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Sometimes an editorial needs to take a broader, if not unconventional, look at situations in the news.
The Feb. 12 Mirror article about six Penn State Altoona students under investigation regarding an Oct. 27 early morning vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 17-year-old high school student is one such circumstance.
First of all, the purpose of this editorial is not to imply guilt, predict a finding of guilt in a court of law or mention names part of that case. All of the individuals allegedly being investigated are innocent until proven guilty.
The tragedy of the young victim's death cannot be minimized, but it will not be this editorial's central focus. Instead, this editorial will examine troubling ramifications, not only regarding what occurred on Oct. 27, but no doubt regarding similar, tragic and avoidable incidents across this nation that have occurred in recent years, sometimes being topics of national headlines.
For example, probably the bulk of Americans can recall hearing about or reading about hazing incidents on college campuses that claimed the lives of fraternity pledges or others. Then, for example, there have been those situations, like the one on Oct. 27, where death became the disturbing "product" of parties that obviously got out of hand or were not properly organized and managed.
Most people in this part of Pennsylvania recall a death that occurred several years ago at Penn State's main campus in State College, resulting from a fraternity "initiation rite."
With that background stated, this is where the matter of "ramifications" falls into place. And, it is important to note "at the top" that those ramifications will be mentioned randomly -- in no particular order of importance.
However, it will be easy to acknowledge that all are relevant regarding young people who engage in conduct on the wrong side of maturity and who fall into the trap of being victims of peer pressures -- in many cases victimizations with the potential to last a lifetime.
Opting for common sense and maturity could have avoided all of what was -- or is -- destined to happen. Here is what can be described as but a partial list of potential results and consequences, rather than fun intended that ended up so terribly wrong:
There's the issue of violations of state, local and even federal laws that can result in much more than slap-on-the-wrist penalties. For college students, how will the conduct affect subsequent attendance or, if expelled, applications to other schools?
College students should strive to enhance the image of their school of choice, not only on their own behalf but for other students as well -- not undermine that image and reputation.
Many families make huge financial sacrifices so their child or children can attend a school of higher learning. Immature, irresponsible, arrogant conduct -- especially conduct that ends with a criminal record or tragic result -- mocks that sacrifice.
What will the result be when information about an arrest or criminal penalty is listed on a job application or when attempting to sign up for military service?
Will there be a lawsuit and, if so, the months or longer that it will take to resolve it?
How will such consequences affect a student emotionally, as well as parents or, perhaps, grandparents?
There's often a big price to pay, then, for conduct done without proper thought, and the list above is only a partial one.