Commentary on today’s news and opinion, from readers and newsmakers.
Controversy surrounds Kerry Kennedy as the public anticipates the release of her toxicology reports taken the night she collided with a tractor-trailer on Interstate 684. Doctors are incredulous that a middle-aged woman would have a seizure (as Kennedy claims) behind the wheel of a car with no prior history of seizures. LoHud.com readers express skepticism or support the feasibility of the Kennedy’s argument:
“Did she say what time she took the Ambien? The accident happened in the morning. Why would she take Ambien in the morning unless she likes the feeling Ambien gives her 24/7. Ambien, especially if you take more than one, can certainly knock you loopy. It will be interesting to see what the toxicology results are. I seriously doubt that she had a seizure. And if she did, she needs to have her license revoked so she does not cause an accident.”
— William J Collins
“She probably fell asleep because of Ambien and then limped off from the accident because she knew how people would react if they found out. I’d cut her a break because her best friend just committed suicide. Anyway, you can’t attribute trouble caused by other members of her family to her. I don’t think she’s been in any legal trouble before.”
— Jennifer Streit Ervin
At 9 a.m. Eastern, the NCAA announced that Penn State will face a hefty punishment, albeit not the feared death penalty, for their actions — or inaction — in covering up the Jerry Sandusky sex-abuse scandal. The university will be fined $60 million dollars, have their wins vacated from 1998 to the present day, be banned from all bowl games for the next four seasons, and lose 20 scholarships annually for four years. People commenting on LoHud’s Facebook page debated whether the punishment was suitable:
“In my opinion, by vacating the wins, reducing the number of scholarships and denying post-season play, they are punishing the wrong people. The players won those games. They had nothing to do with the scandal. By cutting scholarships they are punishing young men who have dreamed all of their lives of going to Penn State, and now will be unable to do so because they can’t afford it. By denying post-season play, they’re denying players the opportunity to shine on a national stage. The $60 million fine, I understand. The penalties that punish people who did absolutely nothing wrong, is wrong.”
— Corey Damerell
“The abuse of so many, many children could not have happened without the consent of all the officials who knew what was going on on their watch. It was not the action of one man but the actions of all who knew and did nothing to protect those children who were being tortured right under their noses.”
— Jacqueline Dugan Keegan
What are you talking about today? Leave your answer in the comments below.