BY MIKE CETERA
So, Joe Birkett's son got caught in a pot bust. So what? Now we have confirmation his family isn't infallible either.
The arrest of Nicholas T. Birkett would have been relegated to the police blotter -- at best -- if he wasn't the son of the DuPage County state's attorney.
Instead, Joe's son becomes just another statistic in this country's "war on drugs." We are left to either empathize or mock a politician and his son.
According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy:
an estimated 97.8 million Americans aged 12 or older tried marijuana at least once in their lifetimes, representing 39.8% of the U.S. population in that age group. The number of past year marijuana users in 2006 was approximately 25.4 million (10.3% of the population aged 12 or older) and the number of past month marijuana users was 14.8 million (6.0%).
To be clear, 40 percent of Americans is a lot of people smoking up at one time or another. The statistic and arrests like this illustratate a simple fact: marijuana is pervasive, and shaming (arresting) people for using the drug doesn't work.
Any parent should feel for Joe Birkett, but you have to wonder if Joe Birkett, the prosecutor, would feel for you if it was your kid.
So, Joe Birkett's son got caught in a pot bust. So what?
Well I guess the question I would have for you Mike is do you think it was appropriate for the Beacon's web site to treat it as 'breaking news' last night with the red banner stuff?
Hmmm...Overkill, perhaps. It's clearly a story. But an IMPORTANT story? In the grand scheme of things, no. At 5:30 on a Tuesday -- in the moment -- yes. We shouted this news a bit, but we also are trying to tell readers that they can find some immediacy on our Web site.
There are other elected officials right here in our own backyard of Aurora whose own children have admited GUILIT of much worse crimes recently and you do not put those stories on the front page - why Birkett's? I think this is an unfortunate situation, but private. As long as Birkett does not use his position to influnece the judicial process of this case, this should not be blasted for all to see on the front page.
Why don't you spend time looking for those who use their positions to influence the judication of their own children's cases? That would be more noteworthy! Happy hunting!
What about when a child of an elected official like the mayor of Aurora gets a job with a city contractor and contributor to the mayor?
That seems relevant to taxpayers and worthy of a story, but for some reason the Beacon hasn't said anything.
I agree with OneMan and Anonymous. This wasn't necessary. You witheld the name of the Aurora police officer who's child held a party with underage drinking so why was this story so important? With these two stories it sounds like someone has issues with Birkett and is using the Beacon to air it. The same consideration given to the Aurora police officer should have been given to Birkett.
It makes no sense to fill up the already over-crowed prison system with drug offenders. They aren't hurting anyone expect maybe themselves. Prison/Criminal Justice system should be used for acts of violence or other crimes that actually hurt people directly.
I think it is hilarious and should be breaking news. I know Joe Birkett and he is the biggest idiot i know. I would love to know his response to his son's arrest. I would like to hear his excuse of why his son is smoking pot when he is such a big advocate against drugs.
Trust me from what I know about Joe if it was your child who was busted for weed he would do everything he could to humiliate your child. Joe, maybe you should spend some time with your son instead of prosecuting everyone elses.
First, I agree: this isn't really a front page story, is it? Let's be clear: this is not a "private matter" any more than any other arrest is. It is a matter of public record. The only reason we are seeing it here- and on the ABC 10:00 news- is because of Joe Birkett's position. That is part of the burden of being a public figure- no one would be that interested if it was MY son. All news outlets will publish/promote whatever they can that will draw readers/viewers attention. Let's not forget his "child" is 21- a little beyond traditional curfew enforcement.
Also, the situation with the teen (although I though it was an Oswego officer) whose police officer-father's name was withheld was not handled properly. The same rules should apply to all. If it is public record that someone is the owner of a home where a teen drinking party- then publish it regardless of their profession or position. Or make it a policy not to publish the homeowner's name. All I ask is that we apply the same standards to EVERYONE.
And FYI- if my kid is ever dumb enough to use or be caught with drugs of any kind, feel free to plaster his face all over the front page. I am doing my best to teach him right from wrong. I make my expectations of him very clear. If he decides to make bad choices in spite of that, then he will suffer whatever consequences there may be- public humiliation & all.
Your last line sums it up. It's not the fact that his son was involved its the hypocrisy of advocating for stringent drug laws without taking into account the effect of these policies on the lives of people.
If the son of the mayor got a job with a major campaign contributor that does city business and benefits from TAXDOLLARS in any way, that is huge news.
Beacon, what's the story with why this hasn't been reported if it's true?
Maybe Nick Birkett has no previous arrests because of who his daddy is. You can bet if any of our kids had been there they would have gotten arrested and put throught the ringer in court. So why shouldn't Birkett's? Wake up and smell the smoke Mr. Birkett. Some of us know more about your little darling than you would probably like hear. Look at this arrest as a wake up call, it could save your son's life.
Mr. Birkett doesn't have to worry for his son. Everyone knows he's innocent. Unlike the people he prosecutes, Right Joe? All is well and his son will be cleared. That is judicial system.
kudos to the expression: what goes around comes around.
Joe Birkett has spent a lot of energy punishing people for mistakes - I hope he has an understanding now of how an entire family is hurt by something like this and will perhaps not be in such a rush to impose the very harshest punishment on young adult first offenders. Lives have been ruined by his office for less than what his son did or did not do.