Pardoning your own child

may seem "unpardonable" but is it really as bad as it looks to some? Perhaps President Biden should not have done it but I think it is understandable.

To put it bluntly, "Yes, Hunter Biden was treated differently." Had he been the son of a "John Smith" the matter might never have got that far. It almost certainly would not have been reported in the media, especially the world wide media. In such things it matters who and what your parents are.  

I went from being "the teacher's kid" to "the head's kid".  It was the same for my siblings. I started school at four years and five weeks old and I started as the teacher's kid. I was not in his class. I was in a lower class but it was a small country school and "everyone knew everyone". I was expected to behave absolutely perfectly. There were no concessions at all. 

From the start I think I knew that I was treated differently. There was a conscious effort not to treat me any differently and in doing so I was treated that way. I was punished for slight infractions when other children were simply told to behave. I was never chosen to be "leader" or "in charge" of a group. Perhaps they thought I was never good enough but now I think it is more likely I was not to be shown any favours.

My brother and I were never allowed to win prizes for anything. We might be "top" (and we usually were academically speaking) but we were never allowed to win the prizes given. It was explained to us that this could not happen. The only school prize I have is the history prize I got on graduating from primary school. I was allowed to have that because everyone got a prize for something!

We went on through our secondary years the same way. I am sure our parents thought they were doing the right thing. This was especially so in rural areas where "favouritism" of the head's kids would have caused more than a little discussion. It was possibly as difficult for them as it was for us. 

I often think of things like that when I read of "X's son - or daughter" in a negative news story. They may have been caught speeding a few kilometres over the limit but it will be a court appearance, their name in the media and the maximum penalty. For other teenagers it can be as little as a slap on the wrist and a warning not to do it again. Yes, they do get treated differently and their parents get less sympathy, indeed the behaviour of their children can be used against them. 

Perhaps President Biden should not have done what he has done...but I have little doubt that President Trump would do the same. He might even pardon himself.