Morning Folks.

Ironically, I just asked myself, “Wonder what ever happened to those kids that got caught abusing snapchat?”

Seems someone is in my head.  That scares me.  I open up my phone and what do I see, an update from the local newspaper that read:

WOW!

Now sadly, I personally know one of these young men. He played with my kids for a few summers.  He was definitely a different and very unique individual. I saw some things that certainly showed me early indications that this poor kid was destined for trouble if his guidance didn’t change.  I mean, really…when your parent chooses to walk up and down the neighborhood, smoking, talking very loud on the phone wearing pajamas and a robe at some of the strangest times of the day – guidance has GOT to be questioned.  OK… so it was taken out of the home and away from the child…but I am sure I speak for everyone, NO ONE wanted to hear or see this. If you have THAT many problems in your life, you need to evaluate life and make changes.

So, I digress.  But, know that what I say is with first hand foundation.  I am not spilling things that I didn’t witness personally.  I am an outsider looking in, or often inside my home looking out – but you get the picture.

The actual article tells us exactly what we expect or may already know.  To see the FULL story click here. Of course, here’s a link to one side of the story, video is here.

 

Let’s take a moment now to get to why I wanted to write about this today.  Folks.  I don’t know who my audience is, or if I even have one; however, if you stumbled across this please take this moment to humor me.

This whole thing is one big messy web.

One thing that sticks out to me is probably petty.  They pleaded guilty in JUNE, sentenced in SEPTEMBER.  That’s 3 months of them sitting idly by waiting.  Where were they waiting. Folks, when you are facing 21 and 27 months behind bars, 3 months is kind of important.  Why does the judicial system take this long.

 

What is NOT Being Published

First indication that trouble was brewing – they created a profile of someone ELSE! That “someone” was at one time a “friend”. At one time, these three shared connections, in person, on social media (proven fact) or both.  They had access to pictures (on Snap Chat) and information to make this profile and it was believable.  Let that sink in folks… SNAP CHAT PHOTOS WERE USED!!!  Don’t think for a second that you are safe even on SNAP CHAT.  Yeah, I know, you can tell when someone screenshots your snap or saves a snap chat.  BUT, you can’t do anything about it!!  You cannot retract it. You cannot stop it.  You cannot control it. You cannot delete it.  It is now out of your hands forever.  Folks, this could happen to ANY of us.  Ever think of all that information you lovingly post to share with everyone.  All of it can be captured and used without your knowledge.  All it takes is one of those connections to share it with another….and another….and another.  There are many “fair weather friends” out there, and maybe one day, one of those connections allows their ill feelings to drive them to stupidity and use your precious pictures against you.

Part 2 of the article:

Let’s take a moment to think about this.  Here’s a learning/teaching moment for others.

Not only will they spend the next 21-27 months, or 85% of that time, doing time in FEDERAL prison with some really, really rough company, they have ruined their lives.

What is NOT Being Published

This sentence also means they have lost civil rights, FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES;

1. They no longer have voting rights or can serve on a jury;
2. They no longer can have a firearm (legally);
3. They cannot receive state or federal grants or benefits including food stamps, social security or public housing;
4. They are subject to employment rejection because current laws permits government/state agencies and public employers, such as school systems, day cares, police departments and military not to hire them;
5. They are very likely to find it difficult to travel; as traveling is seen as a privilege NOT a right;
6. They may have problems obtaining loans or a lease;
7. They may never be allowed to hold some occupational licenses.

Their (3) three year probation could have terms that don’t allow them to even have access to social media.  To many of us out there, that alone will be like a life sentence.

What is NOT Being Published

I happened to see this whole thing unfold on my own social media.  I knew before it was in the media that it was going to be big.  I had already started a little investigating of my own to connect dots.  (Yes.  I too saved pictures.  I cannot find them right now.)  A quick google search and it’s not hard to find them.  The picture that was used first (there was at least 2), was this one:

LET THAT SINK IN FOLKS! This kid pictured here, posed for this photo, took this photo (selfie perhaps), in what many said was as far back as a year prior.  The day this photo was made famous, this kid pictured was in rehab.  (Rehab for what I don’t know nor care.)  To me, the problem began THE DAY this photo was taken.  Why did this kid take it?  The text that was added by now convicted Kelly-Ritchey – side note:  There was NO SCHOOL that coming Monday.  These kids apparently didn’t event think about that OR it was a way to make a mockery of everyone for going crazy.  My first thought was “it’s a joke because there’s no school Monday”.

As a mom, I wondered a few things.  Like, why is this kid even posing for this picture? Where is his parents?  Did they even know he did this? Is that even him holding the gun?  Who took the photo?  Who else has the photo?

What is NOT Being Published

So I did some reading, learning and within seconds after a few clicks and searching, I see an interesting photo of this kids’ dad publicly available on Facebook.

Now, folks.  Our kids learn by example.  All of these boys were kids when this whole series of events started.  Obviously this role model ranks high on the moral compass because his kid copied him.  Sadly, this goes even deeper in my eyes because seems dad posed while clearly in military gear which is NOT a good reflection on our military.  It has to be noted, that at the time this was captured, seems only 1 fan was willing to “LIKE” it, that tells me I’m not the only one who wasn’t a fan.

In summary; what I feel like needs to be said is that this is yet another example of social media destroying lives.  This event should teach us all that society has a problem and it begins in the home.  NOW, let me stop here and say, as parents, no we are NOT perfect.  As a parent, we learn from our own parenting mistakes.  Some things are common sense, like posing with firearms aimed at the viewer.  Once we quit giving our kids direction, they choose their own path.  Once they reach a certain age; that direction is no longer a parents’ call.  I have come to learn that today’s generation have so many outside influences creating a power struggle for parents and ultimately it is up to the individual who makes the choice.  We still pass judgement onto the parents when their young make choices.  That judgement is usually only passed when it’s a bad decision.  I’ve come to accept and cherish when mine make even the smallest of good choices.