I am sure that Hispanic family who

[malaise]

were rescued in California have annoyed the hell out of Lou Dobbs.

Frederick Dominguez Jr. and his three kids did everything right.
http://www.record-bee.com/local/ci_7765545

By the way god didn't save them unless he also helped them get lost. The California Highway Patrol helicopter pilot saved them.

What a nice happy ending. They were great on Anderson Cooper last night.

[Elspeth]

1. But, if I were the mother of those kids and my ex had taken them into a snowstorm like that

I'd go back to the judge and demand sole custody with supervised visitation only. Putting those kids in harm's way with a snowstorm on the way? Didn't that dad watch the damned weather?

(The couple share custody of their kids and the dad has a new fiance.)

[taterguy]

2. They needed a Christmas tree

Hindsight is 20/20 but sometimes you have to take some chances in life

[Elspeth]

3. And they couldn't find any for sale? Somehow, I find that hard to believe.

Risking your children's lives for a goddamned tree is just amazing negligence. Back to court, I say.

[Richard Steele]

4. Wow. Just wow. nm

[taterguy]

5. Some people like natural trees

Not the homogenized factory ones that are available on lots.

[malaise]

7. I disagree completely

Many people do that annually. I never make assumptions about people's budgets.

[REP]

8. Usually, I'd agree - but the kids were 12 to 18, not 2 to 8

Getting a tree can be a big deal for kids - even older teens - and it was a sudden storm that all the planning in the world might not have prepared them for it. That they made it through - and in such good shape - shows that some good judgements were made in a bad situation. So yeah, normally I'd agree but this case is an exception to my high crankipants standards!

[Elspeth]

15. 12 is still too young to treat in such a negligent way.

The 18 year old is legally an adult, and arguably could have made that decision for himself. And custody wouldn't apply to him anyway. But the 12-year-old should be better protected. Supervised visitation.

[Marrah_G]

20. I don't think he was "risking his childrens lives"

For goodness sake they went a couple hundred yards into the woods. I did that many, many time as a child and even alone sometimes. Shit happens. Honestly, things in life will happen. It's not always "someone's fault". Just be glad it had a good outcome.

Kids, and people in general, are not always going to be safe, unless you lock them up in a padded room 24/7.

[malaise]

6. They did that every year

Clearly the dad has more than a few survival skills.

[Elspeth]

9. Then he should go up there by himself and risk ONLY his own life.

He disregarded his children's safety. That should be enough for a visit to court.

[Richard Steele]

10. I think that argument is ridiculous bordering upon hysterical.

[Elspeth]

12. What is hysterical is that the dad risked the kids' lives for a Christmas tree

A dad who deserves custody is one who does not deliberately put his kids in harms way. His lack of judgement is appalling here. There were weather reports. It was easy to predict that there might be some risk in going up the mountain. You don't take that risk with kids. If you want to go yourself, fine. But you don't take your kids.

Back to court.

[Thothmes]

22. A parent risks their childrens lives

every time they put them in an automobile and drives on public streets. Believe the statics will bear out that many more children are killed from automobile accidents then on Xmas tree cutting excursions.

[Richard Steele]

26. Clearly, everyone who ever transports their kids by automobile should lose their parental rights!

:sarcasm:

That makes just as much sense as what Elspeth is saying here.
Which is very little.

[taterguy]

11. Have you ever tried to haul a tree out of the woods alone?

Getting a decent sized tree requires more than one person.

And the kids should get to have input on the holiday decorations.

[Elspeth]

14. Have you ever watched a weather forecast?

And decided not to do something because the weather wasn't conducive?

This has nothing to do with the tree itself: it has to do with a man who was too negligent to care about his kids' safety.

[Richard Steele]

16. So, everyone who has ever been trapped in a snowstorm should lose custody of their kids?

I think you're dragging some personal baggage into this
that has NOTHING to do with the facts of the subject that
the rest of us are discussing.

[blondeatlast]

25. ...

:thumbsup:

[taterguy]

17. Not everyone has access to on-demand weather forecasts

Sure, you probably have high-speed Internet access and can pull up a website that will provide you with details about the weather in your specific location.

Not everyone can afford that. If you don't have cable you have to wait for local news which only comes on a couple times a day.

Must be nice to be so privileged.

[cboy4]

18. Oh, here we go.

:puke:

[Marrah_G]

21. Walking a couple 100 yards into the woods is now " risking your life" what a sad society we are

[malaise]

27. Pathetic isn't it

Damn.

[blondeatlast]

24. Good thing you aren't judgmental or anything.

Getting a tree from the woods was a big adventure when I grew up in Montana. I was 8-10 there; we went every year.

Montana--with below zero weather, unpaved roads, etc.

You seem to be making this personal.

[valerief]

13. I don't understand why people don't just put up Festivus poles.

Reuseable year after year, non-flammable, no decorations required.

And throughout the rest of the year it can be used as a closet pole.

[cboy4]

19. I have been so joyful since I heard the wonderful news.

The rescued kids share pizza and talk
to reporters. (CNN)


Frederick Dominguez took this photo of his son, Christopher,
warming his feet during their ordeal. :cry: Poor kids


Christopher Dominguez, 18, second from left, and his father,
Frederick Dominguez, second from right, are helped to an
ambulance after being rescued by a California Highway Patrol
helicopter Wednesday. Randy Pench / [email protected] :bounce:



Friends and family cheer Frederick Dominguez and his son
Christopher as their helicopter arrives near Paradise.
Dominguez said he'll probably get an artificial tree
next year. Randy Pench / [email protected]

[Marrah_G]

23. I was so happy when I heard the news!

Too often these stories end badly. Incredible news!