First I would like to say that I am in no way excusing what Roman Polanski did in March, 1977. He forced himself sexually on a then 13-year-old girl. I will assume most everyone will agree that this is wrong and intolerable at any level. 32 years later, Roman Polanski has been arrested for this crime. The now 45-year-old mother of three, Samantha Geimer, has repeated her request that the charges be dropped. At this point she has “moved on” and “forgiven him.” She is also displeased with how the case was handled 32 years ago.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/6237442/Roman-Polanskis-victim-is-mother-who-wants-charges-dropped.html
Here is the Inviting Conversations question: How much leverage should a victim’s opinion have in cases such as this?
There are many situations in which an assault occurs, and the victim chooses not to pursue charges, or a petty theft occurs and the victim decides to give the accused another “chance.” In the Polanski case, we are not talking about pushing someone down in a park or stealing $50 from the local grocery store. Obviously these are crimes as well. But rape, like murder, kidnapping, torture, are significantly more egregious. Should the victim’s willingness to forgive the assailant have any bearing on the case? Or is a crime a crime?
I await your opinions.
Wade
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Dad Gives 4-Year-Old Son Cocaine
“Four-Year-Old Shares Dad’s Drugs with his Friends”
“New Jersey police say a 4-year-old boy gave cocaine to his friends at day care because his father told him it was candy…Shaheed Wright put several baggies of cocaine inside his son’s jacket after police nearly caught him with it.”
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/national_world/stories/2009/09/20/Day_care_cocaine.ART_ART_09-20-09_A2_FCF4CPU.html?sid=101
I have so many questions that I don’t have enough room here to ask them all. What should be the consequences for the father? Should his parenting privileges be revoked? If you were his attorney, would you seek drug intervention instead of criminal punishment? I am at such a loss here that I really look forward to hearing what you have to say!
“New Jersey police say a 4-year-old boy gave cocaine to his friends at day care because his father told him it was candy…Shaheed Wright put several baggies of cocaine inside his son’s jacket after police nearly caught him with it.”
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/national_world/stories/2009/09/20/Day_care_cocaine.ART_ART_09-20-09_A2_FCF4CPU.html?sid=101
I have so many questions that I don’t have enough room here to ask them all. What should be the consequences for the father? Should his parenting privileges be revoked? If you were his attorney, would you seek drug intervention instead of criminal punishment? I am at such a loss here that I really look forward to hearing what you have to say!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Should 16-year-olds' names be published?
“Bills players are concerned with their privacy and safety after the front lawn of a home belonging to cornerback Leodis McKelvin was vandalized following Buffalo's season-opening loss to New England” (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4476626).
“Hamburg police Sgt. Thomas Best said Wednesday night that McKelvin is refusing to press charges against two 16-year-olds, who said they were the ones who spray-painted a message and an obscenity across the grass in front of the player's home shortly after the Bills' season-opening 25-24 loss at New England on Monday night”
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/bills/2009-09-16-mckelvin-follow_N.htm.
There is no question that the behavior of these two young people is deplorable. There is no question that there should be consequences for their actions. That isn’t the issue here. In today’s Society, where disturbing crimes are being committed by younger and younger people, should the limitations of reporting the names of juveniles be lifted?
Let’s pause for a moment: A sixteen-year-old can get a license in most states. A sixteen-year-old can get a passport in most states. A sixteen-year-old can get a job and pay taxes in most states.
Today’s Inviting Conversation questions: Should the names of sixteen-year-olds be published when certain crimes are committed? All crimes? No crimes until they are eighteen?
“Hamburg police Sgt. Thomas Best said Wednesday night that McKelvin is refusing to press charges against two 16-year-olds, who said they were the ones who spray-painted a message and an obscenity across the grass in front of the player's home shortly after the Bills' season-opening 25-24 loss at New England on Monday night”
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/bills/2009-09-16-mckelvin-follow_N.htm.
There is no question that the behavior of these two young people is deplorable. There is no question that there should be consequences for their actions. That isn’t the issue here. In today’s Society, where disturbing crimes are being committed by younger and younger people, should the limitations of reporting the names of juveniles be lifted?
Let’s pause for a moment: A sixteen-year-old can get a license in most states. A sixteen-year-old can get a passport in most states. A sixteen-year-old can get a job and pay taxes in most states.
Today’s Inviting Conversation questions: Should the names of sixteen-year-olds be published when certain crimes are committed? All crimes? No crimes until they are eighteen?
Monday, September 14, 2009
Hey Baby, No Shoes, No Service
Yes, it’s true. In early August, 2009, a St. Louis-area Burger King ordered the mother of a six-month-old baby to leave the restaurant because the baby wasn’t wearing any shoes! I have read several versions of this. One can be found at http://www.cafemom.com/dailybuzz/baby/6560/Mom_Gets_Kicked_Out_of_Burger_King_Because_Her_Baby_Isnt_Wearing_Shoes. The mother even offered to put socks on the baby, but the sign says, “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service.” Burger King issued an apology to the mother the following day. They admitted that the manager was overzealous in enforcing the policy. You think?
I understand why the “NS, NS, NS” policy is in place. Actually, I get why most policies are in place. But have we gone overboard? Have we created a long list of rules and regulations because of a rare few people who just don’t understand how to dress, act, walk and talk in public?
One that always strikes me is when I am in a restaurant and see a sign that reminds employees that they must wash their hands before returning to work. Um…so I was chatting with a friend of mine who is a manager at a restaurant, commenting at the “silliness” of this. His reply was a little surprising: The signs have to be posted because if the signs are not there, he can’t reprimand an employee for failing to comply.
Have we gone overboard? Or are we simply reacting to a small percentage who don’t “get it”? Or, more concerning, are we reacting to growing percentage of people who don’t “get it”?
I understand why the “NS, NS, NS” policy is in place. Actually, I get why most policies are in place. But have we gone overboard? Have we created a long list of rules and regulations because of a rare few people who just don’t understand how to dress, act, walk and talk in public?
One that always strikes me is when I am in a restaurant and see a sign that reminds employees that they must wash their hands before returning to work. Um…so I was chatting with a friend of mine who is a manager at a restaurant, commenting at the “silliness” of this. His reply was a little surprising: The signs have to be posted because if the signs are not there, he can’t reprimand an employee for failing to comply.
Have we gone overboard? Or are we simply reacting to a small percentage who don’t “get it”? Or, more concerning, are we reacting to growing percentage of people who don’t “get it”?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
“Old Age and Fatigue as a Cause of Car Accidents”
“Old Age and Fatigue as a Cause of Car Accidents”
The September 2009 Newsletter from Spectrum Paralegal & More, LLC has a very interesting article on “Old Age and Fatigue as a Cause of Car Accidents.” This article can be found at www.spectrumparalegal.com. There are no shocking revelations in this article. But it does lead to some strikingly important Inviting Conversations. Please know that I have the utmost respect for our elders. Under no circumstance do I want this to come across as a Senior Citizen Bashing. But I am concerned that people are doing just the opposite. In order to avoid talking about the sensitive issues, good-hearted people are simply not facing a potentially catastrophic crisis in America. Please read the following demographics, and then please comment.
DEMOGRAPHICS
The number of Americans age 55 and older will almost double between now and 2030 – from 60 million today (21 percent of the total US population) to 107.6 million (31 percent of the population) – as the Baby Boomers reach retirement age.
During that same period of time, the number of Americans over 65 will more than double, from 34.8 million in 2000 (12 percent of the population) to 70.3 million in 2030 (20 percent of the total population).
Americans reaching age 65 today have an average life expectancy of an additional 17.9 years (19.2 years for females and 16.3 years for males).The likelihood that an American who reaches the age of 65 will survive to the age of 90 has nearly doubled over the past 40 years – from just 14 percent of 65-year-olds in 1960 to 25 percent at present. By 2050, 40 percent of 65-year-olds are likely to reach age 90.
http://www.experiencecorps.org/research/factsheet.html
Health Care? Independence? Family disputes upon death? Scammers taking advantage of the elderly? Driving? Lack of retirement planning? Poverty with the elderly? And ???
What are your biggest concerns about America’s growing senior population? More importantly, what needs to be done to properly prepare? Will the problem take care of itself?
Soon and very soon, there will be more Americans over the age of 65 than there are under 18.
The September 2009 Newsletter from Spectrum Paralegal & More, LLC has a very interesting article on “Old Age and Fatigue as a Cause of Car Accidents.” This article can be found at www.spectrumparalegal.com. There are no shocking revelations in this article. But it does lead to some strikingly important Inviting Conversations. Please know that I have the utmost respect for our elders. Under no circumstance do I want this to come across as a Senior Citizen Bashing. But I am concerned that people are doing just the opposite. In order to avoid talking about the sensitive issues, good-hearted people are simply not facing a potentially catastrophic crisis in America. Please read the following demographics, and then please comment.
DEMOGRAPHICS
The number of Americans age 55 and older will almost double between now and 2030 – from 60 million today (21 percent of the total US population) to 107.6 million (31 percent of the population) – as the Baby Boomers reach retirement age.
During that same period of time, the number of Americans over 65 will more than double, from 34.8 million in 2000 (12 percent of the population) to 70.3 million in 2030 (20 percent of the total population).
Americans reaching age 65 today have an average life expectancy of an additional 17.9 years (19.2 years for females and 16.3 years for males).The likelihood that an American who reaches the age of 65 will survive to the age of 90 has nearly doubled over the past 40 years – from just 14 percent of 65-year-olds in 1960 to 25 percent at present. By 2050, 40 percent of 65-year-olds are likely to reach age 90.
http://www.experiencecorps.org/research/factsheet.html
Health Care? Independence? Family disputes upon death? Scammers taking advantage of the elderly? Driving? Lack of retirement planning? Poverty with the elderly? And ???
What are your biggest concerns about America’s growing senior population? More importantly, what needs to be done to properly prepare? Will the problem take care of itself?
Soon and very soon, there will be more Americans over the age of 65 than there are under 18.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Drug-Addicted America??
Pfizer Article
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202433530852&src=EMC-Email&et=editorial&bu=Law.com&pt=Law.com%20Newswire%20Update&cn=LAWCOM_NewswireUpdate_20090902&kw=Pfizer%20to%20Pay%20Record%20%242.3%20Billion%20Penalty%20Over%20Off-Label%20Promotions
From Law.com
“Pfizer Inc., the world's largest drug maker, will pay a record $2.3 billion civil and criminal penalty over unlawful prescription drug promotions, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.”
Once you read the article, you will discover that the penalty is warranted. This conversation focuses more how Americans view the pharmaceutical industry and legal drug use in America. This is not a discussion of the whole health care issue as is being debated in Congress right now.
But consider these questions: (1) It is naïve to think that people are taking the prescription drugs as prescribed to them. People share their prescription drugs. People sell their prescription drugs. How much does this happen? How big of a problem is this?
(2) Pfizer was just penalized $2.3 billion, not million, BILLION dollars, and yet their stock value ROSE 9 cents in early morning trading on Wednesday morning, September 2. Does the American investing public believe that Americans are so “drug-centered” that we are still willing to invest heavily in pharmaceuticals even after billions of dollars in penalties and fees? Are we as Americans THAT “drug-centered”?
(3) Finally, how big of a problem is it that drugs are used as “comfort” rather than for medically-viable reasons. Please let me explain. For years, some doctors prescribed antibiotics for viral infections, knowing they wouldn’t help, to quiet pushy and whiny patients. Some doctors prescribe Vicodin and other pain medications like they were prescribing licorice bites to the squirrelly child in church, without doing a pain management plan. And Americans are loading up on Tylenol (acetaminophen), Claritin, Benadryl and a host of other over-the-counter medications when medically they are not needed. The question is, as Americans continue to do things like overeating and smoking, what can be done to help the next generation not fall into the unhealthy habits of adult Americans?
I look forward to your comments.
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202433530852&src=EMC-Email&et=editorial&bu=Law.com&pt=Law.com%20Newswire%20Update&cn=LAWCOM_NewswireUpdate_20090902&kw=Pfizer%20to%20Pay%20Record%20%242.3%20Billion%20Penalty%20Over%20Off-Label%20Promotions
From Law.com
“Pfizer Inc., the world's largest drug maker, will pay a record $2.3 billion civil and criminal penalty over unlawful prescription drug promotions, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.”
Once you read the article, you will discover that the penalty is warranted. This conversation focuses more how Americans view the pharmaceutical industry and legal drug use in America. This is not a discussion of the whole health care issue as is being debated in Congress right now.
But consider these questions: (1) It is naïve to think that people are taking the prescription drugs as prescribed to them. People share their prescription drugs. People sell their prescription drugs. How much does this happen? How big of a problem is this?
(2) Pfizer was just penalized $2.3 billion, not million, BILLION dollars, and yet their stock value ROSE 9 cents in early morning trading on Wednesday morning, September 2. Does the American investing public believe that Americans are so “drug-centered” that we are still willing to invest heavily in pharmaceuticals even after billions of dollars in penalties and fees? Are we as Americans THAT “drug-centered”?
(3) Finally, how big of a problem is it that drugs are used as “comfort” rather than for medically-viable reasons. Please let me explain. For years, some doctors prescribed antibiotics for viral infections, knowing they wouldn’t help, to quiet pushy and whiny patients. Some doctors prescribe Vicodin and other pain medications like they were prescribing licorice bites to the squirrelly child in church, without doing a pain management plan. And Americans are loading up on Tylenol (acetaminophen), Claritin, Benadryl and a host of other over-the-counter medications when medically they are not needed. The question is, as Americans continue to do things like overeating and smoking, what can be done to help the next generation not fall into the unhealthy habits of adult Americans?
I look forward to your comments.
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