I honestly don’t think a suit would have been filed in the first place if Jack Whitaker didn’t have money. I don’t agree with his lifestyle or 90% of the choices the man makes, but Whitaker has become nothing but a target for every money-grubbing, lawsuit-happy individual who wants to make a quick buck.

Another thing I don’t think most people realize is that Whitaker had money before he hit the lottery. He had LOTS of money and my guess is that his winnings didn’t change his lifestyle all that drastically. I think he had the same morals and habits prior to winning that he has now. The Powerball simply served as a vehicle to notoriety, putting him in the limelight for everyone to see.

As for the way those kids were being raised, it is incredibly sad that it seems as though no one chose to pay much attention. As a survivor of mothering two teenagers (with two more to go!), I know very well that we can’t always know where they are and what they’re doing every second of every day. But it sure does seem that these kids were able to do as they pleased, when they pleased. At some point parents have to realize that parenting is the toughest job they’ll ever have and the one worthy of the most effort.

Apparently is IS about money, and even more apparent, Mr. Tribble must have been planning to sponge from his son somewhere down the road.

The money issue aside, once again it all boils down to someone wanting something without working for it. NOW–before anyone lashes out and calls me cold-hearted, uncaring, and things much worse, let me explain my feelings.

I do care that not just one, but TWO lives were lost in this whole mess–that of young Mr. Tribble, as well as that of Jack Whittakers grandaughter, Brandi Bragg. Ms. Bragg passed away later, in separate “incident”, but as sure as I’m putting in my two cents worth, it’s all related. I’t just another chapter in a long, sad story, albeit one that occurs all too often. It just so happens that there are literally millions of dollars invloved in this one.

I agree with Karin that Mr. Whittaker was completely, unequivocally wrong in the way he went about trying to raise his grandaughter. In my opinion, yes, he did give her far too much money and more freedom than any teenager needs or should have.

However, did Jack Whittaker provide the drugs that caused Tribble to overdose? Did Whittaker, his grandaughter, or anyone else for that matter, FORCE Tribble to use drugs? I’ve not read allegations stipulating to such.

I ask those questions in order to lead to the following larger, mote pointed ones.

Where, EXACTLY, in all this was the elder Mr. Tribble? Surely he had some influence in his son’s life. Did he not know what was going on? Did he not see the signs of drug abuse in his son? Did he try to prevent it, try to keep his son from that that element and from those surroundings? Did he not realize the lifestyle his son was leading?

Sure, Mr. Whittaker bears some responsibility for
putting his grandaughter in jeopardy, for allowing and financing her lifestyle, and, ultimately, for putting her in her (much too early) grave. That is something which, I’m sure, will haunt him for the rest of his life. I hope he can find some semblance of peace at some point, but I fail to see how that could be possible.

On the other hand, James Tribble bears equal responsiblity for the death of his son. He had to have known something of the lifestyle his son was living, that his son was using and abusing drugs. He had to have known the risks and the possible outcome. Did he make an attempt to intervene? Did he attempt to remove his son from those surroundings? Did he attempt to keep his son away from Brandi Bragg and all that she could provide for him?

These are questions which Mr. Tribble will have to live with for the rest of his life. Hopefully, he too, will be able to find peace. Perhaps he can find peace in making an honest living, rather than sponging from his deceased son. Oh, I forgot–it wasn’t about money, was it?