"The Long Good-Bye" Week 2 Assignment

When asked the question about having a specific incident where the punishment did not fit the crime, I truly had to think. There really isn't an instance that I can think of when that statement was true. I really did not cause too much trouble. I stayed away from trouble because my parents disciplined my sister and I by spanking, and taking things away from us. I saw these things happen to my sister, so I knew that there were consequences to actions that my parents did not approve of. Even when my grandparents disciplined us, they were all fair, and the punishment fit the crime. If we didn't do chores, the television was taken away. If we talked back, we were sent to our rooms and told not to come out until we were told to. My parents and grandparents did an excellent job in giving punishments that fit the crimes. I have never thought that any my personal punishments were unfair.

One reason that I think Coyne believes her sister's punishment was unfair is because Jennifer is her sister. When it comes to family, some honestly think that their punishment by other's is unfair. We love our families and hate when the get into trouble. The other reason that I think Coyne believes her sister's punishment was unfair is that all her sister did was make, "four phone calls for someone she loved" (para. 13). I don't know who the phone calls were, or what they were about, but based upon what the essay says, it was about drugs. I don't necessarily agree with the sentence of five years for her making the phone calls, but she, according to the law, did something illegal and has to face a penalty. It doesn't matter if you do it for a person you love, or a person you hate. You break the law, you have to face the consequences. Again, I don't agree with the amount of time. Instead, maybe she should have paid a fine and been required to do community service.

As for Stephanie, I don't fully know the situation. Her boyfriend went into a house, and she said she knew nothing. I have a hard time believing what Stephanie's mother said. I have learned over the years that mother's are very protective of their children, and only want what's best for them, and as their children get older, they tend to believe more of what they say than when they were younger. Stephanie may have not told her mother everything to protect her own pride. I don't know. I could be wrong. She was caught with someone with drugs in their possession. It's almost like guilt by association. I don't always agree with that, but I have a hard time believing that she didn't know her boyfriend was selling/using/distributing drugs. Was ten years excessive? Yes, I do think so. Honestly, she should have paid a fine, done community service, and depending on whether she used drugs or not, attended a rehabilitation center. I don't know all of the facts, but from what I know that is all I can say on that.