Banish frivolous suits from justice system
by Keith Ludwick, Photo Editor

   "I am stupid; therefore, I sue" should be the mantra of those tying up the court systems with frivolous lawsuits.
   Just when we think it is over, the news informs us about some ridiculous judgment that made someone a millionaire, just for being stupid. Can we forget the $11 million judgment awarded to a woman who spilled coffee in her lap?
   If my coffee is not hot, I complain. If I spilled it in my lap, I would curse my stupidity. I would not think of suing the restaurant that gave me the coffee I paid for.
   In another case, four teenagers were working in a yogurt shop when robbers came in, took the money and killed the girls. The parent's lawsuit stated the yogurt shop should have provided security and should not have allowed teenagers to run the store at night by themselves.
   The robbers were responsible. I doubt they would have cared who was in the store that night or how old they were. Tragic things happen. If these parents were so concerned, they should not have let those girls work in the first place.
   We should focus blame where blame is due. I believe in personal accountability.
   I always hear that so-and-so cheated on his wife because she was inattentive to his needs. I disagree. When a spouse cheats, it is because that individual made the conscious choice to do so. One can find other ways of handling an insensitive spouse than breaking wedding vows.
   Could all of this possibly stem from the out-of-control political correctness movement that is running rampant in our country?
   The long-standing common-sense belief of majority rules has been changed to minority rules; 30 students cannot hang an American Flag because little Johnnie might be offended.
   Such reactions only encourage us to throw common sense out the window without thinking who might be affected. Have we really forgotten courtesy and respect?
   Now, lawyers are trying to sue fast-food establishments for causing obesity. I am sorry you are overweight. But when did the Big Mac become a healthy alternative?
   Some lawyers have claimed that a picture of a burger on a sign triggers addiction. Give me a break. Thank goodness, a Florida judge had the good sense to throw the first of these lawsuits out of his courtroom.
   Suing for obesity is like a robber suing a homeowner for getting shot while robbing the homeowner's property. And by the way, that was an actual lawsuit.
   Life can be difficult. Sometimes we must simply ignore things that anger us.
   Don't blame me; it isn't my fault.