By Bill O'Reilly
18-year-old Penelope Soto arrested in Miami on Sunday for possession of narcotics; Soto was caught with 26 Xanax bars, a fairly large amount of that drug. She has been charged with a felony.
On Tuesday, Miss Soto appeared before Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat for a bond hearing. Apparently the judge did not like her flippant attitude in the courtroom so he raised her bond from 5,000 to $10,000. Ms. Soto then began acting out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SOTO: (EXPLETIVE DELETED)
RODRIGUEZ-CHOMAT: Come back again. Come back again. Bring her back again.
SOTO: What's up?
RODRIGUEZ-CHOMAT: I believe I heard you say to --
SOTO: Yes, I did. I'm not going to deny it.
RODRIGUEZ-CHOMAT: I believe you -- did you say (EXPLETIVE DELETED) me?
SOTO: Actually, I did.
RODRIGUEZ-CHOMAT: Did you say that?
SOTO: Yes, sir, I did.
RODRIGUEZ-CHOMAT: Oh, you did say that? I find you in direct criminal contempt. 30 days in the county jail.
SOTO: Ok. That's fine. That's fine.
RODRIGUEZ-CHOMAT: 30 days in the county jail.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'REILLY: Now, Miss Soto has no criminal record but is in big trouble, 30 days no day at the beach. And she'll have to serve it. It's clear the judge is fed up not only with Ms. Soto but with the entire atmosphere that we have in this country.
Many Americans simply are disrespectful, they feel they can do whatever they want to do and Ms. Soto is a good example of that. The reason there is an epidemic of disrespect in America is mainly because of the public school system.
Here in New York City, the nation's largest public school operation, educators have softened the discipline code. So now students can curse at their teachers and simply get a reprimand. No suspension, just a little scolding. New York City education spokeswoman Margie Feinberg said the new rules will keep the kids who commit low level infractions in class where they can learn from their mistakes. Yeah, sure.
As a former teacher, I know if the system allows students to curse out teachers in front of other students, all discipline breaks down. By the way, that's one of the reasons I send my kids to Catholic school in New York State.
Disrespect is everywhere. On the net, troubled people say the most horrendous things hiding behind their machines. On television, reality program off the chart irresponsible. Shows like "Jersey Shore" and this idiot thing in West Virginia debase our culture all day long.
The Miami judge may have overreacted a bit, but he should be applauded. America has got to get back to basics. If we don't respect each other, we are headed for big trouble. And I believe we are headed for big trouble.
And that's "The Memo."
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