Ever since the Denicore family of Loudoun County found themselves in the news, their example has been preying on my mind. Amy and Mark Denicore, you may recall, have been charged with multiple misdemeanors for chronically dropping their three children off at public school several minutes late. The couple’s case goes to full trial on March 14.

Of course the first thought most fellow parents will have is: Boy, am I glad I don’t live in Loudoun County! The second thought is less defined; less a thought, in fact, than a delicate miasma of guilty sympathy.