NO SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR PORT ISABEL JP'S SON

Benito Ochoa, a justice of the peace in Port Isabel, is one tough
dad.

Instead of running to post bond for his son after the high school
senior was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia on school
property, Ochoa let him sit in jail for five hours. He posted the bail
only after his cousin, the police chief, pleaded with him to do so.

"What was in the bed of the truck was illegal, and I wanted him to
understand how easy it is to get into trouble. He needs to know who he
is hanging with," Ochoa said.

Bo Ochoa, 17, was charged with a Class C misdemeanor and suspended
from school for 15 days.

Ochoa said he feels bad for his son, a star player on the Port Isabel
Tarpons football team who will have to watch his team's next two games
on videotape.

But his punishment is appropriate, Ochoa said. His son did not place
the items in the truck, but no one denies they were there.

"They're doing a favor to my son," he said. "We need to show kids how
to be good citizens now before they get worse."

It's refreshing to hear a parent admit his child has done wrong and
support the punishment.

Parents too often do their children a disservice by taking on the
system instead of trying to teach them to take responsibility for
their actions.