Robert 'Sandy' Vietze, Guy Who Peed on Girl During JetBlue Flight, Was an Olympic Hopeful

Motherofsons

He can be the nicest person in the world, but if he doesn't face ANY consequences for the choice he made to drink/get drunk, how does that help him make better choices in the future? We should all learn from our mistakes. If it were my son (and I have 2 of them, both adults), I would be there for them if they made this crucial mistake so early in their lives. I would not, however, hope that they could break several laws and get away without any punishment. Parental love should be unconditional, not blind.

T.J.S

According to the NY Post article, his mother is pissed.

Stjulien Lepauvre

I'm glad to hear that Vietze (I hesitate to call him a young 'man') is apparently off the ski team. If this is his behavior, I'd hate to see what ugly things he could do when possibly representing this country in the Olympics.

twitter12

What do you consider a young man? He has been an "man" for less than a year. Shut up and stop commenting you are a worthless piece. There are people out there murdering others, why don't you concern yourself with something of a greater magnitude. People will ignore actual bad things and attack a young man whose actions aren't a good indication of who he actually is.

harold

Things the media doesn't explain as they dont know this yet; he apologized to the family over the phone after the incident (why should he make a public apology? what does he owe anybody other than the family of the girl?), he was not drinking on the plane, rather before hand (still though, he made an extremely bad decision to drink), and he has a history of bad sleep walking (even when he is not drunk, although this most certainly would have never happened if he were sober). Yes, this is awful in every way, but lets not be quick to judge him because he doesn't want to inform the media of these things. He's 18, just did something terrible, and is watching his dreams crumble before his eyes. People of all ages do bad things when drunk, he had to learn a very hard way and it just happened to involve an innocent young girl.

John

Best way to handle this would have been to front up to the media, say he has an alcohol problem (if he doesn't then wtf was he doing?), take responsibility, go into rehab and when he comes out plead to get back on the team. Mea Culpa you way back to success. Going quiet, living in denial, not fronting up to the issue NEVER works - regardless of what the trolling say on here.

Notme

Hey guess what, jetblue just let it go, not following up on this a**h***, typical of this airline, let them do what they want, safety and whatever else is out the window

Brie

really guys, none of you have ever messed up? this kid is one of the nicest kids i have known and made a mistake. we all know what alcohol can do to us and the fact that you are making judgements about a kid you don't even know because of something in his right mind he would never do, shows how shallow you all really are. he is the most determined ski racer i have ever had the chance to ski with and extremely focused. if this jeopardizes his chances of representing the U.S. ski team then that is extremely unfair. He is not a privileged kid he lives in Vermont and skiing is his life it is everything he has worked for since he can remember. The U.S. ski team should give him a second chance I'm extremely disappointed in their decision of kicking him off.

Stjulien Lepauvre

Brie, the point here is that Vietze's BEHAVIOR was irresponsible at best. Your opinion that he is 'a nice kid' doesn't carry much weight since you're a stranger & your defending him just shows that you have poor judgment.

Brie

excuse me? i am not a stranger i actually ski raced with Sandy so yeah i think that I know him a hell of a lot better than you do so don't think you can just make false accusations like that! and thank you twitter, youre the only other one who sees what jerks all these people are!

twitter12

You don't actually know Sandy and I don't think you have any right to tell anyone else they have poor judgement. How dare you speak down to someone.

Tom Julian

people who get hammered and drive are possibly also nice people who might not have done that if they had been in their right minds. But if they kill someone as a result of DUI, they still get charged with manslaugher regardless of their character when not totally smashed.

twitter12

It seems as though you have more compassion for people who get DUIs, which is ironic because nothing that Sandy did put anyone's life in danger. You also don't have an open mind because you are comparing what Sandy did to manslaughter.

twitter12

Oh don't try and lecture me, whatever the fuck your name is. You, who are probably an adult, are wasting your time attacking an 18 year old man who did nothing to you. If it was your child who was peed on I wouild feel compassion, but because its not I think you and everybody else should mind your own business and find a new victim to prey on.

Stjulien Lepauvre

twitter, this discussion is not about other posters & the right you seem to think you have to attack those posters.

Tom Julian

actually, i was exchanging tweets with the writer of this article today, Jen Doll and she was looking for the other side of the story to do a followup on. why don't you have Sandy get in touch with her at the village voice and he can tell his story? honestly, i would like to hear what he has to say and i have an open mind. i am sure others out there have open minds too.

Brie

he knows he made a mistake he doesn't owe the media anything. they are already ruining his life by blowing this up to the public. it is a private matter leave the kid alone.

Noway

Not a private matter, when you do something is a public place.

Brie

oh wow ali you're so clever its none of your business!!!!!

Foleyaa

Brie, he chose to make his privates public. He chose to lift the glass and his leg for that matter. Perhaps he should mark "his territory" in a less than public place, other than an airplane. Cheers, I'll drink to that.

Stjulien Lepauvre

Brie, Breaking the law is never 'a private matter.' Laws were made to protect people & police routinely have their blotters (or whatever they're called) published.

guest

we all know what alcohol can do to us... something in his right mind he would never do...

He was sober when he started drinking while knowing it was illegal for him to do so, so he broke a law while he was in his right mind and not under the influence of alcohol. And don't give me the "everybody does it (or has done it)" excuse.

twitter12

Everybody has done it.....That isn't a complete library queen like yourself!

twitter12

Don't try and sound cool, you were definitely a huge loser, and judging by your comments I would say its safe to say you still are one.

guest

I didn't say I that I didn't break the drinking age law myself. Had I been arrested for it, I couldn't have rightfully protested in court (or the court of public opinion) that everyone my age was doing it, even though that was largely true.

Moneyments

We all know what alcohol can do to us but most of us don't pee on children. In an airplane. Yes it was a mistake but it was completely his fault and he should be held fully accountable for his actions. He violated the USST code of conduct and should be kicked off the team for doing so. He's lucky that is all that has happened (so far) as everything he did was seriously illegal.

I'm sure he's a nice kid, and if he really does care about skiing he will find another way to make it back onto the team. But he messed up and has to suffer the consequences.

Jami Whitehead

Still not getting how it was a "mistake" ? Did his penis fall out of his shorts while he became simultaneously incontinent ? Sorry , my 2 year old has pee pee mistakes and my four year old knows better, at 18 it if most DEFINITELY a decision.

twitter12

Yea he totally made that decision when he was blackout drunk. Your absolutely right, but what is your point? That he made a decision?? In order to do anything there has to be a decision in your mind to tell your body to function in that way. It is science, plain and simple. But finding compassion for a young man who has made a terrible mistake is also a decision, and one that maybe you should make. Grow up lady.PS. We are also very happy to know that your four year old knows better. Maybe he will also never make a single mistake in his life. Wouldn't that be something? We would all be so proud!! Please let me know in 15 years if that is the case. Until then, shut up and stop trying to ruin this young man's life. It is not your kid that got peed on so you really should stop worrying about the 11 year old girl who will be more traumatized as being labeled "the girl who got peed on" by the media, than the actual instance. You are a disgusting bitch.

WTF!!!!!

Ummm....he is underage...what happened to the person that served him the drinks?

guest

Maybe he had a (very convincing) fake ID. Then again, the prosecutor doesn't seem to be charging him with possession of a fake ID, so maybe he didn't.

Moneyments

He had about a 1% chance of making the Olympics. This just confirms he never will. He was a punter.

Moneyments

When I say 1% I mean 0% change of making 2014 (21 year old olympians on a team as competitive as the US Team does not happen).

twitter12

Nolan Kasper was 21 at the olympics last year buddy, I'm sorry but you don't know what your talking about. He could still make the olympics and I hope he does so that people like yourself will be proven wrong. What he did was obviously stupid, but he is truly a nice kid, and I'm sick of haters like yourself trying to ruin this kids life. Grow up and get off the hater bandwagon.

Gav

It's a good thing "Sandy" isn't black, otherwise, he'd have been charged with heavier charges (like rape).

Tom Julian

looks like he's not off the hook: http://www.oregonlive.com/port...

----------------------------Reports by Port Authority that charges against Vietze have been dropped are untrue, said Robert Nardoza, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York."We did not drop the case. By all means this is a pending case," Nardoza said Friday morning. If convicted of misdemeanor indecent exposure, Vietze could face a fine and up to a year in jail, he said. -----------------------------------

This may be the best thing to ever happen to him. He literally peed his future away. And he discovered he will have consequences. Maybe he'll develop some character.

Ali

What is an 18 yr old doing drinking alcohol on a US flight? I smell responsibility here 1st foremost with the class-less, spoiled rotten-overrated skier and secondly, Jet Blue needs to be held accountable too. You have to have an ID to board the plane and due to increased security measures, the airlines know more about us even before we get on a flight- not to mention just our ages. Congraulations US Ski Team for booting him- good riddance.

Just the facts

Hey Ali Quick to Blame. He drank those drinks before getting on the plane. Not Jet Blue's issue. If you weren't looking for someone to sue, maybe you would keep it focused on the d-bag who is personally responsible for his actions. And is now suffering a far greater penalty (off the team) than a $1000 fine or 30 days in jail ever would be.

Foleyaa

To just the facts- yeah I did stupid things when I was his age. They did not involve sharing my excretions on another human being. Have some class. And btw, there is a bathroom on the front and rear areas of the plane, probably within 15 feet of his seat. One can pull the receipts in his pocket if he paid w/ a credit card and place the responsibility for the drinks. Perhaps "Just the facts"- you can join him on the bunny slope in 2014.

Tom Julian

If he was visibly intoxicated when getting on that flight, than it is Jet Blue's issue. Highly intoxicated people are routinely denied access to airplanes for safety reasons. They really should be able to tell if someone is hammered when boarding their planes. Big lapse at the gate.

guest

I didn't say Vietze was blameless. As for JetBlue letting him board, what should they have done, administered a Breathalyzer test to every passenger? Made everyone visit the restroom prior to boarding?

Stjulien Lepauvre

guest, the issue here is not your drinking history and your wetting your pants. Most adults clearly see that Vietze is responsible for exposing himself on an airplane, underage drinking and his hideous behavior and that Jet Blue has the responsibility to deny access to drunks, otherwise--they risk getting wonderful publicity such as this. They deserve a lawsuit for making no effort to make the flight as safe as possible.

guest

They really should be able to tell if someone is hammered when boarding their planes.

I once had about a dozen various mixed shots in a relatively short period of time and did not display signs of intoxication. On another occasion, I had been at a bar and had drunk only bottled water. I didn't feel the slightest urge to relieve myself before leaving the bar but later, on the ride home on the subway, I couldn't hold it in anymore and peed myself. So:

1. You can't always tell just by observation that someone is intoxicated.2. You don't have to be intoxicated to lose control of your bladder.

WTF!!!!!

And you've never done anything stupid when you were 18?

Stjulien Lepauvre

Try to stay focused, WTF (classy name, BTW). The issue is the misbehaving drunk, not someone posting an opinion.

Tom Julian

Actually - i'm thinking that i'd like to see him lose his spot on the team for this. Olympic athletes represent our country and need to be held to a standard of at least basic decency. At the very least, they shouldn't piss on little girls in public. It's hard to understand a journalist taking the side of this tremendous d-bag who doesn't want to even apologize to the family. You're not a parent, are you Jenn Doll? This is sort of pathetic.

Jen Doll

I am not a parent, and you clearly don't read me as you'd know that I'm not "defending" the kid. Tongue in cheek? Further, he's been canned. Happy now?

Then again, as a parent...would you want your child to be forgiven for something like this, or to have Internet commenters call him a tremendous d-bag?

Stjulien Lepauvre

Jen, I doubt that you would have the same attitude if you were a parent. A person of 18 is able to vote and one would hope, know the difference between right and wrong. Your remark completely ignores the rights of both the child who was the victim of Vietze's bad behavior and her father, apparently a 4th stage cancer patient. As passengers on that flight, they deserve to fly in a safe environment.

In addition, I hope that Jet Blue is sued for allowing this drunken man-child onto the plane.

mexneck

Punk needs his azz kicked, plain and simple.

Mike Le

A reporter with an attitude.... Just what we need!! Call it journalistic integrity? Since when is it appropriate to offer personal commentary to a news report? Even if it was "tongue on cheek" as you say.... Your response above clearly demonstrates the fact your intention was to minimize or "defend" his behavior! Let's evaluate the facts.... 18 yrs. old and drunk ( yep, against the law), public drunkenness ( yep, against the law also), exposes himself to a 11 yr old child ( major against the law), urination in a public place or conveyance! ( yes, that act is also against the law) Yet you're posing the question if he should be forgiven? Not only is your journalistic integrity in question, but you leave little doubt about your moral integrity!

Now, as a parent, if my son had acted this way at 18 yrs. old, I'd certainly not feel sorry for him. At 18, he was pretty much a grown man and responsible for his own actions. Would I be embarrassed for and by him? Certainly! But I'd expect him to apologize to his victim, team, and anyone else affected by his inexcusable behavior.

So in closing Jen... no, I don't regularly read your articles. With that said, first impressions carry substantial weight. Nothing about your article or response, along with this young man's behavior is impressive or deserving of forgiveness. You both should know better! No excuses! Now that's just the facts, and my opinion....

twitter12

And how do you know he didn't man up to the consequences? Because he didn't apologize to you?? Enough said!

Mike Le

Obviously twitter12 you don't know me, along with possibly having a problem with reading comprehension..... I clearly said I'd be embarrassed both for and by such behavior! Read the post again please! But to feel sorry for or attempt to pass off excuses? No! So to sum this whole situation up as simply as possible, yes he broke several laws, and it's called being responsible for your actions, showing some personal integrity, and manning up to the consequences! Enough said!

twitter12

Well those clearly are mostly opinions, and I'm not sure they are certainly truthful opinons as well. If your son was actually in Sandy's place and you felt no compassion for him being the national laughing stock you would be one of the worst parent's I have ever met. But I don't think you actually are, I just think you are lying when you say that you wouldn't feel sorry for him.

Jami Whitehead

I certainly wouldn't want to be the parent of the child he peed on. And in order to be forgiven o=you have to apologize, which he has NOT done .

twitter12

How the fuck do you know if he has apologized? Why don't you mind your own business and go on with your useless life of commenting on internet blogs. I have to comment because you and this Tom dude are repulsive. You don't know the kid, and you really don't have a right to pass judgement. I'm sure you have all made stupid mistakes, but fortunately for YOU your mistakes were not broadcasted to an international audience. Take some pity and understand that this kid was 18 and had never drank before.

Tom Julian

if i had an adult son who pissed on a little girl in public, i'd be the first to inform him he was a d-bag because it would be clear from the imperical evidence that he was in fact a tremendous d-bag. i also would inform my son that he was going to make a formal apology to that family immediatly.

btw - from reading your previous post on this, it was clear your intention was sarcasm. i'll take the red card on that. this thing has gotten under my skin. guess i just shouldn't fly JetYellow.

Tom Julian

it looked like you were making an excuse for him. fairly happy, except the cops decided not to press charges. that makes me slightly less happy. looked like you were defending him. guess i', just some square.