite have closed ranks to protect Vice-President Al Gore from embarrassment over his teenage son's indiscretion.

Albert Gore, 13, was last month suspended from St Albans, the capital's most exclusive private school, after teachers discovered him, another boy and two girls drinking alcohol at a school dance.

The White House and the school refuse to provide any details of the incident but young Albert was also found to be smoking a herbal substance, described by sources as either marijuana or oregano seeds. The other boy was expelled from the £10,000-a-year school, while Albert was let off with a suspension and severe reprimand.

 

[lavender]

 

[Barb Dwyer]

I cannot suspend my disbelief in this case whatsoever!

First, forget that her father is the President of the United States. The simple fact that she was caught and charged with a similar offense within such a short time span demonstrates that she lacks the common sense to know she should lay low for awhile.

Secondly, since her father IS the President of the United States, shouldn't she respect that position and take into consideration the sensitive nature of how her own actions might reflect upon her father?

Next, hasn't her father instructed her coterie of Secret Service agents to counsel her - if not prevent her - from indulging in such reckless behavior?

Did these girls inherit any intelligence at all? Don't they realize that they are now in the public eye and every move will be scrutinized and reported? Do they not care?

Did they inherit a more nefarious trait? A gene for alcoholism? Or do they just like living on the edge cause it's a cool place to be and more fun than taking responsibility for their actions?

Yes, lots of underage kids drink. Many who are out on their own for the first time do indulge in rebellious or naughty behavior because they can! But, most also learn from their mistakes and modify their behavior in the face of legal consequences. (not to mention having to tell mom and dad or, in this case, having it splashed across tv screens and newspaper headlines)

This is just too hard for me to believe!

 

[Guest]

http://www.bartcop.com/530apple.jpg

 

[unusuallyconfused]

I dont know that a young pretty college girl would be like the rest of todays youth and yesterdays youth. Poor kid. Everyone needs a chance to break free, I guarantee everyone on this board has/had a rebellious streak. I don't think that getting caught twice is a sign of stupidity, more desparation. She wants to be wild. WHo of us can hold that one against her.

 

[April]

She's 19. She don't know shit! I don't care how educated you are, at 19, you're still basically a kid. And she should have been arrested.

 

[teresafannin]

I know a lot of kids at TCU that are friends of my son & both of the Bush girls have wild reputations. They will be protected & allowed to get away with such behavior because of who they are. When my 15 year old son & a 17 year old friend were caught with alcohol, they got a trip to the police station, court dates, 72 hours of community service, 8 hours of alcohol awareness class for both kids & parents & $200.00 court costs. My son learned his lesson & in the last 2 1/2 years of his life totally stayed out of trouble. He didn't get his driver's license until all his community service was done & didn't get to buy his truck until he reimbursed me for the court costs. The Bush girls have always been allowed to do what they want, when they want, without any consequences, same goes for Al Gore's son. I don't know about other states, but in Texas, the number of young people injured & killed in alcohol related accidents is sky high. Being a young, pretty girl has nothing to do with it & is never an excuse, she is old enough to take responsibility for her actions. It is one thing to break free, unusually confused, but would you be so understanding if Jenna was drinking & driving & hit you or child? I don't feel sorry for her at all, she is a spoiled brat & I hope that she learns her lesson before something tragic happens.

[Edited by teresafannin on 05-30-2001 at 07:12 PM]

 

[lavender]

 

[unusuallyconfused]

I was very wrong. I gave an opinion with only knowing a few of the facts. There is never an excuse to drink and drive. I bet this wont be the first time I screw up! I based my opinion on facts given from a friend while I was taking care of three children under 4 while trying to post.

 

[teresafannin]

Hi unusuallyconfused, I am sorry if I came across as sounding harsh. In a little over a year, 2 of my nephews died in alcohol related accidents, they were 19 & 20. My son learned his lesson regarding alcohol, but we didn't get a chance to see what his life could become, he was murdered in a mass shooting here in Texas, he was only 17. Alcohol related accidents are killing far too many young people. A lot of people thought I was too hard on my son, but I wanted him to understand that there are consequences to your actions. He never drank again, the class on alcohol awareness he took made quite an impact & the kids he met who had major drinking problems made him realize how serious alcohol can be. There is nothing worse than burying a child, I hope that the Bush family never has to go through what my family has.

 

[unusuallyconfused]

Oh no you weren't harsh at all, I really gave an opinion without the facts. I only knew that she was trying to drink with a fake ID when I rendered it. I have alcoholics in my family that I detest, really I took no offense. I was simply wrong and I would never have given that opinion if I knew the whole story. I am so sorry for your losses. It is very tragic due to some self centered people.

 

[TinaG13]

I know a lot of kids at TCU that are friends of my son & both of the Bush girls have wild reputations. They will be protected & allowed to get away with such behavior because of who they are. When my 15 year old son & a 17 year old friend were caught with alcohol, they got a trip to the police station, court dates, 72 hours of community service, 8 hours of alcohol awareness class for both kids & parents & $200.00 court costs. My son learned his lesson & in the last 2 1/2 years of his life totally stayed out of trouble. He didn't get his driver's license until all his community service was done & didn't get to buy his truck until he reimbursed me for the court costs. The Bush girls have always been allowed to do what they want, when they want, without any consequences, same goes for Al Gore's son. I don't know about other states, but in Texas, the number of young people injured & killed in alcohol related accidents is sky high. Being a young, pretty girl has nothing to do with it & is never an excuse, she is old enough to take responsibility for her actions. It is one thing to break free, unusually confused, but would you be so understanding if Jenna was drinking & driving & hit you or child? I don't feel sorry for her at all, she is a spoiled brat & I hope that she learns her lesson before something tragic happens.

[Edited by teresafannin on 05-30-2001 at 07:12 PM]

Exactly!! The common person on the street always gets the book thrown at them, while ppl who are rich or well known usually only get a slap on the wrist. It leads them to believe that they are above it all and doesn't do a damn thing to help them in the long run....

 

[Guest]

Dear Ted,
You killed my daughter and slept off your drunken stupor protected by your Mafia family Hell has a special place for you. If only we had stopped you when you were 19 and wanted a beer. It seems that rape runs in your family. . If only Bill had learned better from his drunk abusing father he might have been a republican. Damn DNA.

 

[lavender]

 

[lavender]

 

[Guest]

And why do you feel the need to throw the Kennedy's in to ANY discussion about this? It is irrelevant. Start your own damned thread to bash the Kennedy's for chrissakes!

Sheesh! [/B]

Oh... I thought it was about public figures and alcohol abuse. Forgive me with connecting a drunken murderer with a non public teen who ordered a beer. Well, I guess the rules have changed now with presidential siblings. How silly of me.

 

[lavender]

 

[Ask For More]

Now now lavvy..it's a deliberate attempt to incense you i feel
So put up the blinds and be nice

 

[lavender]

 

[Guest]

All your doing is try to vindicate the actions of Jenna Bush because we let something go decades ago that we shouldn't have. Fruitful argumentation tactics! Thanks.

Yep... ordering a beer is much worse than murder.

 

[Guest]

If only Bill had learned from his drunk abusing father he might have been a republican.

Check and mate.

 

[Mischka]

Yep... ordering a beer is much worse than murder.

So because Jenna's problem has not reached the point where she has killed someone (like her mother), then this isn't an issue that needs to be discussed? So conservatives show no concern until a felony is at stake?

 

[Guest]

If only Bill had learned from his drunk abusing father he might have been a republican.

Check and mate.

yep you better put some ice on that