It amazes me to read stories such as that concerning Kelly Ann Hudson in the Aug. 31 issue of theReporter.

Here’s a woman who was driving in the evening after admitting to taking medication and drinking wine, weaving across the center line causing a head-on crash with another vehicle resulting in the death of one passenger and severe injuries to others. Then, she succeeds in convincing a judge to ‘shield her’ from the media and others while making a public appearance in court. Why did Judge Ronald Kessle permit her to do this?

Granted, her egregious behavior would certainly cause her desire to be shielded – who would want their kids to see pictures of them having to face the consequences of such flagrantly irresponsible behavior? But doesn’t caving to her wish to shield herself simply increase her level of irresponsibility – allowing her to protect herself from admitting her recklessness which resulted in the death of a fellow human being?

I just don’t get it. I don’t understand the blatant absurdity of the behavior being exhibited by so many of today’s adults. Drinking and driving, over-indulgence in every form of distraction, total abdication of personal responsibility … Kelly Ann Hudson is just one more name in a long list of those who demonstrate all that has gone totally amiss in today’s society.

Linda Bonin, Kirkland