YOUR COMMENTS

Erica Therrien is a person just like you and I are. She just made a bad decision. The police aren't bad-- they were just doing their job--they got a complaint and checked it out...
who would be considered the bad guy in this one.....
- Br, manchester

first of all--

why is everyone being so mean to those that were drinking??? You all have probably done it anyway so those of you who have just stop commenting unless you are willing to stop drinking for the rest of your life.

Let me tell a story

Mrs. X is a young woman living in Washington state whose life has been all but ruined by alcohol. One morning after she had been drinking, she lost control of her car and hit two children walking by the side of the road. They died instantly.
Mrs. X was so ashamed and she was sentenced to prison. When she was paroled she had to hide her identity because people were so angry with her. God would forgive her if she asked but could she forgive herself?
- Br, manchester

Why do we have to be mean to the people who did this??? Sure it may have been stupid but you know parents and adults us kids only get our examples from you so whatever you do we will try
- Br, manchester

John, Manchester
yes it may be ironic but think about it for a second maybe they're trying to lengthen the teens' lives by making it so you can't drink when under a certain age.
- Br, manchester

you know, the union leader shoudl be ashamed for putting this story as the headline. There isnt one adult alive who didnt try drinking as teens. if they say they didnt, they are lying. Erica was my sons instructor in Goffstown a few years ago, and I can honestly say she is one of the greatest kids I have ever met! she comes from a wonderful family, and I would trust my kids alone with Erica in the worst of any situation. People should thank these kids for at least being a LITTLE responsible and not getting behind the wheel. My dad brought me up saying, I know you will try it, be smart about how you do. prefer at home.
Erica, if you are reading this.. you DON'T deserve jail time, and DON'T do it if you have a choice. you really dont know what you will be getting yourself into. Its a lot uglier than you can imagine. Its nobel of you to accept responsibility, but dont go that far. learn from your mistakes, and move on. YOu are a great kid!
- Pete, Manchester

Erica--
Just because you did something wrong doesn't mean that you're a bad person. We're human as long as you've learned your lesson.
I hope it doesn't happen again--at least not in the near future. I'm not trying to be mean or anything but I think kids under 18 have seen this--that was a hint that I'm under 18 even 14
wait even 13!!!!! I hope you don't do this again.

hope you learn from this,
br
- Br, manchester

Erica Therrien, Goffstown
Please don't be so hard on yourself. You just made a common mistake and got caught at it.
I have never been in the position of getting into trouble by the police but my mom was almost calling the police because one of my friends was being very violent--I mean punching, kicking my dad in the knee(which would have gotten him into serious trouble),(my dad's knee is blown out from two years ago). I mean it was a literal fight. He is a violent boy--and I mean violent. One of these fights he said my dad was chocking him and my dad was just giving him a bear hug but my friend was pulling away.

Hope it helps,
DH
- DH, manchester

Erica Therrien, Goffstown,
We're not mad at you-we're not happy with the decision you made- but we're not mad at you. Yes what you did was wrong (I won't take
sides) but people don't need to be mean about it. I'm sure most of them out there have drunk beer, wine, etc. I hope you learned from your mistake, and won't do it again. I know I might sound like a parent but I'm no where close to being a parent--I'm not even in 9th grade so I'm under 14- so I still live with my parents.

Hope it helps,
Brit
- Br, manchester

"Just remember, boys and girls, to do it is one thing, to do it and get caught is another!" was one of the comments written--listen--I'm practically boiling over in anger--that shouldn't be your motto you shouldn't do something in hopes you won't get caught--if you don't want to get caught don't do it. I'm serious--hello guess what all you out there who have posted a comment-- I'm under 14-this is what I mean when youngsters are watching you-- I have posted at least 10 comments and haven't peeped a word about my age in any except for now and the last one. (word of advise think about what your doing before you do it--please)
- Br, manchester

Bill in Manchester--
WOW!!! just-WOW!! That's a sad story showing what drunk driving can do to a person. I think the guy wasn't staggering around in shock, if you saw beer cans on the floor of the car then most likely he was drunk.
It was good of you to help the people. That girl laying on the street must have been in TONS AND TONS of pain. I mean I can only picture what it was like--you-oh man--you can see it over and over in your mind what it must have been like--that must be awful/good. Awful because you have that memory of that in your head--good because you know you tried to comfort someone and make sure they get the help that they need. Q? Do you know how they are doing now????? Please keep me posted.
- Br, manchester

i would just like to add 3 more comments, one that is for the drinking and driving argument: yes there was a possibility of kids leaving drunk, but believe it or not some of the party goers (including myself) are very aware of the drunk adults and the sober adults. and i was a designated driver, (who is very aware of my surroundings) wouldn't have let anyone go. there were a few of us that night who blew .000 and id like to say that as immature as the whole thing was that i care a lot about my peers and would have driven anyone home who was not capable of doing so themselves. and i do not appreciate being called an idiot mRbm i can see your reason to be upset but an apology would be nice. say were all idiots but not just one of us. my second is about the 15 y.o.: i am embarrassed to say that i didn't catch on to him and had i known that he was only 15 i would have taken him home immediately. this did not need to happen and the person who brought him there knows who he is and should be ashamed of himself. i have a sister that age and she would be nowhere near a party with alcohol. i would also like to apologize to the owners of ATA in that i hope the company doesn't get a terrible name because of the incident. that is all
- Michael Anthony, Concord

Erica, Erica, Erica....wow. I was reading the posts in the order of most recent and then came upon your original post. THAT post will (and should) hurt your 'business'. Are you serious? The "busy mouths of Bedford". Think whatever you want about this town, but keep in mind, your business is located here. Move elsewhere if you do not like the "busy mouths". The article was not written for the "busy mouths of Bedford"; it was written in the Union Leader...serves the Greater Manchester Area. Your second post and post from your mother/friends shows an attempt at damage control.

Underage drinking is not just about drinking/driving. I drank as a teenager and had many moments I am not proud of related to alcohol consumption. None at the level of police involvement. Hypocritical? No...not all. I just have a different perspective as a 40+ yr old woman with young children. Your judgment is impaired by alcohol...it is proven. The young adults that ran inside the studio at the sight of a police cruiser proved how impaired and immature judgment can be.

It is unfortunate for you that you ended up on the front page of the paper, but stop thinking the world revolves around you. The story became a 'story' because of Bedford's recent (and so public) commitment to catching and stopping underage drinking. Also, the fact that you all were in a business, on a very busy (closely monitored by State and local police) road, shows the absurdity of your judgment before alcohol even became a factor.

Young adults do make stupid mistakes, but many are wise enough not to continue drawing attention to themselves by arguing on a newspaper blog blaming the reporter for "salivating".
- KarateKids, Bedford

Mark Harbinson, Bedford ATA Great post, as someone who reads and comments on this site I have to say that was the best post I've read in a very long time.
- Bill, Andover

To Mark from ATA,
Nice to hear from you. Sounds like your on top of things. The only thing I worry about is your belief that the Union Leader should be using this as a "teachable moment". The UL is a paper and they report the news. When a police department issues a press release, that's news. It's not their job to use it as a teachable moment. It's a parents. And you have. Hopefully the parents of the "no big deal" crowd will as well. Good luck to you and your business.
- John, Auburn

Erica,
I want to tell you a story about drinking and driving. In 1985 I was going home around midnight on Mammoth Rd near the Yard restaurant. It had snowed lightly, making the driving tricky. There was a car sideways in the road. It had skidded off the road and hit a tree in someone's front yard, then bounced back into the road. A young lady was laying in the middle of the road in front of the car. I stopped and put on my 4 way flashers. She said her back really hurt, so I told her not to move and covered her with a blanket while I checked on the others in the car. There was another young lady in the passenger seat. When I looked closer I saw that the top of her head had been ripped open. She had no pulse. There were several beer cans on the floor of the car. A young man was staggering around either in shock or drunk. I told him not to worry, that the neighbor had called for help. He said "Why did you do that? Now I'm going to get in trouble!" I went back to the girl laying in the road to be with her until help arrived. She asked me how her girlfriend was. I said not to worry, that help would be here, and I stayed with her until the ambulance got there and then I left.
This could have happened to any of these kids as they left the drinking party on their way home. This is why what you and your friends did was such a big deal, and why many people on this forum are so upset. Many of us did the same things when we were younger, it's part of growing up I guess. Your'e not a bad kid, you just made a mistake and I hope you learn from it.
Good luck!
- Bill, Manchester

I have just read every post here on this story, and am genuinely surprised at the quantity listed. Obviously, the issue of underage drinking is a hot button for this community, and I agree that it should be. As the owner of the school that this "event" occurred at, I can provide some facts that were not reported in the Police log, nor in the UL report.
First of all (and most importantly to me) no one knows the true pain and anguish that Erica is now going through because of this. Her mother and I know her better than anyone who has posted here, and I can assure you her sadness over what she has done is genuine. She made a rather large error in judgment, she has assumed responsibility and will face the legal consequences. As upset as I was to learn of this party (and what was going on), I am much more proud of her for accepting her role in it and facing the penalty. Too many of the "attendees" will continue to stress that this was "no big deal" while Erica now fully understands the significance of her error. She will grow tremendously through this, albeit at a stiff price, but she WILL be a better person for it.
Also, Erica is taking the responsibility as a "host", but folks should also keep in mind the difficulty of a 19 year old girl to control 20-something people in an environment that alcohol was brought into (NOT supplied by her). Yes, she again showed poor judgment in not calling her parents, but a very real part of the issue here is the peer pressure she was under. Not an acceptable excuse, but certainly understandable.
What is getting lost here is the fact that a big mistake was made, but there is healing in genuine repentance. The sad fact is that the UL report focuses on the negative (and there is certainly a lot of negative to focus on) but really does nothing to illuminate the "teachable moments" that this situation has created. As the article stated, I was "not available for comment." It's true that I wasn't, because I was never contacted by the reporter and given the opportunity to comment. If I was, I would have told her how my daughter has spent hours reaching out to every one of our students to apologize, tell them what she did was wrong, and that she understands that she let them down as a leader in the school. I would have also told her how she immediately went out in search of a second job, in order to fully pay the restitution she will be fined with. All of these things done on her own, without prompting from her parents. That folks, is the heart of a leader. Not someone who is perfect, but someone who can carry their own baggage and go the extra mile to make it right. That speaks to who she is as a person, and as a Black Belt.
For those of you who feel that our Martial Arts business should be held liable for this, I understand your position. If I were on the outside looking in, I would be angry and concerned as well. Even though we had no knowledge of this party prior to it getting out of hand, I feel a sense of responsibility as it IS my business. However, I also recognize that the core of our business is to teach kids that they can (and will) make mistakes in life. It is in how they respond to these mistakes that build their character. As such, this will become an opportunity for us to be an example of how to properly deal with poor choices and move in a positive direction in life.
- Mark Harbinson, Bedford ATA

Just remember, boys and girls, to do it is one thing, to do it and get caught is another!
- Texter, Newfields

i cant believe some of the coments ive read on this site. If its not bad enough that we were caught and charged but we have to hear the opinions of the naive hypocrite adults who try to convince themselves that they too never commited "illegal" crimes when our age. we accepted our punishments like adults and are doing our best to support erica and her family durning this time. I do not respect the union leader for slandering a businesses good name. erica has accepted all responibility and it has nothing to do with her parents or there business.
the reason we had a studio party was because we thought that it was a safe enviorment, none of the kids were leaving at the point we were busted and if they were the 8 that were realeased to parents were safely offering rides home. most of us were 19 and older dont you think we thought about safety as a top priority..come on.
I am truely sorry to her parents.
- kali, goffstown

erica, at 19 you did what any 19 year old would do. made a bad decision, was called out on it, got mad for getting caught, and then apologized. your 2nd post showed poise, maturity and most of all regret for your actions. you and your family will get over this and learn from it. at the end of the day, you caused no physical harm to anyone and nobody that was at the party caused harm to anyone. that is the most important thing. although, i don't condone what you did, having been there myself, i can certainly understand the position you're in. you seem like a great kid and your parents have nothing to be ashamed about. as already stated, don't opt for jail...that is no place for a lady. good luck and keep kickin'!
- fpc, bedford

Eric Landry, manchester lol, can I get a little cheese with that whine? You don't really think a 40 old man makes the same judgment calls as a 16 boy do you? Do you at 21 make the same judgment calls as someone that's 16? I hope to god the answer to that question is NO.
- Bill, Andover

Erica,
Great second post! You are not a horrible person, no one is perfect, you made a simple mistake that happened to have slightly serious consequences. That is the biggest problem with alcohol - it greatly magnifies your chances of making a mistake.

I disagree with many posters here who claim this was a safe environment for a drinking party. Unless you had everyone's car keys in a locked cabinet or were prepared to demonstrate some karate on anyone attempting to get in a car drunk.... again people do stupid things when they are drunk, things they didn't plan on doing when they were sober.

The reason why the legal age for drinking is higher than the legal age for owning a gun or joining the army is that alcohol is trickier than guns. Every dolt knows guns are dangerous yet hundreds of people (mostly kids) accidently shoot friends or family. But here on this web page you have dozen of people (many 40+ years old) like Mike Layon who clearly don't understand that alcohol is dangerous (see my other posts below).

I hope you can put this behind you quickly and that people will not pull their kids out of the classes.
- Jim, Manchester

Like we all wernt teenagers at one point? come on...Pull all your heads out of your you know what..Are you all really going to sit here and show this type of anger for something im sure 98% of you people on here did when you were that age if not younger..And most of you who will come back and say no...LIES...Im not stupid and neither are you. Is it the law? Some people just get caught. Leave this poor girl alone. I myself am 21 and yet at times i feel younger. I admit it. But does a 40 year old guy make the same judgements as someone who is 16? YES!...Face it people..We are all human. We learn from our mistakes. Now to sit here and ramble on about how she messed up is nothing more than a bunch of crap. Leave her alone..she did what every other person around my age does. ITS 2009!!!! WAKE UP..Were not in the 1950-s anymore....My god i hate the older generations, times change and you think that people werent giving you a bunch of crap for the things you were doing when you were our ages? remember how you felt?...Think about it!!!
- Eric Landry, manchester

John from Dover-

Actually Erica is not the liar! If you were actually smart enough to read and comprehend what Erica wrote, you will find that she did not contradict herself or say that the story was not blown out of proportion. All she is saying is that she is sorry for how she addressed her first comment and that the community should not look bad upon her family or their business because of the actions and consequences of herself. So next time you write something think first!
- Thomas, Goffstown

The lesson to be learned here is that the idea of a limited government has failed.

Why? Well ask why the legal drinking age in every state is 21. izt is because the federal highway department refused to give funds to states that had a lower drinking age. Has it made a difference in what age people start drinking? Nope.

We can continue to kid ourselves that making those under 21 who drink criminals somehow makes us all safer. its OK for us to send 18 years olds off to die in foreign countries, yet they can't drink here. How many lives have been ruined because someone was caught drinking before they were 21?
- Michael Layon, Derry

I like what one person said,"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
John 8:7
It's true!!!!!!! Maybe we should listen to her Jesus said it and people listened to Him-why wouldn't people listen to us Christians when we say it??? I may have said some harsh things and I'm sorry about that
- Br, manchester

Erica, Dont be so hard on yourself. Guess what it was a mistake. Most people who do the same thing don't get caught. I was an absolute terror as a child. I played with fire. I smoked pot and drank at 14. I was an evil child. I've done a lot of bad things. Your mom knows how how much of a troubled youth I was. Ask her. Then you wont feel so bad. I was lucky enough to get away with most things I did.

Seriously, being the person of who you are and how much your family loves you I'm sure that the judge will almost let you walk free. The judge will understand that you are a good kid with a simple mistake. The judge will know that you will never do it again.

It's not like your some punk going nowhere in life, no you're a good person. Everyone makes mistakes. No one will throw the book at you. I'm actually surprised that the cops didn't just let you walk free that night.

Erica, be happy that there were no bigger mistakes that could have happened like a drunk driving accident.

Everyone who knows you knows that you have a great head on those shoulders. You are smart and well disciplined. Dont worry about this mistake. Almost everyone will look beyond this and know who you really are and not lose any inch of faith in you.
- JP, Manchester

Erica -

Wow! What a wonderful post!

I hope the UL prints it. It shows maturity and personal responsibility.

It also shows that the ATA School produces mature individuals.

You clearly have taken some time to reflect upon this. This lesson will make you an even better person and teacher.

Good for you!
- Peter, Bedord

to Cara in Manchester-

It's a good thing that you couldn't go-no offense to you or anything-but you would have gotten yourself into serious trouble if you did go AND it would be publicized. That to me would be awfully embarrassing. On the other hand it was stupid what those people did don't you think?? I mean they set out a bad example for the younger children out there who don't know any better and the worst that could happen is that they would do it. And then if they do the same thing we'll go through this once again-UNFORTUNATELY- I don't understand why kids/young teens want to be treated like adults. I think those kids should be acting like kids not like idiots. If it goes like this again I will post this comment 'till everyone sees it.
- Br, manchester

Erica, It was good to read your mea culpa. I hope you meant it. You've learned a couple of valuable lessons here.

!. Don't break the law.
2. Don't post on a public blog or email when angry.
3. Your actions may have consequences for others.
4. Don't drink if you're underage in Bedford. The police Chief has stated on numerous occasions that he has made stopping this a priority of his.

Unfortunately for you, your name is now immortalized on the internet. Pay the fine, donate the rest to charity. Stay out of jail-trust me, it's not a good place to go. and what you did does not warrant incarceration. Volunteer at the Hillsborough County home or some other place instead.
- Bob, Bedford

Thank you, Erica, for your thoughtful post. There was probably a lot of growing up that happened because of this incident, and hopefully ATA will not be punished. If my kids were still young enough, I would have no problem having you, or anyone at ATA, teach them.

Bad decisions happen and you have decided to pay the price. Personally, I would go for triple the fine and not do 10 days (I would really hate that public toilet :-), but what you're doing is honorable. I really hope that this is the end of it, and that you are allowed to put this behind you, with a lesson learned the only thing that follows you along. It sounds like you have a great, supportive, family.

For those of you who doubt the newsworthiness of this story, this is a free country and you're allowed your opinions here, which the UL, to their credit, has a tradition to never censor. You are also allowed to start your own newspaper and decide for yourselves what to print, and where to print it.

Underage drinking is a real problem, in my opinion, and deserves to be on the front page, also my opinion. As for the comment about prohibition - I'm OK with that. But I think they tried it once, and that didn't turn out so well, did it?
- Marc, Derry

"I know for a fact we weren't welcome at the studio, and we shouldn't have been there."

Thats about the only honest comment from someone attending this party so far.

As far as Ms. Therrien is concerned, read her first post and then her most recent. Seems to me she had a sudden change of heart after being exposed. I think she was the liar initially, not the UL reporter.
- John, Dover

Hey UL,

How about the mug shots? Where is the freedom of information act when we need it!
- RT, Bedford NH

After reading several of these comments, I felt obligated to leave my own.

To all of you who believe each of the individuals at the party are ignorant to just how illegal their actions were, I wanted to make clear, I attended the party and am one of the individuals listed in the article. And also that, I know that several of the people that attended the party but were release without being charged blew a .000 on the sobriety tests because they were designated drivers for the evening. I can honestly say that i was legally intoxicated at the party, and would never have driven home because I refuse to let my actions impact the lives of innocent families. I can assure everyone that I am of aware of the consequences of our actions, and I am prepared to face them as a man should. And honestly I couldnt disagree more with anyone who was involved in this situation with me that thinks they're a victim of the UL or the BPD.

Also, I would like to apologize to the owners of the ATA Martial Arts Studio. I don't know them well but they seem like great people and it is so very unfortunate how this will impact your lives when it had so little to do with you. I know for a fact we weren't welcome at the studio, and we shouldn't have been there.

Again, I would like to apologize to the owners of the business and the BPD.

- "The kid who wanted to be tazered. "
- Anonymous, Goffstown, NH

Far better the Libertine than the Calvinist!
- Howard Marks, Concord, NH

Ms. Marchocki,

I am very sorry in how I addressed you in my former post. I didn't mean to use anger towards you, you we're just doing your job. If I we're you I probably would have jumped on the story too considering all of the recent arrestings in the Bedford area because of underage drinking. When i found out that my name, business, family, friends and illegal activity we're going to be on the front page of the Union Leader i nearly went into shock. My family and I have had a meaningful part in many people's lives and i couldn't believe that such an un-thought-out action of mine could have this much affect on so many people. It took this event that I thought was acquirable at the time for me to see that my actions really do affect others around me, especially when the most innocent people, my family (and i don't mean myself included, i mean my step-father, mother, and sister) who had absolutely nothing to do with this were hurt the most. If i could take every slanderous word that has been spoken about my family and they're business I would do it in a heartbeat. I have never been so disappointed in myself in my whole entire life.

Even though the actual crime committed was not media-worthy, and the consequences, shamefulness, embarrassment, and internal conflicts are not fit for the actual action it taught me that by breaking the law, whether it be legal law or my parent's laws, it has a bigger effect on those surrounding me who i love dearly, and would never ever intentionally hurt like this. I could never imagine putting my Mom, Dad, and Sister through so much pain consciously, it makes me want to crawl out of my skin, so to see that i actually did, intentional or not, is absolutely disgusting and intolerable to me. This is about growing up. It's about waking up and realizing that if something is effecting others in a negative way then it is WRONG. that's it end of story, wrong. It doesn't take a genius to figure out the damage that's been done by this one night and the magnitude to which the consequences are. How horrible of a person can you be to let that happen to those you love?

This isn't just an internet blog, this is real life. This is actually happening and it is my name that thousands of people are talking negatively about. And my own actions made that happen. That takes some heavy meaning, self-questioning, and major conflicts with who I am as a person. Even though I would never dream of hurting a flea, am I actually hurting people by the little actions I make that are "no big deal at the time?".
So if that means that even if I disagree with the law that's in place it doesn't matter what I think because if that law is in place for a reason then I will abide by every single one to make sure that I NEVER hurt anyone as much as I have my family, friends, and members of our taekwondo family.
I don't want to hurt. I don't want to cause anyone pain. So if that means changing my own actions for the sake of others that's what is right and with that I can't go wrong. That's what I have learned from all of this. It's about making decisions to better everyone, not just myself.


I deserve every legal consequence i have acquired on my own. Which is a fine of $500 by January 4th, or 10 days of jail (not a year.) I'm going to work for double the money, give it to my parents and go to jail for 10 days and serve out the sentence as a way to payback what I owe. I have learned so much from all of this, and I think that is the most important part.

PLEASE READ:

If there is a wish i could ever have, it would be that entire public know what good people own the ATA Martial Arts in Bedford, they raised me better than this and yet still they love me even through what I have done. They only sacrifice and give to everyone else but themselves and have done so much for so many people. It hurts the most that these people who deserve the world are looked down upon now for my actions. So please know that it is not the establishment or the people who own it, it is all me. They are great people to know and I think that's why through all of this they're friends have stuck by them because they know what great people they are no matter what anyone says. I am to blame for this happening not my Father, Mother, Sister, their employees, Police, or News reporters. I take full responsibility for my actions.
- Erica Therrien, Goffstown, NH

Gee, if Erica Therrien thinks her comments on here make the reporter writing the article look bad and exonerates herself I cetainly wouldn't want her teaching anyone I cared about because just her own statements she wrote shows she has no thinking or judgement skills. If she is too dumb to realize when she is responible for blowing it and no one else I certainly wouldn't want her teaching anyone I cared about. Blaming someone else for one's own personal screwups are not any lessons I would want someone teaching my kids.

Oh it's not that I did anything wrong it's just that someone else made it sound bad and they should be punished not me. Yeah, I would want someone teaching my kids to take responsibility for their inappropriate actions in that manner.

Comparing what the reporter wrote and what the police report says just shows me that Erica is the one who doesn't get it. I wouldn't want Erica to teach my kids to see things through her rose colored glasses.
- Dave, Manchester, NH

Bedford ATA is and outstanding school. They have changed my life. In my first 8 months at the school I lost 40 pounds. Emily, Mark and Sue are the most giving and professional people I know. This incident does not and should not effect anyones preception of this school. To the parents please think about what the Harbinson's have done for you and your child in the past. To the people reading this blog please understand many of the negative comments are from competing martial arts schools who have decide to pile on to try and steal some students. What I find most interesting is all of you that have stated Erica is a black belt and should have discipline and should have none better obviously havent read the story of our fine 20 year old State Representitive who was also arrested for underage drinking. I would think a State Representitive should no better than to go to a Frat party and get drunk. But no one is calling for him to resign. Erica made a mistake but at least she is just a college kid and not a State Representitive. In closing I can assure you that the Harbinsons did in no way know or approve of any drinking party at this school. So let it go and move on. To the Union Leader please take some time to get to know the Harbinsons and visit the school you will find out that these are first class people and would give anything to anyone who needed it. It would be nice to do a folow up story on the school and help mend some of the harm your paper has done to this school. Reporting the news is ok if its news. This is not. This was an attempt by a paper to hurt a local business. Please Union Leader you have the right to report anything you want but remember you are hurting real people who had nothing to do with this incident. You owe it the school and the 99% of its students who are amoung the finest individuals I know and that does include Erica.
- Corey Sparks, Concord

Good job BPD on making your quota for this month. Does the Bedford police really have nothing else better to do? Most of these kids weren't driving and those who were... guess what? They weren't drinking so that they could get home safely. Now this whole situation is out for the public to read and talk about. Come on people, they are just kids having some fun. Yeah it's illegal but how many rules and laws did you break when you were younger? Now they have to go before a judge and most likely get fined... yeah just what these kids need now. It's bad enough we have to live in this economy the way it is, do you think any of these kids can afford the fines? Give them some community service, because yes it was wrong, and let's focus on more serious issues facing this world.
- KL, Manchester

Is it just me or does the police report say nothing about Erika actually drinking? it says she was charged with facilitating the party but not for being intoxicated. And to all the posters saying underage drinking is so horrible because they will drive drunk and kill someone, does it make it any better if a 50 year old lawyer or doctor gets drunk legally, drives drunk and kills someone? if thats your argument against underage drinking you should be arguing complete prohibition.
- john, nh

Simple solution. Old enough to fight a war. Not old enough to drink. You drink underage and get caught, you just enlisted. Your only option is which branch. Then you can drink.

Happy Hunting babies!
- Mary Mags, Bedford

Are you people blind?
Erica's the victim here! She said so herself.
- Bill, Manchester

Alright everyone. Lets look at it like this. Would you rather have them be drinking in the woods? or in a car? or at a strangers house? OR would you rather have them be in a safe environment where you know no one will drink and drive and be safe doing it.

Seriously... You can grab and gun and go to war, but can't have yourself a cold beer. Blasphemy.
- Kevin, Goffstown

Why are so many people taking this so lightly, as if the UL is overeacting. They got they information from Bedford PD.

Here is a fact of life scenario for you people thinking "they weren't doing anything wrong.", "Playing it safe." What if one of the kids left the party intoxicated or just having consumed any amount of alcoholic beverage. God forbid, they crash, killing someone or seriously injuring another. Guess what folks, get ready not only for the criminal consequences but the really big one, civil responsiblility. Any attorney will go after the registered owner of the car, the karate school owner, the building owner, etc. Don't believe that your insurance will cover everything, because it doesn't, so guess who is going to pay the dollar amount the family will be rewarded? It's not going to be the 20 year old drinking at the party....
- Dave, Manchester

mRbm,
Are you serious with your post? You attack someone else for having a different opinion. How about affirming your own? You claim that these "underage idiots", who are actually adults, are a public risk? how? no one was driving, they were all inside, there is not one thing that they did that would have had any affect on you or your family. Second, unless you completely abstain from drinking alchohol, you are a hypocritical oaf. How are you any safer than any of these people when it comes to drinking? Finally, how dare you insult another person for taking a different opinion, especially when i've just proven your whole argument was a poorly constructed fallacy. Oh, and a tip, if you intend to insult someones intelligence, have the foresight to hit spellcheck!
- Nick, Manchester

Close down the studio. Maybe you should have set forth better business practices.
- Jacob, Manchester

Why the big fuss, the police should have just called the parents and had them come get their kids. That's what would have happened before our police all became CSI/SWAT/paramilitary wannabees. A local cop is just that, someone who should use common sense and treat those kids like they were thier own. I'll bet if there was a cop's kid at the party then we wouldn't know his/her name.
- Mike, Goffstown

"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
John 8:7

This is an excellent family and business. I will continue to send my children there. Don't be too quick to judge...
- Sarah J, Bedford

OK. So this is just ridiculous. I attended this gathering that night and what Ms. Kathryn has written here is blown way out of proportion. All that was going on was a bunch of close friends, hanging out and having a good time. Now tell me, where is the evil in that? Everyone was taking full responsibility for what they were doing and no one was drinking and driving. I understand underage drinking is illegal, but do not make this out to be some sort of murder. The cops are the ones that really know what was going on, not Ms. Kathryn.
- Kevin, Goffstown

Did I drink before I was 21? Yes. The thing is, however, that my parents would have expected me to take the consequences.

This is a law. If you don't like the law, go through the proper channels to change it but don't confuse this with an act of civil disobedience. This is teenagers who got caught breaking a law. There is no irony (look up the word, people).

If you want to be an adult... act like one. Take the consequences. In our society such things are released by the PD. It is a risk one takes when they BREAK THE LAW.

Stop making excuses. They are kids who made a mistake and should face consequences. They aren't heroes. They aren't derelicts. However, they have chosen to disregard a law they KNEW the consequences of and therefore, they should take the consequences.
- Sharon, Manchester

I have known Erica since she was 8years old.
She is very accomplished in her young years.
I've also known her family.
I don't approve of the drinking, but she is fully aware of her shortcomings.
We are here to love, and support Erika, and her family and the entire ATA family.
She's young, another thing under her belt to learn from.
Haven't we all done stupid things in our youth?
Suzy, Mark, Emily and Erika, much love and support and prayers.
We stand with you!
- Debbie Gibson, Merrimack NH

Oh the horrors of the media.

To all of you claiming this story has been stretched or misleading, judging by the stories you've posted, there seems to be nothing I find different between them; I'm glad you feel so strongly about "Team Erica", but quite frankly, justice was served. Therrien's charges are rather just, she provided the location, is it possible to argue that?

Those of you bartering with "back when you adults were 20..", it doesn't make it any less illegal, try again.

The problem with this event is that it hurts the reputation of all involved, the business, and not only the Martial Arts community, but the Bedford community, THAT is what you superfluous cheerleaders are missing.


Weed's where it's at anyways.


One love,
Frank
- Serpico, Manchester

I have never written to a newspaper before, but I feel moved to do so by the comment from Erica Therrien. The fact that she somehow feels like a victim of the newspaper is astounding! She is the one that breached her parent's trust in her by having an inappropriate (at the least) after hours party at her family's business that involved alcohol. This is indeed newsworthy because it occurred at a local business after hours. She did not forsee the possible consequences of her actions to her family's business, which speaks volumes about her immaturity. Some day she and her family will look back on this and thank God that no one left and was hurt or killed driving under the influence.
- Barbara, Bedford, NH

Driving (very dangerous) = 16
Cigarettes (slow death) = 18
Jury Duty (someones life in your hands) = 18
Serve your country (enough said) = 18
Drink a Bud Light = 21? STUPID
- Sarah, Manchester

What don't people understand....if the police find underage people drinking they must arrest and turn over to an adult. If they don't arrest, the officer, police department and city/town can be successfully sued for millions as was the case in Kingston. Just think for one minute, if anyone underage isn't arrested and then later on that night they get in a car accident in which they are DUI the parents will be the first ones to sue. Yes the same parents that complain about the police making them go pick up little Johnny will be the first ones to sue saying the police didn't do their job and should have notified them to come and pick up little Johnny. That's the tort world we live in today.
- Jason, Bedford

Ya, I stopped by for about half an hour, and there wasn't anything going on. People were hanging out, not causing any damages. Would you rather them be out driving around or partying in the middle of the woods? I don't think so. If you are going to write an article on something like this you should do a little research first. The way you worded everything made it seem as if people were out of line. I am willing to bet the people outside were smoking cigarettes and went inside to say turn the music down because of the cop. Inside the studio people were dancing and sitting. Nothing bad was going on. Just kids playing it safe.
- Josh Swett, Goffstown New Hampshire

Apparently all of you guys don't remember what it was like to be 19 years old. Don't tell me that 95% didn't drink before the age of 21. Yes, it's against the law but they weren't hurting anyone. They weren't disrupting anything. Would you have rather had them drive home drunk & get get in a car accident? Would you rather them get themselves killed or kill someone else? I doubt it. I myself was another person that was invited to this party & couldn't go at the last minute. I'm good friends with a few of the people mentioned & they aren't bad kids. You don't know them at all & I bet you would have a much different opinion if it was your son or daughter and their friends. This story was blown way out of proportion. The media just tells the people what they want to hear at the expense of the people in the story.

I agree with Cara.
GO TEAM ERICA! <3
- Chelsea, Manchester

FYI for all you "they can be in the military at 18 but can't drink till 21" folks....If they deploy, the FOBs and permanent military bases in Iraq are dry! No Alcohol allowed! A unit or battalion commander can have a no alcohol policy as well, regardless of allowances anywhere else. If a soldier is caught with alcohol or under the influence it means they are stripped of rank (and that means a reduction in pay, too) plus, can end their career. When/If the soldier (that's 21) gets R&R in Kuwait, they are limited to two drinks.
- Dawn, Manchester

Here's another way of looking at it and what I'll tell my son when he gets to high school in a few years...its legal to drink once you are 21 and once you reach that age, knock yourself out....you can drink all you want, legally, without all the hassle of being under-age...so what is the #@#^"!$%^ rush to drink all about? Why don't we just let them all smoke before they are 18...add some years so they get cancer sooner....let them drive at 14 so they get into an accident...let them have sex early on too....oh wait a minute...many kids do that already....gee, I wonder why?
- Jack, Milford

hypocrite? If I were once addicted to heroin growing up, and learned first hand the harm it causes to lives, would I be a hypocrite if I forbid youngsters from using heroin ? What about ciggs: knowning the damage they cause and the difficulty quitting, would I be a hypocrite if I forbid youngsters from smoking ?
These cries of hypocrisy are absurd.
- Mike Duggins, Londonderry

First off, who in their right mind would hold an underage drinking party in a karate studio?
- Harry, Atkinson

This is a pretty simple argument. You have the people that know what goes on in young adult lives and the older folks who live in neverland. People seem to forget this law was only passed a few months ago. Before you just had to call an sober adult to come pick you up. Not too mention your all labeling this girl as terrible. She sounds more accomplished then some of you im sure.
- Roy, Bedford, NH

I guess the saying goes Laws are ment to be broken!
Good work BPD.
- Stacie Pirro, Bedford NH

As others have already stated-the law is the law and it applies to everyone not just those who want to follow the laws-it applies to everyone in that area that the law is enforced.
Although the kids (teens whatever)- knew it was wrong I am sad at the thought that they went along with the temptation. My brother could figure that out and he's under 8
- Br, manchester

I love the argument "18 can go to war but can't have a drink". Show me a military id card and I'll buy you a beer!
- b duval, oakland, ME

don't condone what they did, and yes, i'm guilty of doing it myself. glad nobody got behind the wheel to regret their actions...however, would there be 70 plus posts beating these kids up if this happened in manchester? doubt it!
- fpc, bedford

DUI is just the tip of the iceberg. We also need to start talking about the hundreds of alcohol poisoning deaths, thousands of drivers licenses suspended and the impact that has families, thousands of alcoholics, thousands of jobs lost, tens of thousands of children and spouses abused, tens of thousands of rapes, tens of thousands of ‘mistake’ sexual encounters, thousands of friendship ruined by intemperate words, thousands of bones broken in bar fights, millions of hours ruined by hangovers, billions of dollars down the hole etc. etc. And for what? Because it feels so good??? What justification could you possibly have for this carnage that alcohol has wreaked in our society?
- Jim, Manchester

To everyone who is arguing that 'we drank as kids so we should expect kids today to do the same' I offer the following:
It’s okay to expect your kids to do better than you did.
It’s okay for kids to learn from your example, both the good things and the mistakes.
Just because you escaped underage drinking without serious harm doesn’t mean your children/nieces/nephews etc will.
It’s a different world today; more drugs, more sex, less restraints, and more ‘clean’ entertainment options.
- Jim, Manchester

It's illegal for a child under the age of 21 to drink for a reason. In the state of mass it is illegal for anyone 21 and older to let a under aged drink with them they (the 21 and older) could go to jail so think of that next you think oh it at home with me so I keep an eye on them and it's only one drink but you could go to jail if the cops find out. So it's not ok I have friends that are under 21 that ask me to get something for them but I tell them NO I don't want to go to jail.
- B.R, yarmouth, MA

Many posts that I have read support the actions taken by the Bedford police because of the risk of DWI. If, as many assert, the attendees were to a large extent college students, then there may be a way to prevent such DWI offenses.

Many college deans and presidents openly support a relaxation of alcohol laws on campus so that students do not drive off campus to persue an actiity that they are intent upon engaging in.

To be honest, I am not sure if the policy would work well or not, but there is some logic in keeping the students out of their cars if they are intent on drinking.
- Dan, Auburn

As other people have clearly stated the law is the law and it won't bend for one person-it goes for everyone
- Br, manchester

The public needs to be educated on the 1986 "Welby vs Kingston" NH Supreme Court decision. This landmark case leaves no gray area for police when they encounter this situation. They must arrest and turn the underage over to an adult. People should know the facts before they comment.
- Marty Funkhouser, Merrimack, NH

To those who have mentioned how Erica at least provided a "safe" place for these kids to drink rather than letting them go out in the back woods to do it - this was a business location, not a home... meaning all of these kids would be getting in to cars to go home. Safe location or not, that puts intoxicated children out on the streets. I'm not suggesting that had this party happened at a house where keys could have been taken and everyone who was drinking was told they were spending the night would make it ok. The legal drinking age is 21... end of story, you drink under 21, you break the law. There's enough drunks out on the roads we don't need immature drunks added to the mix. Good work Bedford PD.
- Rose, Manchester

Erica, I can understand why you are upset. This isnt good for business. The issue we have is not with underage drinking. All kids experiment with that at some point before turning the legal age of 21. I also agree that underage drinking shouldnt be on the front page. The dissapointing part about this is that it happened inside a Bedford business and that one of its employees was behind it. Please explain why there were so many kids with alcohol inside your business at 1 a.m. and maybe we can look the other way. Otherwise, I think people are going to start to take thier kids to the other karate studio in Bedford. I know I am.
- Dave F, Bedford, NH

Cara...I and everyone else who has posted, be it positive or negative, have the full rights to post what we have. Do you know what gives us this right? Freedom of speech!

If you and your buddies can't accept freedom of speech, you shouldn't be putting on underage drinking parties. Do I think the laws are backwards in that you can die for the US at 18, but can't drink until 21? Yes, I do. However, that's the way it is and if you play against the rules, you do not pass go, you do not collect $200.
- Bill, Manchester

Chris in Goffstown,

Do you think the cops show up and just bust people without looking at certain things? How much alcohol was there? How many people? How many empty bottles and cans were there? What's the ratio of kid vs. alcohol? Bottom line is that it's against the law, no matter how unreasonable it may seem.

But isn't that what underage drinkers do? Get drunk? Buzz driving is drunk driving too.
- Tom, Concord

I think that it is sad that they had done this BUT because they did it they need to pay for their actions. Trust me it'll work. Once they figure out that the mature adults aren't kidding and that they need to smarten up they'll stop and they WILL eventually smarten up. Sooner or later.
- Br, manchester

First of all, as others said, the law is the law, and it's been pretty well publicized for quite a while. You can whine all you want about how "unfair" it is, but Erica - you're old enough to know the law. You should know that you risk not only your career, but also the careers of the kids at your party. Even if you do think, mistakenly, they'll be safe.

It's not the police's job to determine if you had all "planned" to be responsible. Responsibility has been known to go out the window after a few drinks. Your judgment will then be clouded and there's a very good chance you'll forget the responsible part. Or you won't realize how drunk you are and then do something tragic. You really think that could never happen?

To those who, for some reason, like to equate military service to drinking - what's the relationship? There are minimum ages for lots of things, based on what those things are, not based on other judgment calls. It's not ironic at all that you can fight for your country, but not buy alcohol or drink it in public or at under-age parties. They're just different. How about this - You must be at least 35 to become president of the USA. Let's raise drinking age to 35 because of that. Why? Because I'm not fond of drinkers. No other reason. I just like to prove my point with unrelated information. There's some more "irony" for you.
- Marc, Derry

Erica gave the kids a safe enviornment to drink. I think people nowadays are too uptight. Most parents are living in their own dream world, trying to hide the true facts. Well, it is time to wake up...teens drink alcohol! Just we did when we were kids! Of course, there are some who abuse the drug, there are some who choose to drive while under the influence..but would you rather have your kids drinking on the side of the road? Or in a car? Think about it.
They can hold a gun, but they can't hold a can of beer...
- Robert, NH

Erica is an outstanding young lady, she is a great student, wonderful friend, and a very smart individual. She excersizes great self control and at such a young age has accomplished more than most adults judging her as we read here today. I have entrusted her several times to babysit for us and have never seen her act irresponsibly. I would say that IF this story is true in any manner than it was a mistake and that I can't imagine this story being entirely true.
- Ferrara Family, Manchester/Bedford

I don't think these kids should be overly penalized - penalized, yes, to teach a lesson, but not dragged through the mud and ruin their lives forever - for making the same mistake many of us made when we were young. However, they do need to learn they're responsible for thier own actions; this is one way they'll learn.

As for the group who thinks the drinking age should be younger - maybe you're too young to remember, but the drinking age used to be 18 or 19 in most states. It went up because the under 21 group had a disproportionately large percentage of drinking & driving fatalities due to the fact that they haven't had the wisdom or experience to learn that they too can be killed or maimed (which is why they make good soldiers too, or did you think that was a coincidence?).
- Mike, Bedford

I think the biggest issue is that Bedford is so built-out now, that it's tough for young adults today to find a place to have a few. It used to be there were several (about a dozen, anyway) of undeveloped land that intrepid youths like ourselves could gain access to. Now, with so much developement, they have to get more resourceful.

Ah, the downside of urban sprawl.... :-)
- Johnnie, Bedford

Erica? Breanna? And those of you that were involved and are commenting here? Are you missing the big picture here? You BROKE THE LAW. You got the police involved. No, I don't think it's a manditory teen rite of passage. And yes, I survived highschool and college without drinking. So I am not being a hypocrite by saying what you did was wrong. And as a parent that may potentially send my kids to this Martial Arts Studio, yes, I do think this is front page news. Unfortunately for you all, it was a "slow news day" and you didn't get bumped off the front page. Don't blame the reporter for reporting. The BPD issued a press release!
- Sarah Bellum, Bedford NH

To the OTHER chris,goffstown (little c, chris )

Yes hip hip horray bedford. and everyone assumes people drive home drunk because at that age most people dont know how to tell if they are to impared to drive. Youth drivers have a hard enough time driving sober! Id rather see a youth parth busted on the front page... then a youth or 2 or family killed in a car wreck on the front page.... What do ya think??
- Chris, Goffstown

To Joyce F,
Why should an underage adult respect that law? They aren't treated as adults. They aren't given the same rights, they only get the same burdens. If you want equality under the law, i completely agree with you. but we need TOTAL equality.
- Nick, Goffstown

Erica, the arrogance on your part. You are trying to blame your actions on the paper. The UL story is consistent with the Police press release.

You are a disgrace to martial artists.

Since you are a 3rd degree black belt, didn't you notice on your own website, the Adult Oath located in the pictures provided, in which you have totally disregarded. Shame on you....
- Dave, Manchester

Cara -

I am pointing out something you are clearly ignorant of- the martial arts code of conduct.

Your friend broke the law and you and she reveal your immaturity by failing to see the seriousness of the offense.

YOU should be ashamed Cara. Perhaps a little girls such as yourself does not care about how drunken individuals - especially young ones - can impact others. In that respect it IS MY BUSINESS.

How ironic that you say I have no life. That's the point sweetie. I want to keep my life and my family's.

If you dispute ANY of the statements in the police report Cara - do it. Otherwise, your "goldenb-hearted friend is a criminal.

Grow up.
- Peter, Bedford

Yes I drink heavy when I was 15 and 16 years old, was it legal NO. If I was caught I was prepared to pay the price. Legal age was 18, not 21. What I did then was just as wrong as what these kids are doing today. Duncan Leary, call me an Hyprocit if you like, I learned from my mistake in 1980, 20 years old, 3 men in my platoon (USMC) died in a car accident from drinking and driving. Two 19 and one 20 years old. The laws are what they are, change them if you can. Just remember, law at 18, kids are drinking at 15, 16, and 17.
- Craig McIntosh, Allenstown

I'm tired of the "they can fight for their country" rant to defend underage drinking.

IF they are in military then let them drink at 18.

Better yet, raise the minimum age to get in the service to 21.
- Essie, Swanzey

I am sending my kids to Cobra Kahn Karate school in the Bedford Mall....
- ML, Bedford

Damn I cant believe how many just plain hateful people live in Bedford.Some of you people should think about your own faults before pounding the keyboard. The young people who are being vilified here were doing what kids have been doing for decades.Its part of the experience of growing up.Some of you have very short memories of your own lives.It is also ironic that you can join the national gaurd at 18 go get your head blown off but you cant have a beer with your friends..
- Duncan Leary, bedford

I just wander what age everyone condemning these kids started drinking? I doubt it was 21.
- Doug, Manchester

tommy, manchester,nh You don't actually know what that means do you? A jury of their "peers"

John, Manchester military service is voluntary. It would be ironic if they forced you to go off to war to fight and die for your country at 18 and then denied you the right to drink alcohol. But that's not the case is it. Did you know you can wait until you're 21 to sign up, or 25 or even 30?

Do a little research on how many deaths everyday are related to alcohol, it's not hard at all to find statistics on the role alcohol plays in domestic violence, automotive fatalities, deteriorating health... the list goes on. By the way this includes causal drinkers as well.

There is nothing wrong with having an age restriction on alcohol.
- Bill, Andover

I was invited to this party and unfortunately couldn't go at the last minute. Erica is a very good friend of mine and to read all the comments posted from people who apparently have no lives like Peter and Bill-- who the hell are you? You have no right to leave such nasty remarks completely demoralizing possibly the best, most golden hearted person you could ever meet for all of Manchester and its surrounding towns to see. You should be ashamed of yourself for even being concerned with this article if you don't know who it's about OR the correct story.

Go Team Erica! We love you
- Cara, Manchester

This is ridiculous.I want to know how many of you people that are trashing these kids are hyocrits.How many of you did the same thing when you were their age.This is typical UL misreporting of the facts to sensationalize a story.It must have been a slow night at the city desk at the UL.This is front page news? There must be something else more news worthy for this reporter to cover.
- Duncan Leary, Bedford

Actually, there's a difference between "being arrested" and "being taken into custody," isn't there? I was always taught that they were not the same thing. You can be under arrest and still not be taken into custody, if memory serves...

In that sense, the "26 arrested" would still technically be correct.
- William Smith, Manchester NH

@John in Manchester: So true ... How can any lawmaker justify a 21 y/o drinking age when we have 18 y/o soldiers? Are they saying that an 18 y/o has the ability to use an automatic weapon, drive million dollar vehicles, and command others but not the ability to decide what and when to drink?

If drunk driving is the concern then stiffen the DUI laws and place people in prison for a few months for their FIRST offense. Hold people accountable for their decisions but do not use the law to make decisions for them.
- David, Bedford

this is hilarious
for all you parents...you did the same damn thing so shut up
go away more often and then your kids will party in your house
you'll never stop underage drinking so the age should probably just be lowered
you're fighting a losing battle
- Jubag, Northfield

The laws may be stupid, but they are laws. So if you break them be prepared to pay. If you don't like them, then change them.
- TJ, Bedford

Erica, you represent the exact reason why there are laws. You should be ashamed of yourself. I just wonder what you would say if someone got killed. Hey it is not my fault? Well Erica, it would be and you should get the book thrown at you. If you were my daughter, yes you would have embarrassed the family name and disgraced all of us by your juvenile behavior. Have a sober day!
- Bob, Bedford

People get a clue, 20 and under, against the law to drink. Pretty simple. Were these kids being responsible, let see, drinking outside in public, throwing beer container on the ground, (my favorite) seeing a police cruiser, run inside to hide. Acting like an adult at it's best. Sounds like they knew right from wrong. If you don't like the laws, get them changed. College kids should have know better.
- C Mac, Allenstown

Why is everyone saying Erica is being naive? She's not, the Union Leader has stretched the truth on many articles before so it's not surprise that it does it again. Michael Anthony is right, most of these STUDENTS are going to be extremely successful. Everyone makes mistakes, and I'm not sure if anyone noticed but underage drinking parties are a common occurence, the only reason you have to be complaining about them now is that one was published in the paper. If it's not in the news and in your face, then no one seems to really care so don't pretend to now. Yeah underage drinking, against the law, yeah, it was a bad choice. How about all of the adults look back on their teenage years and think about everything that they did. So let's all be mature and get over it, you weren't involved, it's none of your business, your child wasn't arrested, stop making problems in others lives such as Erica who would probably like to deal with this herself.
- Desiree, Goffstown

How ironic is it that an 18 year old can go off to war to fight and die for their country, but can't drink an alchoholic beaverage?
- John, Manchester

Erica -

If anyone is responsible for damaging your business it is you.

Martial arts also include a code of conduct - which you clearly violated. Apparently you business does not effectively inculcate these values.

You should be stripped of your black belt.
- Peter, Bedford

Brenna - There's a difference between being arrested and detained. Arrested would indicate the everyone went through the handcuffs and booking process. Detained means they were just held in custody for a brief period of time. Speaking from personal experience, a stupid decision years ago led to my detainment and eventual charge of criminal mischief. I was never once put in handcuffs. Hense the difference between being detained and being arrested. The article states it as the press release stated it.

To the facilitator, Erica...you put your family's reputation at stake, not this reporter. So typical of people these days to point their fingers at everyone else but themselves. Own up to your mistake and you'll have a higher respect in the long run. No one is perfect, but it's when you shift blame that belongs to you that your respect will go down, your family's respect will go down, and respect for your family business will go down.
- Bill, Manchester

michael anthony... are you serious with your post? as you put it.."going to college and on their way to being successful individuals" is an excuse? The underage drinking laws exist for a reason. Anyone of these underage idiots are a public risk. My family travels that road and I am glad the Bedford PD investigated and stopped this from becoming a tagedy. How horrible would these actions be if your family was impacted by the negligence of these so called adults? ponder that quaqmire!! ..idiot
- mRbm, Bedford,NH

I see the headline has just turned to "Detained" instead of "Arrested"....try and get it right the first time guys, will make you a little more credible
- John, Manchester

why do you ignorant people just assume everyone was going to wait until they were drunk enough to drive home? and I dont understand how this was afront page story. hip hip hooray for the bedford cops?
- chris, goffstown

I love how these adults talk about how underage drinking is the worst offense a younger adult can commit. DO you forget that at 18 you can be sent to fight a war to buy cigarettes(which are way more fatal). Kathy you need to step back and think about what you where doing at 18 before blasting college students for having a few drinks. You want to talk about drinking and driving. Valid point. Thats why our neighbors to the north make DWI charges twice as harsh as here. Do something like that before people like Kathy and nieve people go off
- Brian Roy, Bedford, NH

These kids may or may not understand that internal possession is a DMV violation. Even if they are not in a car and hadn't been all night, they will be called before the State of NH and lose their license for internal possession. Then their auto insurance will be notified and their costs will skyrocket. There are consequences for breaking the law. This one will be very costly for a long long time.
- KR, Manchester

Oh, the libertines are at it again. It truly boggles the mind that some people will defend young people's "right" to get drunk or stoned - contrary to long-standing laws, I might add.

We get it, you hate being told what to do. Too bad, but that's the way life is. You can't all do what you want to do all the time, anytime, especially when you're still relatively young and definitely when you lack the judgment to know that getting teenagers drunk - and then likely sending them out onto the public roads - is somehow "okay."

And Ms. Therrien's little rant, below, did nothing but embarrass herself, didn't it? The reporter has been one for many, many years and is far more professional than Ms. Therrien.
- Stephen A., Manchester

Break the law and pay the price. I'm happy that this made headlines. Teens think nothing of breaking the drinking laws and joke about it openly. I hope there are more arrests like this one.What if one of those kids attempted to drive under the influence which I'm sure they would have? How else were they getting home? What if they were killed or killed someone else...we would have very different comments on here today!
- Vicki B, Londonderry

Good thing Bedford police are so well funded. People in their late teens drinking? Who has ever heard of such a thing. Next thing you know there will be AlQueda at the sledding hill and the Bedford Commons will be overrun by heroine dealers. Slippery slope you know...
- Nick, Keene

Tommy,

Why are the beer and wine laws absurd? At what age do you think people should be allowed to buy alcohol? More importantly, how old are you? Most of the people who can legally purchase alcohol aren't even resposnible enough to keep themsleves under control. I wouldn't be suprised if this wasn't the first party at this place, they just finally got caught.
- Steve, Manchester, NH

Maximum fines and close the business for 6 months. Nothing good happens after midnight....Good job Officer.
- Steve, Amherst

Stupid, but not newsworthy. Nothing else of any importance you can report on?
- Leo, Bedford

Talking about drunk driving when defending the needless arrest of "underage" adults is like saying people should be arrested for sleeping because that too is dangerous behind the wheel. The fact is they were NOT behind the wheel and they did not deserve to be victimized because they, as adults, made choices that everyone on this comment page most likely made before they turned 21.
- CDR, Lebanon

They can go to war, they can vote, they can get married and live on their own, but they're not responsible enough to have a drink?

Let's be reasonable here, how many of you waited until you were 21 before you had your first drink?

Let's also not assume that everyone at this party was drinking, and that there weren't designated drivers. (which is something that most of us didn't do when we were younger)
- Nancy, Goffstown

I do believe that there are greater issues that should be addressed. The media needs to stop glamorizing stories to sell their paper. In general, the purpose of the newspaper is to be a reliable source of information for all of society. if I read this article, and notice that some issues are not true, how are we supposed to know what is false and what is accurate?

Hint: Be honest.
- Brenna, Manchester, NH

To those of you who feel any police action for this type of violation is a waste of time and money.......... how would you feel about it if the police had done nothing and one of them drove home and was involved in an accident that killed your mother, father, wife, fiancee or child? Bet you'd be condemning the police for not busting these kids.
- Brian, Farmington

Brenna, had you sobered up when you read the article - it says one was arrested, the others were charged with internal possession.
- Vickie, Goffstown, NH

Isn’t Martial art supposed to instill Discipline in individuals? Self-control? I ask you… where are those characteristics here? Top 10 in the world is very impressive. But now possibly there is an idea what was missing and why it wasn’t #1 in the world. It’s a shame. I hope your Martial arts career continues and brings you to greater things. Everyone makes mistakes for sure! But this one is a BIG opps! Sorry to hear about anything like this happening and even more sorry that the facts may have been stretched to make the U.L.’s story more entertaining. And no matter how you look at it… It’s a black eye for the business.

As for the debate on the arrests and if it’s a waste of time… Debating and arguing on the U.L. website won’t change anything. Get out there and vote people. I personally agree with the arrests and it was a great job by local police. But if you disagree don’t sit there and burn up about it on a news paper website. Find facts and bring them up to who can actually change things… even you could change it. So do something about it if you are so passionate!
- Chris, Goffstown

Erica & others are blaming the laws, cops, reporter, but they broke the law and got caught. Underage laws save lives. Plus, if it's OK to break laws we don't like, shoplifting could help a lot of us. (Sarcastic.) And why would adults party with 15 year olds? And this shows reporters just re-write cop press releases. This is worse with MUR's Andy.
- Cole, Manchester

Ok so lets set the record straight, 1 arrested and 25 got court summons. Honestly is this front page news worthy? Is it really as shocking as some of you think it is that people under the age of 21 were drinking? How many of you fellow reader of this article were reading this with a look of discust on your face? Now, how many actually indulgded with alcohol before the age of 21? I'll bet a pretty large amount, I would even go on a limb and say that considering the decades that you grew up you might of even experimented in a little more then just a few beers (60's, 70's 80's) So before another person writes about how we all should be ashamed of ourselves and how terrible these kids are nowadays take a look in the mirror and try to remember your glory days, did you break the law ever, or are you as honest and holy as the good lord himself? Also, everyone there that got a court summons are fully inteneding on taking full responsibility for our actions. We will all wake up bring and early, look professional for the judge and take our sentenses like the big girls and boys that we are.
- Sarah, Manchester

Thanks, UL, for sharing the press release. I have no knowledge of the this incident except what is on this webpage, but even I see some things don't add up. The police press release says:

***
Fourteen people and one juvenile were... given must appear summons....
Another eight participants were taken into protective custody. All were released from the scene to sober adults.
Erica Therrien... was taken into custody.
***

Yet the headline on the website reads "26 arrested."

That seems inaccurate for a number of reasons - first, only one person was taken into custody. To claim 26 were arrested makes no sense, because even if you pretended that getting a must appear summons was the same as being arrested, those numbers only add to 24 (14+1+8+1=24).
- JW, Manchester

Did the guys from the liquor commission get to use the big van? I hope so.......you know you can't drive that $450,000 van too much!
- Bill, Concord

Michael/Tommy,

The key is that I have no problem with loweing the drinking age as longa s people act like adults and behave. Have either of you gone to a wake or funeral where someone was killed being underaged and drunk or killed by an underage drunk? I bet not. So do us all a favor, go to one see the damage then talk. The aw is the law and people have to be accountable we are not in fairly land where everyone wakes us for the next epsiode!
- Ray, Raymond

Memo to Erica Therrien: You have the right to remain silent, and I'd suggest that you do. You didn't think the Bedford Police would notice the people at your establishment at that hour of the morning? They "camp" out there frequently nabbing speeders along Route 101. You are so foolish.
- Marcel Boivin, West Manchester

Ok lets get the record straight, 1 arrested and not all the rest of the 25 even got court summons. You people in your comments write about how terrible we are for underage drinking, and how we all deserve what is coming for us, what do you think will be coming we all (with the exception of Erica) are being charged with internal possession of alcohol. that is a violation, not even a misdemeanor. Honestly how many of you who are reading this article with a look of discute on your faces drank underage, I would bet the majority of you considering the decades in which your grew up; 60's 70's 80's. Enough said) Everyone there was being fully responsible for themselves, no one got sick from indulging too much and we were all intending to stay the night. We are all going to take full responsibility as well, we will show up to court looking nice, we will listen to the judge and take our punishments with a smile on our faces. So please next time you read about a underage drinking party remember that these reporters will not have all the fact.
- Sarah, Manchester

Ya-all feel that this is all a wast of time for every one, that is because no one got hurt or worse, killed. There is not a single one of these kids thought about getting home after they were drinking. Each one would have got into the car and drove, consequently endangering someone's life. May be one of your kids. What should happen is that they all loose the right to drive for three years, probation for five. And 40hours of community service and a 100 page paper on respect for the law.
- John Croteau, Candia

Its surprising to learn how naive Erica's mother was regarding this teenage party. What did she think they were going to drink as a beverage, Pepsi? She and her husband put themselves at great legal risk by not monitering the party. And Erica, you made yourself out to be the selfish person you are by your post in which you ridiculed the paper for just reporting the facts.
- Mike, Bedford

So Erica....What are the real facts?

If it was me being splashed all over the UL, and it wasn't true, I would certainly give a very detailed account of what really happened.
- John, Dover

Scott - I think it's a good idea to put such stories on the front page, so that everyone -including anyone thinking about having an underage drinking party- knows that it will be treated as the crime it is. Offenders will be arrested, charged, and, yes, that does go on their records. I hope none of those arrested are in college for nursing, teaching, other professions that they will be applying for licensure in the next few years. Or applying to grad schools. They will have to face the consequences of their actions then as well as in court now. Think about that BEFORE you throw or attend an underage drinking party, kids.
- Kathy, Manchester

To Michael Anthony: why shouldnt these young people of 18 and 20 be tried like adults? They want to make believe they are old enough to drink like an adult, then welcome to the world of adult charges. I always find it interesting that people get so outraged when teens break the LAW and subsequently get arrested; the message you send young people is that its OK to break the law of underage drinking. But then what - they are supposed to follow all the other laws? Where do you draw the line? Respect for the law should extend to those you agree with and dont agree with; otherwise people would be picking and choosing which ones they teach their kids to follow. The culture is one of irresponsibility - must change.
- Joyce F, Londonderry

They should all demand a jury trial. Of their "peers". May be a good way to show the absurdity of the beer and wine laws.
- tommy, manchester,nh

Hey Ms. Therrien, have you ever heard of taking responsibility for your own actions? Everyone listed in the article and police media release are to blame. Currently, the law is specific and the police are obligated to abide by the law or if something bad were to happen, people like you who refuse to take responsibility for their own actions will again blame others for what they created. Good luck with your life, you'll need it.
- p. stanley, nashua

One thing I don't understand is how as a parent and owner of the business where you not there to oversee this get together. Knowing teens and young adults will bring alcohol to a party especially if there are no parental supervision should have been enough of a concern that I would have been on site whether my young adult liked it or not. As a parent you can be held responsible for the actions of these people at the party at least in a civil suit. Goodness forbid if one of them got behind the wheel of a car and killed someone. I remember the dumb things I did as a teenager and young adult so believe me, I always question my children, even my 20 year old. Wake up parents and stop thinking that just because your child is a good citizen that all other children they are with are the same.
- Christina C., Merrimack, NH

seems like this story shouldn't be on the front page. 20 year-olds drinking alcohol... yawn
- scott, hooksett

Most likely these college aged kids are St.A's students. Buying beer at a corner store is easy to do. Then they gather off campus and party like there's no tomorrow.
- Theresa Trombly, Bedford NH

Law enforcers need to crack down on these "mom & pop" corner stores. This is where they're buying from. See it every day. The oldest one from the vehicle enters the store while the young ones wait outside, in the vehicle.
- Ida Knowles, Manchester, NH

Oh, the irony: juveniles can't be named, but adults can be charged for being minors.
- Kevin, Lancaster

Kathryn Marchocki,

If you wanted real facts you should have come straight to me because nothing of what you wrote is accurate. I don't think you realize the damage of what lying to the public will do to our business. We have contacted the police who are extremely disgusted by your actions as they know exactly what went on, not you. So to make any further judgments past the truth should do nothing but reflect badly on you, not my family who had nothing to do with this matter. You should be ashamed at how you"salivated at the sound of this story" (as the Bedford Police say) and maybe start writing about real criminals who do actual harm. You have glamorized this story to the absolute extreme at the expense of a 19 year old girl who has none of the charges, misdemeanors, or sentences listed above, just to feed the busy mouths of the Bedford public. If that's what your job title is then you should be proud to make a mockery and misjudgment of a situation that never should have escalated to this level, however it is all thanks to you now. So thank you Kathryn for not only falsely accusing my family and I, but now creating a bad name to business who has done nothing but give back multiple times to the Bedford community.

***
Editor's note: Ms. Therrien cites no specific inaccuracies in the story; we know of none.

The Bedford Police press release issued on Sunday afternoon, which contained the key information for the story, follows:

PRESS RELEASE
BEDFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On November 29, 2009, at approximately 0114 hrs, while on routine patrol, Officer Thomas McAuliffe investigated some suspicious activity at the business plaza located at 292 Route 101. Upon checking the parking lot, Officer McAuliffe observed a group of young individuals hanging out around the west side parking lot and upon seeing the police cruiser, ran into a side entrance into the plaza. Officers responded and discovered containers of alcohol outside the entrance and upon further investigation, discovered an underage drinking party inside. A total of 26 people were found inside, ranging in ages from 15 to 23 years old. Fourteen people and one juvenile were charged with Internal Possession of Alcohol and given must appear summons to Merrimack District Court on Monday January 4, 2010 at 8AM.. Another eight participants were taken into protective custody. All were released from the scene to sober adults.

CRANE, SARA K AGE: 18 CONCORD, NH
KELLY, MYLES AGE:19 DUNBARTON, NH
LUSCOMB, CHRISTOPHER AGE: 20 MANCHESTER, NH
IENTILE, TAYLOR K AGE:19 MANCHESTER, NH
IENTILE, JARED AGE: 20 HOOKSETT, NH
CHOUINARD, NATHAN D AGE:18 GOFFSTOWN, NH
GREENHALGE, SARA E AGE:20 MANCHESTER, NH
NAHODIL, SARAH M AGE:19 MANCHESTER, NH
GAILINAS, BRENNA M AGE:20 GOFFSTOWN, NH
KURYLO, BRENDAN AGE:20 WEARE, NH
WEIR, KERRY AGE:19 GOFFSTOWN, NH
CLOUGH, ANDREW D AGE:19 GOFFSTOWN, NH
WELCH, KALI R AGE:20 GOFFSTOWN, NH
ASHBURNER, KELLY J AGE 19 GOFFSTOWN, NH

Erica Therrien, age 19 of Goffstown, NH, was taken into custody and charged with Facilitating an Underage Alcohol Party and Prohibited Sales. She was released on $500 Personal Recognizance bail with a court date of January 4, 2010 at 8AM at the Merrimack District Court.

***
- Erica Therrien, Goffstown

This paper makes these Adults sound horrible getting arrested and whatnot. I know for a fact that most of these kids go to college and are on their way to being successful individuals. And why is it that an adult of the ages 18 to 20 can be charged as an ADULT for UNDERAGE drinking? quite the quagmire id say.
- Michael Anthony, Concord

Sad to see kids needing to be doing this kind of thing. They all deserve everything they get though.
- C M, Merrimack

I seriously doubt all this took place as its said and blown way out of proportion. Mrs. Therrien is having way to much held against her
- joe lerange, weare

The author needs to get their facts straight. One person was arrested. Not 26.
- Brenna, Manchester, NH