Letter to the Editor The Sun-Sentinel

May 17, 2010

Letter to the Editor
The Sun-Sentinel
200 East Las Olas Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301

RE: “Who will commit juvenile crime?” – A headline from today’s Sun-Sentinel

Sirs,

With neither a hint of irony nor a touch of whimsy I was confronted by the above headline in today’s pre-dawn hours. Just

“Who will commit juvenile crime?”

It was followed by a story of how cash strapped Florida is going to spend $15,000 to buy software that will tell us who will commit juvenile crime. If I save the state $15,000 can I have your support for a fee? 10% sounds OK.

I’ll spare you the suspense.

Juveniles will commit juvenile crime.

Much concern is raised about “profiling” feral youthful offenders.

Thank God for Logic!

While it is true that not all Muslims are anti-American terrorists it is equally true that all anti-American terrorists in this century have been Muslim. There is an old Russian proverb that says, “Just because the wolf shows you his teeth it doesn’t mean he’s smiling”. The follow up adage “Always keep your ax handy” is still good advice.

Is that “profiling”?

Imagine it is 70 years ago. Imagine someone is wearing a black shirt, humming Wagner, and shouting TODT JUDEN. Do you think he would have the best interests of Jews at heart? If you did you would have taken Ambassador Kennedy’s advice to heart and the Hun would still be in Paris.

The question of “juvenile profiling” is not directed at teens in Lighthouse Point or Southwest Ranches. It is directed at Black youth on Sistrunk Boulevard. Kids living in Section 8 housing in Liberty City would qualify also.

Does raising the question constitute “profiling”?

“Headless Body in Topless Bar” was one of the classic headlines. “John Garfield Still Dead” ranks high also. The London Times had a contest in the 1930s for upside down, inside out headlines. “Small Earthquake in Chile – Not Many Die” was the winner.

You told us on Saturday that there were some hidden benefits to the oil spill. Obviously if one bad well is good for the economy think how much better we would all be if 50 wells suddenly blew their tops.

Sunday’s stab at humor was the one about how Florida lags in bad doctors being reported. If I hold that one up to a mirror would it mean that Florida, lagging behind in reading scores while scoring high on teenage obesity, could be #1 in something? Admittedly, unreported bad doctors is not the most worthy of categories but it sure as Hell beats

Who Will Commit Juvenile Crime?


Kevin Smith

PS – About the hidden benefits of oil spills, you may wish to read about “the Broken Window Theory of Economic Growth”. Some time spent learning about Frederic Bastiat would not be wasted either.