I'm not about to make nasty comments about Elena White, who was arrested for DUI on Monday night here in Houston. I'm not even going to take any cheap shots at her daddy, Houston Mayor Bill White, or his parenting skills. I believed such things were wrong when it involved the Bush twins, and I believe that they would be wrong now.

Even though Elena smelled of alcohol when she was pulled over after cops spotted her weaving in and out of traffic with no headlights at around 11:00 PM (which I must note is after the curfew that her father and the City Council want to impose on every teen in the city).

Even though she failed the field sobriety test.

Even though she refused the Breathalyzer test.

Even though daddy has now hired high-power defense attorney Rusty Hardin to handle her case.

But I will note that Elena is 17.

And I will note that Mayor White, whose office initially issued a very responsible statement on the situation, has shifted direction and adopted a position that I can only call irresponsible.

"My daughter believes that she was not intoxicated and was not dangerous and wouldn't be impaired in her condition to drive," White said, calling her a "good kid" who has "always shot straight with me."

He added, "I personally, based on what I've heard today, think that it (the arrest) may have been a mistake."

Excuse me, Mr. Mayor.

I believe the legal drinking age here in Texas is 21. That makes it pretty clear that your daughter broke the law and deserved to be cited.

Your daughter couldn't walk a straight line or track objects with her eyes during the field sobriety test -- would you accept the assurances of any other drunk that they weren't impaired and could safely drive in that situation? Would you consider their arrest "a mistake"? Would you ever consider issing an order that the police release any driver who, having failed those tests, assured them that they weren't impaired and could make it home safely? I think we all know the answers to those questions.

It is clear you love your daughter, sir. And it is clear that she made a stupid mistake of the sort that many kids make in high school and on into college. As you point out, it doesn't make her a wild child or of bad seed, or proof of your moral failings as a parent, politician, or human being.

But might I urge you to reconsider that quote I cited above. It sends the wrong signal -- to her, and to young people all over this area. While it may be the first impulse of a loving parent, it is wrong for you to try to help her avoid the consequences for something she clearly did.

The best thing you can do for your daughter is to get her to 'fess up to what she did, accept her punishment, and learn from the mistake. And might I suggest that you teach her by example, by issuing a statement and conceding that your comments above, while made out of the purest love of a parent for his child, were wrong.

Because while I disagree with you on many things political, I know beyond all doubt that you are a good man. Prove me right.

Posted by: Greg at 09:00 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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