[SpacemanSpiff]

Frankly, as a new parent who lives in the US I am worried that my family would be punished for an action such as what is described in the article. I think that the climate of irrational fear combined with exuberant supervision lead to an environment where decisions which would seem rational to a European could be construed to be dangerous to children in the US. Like walking home unattended. I don't think this fear of coming to live in the United States is unjustified if your values don't entirely match those of the local population. -- edit -- I also don't think that this kind of enforcement action is a rare event, and that this is why it is being covered in the media. In my opinion, it is being covered in the media because it is a significant example of an event which illustrates the divide in the US between what the majority believes (letting children walk home unsupervised is dangerous) and what a smaller number of parents challenging this establishment believe.

[kordless]

It's an important, but uncommon event. Be thankful for the fact she can come out and talk about it in the press. That right is your's as well here.

[chromaton]

Maybe. I was warned off against talking about my incident to anyone. You really want to piss off the prosecutors and cops?