TOO BAD, TOOGOOD - YOU'RE A LOUSY EXCUSE FOR A PARENT

NY Post ^ | September 24, 2002 | By ANDREA PEYSER

[southern rock]

MOTHER of the Year Madelyne Toogood has three small children, four driver's licenses, and two names to chose from - depending upon the state in which she parks her trailer. But Mommie Dearest has not one permanent address.

The country now is as familiar with Toogood's parenting skills as it is with the danger of Hurricane Isidore. This past weekend, the savage in blue jeans was all over TV, furiously whacking her small daughter about the head, a scene caught on surveillance videotape.

[southern rock]

I can't even count the number of smarmy little "I'm so superior" coments in this article. Here a just a few:

Madelyne Toogood has three small children, four driver's licenses, and two names to chose from - depending upon the state in which she parks her trailer. But Mommie Dearest has not one permanent address.

nomadic misfits

foisting a bizarre, authority-shunning way of life on kids,

Andrea Pyser, get a grip, get a life. Sheesh!

[Illbay]

Most people rightly feel superior to someone who lives a thuggish life and beats her child. Maybe this is normal behavior where you live, but most people find it disgusting.

[ladyjane]

Too bad, Toogood no good too.

[southern rock]

A "well, at least she didn't use the term 'white trash'", bump!

Actually, she didn't say, "white trash, she jus implied it!

[Frapster]

Mrs. Toogood was clearly wrong in how she hit her child. But the voyuerism and self-righteous comments of so many talking heads is absolutely devoid of any sense of reality as they sit on their noble perch of parental ideals. I sure hope nobody brings them crashing down due to some hidden skeleton in their closet.

People do stupid things. Sometimes often. The Toogood case does NOT deserve the level of attention it's received. I think that's what bothers me most about this whole thing. Kids are beaten every day - but since this one was caught on video tape lets play it over and over again so the news company's can make a buck and we can feel superior about our own parenting skills.

Bleh.

[southern rock]

What exactly do trailers (does she even live in one?), permanent addresses, traveling, or drivers licences, have to do with "fit parenting". Those things are all just brought up because they are buzzwords and idiots can make jokes about them.

[Lurking Libertarian]

What exactly do trailers (does she even live in one?), permanent addresses, traveling, or drivers licences, have to do with "fit parenting". Those things are all just brought up because they are buzzwords and idiots can make jokes about them.

Someone who has no permanent address and multiple identities is not a good candidate for probation or some other kind of program that depends on the court being able to monitor continuing compliance with conditions. Courts are more likely to work with a family that has roots in the community before taking drastic steps like permanently removing their children.

[justshutupandtakeit]

How do people without jobs manage to drive new Cadillac Escalades?

While I think her actions were exaggerated a bit by the camera, I also know that these people tend to be con artists. They run insurance scams, cheat old folks, steal etc. She was likely trying to return stolen merchandise from the store for cash.

Irish Travelers are in no way comparable to "White TRash" The latter are not nomadic- quiet the opposite. Nor do they run complicated, premeditated insurance scams or steal from old folks.

[giznort]

This story has received far too much publicity. Have examing physicians revealed the extent of the paddled girl's injuires? The news media is obsessed that she is an "Irish Traveler" (gypsy). They are wondering how this woman of supposed simple means can afford the multiple high priced cars she had.

I'm reading the book "Shakedown" about Jesse Jackson. He has acquired several lavish homes all on the humble salary of a poor preacher. Why isn't the media questionning this as well? Who pays for your cars and homes, Jesse?

They are going to make this woman the poster child for their cause, ad nauseum.

[apillar]

"By foisting a bizarre, authority-shunning way of life on kids, the Travelers put them in danger. Toogood and her kind should be kept miles from children. Unless they agree to settle down in a place where they can be watched.
Until then, I thank God for videotape."

This has to be the scariest, most anti-american statement I've ever heard. It sounds like something out of the old Soviet Union or Red China

Although I'm no supporter of Ms. Toogood and think she should be punished to the fullest extent of the law, the author of this piece seems to think she and her "kind" should have their children taken away or be forced to settle down in place where they can be watched not necessarily for the child abuse but for their "authority-shunning way of life".

I wonder how long it would be before gun owners, devout christians, homeschoolers, and staunch conservatives would be considered an "authority-shunning way of life"?

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

Who is Andrea Peyser? I mean, I heard of 'travellers' before but I never heard of Andrea Peyser.

What does she do for a living? Write non-consequential B.S. for tabloids? Or maybe she has a rich boyfriend or girlfriend who support her. Or maybe she's just spending whatever mommy or daddy left her when they passed away?

And what would be the color of her hair today? Is it the same as what she had 3 months ago?

Not that I care but 'some' may decide that Peyser's hair color and Gore's beard are important issues of the day.

[MJM59]

The point is that she beat her kid like a speed bag. That makes her an unfit parent. End Of Story. The rest is just fluffy icing on the cake.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

Well, this is where all this propaganda excercise leads you, innocent people. Make you understand that parents don't 'own' their kids. (Shhh... the STATE does.)

If you go back to old threads, you may find that myself and others warned you that THIS (and ratings, of course) is why you are being made to emote on this trivial case.

[JackIV]

Do you actually believe that this is the FIRST time she has beaten her children???

If so, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn...

[newgeezer]

How do people without jobs manage to drive new Cadillac Escalades?

I thought the SUV in the video was a Toyota Sequoia. Not that it's a big deal (the Sequoia starts maybe $15K less than the Escalade ;-).

[Poohbah]

Well, I'll sum it up: I think I'm superior to someone whose goal in life is to travel hither and yon, stealing from the unwary. But that's just me.

[austingirl]

Amen to that.

[Wright is right!]

"Who is Andrea Peyser? I mean, I heard of 'travellers' before but I never heard of Andrea Peyser."

Andrea is a regular reporter for Murdoch's New York Post. She's been there a while, and normally writes some pretty good stuff.

I DID find it amazing, though, that she said she'd never HEARD of the Irish Travelers before. Heck, Dateline NBC did a LONG story on them in 1996. Six YEARS ago. 60 Minutes has, too. It's not as if these people are some big secret.

Michael

[mewzilla]

If you don't get your jollies by beating the living hell out of your kids, you deserve to trumpet your parenting skills over Madelyne Toogood's.