Why are we such negative people?

The latest buzz on the internet was that a baby boy was put into a washing machine as part of a peek-a-boo game with what looks like a teenager or young man putting the baby in the washing machine as part of the game.  The problem was that the man didn’t realize that once the door was shut, the machine started up.

After the washer started up, both the man and the babysitter of the toddler started freaking out!  It was obvious that the accident wasn’t intentional.  This was a game that went bad because the man and babysitter was young and naive.  I’m sure that the man didn’t intend for the washing machine to start!  So the media is jumping all over this and a blogger (her name escapes me, but she was very white) said that the reason that they (girlfriend and man) weren’t arrested because of racism!   I thought that the statement by the blogger was an incredible stupid statement!  Since the girlfriend and man (who is probably her boyfriend) told the police that it was their child, are the police to arrest every parent that make a dumb mistake?

Now we hear that the real mom of the baby is pressing charges!!!  This is a huge overreaction (along with the blogger’s reaction), there are plenty of criminal acts that deserve the attention of the court system, instead of a man trying to make a small child laugh.

I can honestly say that hearing the doctor female blogger accusing the police of racism, and the reaction of the mom (hasn’t she ever done dumb things in her life?  I know I have when I was younger), make me feel sad for the country.

While as a parent if my child was put in a washing machine, I definitely wouldn’t be happy!  But instead of trying to get the babysitter and man arrested for being dumb, I just wouldn’t use them for babysitting services anymore.

Another thing that I consider very sad is that the employee who saved the baby wasn’t mentioned at all.  I find it odd that the blogger (again the white female with a doctorate degree, I wish I noted her blog) didn’t take into consideration that the employee in the video fix the problem with superhuman speed.  He was the hero in this mishap, and he is totally ignored!!!  I’m pretty sure he saved that baby’s life!  No kudos for him?  What gives…

So my question for readers…  Should people be arrested because they are young and naive (or dumb)?

Thanks,

MR

Update:  Okay, I’ve come to realize that some readers might not understand the way that some Laundromat washing machine work.  Unlike washing machines at home, some of these machines (esp.the older ones) don’t have a start and stop button.  You put the money in, and then when you are ready for the machine to start, you just close the door.  I know this from my days as a college student going to the Laundromat to wash my clothes.  Perhaps this is why many think that this was a malicious act, when in reality, the man that shut the door (perhaps he has a washing machine at home were he lives that has a start button) was just trying to make the child smile and laugh.