The chasm between pranks and crimes

If someone broke into your home and took your television set, would a responsible news reporter run an article in the newspaper, stating "neighbor caught borrowing TV set? I don't think so.

Nor was it responsible for the Daily Bee to run a story about a sexual deviant who took advantage of another individual who had too much to drink by putting his genitals in the mouth of that unconscious individual, under the heading, "Prank has serious consequences for Clark Fork man." According to Webster, a prank is defined as a mischievous trick or practical joke. This is not an appropriate title based on the contents as evidenced by the fact that if this young man is convicted, he faces at least five years in prison according to Idaho Code.

I learned about this article after our morning errands, when my son read to me the headline. I thought he was going to tell me about an incident at the high school that got out of hand, as happened just a year ago when some kids thought it would be fun to break out the windows on a school bus. I wonder if the news reporter or the publisher would enjoy having this article read to him by his own son.

In the future, I hope you will call a crime a crime, and keep the graphic details behind the front page. Better title: alleged sex offender released on bail.

SUSAN YOUNG

Hope