Taking Responsibility

I have an issue with a news story I read on CNN.com today. Basically, a 6 year old boy fell to his death from a ferris wheel. Below is the actual article from the site. I am going to explain my issues with this after I allow you the opportunity to read it.


For any intereted, here is the link:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/06/20/ferris.wheel.death.ap/index.html


A 6-year-old boy plunged 90 feet to his death from the top of a Ferris wheel while his mother watched from below at the San Joaquin County Fair, authorities said.

Ruben Castillo was riding alone in his gondola, which was near the top of the 100-foot Giant Wheel when he fell Sunday afternoon, authorities said.He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

California Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials, who are investigating the incident, were told that the boy tried to climb out of his seat, said spokesman Dean Fryer. It was not immediately clear why he climbed out or whether he was properly secured in the seat, Fryer said.

The fair's rides have no age restrictions, only a height requirement, which Ruben met for the Giant Wheel, said Forrest White, the fair's executive director.

The ride was operated by Fairfield-based Butler Amusements Inc. and had a valid permit, which was due for its annual renewal next month, Fryer said.

"We are extremely sorry this tragic accident occurred," said Butler Amusements spokeswoman Mary Castel. The Giant Wheel will remain closed until the investigation is complete.

There is also a video on the site in which his mother says she has cried so many times, yet doesn't look as though any tears have been shed. She also goes on to say that her and her husband had wanted their son to go in a "car" that had more people, but that the ferris wheel operator let him go into a "car" alone. She is now calling for stricter safety guidelines for amusement park attractions. She suggests locks on the doors of the "cars" and having smaller children ride with a bunch of people instead of alone. The last thing she states in the video is that "something has to be done. He didn't deserve to go like that".


You know, I am in agreeance that amusement park rides "do" need better safety regulations, and that something should be done. However, in this particular case, I blame the parents for this accident.

That's right, I blame the parents, and I'll tell you why. First of all, the boy was 6 years old. A 6 year old boy has no business on any kind of adult ride by himself. His mother states that the ferris wheel operator should not have let him go alone, but what about her?

Why the hell did "she" let her son go alone on the ride? She specificvally states that she wanted hi to be seated with other people, yet blames the operator of the ride for letting him sit alone.

I'm not saying that the operator is guilt free on this. He should have taken the initiative and made sure the boy wasn't alone. However, that isn't his responsibility. That should be left up to the parents. She says she didn't want him on it alone, yet she let him go. Don't expect the operator of the ride to do your job as a parent and monitor your child if you can't!

The thing that really gets me about all this is that she blames safety regulations instead of the real culprit....herself.

It seems so easy to take the easy way out in life anymore and lay the blame on some other poor soul when someone screws up. However, it is unacceptable.

This happens all the time with people blaming music, video games, television or movies. These things may act as a stimulant, but they are not to blame. They are what they are, and its up to the parents to actually get up and do their jobs.

I'm particularly upset about this because it was a very tragic accident that could have easily....easily been avoided. If she had gotten on the ride with him, he would still be here. If she had said that he couldn't ride alone, he would still be here.

Lady, I am truly sorry for your loss, but don't look for the scapegoat in this. Take responsibility for your inaction. Learn from your mistakes. Honor the memory of your son by admitting your faults instead of going after somoene who should bear less responsibility in this than you. Be an adult.

I know some of you may see this as harsh, but I do strongly feel that she is to blame. She had the power to stop it. Granted, she didn't think this would happen, who would have? Better yet, who would have wanted to think these thoughts?

I truly hope her son rests in peace, and God will let her learn from her mistakes.