Well, as far as the B.S. goes, I couldn't tell you, but I can vouch for the fact it was written by a reader, not by anyone from the mercury. I happen to know the author, (quite well in fact).....
Am I alone in thinking that it's odd that this exact scenario shows up on the new cop show Southland a few days after it runs in the Merc? Was this I, Anonymous submitted as part of a weird viral marketing campaign by NBC?
To commenter Tim.....no you are not alone.....I bet there are more paranoid conspiracy theorists with similar brain farts hiding somewhere here on Earth.
By the way, do you make an exception of the kid is there for educational purposes?