Recently in the news, a 12-year old boy from Greensboro, NC went on a scout trip in the mountains of NC.  He then disappeared and for four days, it was all over the local news and even made the national news.

Luckily, the boy was found, severely dehydrated, but alive. Good. Glad he didn't become the victim of some pervert.

That should be the end of it, but now that he's been found, press coverage is STILL dominating the news, locally and nationally. There was even an appearance on the "Today" show. 

When the boy was found, his father said he was disappointed that his friends had not gone on the trip and so he decided to hitchike home.

What a spoilt brat.

There, I said it.

Not only did he not make the best of what he determined was a sucky trip, he chose to hitchhike home.

Give him fluids, make sure he's healthy and then beat his ass.

The worst of it all is that now, we're learning that President Bush called him and wants to meet him.  And next month, Kenny Chesney is giving a concert in Greensboro and has invited the family to attend and the kid, Michael, gets a chance to hang out with Kenny Chesney.

Somebody drop me off in the woods with a sack of snicka bars and leave me for about five days cause I want to meet the POTUS too!  I'm not the outdoorsy type, but I'd go woodsy for an opportunity to ask Kenny Chesney if the "fraud" in his divorce from Renee Zellwiger meant that she found out he was truly gay.

His parents should come out in one of their MANY press conferences and appearances and say, "look, we're so grateful that our son is alive and we appreciate all the prayers and well wishes and such, but we do not wish to REWARD him for scaring us to death and wasting the time and money of the taxpayers."

That is exactly the message being sent not just to Michael but to all 12 year olds everywhere (and some 37 year olds):

If you don't like the situation you're in, screw it!  Don't bother following through with your committment!  Go your own way! We'll be so glad you're alive you'll get all kinds of treats and presents!

I'm glad the kid didn't make it to the highway to hitchhike.  This story could have had a very ugly ending because I no longer believe that human beings (especially strangers) can be decent. But don't send the wrong message just because you're grateful he was found alive.