Tearful Fla. dad 'sorry' for storming school bus

Yahoo News ^ | September 21, 2010 | ANTONIO GONZALEZ

[Gennie]

LAKE MARY, Fla. – A Florida father wept as he apologized at a news conference for storming onto a school bus and threatening children onboard because his 13-year-old disabled daughter had been bullied. James Willie Jones' voice cracked during the appearance Tuesday. He said he himself was acting as a bully and no parent should copy his behavior. He says his daughter suffers from cerebral palsy and he "could not stand by and helplessly watch her suffer." Standing by his wife, who also wept, Jones apologized for how he handled the situation. Jones was charged last week with disorderly conduct and disturbing a school function for the Sept. 3 incident. He posted $2,000 bail and was ordered to stay away from the driver and county school buses.

[dfwgator]

I don’t care what anybody says, the father is a hero.

[Melas]

Funny that in your need to make things personal you keep tossing out the phrase “People like you”, yet my children stayed out of trouble. As a matter of fact, despite my permissive child rearing methods (after all you couldn’t be wrong) 2 of the 4 have gone on to enjoy success in adulthood, 1 is in college and appears to be heading down the same road, and the 4th while still in high school looks promising as well. Luckily, none of them are likely to ever board a school bus in a rage and threaten children. Contrary to your accusations, I have a strong hunch that I demand a lot more self-control from my offspring than you would. You are obviously more comfortable with forms of behavior that I would not tolerate.

[monday]

“Funny that in your need to make things personal you keep tossing out the phrase “People like you”, “

You are the one who wants this man in prison for yelling at bullies. I was simply pointing out that that is the reason adults are reluctant to discipline children these days. They get in trouble from people like you if they do. If you disagree then tell me why.

I am happy your children are successful but you say “Contrary to your accusations, I have a strong hunch that I demand a lot more self-control from my offspring than you would.” If so why aren't you demanding that these bullies be disciplined? What they are doing to the handicapped child is infinitely worse than what her father did in her defense.

“You are obviously more comfortable with forms of behavior that I would not tolerate.”

Really? I would say the exact same thing about you.