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Soccer Bill Moves Forward

PANEL OKS CHANGES ON BOY’S BIRTHDAY

By Tabatha Hunter

Posted: March 22, 2011 at 5:28 a.m.

Amendments to Jonathan’s Act passed in committee Monday, the day that would have marked the fourth-grader’s 10th birthday.

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Comments

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Do we really need this law?

First of all, I'm very concerned for and feel badly for the family who lost their child in this accident; but wasn't this just that... an accident? How many children have been killed by "rouge soccer goals" in the last 10 years? I do not recall a rash of soccer goals roaming the streets, in gangs, looking for innocent children upon which to fall and injure.

If this is how far we will take this then lets consider making house fires illegal. Especially the house fires at night as they are more dangerous than the daytime house fires and more deadly. Also, lets make cars, trucks and busses illegal as children also die in car, truck and bus accidents each year.

Then, we could outlaw rainfall or snow, lets face it, children die in water and snow accidents each year; at least more than from rouge soccer goals.

Rep. Bledsoe, rather than give us yet another law; how about just realizing this for what it is, an accident. The parents should have been there, watching over the children and not allowing them to play on the soccer goal, it is not a jungle gym. It is a soccer goal, it was not designed to have children climbing all over it. There, no new law needed for that, just a quick, "I'm sorry for your loss."

Posted by: jmnt089

March 22, 2011 at 6:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

On average, one child per year is killed and 200 are injured.

Posted by: susiedoerr

March 22, 2011 at 8:14 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

That is what brings on the question about needing a "new law." Seems everyone wants to make a new law about this or a new law about that. I can't recall a story from the last, lets say 10 years about a child being killed by a soccer goal. However, look at the number of children injured or killed by other means. Why does this case need to have a new law, other than to get Cecil Bledsoe's name on a bill and cost the State of Arkansas money that it doesn't need to spend.

Posted by: jmnt089

March 22, 2011 at 10:26 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

There have been 39 deaths nationwide since about 1980 from soccer goals. If you've never lost a child you wouldn't really understand. The purpose of this bill is to make sure another child is not killed in this manner. Cecile Bledsoe is absolutely doing the right thing thing here.

Posted by: warrenjones

March 22, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

The point is this Bill should not have been needed. They all should be anchored down, but is that going to stop kids from climbing on them, hanging upside down from the cross bar and falling off. If you look closer those 39 deaths were not all caused by the goal falling on the child.
Supervision is the key, being aware of what children are doing and not being afraid to tell them NOT to do what is wrong. An issue parents have these days..

Posted by: RTF99

March 22, 2011 at 12:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

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