Another time of year, Saturday evening could have been a thermostat-like 70 degrees, with a gentle breeze out of the southwest and the aroma of flowers in the sweet Georgia air.
And it still would have been insane for a woman to leave her 4-month-old twins alone in a car while she shopped.
But when Jenesia Williams allegedly stopped at Wal-mart in Ellenwood on June 20, it was quite a bit warmer than that. It had to be even steamier inside her car, where the windows were only cracked open.
A passerby who alerted police -- who waited while Williams took 20 minutes to finish her shopping -- said her car's thermometer read 90 degrees at the time.
The twins were checked out and found to be in good shape. But Williams was jailed for two counts of child cruelty.
It seems to happen every summer: neglectful, abusive, self-absorbed people leaving children or pets in hot cars. When are they going to learn? On hot summer days, those cars quickly become convection ovens that can kill. It's cruel and it's abusive. It's certainly not something they would want done to themselves.
In Williams' case, leaving 4-month-old twins alone in a car in a store parking lot any time of year is beyond beefheaded; it's criminal.
Comments
What is "a thermostat-like 70 degrees"? Poor writing. And though I applaud your aim, anyone who cares enough about the world to be reading the paper online is doubtless smart enough not to leave their children in the car in this kind of weather. (I'm not sure about dogs, though....there are a lot of otherwise sane people who don't seem to know how to care responsibly for their pets). Anyway, preaching to the choir.
I found the opening sentence and "thermostat-like 70 degrees" simile touched my senses in a nice way. But the beautiful setting turned horrific with the description of the infants left inside the hot car. I've told myself if I ever see infants left in a car that way, I'll break the window out, then call the police.
HotFoot, a thermostat is an instrument used to control temperature in a confined area. I guess if you don't know that , it could be a confusing opening statement. Poor understanding. The point of the article is that shallow self-absorbed people are allowed to propagate and an aware population is necessary to keep them from "aborting" their children. Only through constant repetition can these type of messages be ingrained into the liberal psyche. By the way, this article is also available in print.
Oh, so THAT's the point, PT. I didn't realize this editorial urging people not to leave their children in hot cars was really about ABORTION. Thanks for elucidating. I stand by my comment that the opening sentence is poorly written. And PT, at this point, the only way I would read what ACES writes is online and for free. There are approx. 2,000 books within 10 feet of where I sit, so I'm at least acquainted with print.
Your reading comprehension could use a tune-up, btw. Even though ACES may well believe it, I don't see the opinion stated anywhere in the editorial that liberals are the ones leaving their children to suffer and die in hot cars. In fact, those who self-identify as liberals are a better-educated demographic and so I tend to believe they're probably less likely to do something so criminally stupid.
You're being tricked by CNN again, HotFoot. It's the bottom of the social and education barrel that makes up the vast majority of the liberal base. Open you eyes and look around you, you'll be surprised.
If you ain't willing to take care of them, quit spitting them out.
There are approx. 2,000 books within 10 feet of where I sit, so I'm at least acquainted with print.
Posted by HotFoot on Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:39 AM....try reading some of those books if they are that close.
You're really amusing, Jack. Is your name really Jackie and are you married to Patty T? I assure you, the books aren't for decoration.
I can think of so many"R" words that fit ol' Jack...
With hotfoot criticizing the article, no question what her ethnticity is.
The best punishment for these "people" would be to leave them in the car....
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