Tommy Franks backs teen monitor

[DoYouEverWonder]

December 11, 2004

BRADENTON - Retired Gen. Tommy Franks has signed on to be the spokesman for a company that uses global positioning system technology in teens' cell phones to let parents know how fast they're driving.

Franks, who as commander of U.S. Central Command based at MacDill Air Force directed the invasion of Iraq, will be the official face of Teen Arrive Alive.

The organization aims to get teens to carry a cell phone containing a GPS chip that sends out regular signals letting parents know where they are and how fast they're going.

If a predetermined speed limit is passed, an alarm goes off in the teen's cell phone and parents are automatically notified.


http://www.sptimes.com/2004/12/11/State/Franks_backs_teen_mon.shtml

Gee, what will they think of next? Why don't we just send this info straight to the police? Then they can monitor everything these kid's do. Just in case. :sarcasm off:

[SoCalDem]

1. Kids will just start swapping phones with each other..

People think that kids are dumb...They have the most devious minds around :evilgrin:

[UL_Approved]

10. All you have to do

Is turn the damn things off! If that doesn't work, put them in one of those foil oven wraps. Seriously, this stuff works.

[jayfish]

16. This Is An Old Story,...

but don't ya think they will (or already have)design some sort of interlock device that will render the car inoperable if a functioning key (phone) in not present?

Jay

[tabasco]

2. The guy who left 400 tons of HE unsecured.

Really stupid guy.

[Journeyman]

4. Touché. . .

n/t possible. . .

[acmavm]

7. You know, that was my first thought as well. I doubt that he can keep

better track of these kids because they're mobile whereas the high explosives weren't. Not to begin with. Of course when the Iraqis figured out that the US generals were too stupid to guard them, the stuff grew legs and started disappearing out of those bunkers and into them toyota pick-ups as fast as it could. (I phrase it that way because those in charge will NEVER admit that it was the Iraqis that looted the site. It was those gol' dern foreign terraists, don't ya know.)

[Maestro]

3. Well I am all for watching and being vigilant

about what your kids are doing, but this is unnecessary and extreme.

[Deja Q]

5. I am for this. High school brats are irresponsible...

Nearly got into an accident because of their irresponsibility.

For teenie-boppers, sock it to them. Once they establish they're more or less responsible, then remove the chains.

Until then, monitor them and hope they don't try to cause trouble.

Okay, I'm a bit harsh here given past experience and all. But the safety of the majority has some precedent for once.

[dflprincess]

27. It's not their fault

There is more and more evidence that the human brain isn't completely developed until we're about 25. And, the last part to develop is the part that tells you "This would be a really dumb thing to do." (It's like the insurance companies always knew this after all, when do car insurance rates take a big drop? When you turn 25.)

I'm all for the laws that put some restrictions on teen drivers, but I have a real problem with Big Brother monitoring.

[stepnw1f]

6. What A Waste

Control this, control that.... damn these people are paranoid and stupid. Come on OHIO!!!!

[Florida_Geek]

8. One Gay Lawyer (40s) brought his SO CPA (40s) one

so that he could keep track of him.... Some where there is a market for these things.

[BlueEyedSon]

9. My handheld GPS doesn't work in the car

unless it's right up against the windshield on the dash (it needs line-of-sight to the satellites).

Probly better to put a governor on the car's accelerator & speedo... it's run by microprocessors these days anywho....

DUH.

[Benhurst]

11. Why doesn't this surprise me. Another BushAmerican "hero." NT

[Jazzgirl]

12. I have a serious problem with this.

You know, kids learning to drive are getting close to being grown. One thing about growing up and getting out of the roost is trust. I would've been pissed and probably never carried a phone like this if they'd had "phones" like this! :mad:

[sandnsea]

13. Aw hell, put them in every car

Why single out teens? I've never been in a car accident in my life that involved a teen. They aren't the only bad drivers on the road. Gads. How dare they call Democrats the mommy party.

[daleo]

14. This way parents can make sure their kids aren't seeing the "wrong" people

Or going to places with too many liberals.

[NYC Liberal]

15. If you don't trust your kid enough that you

have to track their every move, chances are you shouldn't be letting them drive either.

[JitterbugPerfume]

17. speaking as the mom of 5 ex teens

I still think this idea sucks

and I spent PLENTY of sleepless nights worry worry worry

[GoddessOfGuinness]

22. I agree!

This is only going to encourage kids to find a way to speed in spite of the technology.

It's also a precursor to constant monitoring of everybody's speed.

[autorank]

18. OK, then "monitor" Franks - let us know the next time he invades a country

[regnaD kciN]

19. Next step...radio-transmitter equipped chastity belts!

A high-tech way to let parents know if their teenage daughter is paying attention to the "abstinence-only" sex-ed program at school!

:crazy:

[karlrschneider]

21. Or a penis-implanted chip that counts 'strokes'...

:eyes:

Just slip it in during circumcision.


I worked in the circumcision ward in a hospital years ago...made 5 bucks an hour, plus tips!

:evilgrin:

[DS1]

25. It would be even funnier if parents had the option of how many digits

that counter displayed :D

[Orangepeel]

20. I feel sorry for parents who need this, but it's none of my business

I feel even more sorry for their kids. But, it's their family, not mine.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

23. I wonder how many of the parents who "need" this

are chronic speeders or aggressive drivers.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

24. It's a good idea. Too bad for her boyfriend Pickles Bush didn't have one.

.

[Sugarbleus]

26. Fercrissakes! Don't these wanks have anything better to do?

LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE! What happened to "Free Society"? or "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"??????

LESS GOVERNMENT??????? What happened to that sentiment?

It's all about control and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$(sell MORE devices and services!)

Write to Teen Arrive Alive and tell them to get a REAL JOB!

Pretty soon we'll be so fucking controlled that we'll be just a head ontop of a computer!

How about "Rock Climbers,Soldiers,bicyclists, backyard bbqers etc. Arrive Alive?"

Without risk or chance, there is no thrill in being alive at all.

[Javaman]

28. Or perhaps to track them when they evade the coming draft...

[antigone382]

29. ding ding ding! We have a winner!!!

n/t

[meganmonkey]

30. You can run (not too fast), but you can't hide...eom

[Just Me]

31. Wow!!! What a bunch of total control freaks!!!!

They just cannot have "faith" or any belief in humanity, whatsoever,...can they?

They are seriously sick cynics,...to the max!!!

On edit: I'll bet Ashcroft's problem is with controlling his erection. He is SO WEAK that he has to cover the bare bosoms of a stupid statue. He projects his inability to control his hormones upon the rest of us. What a freakin' wimp!!!

[DBoon]

32. Get kids used to the idea of constant surveillance

so when they become adults they won't mind when the government does the same thing.

[Swamp Rat]

33. Yes, then when they are parents they will 'chip' their babies.

In a couple of generations, everything will change.

[lwin]

34. I guess none of you has ever had to bury a child

Traffic accidents are the number one cause of death for teenagers. Some of you here are smug, because you're so sure that YOUR kids would never do something stupid, like speed.

Well let me tell you a little story. Three years ago this month, I got the worst news of my life. You see, my 16 year old nephew and 3 of his friends were goofing around and speeding, egging each other on, as a group of 16 year olds will do, while driving. The road was slick from a light rain. My nephew lost control of the car (he had his license for 3 months) and they hit a wall, then a lightpost, and back into the wall again, before finally coming to a rest in the street. There was no alcohol or drugs involved. They were all wearing their seatbelts, but for some reason, the airbags didn't deploy. My nephew's best friend was killed instantly. My nephew died minutes later, in the arms of one of the fireman dispatched to the scene. The two kids in the back survived, thank god, but with serious injuries and a lifetime of nightmares I'm sure.

Lest you think they were "bad" kids, let me tell you a little about my nephew. He was a straight A, honor student, at one of the top 100 high schools in the nation. He was also on the Varsity basketball and volleyball teams. He was well liked by everyone, always a good kid. His parents are terrific, educated, self-made people. Their story is not unlike John Edwards, who also lost a son to a traffic accident. His friends in the car were also all honor students and athletes. Over 1,000 friends, family members, teachers, coaches and people from the community came to their funeral.

Even good kids pull stupid stunts. I understand all your big brother arguments, but I think a whole lot of parents would like a little edge in dealing with this problem. If there is a chance that you can get a heads up that your kid is driving irresponsibly, (and no, they're not going to do it in front of you), so you could take some corrective action, you would want to take it. Believe me, you would. Everyone in my family would. So while you're busy dissing any possible validity of this idea, think about this: while you're busy Xmas shopping this year for your kids, nieces, nephews & friends, I will be too. But I have one less present to buy again this year, and it breaks my heart.

[Seldona]

36. So sorry.

Those sorts of things do happen.

We lost several kids in my highschool while I attended.

Didn't know any of them well, but in only one case was there alcohol involved.

For me, there really is no easy answer.

I want to be able to trust my kids.

And yes they are young, and in essence I don't know how things will pan out.

I will not plan on using things like this unless I see evidence my children are out of control in some way.

And I admit that that evidence may not be forthcoming. And I am certainly not speaking of your situation. Only my thoughts about how I will deal with the teenage years in my family.

And I am not one of these parents who refuses to ackowledge my children's problems.

I cannot imagine the pain you are feeling.

And again, I am sorry for your loss.

[Seldona]

35. Hopefuly

I am doing a good enough job as a parent that this kind of crap will not be needed.

If my teen is in that kind of trouble where I have to use freaking GPS to keep tabs on her, I will simply ground her and keep her at home.

Maybe it was the way I was brought up? By an extremely trusting father who literally made me feel bad about abusing his trust without saying a word.

I did abuse it, but only a few times.

I know all kids are going to experiment, and push limits.

But if you provide a loving, trusting envirment, that should be enough.

Like I said, I hope.

[aikido15]

37. GPS babysitting chips?

:wtf: