When I was younger, I had a Nintendo and Sega system. Eventually, I grew out of it. Rarely do I ever play video games anymore. As a grown up, I’ve never really had the interest in purchasing one. I think they’re great, especially with all the detailed graphics and types of games available. I wish I did own a Wii or Play Station, but I really don’t have the time play. I never realized that the games now are so realistic and mimic things that happen daily in today’s society. I’m familiar with the “Grand Theft Auto” series, but never knew that it came out with a version that showed sexual content.
After reading the article regarding lawsuit involving the video game “Grand Theft Auto”, I think I would side with the game company that was sued. I don’t think Rock Star Games and their parent company, Take Two Interactive Software, really did anything wrong with creating the game since they clearly labeled it “M” for mature, for players 17 or older. The grandmother, who sued the company because of the sexually explicit content, should be at fault for purchasing the game for her 14 year old grandson. Why did she give her grandson the game when she knew that it was meant for a mature audience? Isn’t that common sense? Apparently the grandmother knew the nature of the game and should have never purchased it if it was intended for a minor to use. It’s upsetting to me because all of this would have been avoided if she did research or asked someone at the store she bought the game at for more information about it before purchasing it. I’m assuming she did not read the label that was on the game before she purchased it. And even if she did, she should have seen it coming. I believe the grandmother could have made a better decision as an adult. As a parent, I would have never allowed it in the first place. That’s my opinion.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Comment on Jaclyn Donatelli's Blog
I posted a blog on Jaclyn Donatelli's blog regarding what I thought of lawyers and here's what I wrote...
I’d have to agree with you 100% on the fact that lawyers are expensive. I actually spent almost $10,000 just to take my ex to court. And all I wanted was to see my daughters. Normally, it’s the women that take the men to court. But in my case, it was the other way around. Even if I did not buy a car or house at the time, I can honestly say that it was probably the best investment I’ve made. Because of it, I have joint legal custody with my ex and I see my girls every weekend. Although frustrating and time consuming-it lasted 2 years, I am happy that my daughters are in my life. That was my main goal. I’m very fortunate I was able to get a great lawyer to represent me. He may have been expensive, but he gave me what I wanted. He was someone I grew to trust since he was representing me. Throughout the two years that he was my lawyer, I saw more to him than the way most lawyers today are portrayed. Hey, they’re human too! It’s just sad that there are crooked lawyers as well. I guess the saying is true about “You get what you pay for”.
Personally, I have never been in trouble with the law. I hope it stays that way. If I ever need a lawyer, I’ll be sure to get a hold of you since you have the connections.
I’d have to agree with you 100% on the fact that lawyers are expensive. I actually spent almost $10,000 just to take my ex to court. And all I wanted was to see my daughters. Normally, it’s the women that take the men to court. But in my case, it was the other way around. Even if I did not buy a car or house at the time, I can honestly say that it was probably the best investment I’ve made. Because of it, I have joint legal custody with my ex and I see my girls every weekend. Although frustrating and time consuming-it lasted 2 years, I am happy that my daughters are in my life. That was my main goal. I’m very fortunate I was able to get a great lawyer to represent me. He may have been expensive, but he gave me what I wanted. He was someone I grew to trust since he was representing me. Throughout the two years that he was my lawyer, I saw more to him than the way most lawyers today are portrayed. Hey, they’re human too! It’s just sad that there are crooked lawyers as well. I guess the saying is true about “You get what you pay for”.
Personally, I have never been in trouble with the law. I hope it stays that way. If I ever need a lawyer, I’ll be sure to get a hold of you since you have the connections.
Myspace Hoax Gone Awry
After reading the story about Megan Meier, it made me think of my own children. As a father of three beautiful girls, I can’t fathom what it would be like to lose any or all of them. It just amazes me first of all how the parents involved allowed their daughter, Megan, to create a Myspace profile in the first place. What’s even troublesome to me is that fact that Megan’s parents gave her the permission to have an online romance with a sixteen year old boy in the first place. The girl was only thirteen years old.
I believe that it comes down to parenting. If Megan had a disorder and her parents knew that she was mentally unstable, why did they allow her to get involved with someone in the first place? With any romantic relationship, emotions-both physically and mentally, are always involved. And having a young girl such as Megan, with some type of disorder, should have never been given permission at all to have a relationship. Let alone, a Myspace account. If Megan’s parents knew that Megan was bothered and upset, why didn’t they stop online privileges or discontinue her Myspace subscription? What the hell were Mr. and Mrs. Meier thinking? How could they call themselves parents? It makes me upset as a parent to see something like this happen. And because of it, Megan is no longer around.
As for the other party involved, I just think they were plain stupid and immature to harass Megan. How could the mother, who was reportedly responsible for the crime, become so consumed in her own daughter’s problems? Doesn’t she have a life? I’d love to go on and on about parenting, but have some common sense folks. People need to grow up. It should have never escalated to this in the first place. If the mother involved with supposedly creating a fictional “boy” did not do what she did and left the situation alone, we would still have Megan around. She should have never interfered in such a matter. Ethically and morally, it may have been wrong. “Both ethics and morals are concerned with standards of right and wrong” (Essentials of Business Law, Liuzzo/Bonnice, p. 19). I’m not sure if it was wrong legally since there weren’t any evidence to support that the other party intentionally wanted to physically harm Megan. Why didn’t the mother accused of driving Megan to her death just leave it alone? Whatever happened to the good ole days when we all grew up dealing with things person to person? Mano y mano. Back in the days, when anyone had a problem or “beef”, we would confront the person face to face and tell them our peace of mind. Yes, it may have probably gotten out of hand-possibly a fight or something, but it was taken care of. We grow up and learn from the experience and hopefully one day laugh about it all. Why make it such a big deal? I know times have changed, but I honestly feel that it should have never come to this. It is all this technology that has become a part of our daily lives. You either embrace it or not. It is a culture influenced by today’s society. “An individual’s values are significantly influenced by those held by groups to which he or she belongs.” (Essentials of Business Law, Liuzzo/Bonnice, p. 19).
In all, I feel that Megan’s parents are to blame in this situation. If they did not allow Megan to start a Myspace account, this would have never happened. Secondly, if an apology is what they need, then the other mother involved should be the better person and do so. After all that’s happened, Mr. and Mrs. Meiers have filed for divorce. It’s sad that all of this could have been prevented. What we should learn from all this is basically the way we raise our children. In today’s society, we need to be more in tune with what our children do. We need to keep them close and grounded. I think we’ve lost sight of that.
I believe that it comes down to parenting. If Megan had a disorder and her parents knew that she was mentally unstable, why did they allow her to get involved with someone in the first place? With any romantic relationship, emotions-both physically and mentally, are always involved. And having a young girl such as Megan, with some type of disorder, should have never been given permission at all to have a relationship. Let alone, a Myspace account. If Megan’s parents knew that Megan was bothered and upset, why didn’t they stop online privileges or discontinue her Myspace subscription? What the hell were Mr. and Mrs. Meier thinking? How could they call themselves parents? It makes me upset as a parent to see something like this happen. And because of it, Megan is no longer around.
As for the other party involved, I just think they were plain stupid and immature to harass Megan. How could the mother, who was reportedly responsible for the crime, become so consumed in her own daughter’s problems? Doesn’t she have a life? I’d love to go on and on about parenting, but have some common sense folks. People need to grow up. It should have never escalated to this in the first place. If the mother involved with supposedly creating a fictional “boy” did not do what she did and left the situation alone, we would still have Megan around. She should have never interfered in such a matter. Ethically and morally, it may have been wrong. “Both ethics and morals are concerned with standards of right and wrong” (Essentials of Business Law, Liuzzo/Bonnice, p. 19). I’m not sure if it was wrong legally since there weren’t any evidence to support that the other party intentionally wanted to physically harm Megan. Why didn’t the mother accused of driving Megan to her death just leave it alone? Whatever happened to the good ole days when we all grew up dealing with things person to person? Mano y mano. Back in the days, when anyone had a problem or “beef”, we would confront the person face to face and tell them our peace of mind. Yes, it may have probably gotten out of hand-possibly a fight or something, but it was taken care of. We grow up and learn from the experience and hopefully one day laugh about it all. Why make it such a big deal? I know times have changed, but I honestly feel that it should have never come to this. It is all this technology that has become a part of our daily lives. You either embrace it or not. It is a culture influenced by today’s society. “An individual’s values are significantly influenced by those held by groups to which he or she belongs.” (Essentials of Business Law, Liuzzo/Bonnice, p. 19).
In all, I feel that Megan’s parents are to blame in this situation. If they did not allow Megan to start a Myspace account, this would have never happened. Secondly, if an apology is what they need, then the other mother involved should be the better person and do so. After all that’s happened, Mr. and Mrs. Meiers have filed for divorce. It’s sad that all of this could have been prevented. What we should learn from all this is basically the way we raise our children. In today’s society, we need to be more in tune with what our children do. We need to keep them close and grounded. I think we’ve lost sight of that.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
What Do I Think of Lawyers?
I think of lawyers as being both good and bad. But then again, I suppose it just depends what side of the fence you're on. I’ve seen them in action on both sides of the spectrum. I’ve personally dealt with lawyers when my parents divorced, when I was a witness to a crime, and the time I took my ex to court for child visitations. I did not have any problems with the divorce and family lawyers, since it dealt more of the best interest of the children involved and rectifying the situation in a civil manner. I hate to stereotype, but the criminal lawyers I have come across were very keniving, a bit sneaky, cold-hearted, with some sort of agenda. They wanted to know all of my business-always asking questions that seemed irrelevant. You’d be surprised in the things they will do to try and get information from you. It's like the stuff you see in the movies.
There are many lawyers who really want to help you and there are those who just want your money. I really don’t like those types of greedy lawyers. I also hate the fact that they charge you up the ying-yang for every single thing-from the copying of documents, to calling them up just to ask a question, etc. It’s ridiculous! I recall retaining a lawyer and he charged me $250 per hour. Ouch! I have to say he was a great lawyer, but it hurt my pocket dearly. I can honestly say he was worth every penny. I can go on rambling about how I don’t like this, or I don’t like that.
In all, lawyers can work against you or for you. What matters is, is the fact that they get the job done the first time around. I’ve seen people jump from one lawyer to the next. It’s just one of those things where you can’t live with them and you can’t live without them. As much as we loathe lawyers, we really need them.
There are many lawyers who really want to help you and there are those who just want your money. I really don’t like those types of greedy lawyers. I also hate the fact that they charge you up the ying-yang for every single thing-from the copying of documents, to calling them up just to ask a question, etc. It’s ridiculous! I recall retaining a lawyer and he charged me $250 per hour. Ouch! I have to say he was a great lawyer, but it hurt my pocket dearly. I can honestly say he was worth every penny. I can go on rambling about how I don’t like this, or I don’t like that.
In all, lawyers can work against you or for you. What matters is, is the fact that they get the job done the first time around. I’ve seen people jump from one lawyer to the next. It’s just one of those things where you can’t live with them and you can’t live without them. As much as we loathe lawyers, we really need them.
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