21 views and no comments.  I'm hoping it's because 21 other viewers were as dumbfounded as I when I read your post, Davin.

At first, I thought that you were making an attempt at satire, a Buck Henry-ish "Toilets for the blind...I'm against them! What's your opinion? Call in now!" stirring of the pot to generate some controversy.

Then reality raised its ugly head (as it often does) and reminded me that this is the BAKERSFIELD Californian website...no satire allowed!  That would mean you really find it strange to  help the children of parents who are incarcerated.

I guess I see your point.  After all, we should always visit the sins of the parents upon the children.  It's the Bakersfield Way! Even though these kids are in fact blameless for the actions of the adults (and in many cases, they are the actual VICTIMS of said illegal activity) we should make sure they understand from an early age that we expect them to be no better than their parents and they can expect no help from their neighbors to get them through this particularly tough period in their lives.

Particularly at Christmas, when the prevailing sentiment for 20-30 days is "Love Thy Neighbor".  We don't want them to think that the temporary outpouring of kindness and affection we show towards others in any way applies to them.  They are the children of CRIMINALS and thus exist on a lower plane than the rest of us.  They are undeserving of any gifts at Christmas, due to the illegal actions of their parents.  No "Angel Tree" gifts, no gifts for kids at the Jameson Center (where many of the children of these dastardly criminals start their new journey through our Superior Society) and no Toys for Tots (where I have no proof, but I have to believe that a significant portion of the children who are recipients of THESE gifts have one or both parents residing in a government funded lockup somewhere).

The long term benefits of separating these kids and branding them as CHILDREN OF CRIMINALS is that we create new cannon fodder for the Criminal Justice Machine.  This Machine can only exist if fueled by new bodies on a daily basis.  By taking away any hope for a better life from these kids, we guarantee that the Machine will continue to feed with gusto on a daily basis for many years to come.  

This then ensures continued employment for the hundreds of thousands of people who are employed directly or indirectly by the Prison Economy of California.  And hey, they'll have more money to spend on their kids since they won't have those pesky "Give to Help the Unfortunate" campaigns to guilt them into donating each Christmas Season.

As one of the opinion shapers in the community, I guess I shouldn't expect any less from you, Davin.  This same attitude was prevalent in Bakersfield when I lived there, and I am sad to see that it continues to thrive unabated.  I guess once ignorance gains a foothold, it's like a noxious weed.  It will grow and thrive in any environment...even during the Season of Giving.

As for you Davin, in the event I ever stage a revival of "The Wizard of Oz" I encourage you to audition for the roles of Scarecrow and Tin Man.  You possess the two physical characteristics that make you perfect for both roles.

Jeff, I have to disagree with you on saying that not giving to children is a Bakersfield mentality.  One columnist doesn't speak for the vast amount of people who give in this community.  I don't have the numbers handy but my son rides with a Harley group here in town and they bring in huge abounts of toys and money.  From listening to him, most of their big runs are charity runs.  Toys For Tots is a big recipeint of their Christmas run.     At least one of the TV stations has a clothing drive at the beginning of school and there are coat drives as cold weather approaches.  (I have a bag full to give right now).  There are school supply drives too.  Toy drives, food drives.  There is even a postman food drive where we leave food at the mailbox for them to gather.  When these drives are sponored by Cannel 17 for instance there are long lines of cars waiting to drop off donations.  It's not just the "20-30" days of "Love Thy Neighbor."

Bakersfield has always been a very giving city and I'm surprised to see your criticism of that openness.

By the way, I completely agree with you that the children have no control over their parents.   To say the might not deserve anything due to parents shirking their responsibility is ridiculous.  

Questions like the one in the editorial are designed to stir up controversy, as are a lot of the Californians questions on the blog.

My criticism wasn't directed at the giving nature of Bakersfield, Nancy.  In fact, when I am forced to list things about Bakersfield that are actually good, the giving nature of many of the residents there is right at the top of the list.  I was involed with a few charities when I lived in Bako, and was always happy to see our fundraising goals met each year due to the generosity of my neighbors. But just about anyone involved in those pursuits will tell you, it is far easier to raise funds between Thanksgiving and Christmas than it is during the rest of the year, school clothing drives notwithstanding.

My criticism was with McHenry's voicing an attitude that has existed in this town for as long as I can remember.  If Daddy is no good, then Junior is going to turn out just like him.  Thus, our Davin feels strange about helping out someone who, after all, is just going to turn out to be another criminal. Let 'em eat cake!

That kind of thinking pisses me off more than I can describe.  It also creates a self-fulfilling prophecy, for when we treat Junior as if HE were the criminal, Junior has no reason to become anything BUT!  And we're talking young kids here.  Kids that have a chance to look back on their life and think about some kindness that was shown to them, and how that kindness changed their lives for the better.  So many stories are told of kids from bad parentage who stayed on the straight and narrow because of a distant relative, or a neighbor lady who took them in and showed them that they can actually be someone OTHER than the child of a criminal.

But if enough people have our esteemed Web Editor's attitude, we should just throw another fence up around Manzanar, making it easier to keep track of those little future criminals until they turn 18 and we can turn them straight over to the D.O.C.

You know, Davin, instead of feeling "strange," next time try to feel some compassion, and take an extra step or two and try and make a positive impact in the life of one of these kids.  It won't cost you all that much...a couple of bucks, maybe a few hours of your precious time.  And sure, there's a chance some kid you try and help will grow up and diappoint you. But you never know.  One day, you might see your name in print, being credited by a school teacher or an airline pilot or a CPA as being the guy who made a difference in their life.

Funny that you should use the expression "self fulfilling prophecy" Jeff.  That's exactly what I was thinking when I started reading your comments about the way children of criminals are categorized.  It's an expression I use often in my groups.  
I ask if they know what it is..and most don't..so I explain it to them.  Maybe we need more education in all walks of life on that very thing.  You tell a child enough times that thy're worthless and eventually they'll begin to believe it.

Sorry if I jumped the gun but when I saw your comment about visiting the sins of the parents on the children "it's the Bakersfield way" it sort of rankled.

I've commented before about the topics the Californinan staff bring to this blog being deliberately controversial and it was denied.  I think they are posted to stir up discussion.  Sometimes it's good and sometimes it's insulting.
That's my take on it..for what it's worth.

I know what you mean Nancy.  The comment about the Buck Henry satire came from a very old Saturday Night Live skit (the first year, I believe) where Buck Henry played a radio talk show host trying to generate some callers.  His first few suggested topics of discussion got zero response, so he started making as many "controversial" statements as he could: "Toilets for the blind..I'm against them!"  "Strangling Puppies...I'm for it! Who is against it?" Statements like that.  Of course, all he got were wrong number calls during the skit.

That was funny.  It was satire.

This blog is neither.  I agree. It's insulting and devisive.  When there are so many other topics out there which COULD be raised to generate legitimate dialogue, why stoop to such a low level with this one?

TBC (and D McH) should be ashamed.

There's a radio show out of L.A I believe and he does the same thing.  His topics are so off the wall that people call in screaming in outrage.  Seems he does all the voices himself and the first time I heard it I was in a real snit.  I came home ranting about the lunitic I had just heard and how he allowed a guy to talk about losing control and slapping his autistic son away from the table and how bad he felt.  This host just sugared him up and I fell for it.  

My grandson started questioning me about it and before long he was laughing his head off at ME !!!  You said "you've been had!"  He explained how the guy was wildly popular in that area.  I'm glad I didn't post my rage on the blog..I felt dumb enough as it was.

Christmas? Again? Didn't we just do that ten months ago?

Sigh...

Jeff, brother, you need to take a deep breath and count to ten.

My post DOES NOT say the children of criminals are destined to become criminals. That is your misrepresentation of my comments. My post simply says that I would feel strange indirectly helping criminals with their parenting. And I stand by that.

The children of criminals are certainly not to blame for their parents' bad behavior. And they deserve to have a good Christmas as much as any other child. But I do think it is a worthwhile question to ask whether folks think there is anything wrong with a charity that seeks to benefit only the children of criminals (and not, say, the children of victims.)

-- Davin McHenry

Sorry Henry when you open your mouth and than proceed to put you foot in it ...be a man and admit your stupid comment!!

Not all criminals are in jail including all including those CHP one of whom running for office. These bozoes  who suddenly get chiefs disease at retirement time to aviod paying taxes on their retirement are embezzlers and con men who should be in jail, but instead,  because of media types like you get repectability.

Maybe their kids should be shunned by society.

If they need a gift , give them a gift , small sacrifice in the big picture.

Davin, pal, I read your little screed last night, and rather than respond to it then, I decided to sleep on it and re-read it again this morning, just to make sure I hadn't misunderstood what you were trying to say.  Needless to say, my first impressions were correct.  

By contributing to a charity like Angel Tree, you are helping to brighten the life of a child.  That's all. You aren't assisting anyone in their parenting.  You're making a single day in the life of a kid who lost the lottery and got stuck with one or two worthless parents just a little bit brighter.  Plenty of organizations exist to help "victims" of just about every type.  Angel Tree may be the only one to focus upon and help these poor kids. Lucky for them they didn't have to rely upon you to get the ball rolling.

Since TBC steadfastly denies posting mean spirited and ridiculous blog bytes just to stir up controversy, I have to assume you mean what you say, and are willing to deny these kids a half-decent Christmas due to the sins of their parents.  Bad Karma, sir. Very Bad Karma.

And given the lack of support of your position on this blog (so far) by the other regulars, I guess we have to conclude that the rest of the fine folks in Bakersfield prefer to take the high road on this one as well.

Hey Jeff,
I'm with you on this one too. As a Scout Leader for several years, I've seen a bunch of boys who "lost the lottery" when it came to Parents. 


When kids have No-Load, screwed up Parents, they know it. Too many adults out there dump on the kid, because he/she got stuck with LOSERS for Parents. It isn't right, and it isn't fair. 


These kids need to be shown and taught that they will be judged by others based on their own deeds. They, like anyone else, should be allowed to rise out of the dung heap that they came from.


When you do something for the kid, it has nothing to do with the Parent. I've invested a lot of my time, in a lot of kids over the years, whose Parents I wouldn't urinate on, if they were on fire.................................

You know i really like to give, but have you noticed the feeling of entitlement from some people? I work with a woman who's son is in jail when he was out he did not work as he wanted to have 15 kids. Her husband get his meth daily well I say its  her husband but its not as if they got married they would lose the benefits. One of her son's kids got sick and she needed money to go see him I loaned it to her and guess what I NEVER got it back. I know its a shame for the kids thats the reason I loaned the money but all they do is make messes and its generation after generation

here's a "progressive" idea..  how about no conjugal visits at all!!!  what kind of parent can we expect someone to be while they are in jail, not earning an income, and at home to support the child????  

dumb dumb and dumber


prisioners should have ZERO rights...remember, prision is a place to deter criminals from committing crimes again, not make the criminal want to come back with free TV, books, recreation, movies, free dental/medical

Yeah, screw those wives and kids. They should be punished too. Even if the person didn't do the crime, but was convicted of it. They shouldn't be able to read-n-stuff. You're a real family oriented person there learnem.

I suppose you think they should be tortured too?

to allow a prisioner the possibility to father another child while in jail is just ludicris.  how will the prisioner take care of that child while in prision....he can't, my tax dollars.....................errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr& nbsp; WELFARE does   .  

hey, the prisioners arent in jail for "FAMILY ORIENTED" ACTS NOW, ARE THEY????

YEAH, i do think they should be tortured, as prision shouldn't be a cake walk, and a breeding area for gang membership.

or maybe you are happy the correctional officers get paid more than teachers today???

Torture. That's great . . . and real christian of you. Your *preacher* would be proud. Oh, and so would Jesus. He was tortured, you know.

No, actually I think it's a travesty that teachers get paid less than CO's, although a CO's job is a bit more dangerous, seeing that they could get killed every day they go to work.