Another Jack-*** stunt imitator dies

[Ripsnort]

Girl, 16, killed copying stunt
Joan MacKinnon thought she knew her daughter, a Navy-bound, down-to-earth teenager, who brought home A's and B's from Marysville High School. But Monday, she was hearing about a hidden side of her 16-year-old daughter, a streak of daring, a risk-taker, a girl who was killed while emulating a stunt from the controversial MTV show "*******," according to police.

"I had no idea that she watched the show," said MacKinnon, an accountant. "Maybe I would have made her stop and think that this is dangerous fun.

"I don't feel anything right now," she said, trying to absorb the consequence of youthful frivolity .

Roberta "Bobbi" Marie MacKinnon died Saturday evening from injuries after she was flung from a playground merry-go-round propelled by a rope rigged to a vehicle, according to Marysville Police Sgt. Chris Sachs.

"We had no idea this activity was going on. Obviously, we wouldn't condone it," Sachs said.

The reality show, involving risky stunts along with a warning against re-creating them, has come under fire after copycats have gotten arrested, seriously injured and even killed.

A group of seven teenagers, including MacKinnon, had gathered at a park in East Marysville, wound rope around the merry-go-round, like string wrapped around a yo-yo, then tied one end to a pickup, Sachs said. As the truck speeds off, the rope spins the merry-go-round.

After initial spins, the rope length was doubled, Sachs said. But the longer rope increased the spin speed, throwing MacKinnon to the pavement 75 feet away. She was the lone rider at the time, Sachs said.

Authorities said Monday she appeared to have died from head injuries, but an autopsy had not been done.

Sachs said an investigation would continue today into any decision on criminal charges. The Police Department declined to release the names of the others involved.

A spokeswoman for MTV could not be reached for comment Monday. The show, which also spawned a 2002 movie, features a written warning against attempting the stunts accompanied by a skull and crossbones fashioned from two crutches.

In April 2003, a Loomis teenager donned an orange jumpsuit that looked like prison garb, snapped on handcuffs and ran down a road as a buddy videotaped him. Police and others, believing he was a real escapee, gave chase with tracking dogs and a helicopter. A parent of one of the 15-year-olds eventually told authorities who they were.

Those who monitor the media for violence on behalf of young viewers have continually attacked the reality-based show with its array of stunts, such as fish-swallowing, because it seems geared toward an impressionable audience.

"The media industry has a responsibility to children, and they're not living up to it," said Patti Miller of Children Now, an Oakland-based nonprofit organization. "The bottom line is they want to attract viewers."

Though parents can weigh in by monitoring their children's viewing habits and discussing what is appropriate, it's a trying task, Miller said. "Parents have such a tough job these days, working and trying to raise kids at the same time."

Joan MacKinnon said her daughter, a junior, was supposed to move to Sacramento today to live with her father and enroll in San Juan High School in Citrus Heights. She was immersed in a farewell weekend with her friends when the accident happened, she said.

MacKinnon said her daughter had spent Friday night at a friend's, stopping briefly at home to change Saturday afternoon. She and her friends went to watch her boyfriend's basketball game in Yuba City and apparently went to the park before a planned gathering at a bowling alley, MacKinnon said.

Her daughter, who is survived by a 7-year-old sister, had gotten to know her father last year and wanted to live with him for a while, MacKinnon said. She was going to move in with him before joining the Navy.

"We were preparing for her to leave, but just not this way," her mother said.

On Monday, other relatives and friends kept watch over an impromptu memorial at the Stephen J. Field Park at Rideout and Boulton ways near the steel-piped merry-go-round.

A sign read: "We love you, Bobbi, u r always in our (heart)." Around the base of a tree, visitors left yellow roses, white marguerite daisies and a teddy bear and candles.

Police marks still told a devastating end to a lark gone awry: An orange circle marked where Bobbi MacKinnon landed and where the pickup stopped another 60 or 70 yards farther. Other circles marked where a ring was found and the girl's shoes.

Police told relatives the merry-go-round was going at about 60 mph when the girl spun off.

Relatives had gathered at the sight to view the growing memorial and reflect.

"She wasn't dumb," said the girl's aunt, Jennifer McNees of Auburn. "(But) when you're young, if it's not dangerous, it isn't fun."

[Creamo]

Pry didn't have an Xbox.

[Chairboy]

Evolution in action.  Every time someone does something like that, the gene pool just gets stronger.

The parents are stupid, trying to blame the TV show.  Perhaps some enterprising hospital can start giving a piece of paper to all new parents:


Warning:  Life may be hazardous to your health!  By being born you accept all responsibility for your own actions.  

Any further notices about dangers and cautions you may encounter will be completely as a courtesy as you will be expected to demonstrate the very basic 'will to survive' that all life forms are imbued with.

[Ripsnort]

I once posted about how our "monkey see, monkey *will* eventually do" culture and it was argued that I was wrong.  My stance is the same...you watch crap, you're gonna tempt some humans into trying that same crap.  And no, its not the television shows fault, its our cultures fault for it coming to this.

[FUNKED1]

Natural selection at work.  

[SOB]

So, what's your point?  <---to Rip

[FUNKED1]

Really, I don't see a problem.

[Engine]

"I had no idea that she watched the show," said MacKinnon, an accountant. "Maybe I would have made her stop and think that this is dangerous fun."

Of course it's not your handsomehunk daughter lady, it's the show.  It made her do it, kinda like Silence of the Lambs made me eat people.

[Creamo]

Ha ha! Drip is right again!

Could you give me the final score to the Superbowl today?

[Mini D]

You know... I can't remember anyone doing stupid **** like this when I was a kid.  Never.  It must be that damn T.V.

MiniD

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by FUNKED1
Really, I don't see a problem.

Oh--the--horror---..think of the CHILDREN.

SOB, I made it many years ago, in a similiar thread. This is just a continuation of point.

[SOB]

Yeah, whatever you say cut-n-paste, whatever you say.

[Pfunk]

Originally posted by Ripsnort
I once posted about how our "monkey see, monkey *will* eventually do" culture and it was argued that I was wrong.  My stance is the same...you watch crap, you're gonna tempt some humans into trying that same crap.  And no, its not the television shows fault, its our cultures fault for it coming to this.

Nope its as simple as bad parenting.  Better watch the young ones or else that XBOX you just bought is gonna cause problems, as well as cartoons, TV, comics, etc etc:rolleyes:

[Creamo]

Don't forget the original evil violence promoters, the 3 stooges.

Did the ******* crew ever hit eachother with a hammer?

[SOB]

heh, probably.